A happy weekend

There were lots of happy faces at the Capitol Social Hall last Saturday afternoon during the awards ceremony for the cluster winners of the 2nd Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup.

The players and team officials were happy because they received the fruits of their labor - a trophy plus cash for the team and individual medals for the players.

The municipal officials were happy as they saw what good the tournament has brought not only to their towns, but also to their relationship with the governor and other provincial officials.

The Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA), which is running the tournament, had very happy officials because our goals for the sport are met by holding competitions like this.

The governor was very happy because it has been proven once again what unity can bring to the province not only in terms of economic gains, but also in sports development.

One thing that also brought a lot of smiles the faces of the people packed inside the social hall was a surprise dance number by the GUV Cup crew. Even my close friends like Andrew Choachuy of Sunsport, Nona Catipay and the Jao twins - Marichu San Juan and Marilou Ramirez joined the dancing.

That probably explained why our president Glenn Anthony Soco and vice president Antonio 'Jun' San Juan, Jr. were not there.

Gov. Gwen was looking for them. I think they should lead the dancing in the next event. Or I should say, many are asking for them to do that.

* * *

I noticed last weekend that I never miss taking part in the November monthly medal of Alta Vista Golf and Country Club.

The reason of course is because it is the birthday of a close friend, compadre, and big brother - Ramon Sebastian and it's a way of celebrating another year of his life.

Last Saturday, I was up very early and well I seem to have surprised many who haven't seen me play for such a long time. At least it explained why I ditched my first tee shot to people Rolando Alberto, who was among the first people to see me become so miserable in the golf course, that were watching our flight tee off.

That's another story of course. I was with Lando a few of our buddies at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club back in July 1995 when I first wandered into the fairways and my misery began.

In sports and in golf, never giving up is one important thing to do. I plowed through the course without destroying it and then on hole No. 12, I found the sole redemption that I needed to make my day.

I hit a drive that went straight and rolled quite a distance, but stayed in the middle of the fairway close to a rope that was laid out for the most accurate drive.

In the end, the final score wasn't a great as I had wanted, but then the game always gives you a reason to come back. I turned my back many months ago, but then can't bear to stay away that long.

I promised myself that I'd spend more time playing and hoping that the scores would again go down to more decent figures soon, but not indecently low.