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Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Oyson: A touching letter
By Manuel N. Oyson Jr.
Counter punch
THAT was a touching e-mail I received recently from fellow scribe, John Pages, on my 21st consecutive year as a sports columnist of this paper. I was deeply moved to cry a tear. Seldom does a journalist receive a complimentary greeting from a fellow craftsman. The letter of JP warms my heart. I do wish I can reciprocate the compliment 21 years hence. Anyway, here’s JP:
“Hi! Congratulations on your 21st birthday. You truly are beyond compare, Cebu’s one and only sports institution. Many have come and gone, many have started then fell of the track. But you’ve remained steadfast and never stopped improving your craft. Needless to say you’re an inspiration to the sporting community, to us fellow sports scribes. And most of all, to the entire Cebu. Without having mentioned this to you before, you’ve been my idol since way back and always will be. More power and may the good Lord continue to protect you and bless you each day.”
What can one say to such an unsolicited testimonial? I would not be fair to John if I just kept the letter to myself. I am obliged to respond to whatever appears in my e-mail box. It was the second testimonial I have received from a fellow journalist. Some three years back, Graeme McKinnon of The Freeman, who has since returned to his native Sydney, also called me an “eminent sportswriter”. Bobby “Knight” Inoferio of Scoop-Cebu also dubs me the “dean of Cebu sportswriters”.
Thank you, John. It is guys like you who make my day. I have been in this craft for 51 years of my life. I never regretted a single moment of it. If you just keep plodding and plugging, you too, will someday reach the plateau where I am now. If that is not possible, then perhaps you will one day be at your best in the sport you love best – tennis. And maybe represent the Philippines in a Davis Cup match. Who knows? Thanks for taking the effort to write.
Tina (TDORE6969@aol. com) sends her appreciation for having her get in touch with PBA player Alex Crisano of Ginebra, a long-time friend. “Thank you so much for doing this for me,” she writes.
PR man Cerwin T. Eviota, your tale of the Mafia godfather is a riot. That message, “Power of the Human Spirit” is an inspiring one. I suggest you share it with others.
NOTES: I found the invitation to Christmas party with media people from a brewery company. It was buried under other papers. It was just as well. It was misaddressed: “ATTY. MANUEL OYSON JR. Sun.Star Cebu, The Freeman, Banat News.” I did not open it.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “If it wasn’t for the referee, I would have won the fight.” - Ricardo
Mayorga, after a controversial loss to Cory Spinks for the undisputed world welterweight boxing crown in Atlantic City.
(e-mail: mno@sunstar. com.ph)
(December 16, 2003 issue)
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