Wednesday, October 24, 2007 Sayson: Thanks for all the love, goodbye for now By Homer Sayson Second Overtime
CHICAGO - This is not a belated April Fools’ Day joke. And it’s too early for a Halloween scare.
I’m taking a leave of absence from my column-writing duties effective today. I hope to do so until the remainder of the year.
I’m not quitting, and I’m not going to write elsewhere, either. I just want some personal time off.
And if my editors will take me back after a stretched lull, I’ll gladly resume penning Second Overtime in January 2008. I’ll miss you, my dear readers. I’ll miss your letters, your kind words, your loyalty.
I’ll miss you, too, my darn critics. Without your angry thorns, this gig wouldn’t have been so rosy, so deliciously bitter-sweet.
The decision to go on a hiatus sank my heart, but it gave my wife reasons to rejoice. She is pleased that I could re-focus on my regular job here in Chicago, a job that I had “left behind” for five out-of-town sports events this year.
Seems strange, but after seven wonderful years, I no longer have to worry about deadlines. No more metaphors, just simple rhymes to teach my four-year old son AJ, who will be off to school soon. And no more readers’ e-mails to answer.
Quite honestly, though, I don’t know whether to feel relieved or saddened.
Column-writing has become so much a part of me for so long. And while I’m firm in letting go for a while, I can’t stop my heart from crying.
In a few days, another NBA season begins. It will be different, I guess, to watch the games as a plain bystander, and to resist the instinct to take notes while conjuring up thoughts on how to write what I’m watching.
And it would be kind of bizarre going to the United Center as a mere fan sitting on the cheap seats instead of the lofty press box. These are changes that I will have to get used to.
But look, if the Dalai Lama makes do with just a wedge of bread from dawn to early afternoon, I’ll be okay with the NBA on TV, a plate of Tabasco-hot chicken wings, plus a tall glass of rum and Coke.
If I ever itch for reporting, I’ll scratch it by yapping and yakking at dyAB, where I still have an NBA segment in Leo Lastimosa’s insanely popular Arangkada program.
Once again, indulge me as I thank my sponsors, whose support enabled me to cover seven straight NBA Finals and countless world boxing championship fights.
Thanks to the Rama clan, especially Manang Mely, who owns the chain of Park N’Go Bakeshops. The Ramas own the distinction of having sponsored every single one of my travels from 2001 to 2007. Their generosity is boundless.
Thanks also to Engr. Dodong Castanares and Isuzu Cebu, Union Bank and Levi Villanueva, Step V Trading and Stephen Villamor, Michel Lhuillier, San Miguel Corp. and Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, a longtime friend and a cherished supporter.
To my college buddy, Jonathan Guardo and his phalanx of companies, my deepest gratitude. And a million thanks to a very good pal, Cebu City Councilor Jack Jakosalem.
To Sun.Star Cebu editor-in-chief Pacheco Seares, I am forever grateful. You took me as columnist when no one else would. And you gave me seven of the best years of my life. I look forward to at least seven more when I come back.
P.S. My cousin Bernyl Balangauan and his lovely wife Kathy are still in Cloud 9 almost three weeks after I brought them to meet Manny Pacquiao at Pacman’s suite at The Hotel in Las Vegas last Oct.8.
Bernyl, who hasn’t stopped to thank me, was joined in that meeting by his sister Angie and Angie’s husband, Pramod Anchuparayil.
Bernyl’s brother, Baltaire, and his bride Nina, didn’t travel to Vegas, but Nina’s brother, Jerome Flores, an RN in LA, was at Mandalay Bay for the fight, cheering wildly on his $400 seat.
Bernyl, Baltaire and Angie are the kids of my uncle, retired colonel Baltazar “Bobby” Balangauan, now currently based in Malacanang as assistant secretary of the PDEA.
Nino Boniel, the mayor of Bien Unido in Bohol, and a big fan of this column, wished he traveled and met Pacquiao. Maybe next time, mayor.
