Letter for Sonny

He took the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) by storm as Tanduay’s first pick in1999. Earl (Sonny)Alvarado averaged 22.9 points to lead the league in scoring in his debut season and finished in the top 10 in four other statistical categories. The former University of Texas standout made such an impact as a rookie that he was named to the PBA’s mythical first team.

But in the All-Filipino Cup last year, the roof caved in on the self-proclaimed, self-assured Fil-Am. It was found out that Alvarado had submitted a tampered document to make it appear his mother Anna Marie is Filipino. Tanduay management, however, insisted Alvarado was on the level and despite a league warning of forfeit, decided to play the all-star forward in two semifinal games against Purefoods. As it turned out, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) deported Alvarado for falsifying his mother’s birth document and the PBA reversed Tanduay’s twin semifinal wins where Alvarado played.

Alvarado, 28, never bothered to defend himself from detractors who called him a Fil-Sham. He left town quietly.

Then, over a month ago, word leaked that Alvarado was back in town – itching to return to the PBA. A BI source said he was allowed to reenter the country "to clear his name." But wasn’t it affirmed that he had submitted a tampered document to "prove" his Filipino lineage? Did his return mean the document wasn’t tampered after all? How could Alvarado "clear his name" if there was conclusive evidence that the document he submitted to the BI was tampered? Would he claim no knowledge of the tampering? Would he point to a fall guy as the culprit? But since he stood to gain from the tampering, how could he feign ignorance?

There’s no doubt Alvarado is in town. He’s been seen shopping in malls, working out in the gym, and – of all things – scrimmaging with some PBA clubs. The PBA has issued an irrevocable ban on Alvarado for his misdeeds. However, a PBA team insider whispered that Alvarado has secretly been looking for a "padrino" to facilitate his comeback in the league.

I haven’t seen nor talked to Alvarado since his return. So I decided to write this letter. I wonder if he’ll reply.

* * *

Dear Sonny,

How are you? I heard you’ve been back over a month. Is your wife Crystal is her name, right? – with you? And your baby? Nothing like a happy family. I’m sure you’re enjoying yourself here, shopping, hanging out with your Fil-Am buddies, staying in shape. What about your Filipino relatives – have you seen any? Are you buying Christmas presents for them?

I never got around to asking you but where do you trace your Filipino roots? Your late father was named Earl Williams but you used your mother’s surname Alvarado. Don’t tell me your mother is from Samar, too? That seems to be the favorite province of Fil-Ams. Maybe, you’re related to the late actor Max? Or maybe not – his moustache wasn’t quite as princely as yours.

When you played in the PBA, did any of your relatives go to the stadium and cheer for you – like the relatives of Chris Jackson, Noy Castillo, William Antonio, Ali Peek, and the Seigles? Or were they too shy and stayed away?

From a popular basketball website in the internet, I saw your name listed as a naturalized player in the Puerto Rico league. You played for the Moca club. Does that mean you’re on your third citizenship? I presume you were born an American.

A friend told me you trace your Hispanic roots to Mexico and he knows your Mexican uncle who lives in Texas. So if your heritage is Mexican, where does the Filipino lineage come in? Or maybe my friend mistook you for someone else – somebody also surnamed Alvarado who played basketball in Texas.

As for playing in Texas, aren’t you amazed that so many Fil-Ams saw action for the same NCAA Division I school? Al Segova and Chris Clay also played for the Longhorns. What a coincidence. Who brought you here to play? Did he also bring Segova and Clay to Manila? There must be a huge Filipino community in Houston. Did you hang out with your kababayan in Texas? How old were you when you tasted your first adobo or spoke your first Pilipino word? I bet your Filipino mother is a good cook.

So why are you back? I heard from a highly reliable source, you’ve gotten your Department of Justice (DOJ) clearance. Congratulations. How did you manage that? How did you convince the DOJ that you shouldn’t be accountable for submitting a falsified public document? Were you ever summoned for a hearing? If so, how come it was hush-hush?

I also heard you plan to show up for the national team tryouts. I’m sure you know that a national team is allowed to recruit one naturalized player. But you’re not naturalized. As a Fil-Am endorsed by the BI and confirmed by the DOJ, you enjoy the privileges of an ordinary citizen. It’s just that you’re banned from the PBA. Why not play in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) which doesn’t require Fil-Ams to prove their lineage? Or you could play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP)? I’m sure you can produce documents that will make you eligible for the varsity. You’d make history as a 28-year-old rookie in the UAAP.

Incidentally, who’s paying for your extended stay here? Who facilitated your DOJ confirmation, if at all it was issued? Whoever is paying for your bills must hate money because he’s spending foolishly. I’d like to meet him – perhaps, I could convince him to use his money for charity instead.

I remember when you played in the PBA, you made a habit of blowing kisses to the fans who jeered you after you made a shot. You were some kind of player. You don’t see too many impostors with as much cheek. But are you really an impostor? Or are you the real thing? Are you a Fil-Am or a Fil-Sham? I’d like to know from you and so would the PBA fans.

If you’d like to talk, call me.

Sincerely,
Quinito