|
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Pages: SEA Games in Sugbu: Third time lucky for RP?
By John Pages
Match Point
At 11:30 yesterday morning, Jonathan Guardo dropped a bombshell. He grabbed the microphone, adjusted the collar of his blue RP Team jacket, and said, “This Nov. 27 to Dec. 5, a total of 11 countries will compete. We expect more than a thousand athletes, officials, and guests. We will make sure to give them a warm reception. But, at the same time, ato silang pildihon (we will defeat them)!”
The Capitol Social Hall rocked. Chandeliers shook. Outside, the drizzle turned into a rainstorm. Gov. Gwen Garcia, Rep. Monico Puentevella, Mayors Tommy Osmeña and Teddy Ouano, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) honchos Butch Ramirez and Ritchie Garcia and hundreds of other palms collided in applause.
“In two months,” Cebu City sports head Guardo continued, “one of the biggest sporting spectacles will hit Cebu for the first time. The 23rd SEA Games is something the Cebuanos have been waiting for since the Philippines first hosted it in 1981. Cebu is fortunate to have been given the chance to be one of the regional hubs, the other, Bacolod. The Philippines hopes to capture the overall championship for the first time. The goal is to win at least 120 gold medals. I believe that with the Cebuanos’ passionate cheering and support, Cebu’s contribution should total no less than 20 gold medals.”
I know Jonathan Guardo to be a sportsman of all sports, a master organizer of all projects. Now I add one more to his illustrious resume: motivating speaker.
Is it January? I asked. Why? Because “Sinulog” was written all over the ballroom. The University of San Carlos Dance Troupe wowed the crowd with song and dance renditions as Fr. Vic Uy, one of the USC top guns, clapped. TV host Bill Velasco roamed the room taking video footages. Councilor Jack Jakosalem was all smiles. The familiar Sinulog voice of Sam Costanilla echoed from the speakers. Junjet Primor choreographed the launching and showed why Cebu is world class. Ricky Ballesteros’ mind was busy planning the grand opening at the Cebu City Sports Center. My seatmate Anton Quisumbing and I sat dazzled by the hour-long presentation.
Gov. Garcia spoke. The province’s first-ever lady governor smiled a toothful grin and spoke perfect Bisaya. She’s pretty, youthful, and is a supremely confident speaker. I heard her speak last month at the Canada Day celebration. Impressive.
Yesterday, I became her biggest fan. The governor spoke of her pride in the Cebuanos. Let me say this to the governor: Cebuanos are proud of you.
Rep. Monico Puentevella is a sports heavyweight. He’s a staunch President GMA supporter. When he speaks, she listens.
During the 1990s, Monico reigned as one of the five commissioners of the PSC. Today, he’s Bacolod City’s congressman and heads the lower house Committee on Sports and Youth. Even more, he’s the president of the Philippine Weightlifting Association. Talk about heavyweights, Monico is one.
“Cebu is the best prepared among all,” Monico said. “In Manila, there are no streamers around… no one is talking about the SEA Games there. In Bacolod, we are ready. But not as ready as Cebu.”
Monico singled out his former basketball coach at the La Salle Bacolod, Antonio “Bidoy” Aldeguer. As we all know in this town, Aldeguer is Mr. Boxing. He is probably the most bemedalled sportsman in all of Cebu history. For decades, he’s worked without stop, often 31 days of the month, up as early as 5 a.m., to push his boxers. The result? You saw it the other Sunday. His name: Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista.
So the countdown starts. Will 2005 be when RP wins it’s first overall crown? What I saw yesterday was no coincidence...
Three RP host cities: Cebu, Bacolod, Manila.
Three Cebu co-host cities: Cebu, Mandaue, Danao.
Three local officials: Gov. Garcia, Mayor Osmeña, Mayor Ouano.
Three national sports heads: PSC Chairman Ramirez, PSC commissioner Garcia, Cong. Puentevella.
Three of the nation’s best city sports heads: Guardo of Cebu, Cheryl Ouano of Mandaue, Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez of Danao.
Three times RP hosts: 1981, 1991, 2005.
Three times lucky?
NOTE. Last week, after he captured his sixth grand slam title, I wrote about 10 ways to dethrone the almost-impossible-to-stop tennis king, Roger Federer.
Here’s the source where several of those suggestions came from: “How
To Stop Roger Federer” by Patrick Hruby at http://sports.espn.go.
com/espn/page2.
One final tip to beat The Fed?
Hand him a badminton racket.
(john@playhouse.edu.ph)
(September 20, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
