Many thanks for a great 2007

As the clock ticks toward the end of year 2007 and the start of year 2008, it is just proper to give thanks to those who made the past year eventful, fruitful and meaningful for me and those who were with me in some of the activities and initiatives undertaken.

Many thanks goes to the following:

• Chito Villavicencio and his team at Filoil Flying V Sports, namely, Raffy and Virgil Villavicencio and David Dualan

This group provided full support to the successful staging of the 5th Collegiate Champions League (CCL). As the main sponsor of the CCL Collegiate National Championship 2007 games, Chito VillavicencioÅfs group of companies awarded scholarships and athletic funding support to the top four collegiate teams, Ateneo Blue Eagles (champion), University of Visayas Green Lancers, STI Colleges Olympians and UST Growling Tigers.

• Manuel V. Pangilinan, president of BAP-SBP, and Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, BAP-SBP executive director BAP-SBP officials headed by Manny and Pato saw the value of encouraging the collegiate teams to aim for a higher level of achievement and thereby expose the young collegiate players to broader competition rather than just be confined to their respective leagues. With BAP-SBP blessing, the annual search for the best collegiate team in the country goes on through the CCL Collegiate National Championship games.

As additional incentives to the teams that heeded the call to compete for the national collegiate title, Manny Pangilinan gave additional scholarship awards for outstanding team and individual performances during the recent 5th CCL Collegiate National Championship 2007 games. Part of the new awards given was for the best performing referee in the series which was given to Ermin Mallorca, one of the senior referees handling the PBL games.

• Ephraim Genuino, chairman & CEO, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), Rafael “Butch” Francisco, PAGCOR president and COO, and Mabuhay “Boy” Rosero, PAGCOR senior managing head-Poker

The promotion and development of the poker game market initiated by the Philippine Poker Tour (PPT) and the Poker Club of the Philippines (PCP) would not have been successful without the encouragement and support extended by chairman Genuino and Butch Francisco particularly during the early days of local poker competitions.

With poker now one of the revenue sources of PAGCOR, Boy Rosero has taken over the role of nurturing the gains made by the initial efforts of PPT and PCP, maintaining the integrity of the game and ensuring that poker players’ interests are protected as they enjoy their game.

•  Peter ChamLiong, CEO Solar Entertainment, and members of his team, namely, Jude Turcuatro, VP-Marketing-Sports, and Rely San Agustin

Much needed media exposure was provided by the Solar Entertainment group as the network covered on television the collegiate basketball games conducted by Collegiate Champions League (CCL) and the poker tournaments organized and managed by the Philippine Poker Tour (PPT).

This support was indeed critical in enhancing viewers’ awareness of the development efforts of CCL and PPT.

•  Bizlinks research team (who shall remain unnamed)

This dedicated group has been instrumental in bringing up issues tackled in this column which are relevant to our everyday living and which are worthwhile to highlight and debated in pursuit of their resolution.

• And finally, the readers

who have taken time and effort to express their views through letters, emails and telephone calls. Receiving your feedback, whether favorable or of opposing views, gives me the elated feeling of at least being understood and making sense.

‘Pag-usapan Natin’ at IBC-TV 13

Watch “Pag-usapan Natin,” a segment of the IBC-TV 13 news program News Tonite, from 10:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Mondays to Fridays) as we discuss issues that have relevance to our everyday living. Viewers may send their comments to Sunshine Television c/o Valle Verde Country Club, Pasig City.   

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]