23 not 28 and 'A Shot at Life'

It is 23 not 28. Yes, 23 years and one day today that I have been writing for The Freeman. The title in yesterday’s column should have been five years less, but then in this business you kind of feel a lot older than you are.

To my buddies from the sportswriting brotherhood and sisterhood, thanks a lot for all the congratulatory messages and your anecdotes in our e-mail group. 

I sometimes feel very old when this comes to mind, but I have worked closely with many of our sportswriters either as editor, teacher, or simply as somebody who gave them the break.

Looking back, most of the major events of my life have happened the past 23 years.

I can still remember how excited I was to receive my first press card from then editor-in-chief Juanito Jabat, whose column I have followed since I was a kid.

It has been a long way since that moment and after many slips and tumbles, there are still many more rough patches to tread and many more lessons to learn.

Again, to all who made it happen, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart! Maybe I’ll really reach 28 years in this profession.

You don’t really count too much if you are enjoying.

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In two weeks, the annual golf tournament of the University of the Philippines Cebu High School Batch ’84 dubbed as ‘A Shot at Life’ will tee off at the Mactan Island Golf Club.

This is an 18-hole tournament that will use the System-36 format. Tickets are sold at P2,000 each and this covers the green fee, giveaway, snacks, dinner, and the caddie fee.

This is open to all and not only the alumni of UP Cebu High School.

Although I come from the class that graduated a year after my kuyas and ates, I am actively involved in their effort because the proceeds go to a very good cause.

‘A Shot at Life’ gives the scholars of the class, who are now in college a real shot at life with the support of Batch ‘84.

I did not even bat an eyelash when Ate Julie Itaas asked me if I can help them out and serve as tournament director. How can I say no?

If you want some truly deserving young men and women to have a shot at life, sign up for the tournament.

If you want to join, you can call me and I’d be glad to answer your questions.

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The registration for this year’s The View Invitational officially opened the other day.

The tournament is set on May 24 to 27 and teams composed of a member and a guest can choose to play two rounds during that period – either May 24 and 26 or 25 and 27.

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MILESTONES: Today’s birthday greetings go to Jyra Mae Wong, Laurice Carmel Diy-Ramirez, and Grace Segismar.

Advance greetings to those celebrating tomorrow like my grade school teacher Madame Nimfa Alo and Haniyah Sultan.

More power to all of you! - THE FREEMAN