Off to the race

Let this Holy Week be a chance for all of us to reflect on things we’ve done and those that we haven’t.

Although I am not exactly a religious person, I believe that if we all do a little good we will have a better place to live in.

There is hope for all of us if we continue to strive to be better in whatever thing we do as long as it is for the good of mankind.

For those planning to go on a long drive or a trip, I hope that you take the proper safety precautions and remember to pray before leaving your home.

* * *

Holy Week is usually spent in my hometown of Minglanilla, but this year it will be a bit different.

This is because of the invitation of Petronas for me to join a group from Cebu that would be going to the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday in Kuala Lumpur.

Although I have long been following Formula-1 action on television and from the news wires that our paper subscribe to, I’ve never had a chance to watch a race live.

This Sunday will be my first real F-1 experience and I look forward to a lot of good things that any race fan would anticipate.

* * *

My wife and I had a chance to chat with fellow sporting parent Evelyn Tiu yesterday morning at the Camp Lapu-Lapu Driving Range.

Just like us, she was there to accompany her son, who was practicing.

Among the things we discussed was the time that parents have to spend with the children when they are into sports whether seriously or just for fun.

Like for golf parents like Evelyn, there are travels to tournaments where you have to accompany your kids and the times that you also walk around the course following them.

I am not trying to scare parents who are looking forward to get their kids int9o sports, but I am giving you the real picture. As a football dad, I have experienced how it is to be lugging the folding chairs, cooler, umbrella, extra shirts, towels, and a lot more while walking to the pitch from a few hundred yards away where I parked. 

I’ve been a water boy, lotion boy, cheerer, first aider, and a lot more during games and practices.  I have been forced to go on leave just to be in the games and have driven quite a distance to make it to tournaments venues.

It takes much to be a sporting parent, but then no amount of money can pay for the bond that you will develop with your child during such activities.

If I weren’t a sporting parent, I’d probably have more time to do other stuff and would be spending less on shoes, equipment, energy drinks and fuel, but would I be as close to my kids as I am now?

Thanks to sports, a passion I share with my family.  There’s much sacrifice, but the fruits of all the effort I have poured are definitely worth it.

* * *

MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings to a few friends who are turning older in the coming days.  Among them are former sportswriter Mary Rose Javier (March 20), Commander John Garaña of the Philippine Navy (March 21), assistant news editor Lucky Malicay (March 22), Jovir Amatong (March 22), Dr. Michael Cotia (March 22) and Cavalier Hamurabi P. Geonzon (March 24).

More power to all of you!