Abusive blackballing at Polo Club

A prominent lawyer has offered to take up the case of businessman Michael “Mikee” Romero whose application at the Manila Polo Club (MPC) is being blocked by a powerful businessman. Mikee, the president and CEO of Manila North Harbour Port, happens to be the son of property developer Reghis Romero II whose R-II Builders is currently embroiled in a controversy involving the 3.6-hectare property of IBC 13. Apparently, the attempt to blackball the young businessman from Polo Club stems from the fact that his father is the rival of a powerful businessman also engaged in the construction and development business.

Aside from the port business, Mikee’s interests also include the airline industry being the co-owner of AirAsia Philippines and the AirAsia Patriots basketball team that is making waves in the Asian Basketball League. He is also president of the Philippine National Shooting Association and has been actively pushing for the Philippines to host the Youth Olympic Shooting Camp this year. Those who know Mikee well say he is undoubtedly qualified to become a member of the Manila Polo Club considering that he has 15 polo horses and has been mounting the players of his polo team that have won in several international polo competitions.

A source informed Spy Bits that even polo sportsman Iñigo Zobel was surprised that Mikee was blackballed from being a member of the exclusive club. Polo is a very expensive sport and here is a successful young businessman who earned his first billion before reaching 40 – who is obviously a polo player and therefore has every qualification – being blackballed by abusive members who extend their bias and dislike to the kids of their business competitors. A long time Polo member commented that he does not understand why Mikee’s application is being blocked when “all sorts of characters” are being accepted anyway in the supposedly elite club. A Polo Club share is now running at P7.5 million.

The prominent lawyer is preparing to sue the current board of the MPC for abuse and discriminatory actions. If one may recall, no less than Sarangani Congressman and world boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was thumbed down both by the MPC and Manila Golf reportedly because the members were bothered by the coterie of assistants and bodyguards that seem to accompany the Pacman wherever he goes. There are some suggestions for Congressman Pacquiao to craft an “anti-discrimination” bill – or better still, buy out both the Polo Club and Manila Golf and call it Magolo Club.

Twins at 80

Industry icon twins Joe and Ronnie Concepcion celebrated their 80th birthday last Friday at the Shangri-La hotel with Manila’s top businessmen, society figures and members of the media with a special book launching of their biographies as a tribute to their accomplishments. Of course, JoeCon’s name is inevitably linked with the elections watchdog National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections or Namfrel while Ronnie is popular with many ordinary Filipinos for being the consummate advocate of the Consumer Oil Price Watch (COPW) who has been monitoring oil price hikes for the longest time.

Our friend, GoNegosyo founder Joey Concepcion authored “JoeCon’s Journey: Our Father and His Remarkable Legacy” with a foreword by Don Jaime Zobel as a tribute to his dad’s efforts to help restore democracy in the country. But what really stands out is the overflowing love that Joey has for a father who inculcated in his kids the value of selflessness and service to others – thereby serving as a role model that has encouraged Joey to devote his time, talent and resources in helping Filipinos overcome poverty.

On the other hand, Ronnie’s lovely wife Carmencita “Menchu” delas Alas Concepcion co-authored with PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez, “In Pursuit of Excellence: The Odyssey of Raul T. Concepcion.” The book outlines Ronnie’s quest to realize the vision of his father, Jose Concepcion Sr., to turn a Filipino company, Concepcion Industries Inc.into a globally-recognized appliance manufacturer. It is, no doubt, a work of love painstakingly undertaken by Menchu to honor the man who is unmistakably the love of her life. The book is certainly engaging, made even more interesting by the photos (many of them unpublished) that help chronicle the “odyssey” of Ronnie. 

Spy tidbits

– Nominations for the Rizal Awards – given to individuals (Filipino or foreign), institutions and other organizations with an unassailable record of promoting the Rizalian concept of love for country, civic competence and integrity, are now open. The award is also given in recognition of those with “meritorious achievement” in a profession with strong orientation towards service to community and/or country in light of Rizal’s teachings and way of life. The awards will have two categories, namely individual and institutional. Inquiries regarding nomination procedures/requirements may be directed to the National Historical Commission with email address: [email protected]. Deadline for submission is on April 15, 2012.

– US-based educator and Pampanga native Marites Curley is spearheading the Alay Aklatan project to help Aetas achieve self-esteem and literacy. An alumna of Holy Angel University, Curley, who was awarded the Veteran of Foreign Wars National Citizenship Educator Award in Maryland and is president of the Washington DC chapter of the Association of Filipino Teachers of America (AFTA), has been actively helping the indigenous students of Sapang Uwak Elementary School in Porac, Pampanga. In fact, her group is also set to donate classrooms that would benefit not only the needy students but the whole community as well.

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