Reorganizing the Masters

A lot of people didn’t know that National Masters Athletics Association president, Manny Ibay had cancer as he was still actively promoting the Masters Athletics events and even accompany the team to international competitions. Our last local competition was in Cebu in 2013 just before our scheduled trip to Kitakami City, in Japan.  Last September, Manny succumbed to the  Big C. Nevertheless, the team composed of 20 grizzled veterans including Elma Muros, Linda Lavandia, Renato Unso, Danny Fresnido, Emerson Obiena and Elen Punelas participated in the Asian Masters Asthletics Championship, bringing home three gold medals.  Last month, I was in Manila to attend the National Masters Athletics of the Philippines election held at the PSC office in  Vito Cruz.  Pole Vaulter Emerson Obiena was elected president while Paul Ycasas will now be the head of delegation. Paul reiterated that I will still be the regional director for Visayas.  The team is preparing  for the World Masters set this August in Lyon, France. As agreed by the association, only gold medallists will be sent by the PSC but for those who have the means to pay air fares, accommodation etcetera, they are most welcome.  We are training our sights to next year as the Asian Masters will be held in Singapore, therefore, “Di kaayo mahal ang gastos”. Before that however, I’m planning a two  local tournaments to be staged in Cebu City  and Bacolod.

Senior  Golfers

My  heavy schedule prevented me from going to the Mactan Island Golf Club to meet my La Salle-Bacolod batchmates, former amatuer golf champion Francis Gaston and current PSC  chair Richie Garcia, who were playing in the 8th PAL Seniors Interclub golf championships.  I also missed seeing another good friend Minieng Marvilla of Iloilo City and Tommy Manotoc  my former “agaw.” Tommy married my cousin, former Miss International Aurora Pijuan, making Tomas my “cousin-in-law.”  Congratulations to Canlubang for winning this year’s  edition of the prestigious tournament.

Did you know?

Action star Jason Statham 47, represented  England in the Springboard and platform diving competitions at the 1990 Commonwealth Games before rocketing to the big screen.  Just recently, Statham was almost killed during the filming of Expandables 3, when he jumped from a runaway truck before it plunged 60 feet into the Black Sea.  “His diving experience saved him,” said co-star Sylvester Stallone.

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers was named for Kobe steakhouse in suburban  Philadelphia. His family moved to Italy for eight years when he was six years old. His father Joe “Jelly Bean” Bryant played pro basketball.  On the musical side, Kobe has written “spiritual rap” with the rap group Cheizaw.  Kobe’s hip-hop name is “Kobe One Kenobe the Eight.” Kobe missed this year’s All Star Game in New York City due to injury while his team is in the cellar of the Pacific Division.