Sincere thanks

Now we can heave a sigh of relief. The 23rd Southeast Asian Games has closed, but of course, the work for some members of the organizing committee is not yet over.

I was at the closing ceremony last Monday at the parking lot of SM City Cebu where hundreds of athletes and volunteers gathered for one last time before everyone would again go their separate ways.

The gathering was a little emotional for some as the few days that we've been together developed bonds of friendship and many are looking forward to the day that they will meet again. Maybe in the 2007 Bangkok, Thailand SEA Games.

Still groggy from the ten or more hectic days that I've just had, a text message from a good friend was very uplifting and I wish to share it with you, most especially those, who worked during the SEA Games.

This came from Jerry Capacio and it goes, "hey...congratulations you guys did a fabulous job. I'm pretty sure it was chaotic but from a fan stand point it went on smoothly. Kudos to the volunteers."

Thanks for the kind words Jerry.

Jerry is a fellow parent at Sacred Heart School-Jesuit, who is one of those who I've talked about the SEA Games preparations a lot.

The volunteers really played a major role in the staging of the event and I can't thank them enough.

Some of those people who really my life easy as head of the press and publicity committee were Vergil Larombe, Carine Asutilla, Michelle Go, Ladiemie 'Jen' Vega, Marigold Arco, Marietta Suarez, Gabrielle Violet Taborada, Hannah Nicolee Gauran, Emmarith Balili, Mariaflor Jadol, Ray Tejana, Frederick Borrinaga, and Vincent Pinga.

Also helping out were Marsante Alison, Gay Walker, Josephine Abella, Rowena Inguito, Shiena Joy Tisoy, Debbie Ann Imperial, and many individuals and groups.

I'd also like to make special mention to the Aboitiz Group Foundation for lending us the computers to be used in the main media center and also AMA Learning Center, which also lent us PCs. Special thanks also to Allan Limas of Factory Direct Ventures Ltd. For lending us the furniture used at the main media center.

There are many more people that I have missed, but that does not mean I am not thankful to you. My memory is just not that just sharp maybe.

To those who worked during the 23rd SEA Games, we now close a short, but colorful chapter of our lives. What make the experience worthwhile are the lessons that we learned and the friendships that we made.

Let me share to you a text message from Chairman Jonathan Guardo of the Cebu SEA Games Organizing Committee (Cebu SOC).

"In behalf of Cebu SOC, I wish to thank you for our SEAG success. More power to us all."

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One of the events of the SEA Games that I made sure I would not miss was judo. Although it was not until last Saturday that I really got to see the medal matches, I enjoyed being there at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

What I'd like to see would be a follow through for judo in the city that hosted the event. Maybe my good friend Cheryl Ouano, chairperson of the Mandaue City Sports Development Commission can help the local chapter of the Philippine Amateur Judo Association (PAJA) set it up.

If there is anything that I'd like to see happen now that the SEA Games is over, it is the people playing the sports that we have hosted in Cebu.

Sepak takraw has started with the University of San Carlos and I know there would be more coming for the other sporting events.