Saturday, June 21, 2008 Pagulayan: Don’t neglect studies By Marian C. Baring Sun.Star Staff Reporter
“STAY in school, play pool.”
This is the message that defending Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge champion Alex “the Lion” Pagulayan wants to spread to the young cue artists.
Pagulayan had been in trouble quite a few times for his crazy antics in competitions and admitted that he once hustled for money.
His funny theatrics and his positive demeanor, which always bring life to competitions he join, are classic trademark of Pagulayan, something he doesn’t want to change.
“I am known to make people laugh when I play and I like doing that. I have been many things and I am not ashamed of any of these,” said Pagulayan, when sharing of his experience before becoming a world champion.
No regrets, Pagulayan said. “I have been taken out of the game, suspended, banned because I always try to be fun while playing,” he said.
Pagulayan said that he wants to make people happy.
However, in spite of all his achievement, one thing had always hounded him—despite his successes in international pool and a world title.
“If I had made a mistake in my life, it is skipping school,” said Pagulayan, who is out to defend his crown in the Sun.Star Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge, now rechristened as the Manny Villar Cup Cebu leg.
“Dito (billiards) ako gumaling. I gathered all I learned from the country’s greats and applied it. I got too caught up with my craft that I have forgotten how important education is,” said Pagulayan, adding that this should not be the mistake kids will follow.
Pagulayan said that while he is overwhelmed with kids idolizing him and other players, he said it is a good thing to be passionate about sports but they should always prioritize school first.
“To focus in this sport is important, but they should never forget that being in school and having the knowledge is more important because it is something that no one else can take away from you,” said Pagulayan, turning a serious tone from his usually eccentric self.
“For kids who want to make it big, what will happen if you have to go abroad and play? You need to have the ability and the confidence to rely on yourself,” he said.
Pagulayan said that without education, one will be perceived as ignorant and therefore make it easy for other people to dictate.
As of the moment, Pagulayan said that he has achieved a lifelong goal of making a name in the international scene, now, Pagulayan has a new chapter to face.
“I had made it my goal to be good in billiards and I achieved that. Now, I have a new mission and that is to finish school,” said Pagulayan, who added that he can’t wait to go back to school.
