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Thursday, May 25, 2006
Sayson: God’s gift
By Homer Sayson
Secondovertime
CHICAGO – Willingly, he turned his back from the spotlight, voluntarily terminating a thankless public service career that was distinguished through hard work, dense accomplishments and uncommon humanity.
But like the sun that sets in a glorious burst of orange, he did not perish forever. Now a private citizen, emancipated from the shackles of political intrigue, he still lurks among the Cebuanos, perpetuating a mission of love and giving to Cebu City’s various barangays.
His past drew him back to the limelight last Monday, and so reluctantly, he gleamed from out of the shadows.
Former Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) chairman Jonathan Guardo was all smiles when he took the Sportsman of the Year plum in the 24th All-Cebu Sports Awards at the Rajah Park Hotel. It’s the most sacred award the Sportswriters
Association of Cebu (SAC) hands out annually. It’s a jewel the tireless Guardo richly deserves.
Guardo had also been previously recognized by another prestigious media group, the Cebu Scoop. The SAC Sportsman of the Year award is his second since 2002. One more gem and he will be immortalized in the Hall-of-Fame.
This time, Guardo was honored specifically for his role as Cebusoc chairman in the Southeast Asian Games (Seag) last year.
And while the POC, the Province of Cebu, the city governments of Cebu, Manduae and Danao were all instrumental in the successful hosting of the Seag, it was Guardo’s vision that started it all, and the lambent light of his leadership carried the ambitious project through its dark days.
“Community service streams in my blood. As a college student, I was already chapel president in our barangay doing loads of projects. I don’t do what I do to collect awards. I do it because I want to serve. But it’s nice to be noticed, especially by an organization as notable as the SAC,” Guardo told me via long distance interview.
Leaving the CCSC didn’t mean hibernation for Guardo. In fact, it meant more work. “As a private individual using my own resources, I’ve done more. Without the restraints of bureaucratic red tape, I’m now able to distribute sports materials to several intended parties in a swift and timely manner,” he said.
Now that the CCSC’s long hours have been shaven off his tight schedule, Jonathan can afford to conquer some holes in the golf course, where he terrorizes his friends. He owns a golf swing of beauty, has a mean drive that always kisses the fairways, and he can sink a 10-foot putt with the consistency of a Dirk Nowitzki free throw.
But Guardo is “happiest” with the fact that his time-out from official public service has allowed him to spend some quality time with his four precious kids – Justine, John Kenneth, Hannah and Enzo. “My children are my pride and joy, and I remind myself of that everyday,” said Jonathan.
He’s deeply involved with his Osaka Iridology empire, too. It’s something he hasn’t done in a while. “I was just in Beijing, China looking to spread our company’s wings. I wish I could just wallow at home, but like everybody else I need a livelihood, so here I am burning the midnight oil in the private sector.”
Wherever fate takes him, and “whichever way our Lord leads me,” Guardo promised to continue sponsoring sports projects all over Cebu. “It’s my passion, it will never die,” he explained.
The name Jonathan supposedly means “God’s gift.” How fitting, indeed.
Because Jonathan Guardo has been quite a bounty for the Cebuanos all these years, bringing all sorts of goodness since he became CCSC chair.
Jonathan’s golden touch extends well beyond the playing fields of sports. He has helped the needy, comforted the sick, and provided hope to causes where hope was dying. Jonathan Guardo isn’t just Sportsman of the Year. He is the Man of the Year,
(homsay@hotmail.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (May 25, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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