Title: happy and sad moments

CEBU, Philippines - Let us pray for the safety of our countrymen in Metro Manila and other areas that have been flooded due to incessant rains.

We are very lucky here in Cebu to enjoy fine weather, but I am sure that many of us are keeping an eye on the situation in Metro Manila.

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I am both happy and sad about the outcome of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines, which was held last Sunday.

I am happy that the event turned out to be a huge success. I’m sure that Cebu will gain much from hosting the competition despite the inconvenience caused to those affected by the road closures.

I am also at the same time sad because of the death of one of the participants. I do not personally know Ramon Igaña, but I can’t help but feel sad that such tragedy has happened.

Engaging in any sport or activity is dangerous. Any death during a sporting activity will always generate a lot of interest from the people and also a lot of clamor for better safety regulations and the deployment of more medical personnel.

May Ramon’s soul rest in peace!

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The Aboitiz Invitational 2012 tees off today at the Cebu Country Club. Yesterday, there was a pro-am event that allowed us to play alongside the professionals and to make new friends.

I was teamed up with Robin Sarmiento of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Chris Walker of Global Coal and our Singaporean pro, Quincy Quek.

As of this writing, I have no idea how our team fared against the others, but based on our unofficial count, we finished with a score of 15-under-par.

All four of us played each hole and the best net score among the team members would count for the total.

The soft-spoken Singaporean pro won the Philippine Amateur Championship in 2009 and was also a team and individual champion in the Putra Cup in 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The tournament will have three rounds, but only those who would make the cut will get to play on Friday.

Good luck to all players.

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There was also sad news for the Cebu golf community last weekend when Jonathan Yu, a very active member of the tournament committee of Alta Vista Golf and Country Club succumbed to lung cancer.

Jonathan’s trademark white hair and his booming voice would be missed by his friends.

Rest in peace, Jo! 

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MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to my life partner, mother of my children, ex-girlfriend, favorite cook, and wife Evelyn, who turned another year older last Monday.

The same goes to Robert Hipolito and Marco Anzani.

Belated greetings also go to yesterday’s celebrators like Runette Raboy-Rico, Randy Gorion and Ramil Paican.

Today’s greetings go to my nephew Horace ‘Ace’ Acas, Ronald ‘Tolandoy’ Rellin, Blake Go, Annie Santos-Tengco, Jennifer Agdamag-Silan, Virgilio ‘Biyo’ Verde, and my first journalism teacher Prof. Fe N. Reyes.

More power to all of you!