One nation

Everyone I meet asks me about this Sunday. Where are you watching? Do you think Pacquiao will beat Hatton? Will there be a knockout? Who’s next after Hatton? Is Pacman ready?

I wish I had the answer to all the questions, but I’m sorry I just don’t know. I don’t even know if I am watching the fight since everywhere else will have very few people and it would be a great time to go to church, go grocery shopping, and golfing.

Unfortunately, I’ll still need to find a way to keep tab about what’s happening because each time there is a big fight, many would ask me for the latest news or to confirm the hoax messages that are passed around by mobile phone.

There are, however, a few things I am sure will happen tomorrow, there will be no traffic, there will be minimal crimes and we will be united as one nation. 

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Here’s an anecdote from the golfing world that I’d like to share with my fellow parents.

It is from Amazing But True Golf Facts.

It says that when Tiger Woods was about to become a father, many started asking if being a parent would affect his game. He already has two kids and I believe he is still the world’s best.

Many reportedly pointed to Juli Inkster of the LPGA as the best example of a parent who has done well on the professional tour. The story goes that prior to her having her first child, Juli had 13 Tour victories including three Majors. 

But during the period from 1990 to 1999 when she gave birth to her two children, Juli only won twice.

Her career however took a major leap forward from 1999 to 2007 where she won 15 events including four Majors.

The reason for the resurgence, according to Juli, is that “The girls became old enough to understand what Mommy did.”

Lucky for Tiger he’s got his lovely wife Elin to take care of their children while he’s on the Tour.

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This is the time of the year when I would dearly remember a man, who may not have lived a long life, but instilled in me the love for sports.

Today, my father, Nonilon Frasco Quiñones, would have turned 66 years old. He however died at the age of 34 and never saw us grow into what we are now.

Papa Nonic always brought me to the tennis court when I was a small kid growing up in the Sangi Beach compound of the old Atlas Mines.

An important part of any Atlas family is the participation and enjoyment of sports, which was nurtured with our regular visits to the recreation center. This allowed many from my generation to love and appreciate sports.

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MILESTONES: The first of May is not only Labor Day in our country but also the birthday of the most active officer of the UP Cebu High School Alumni Association, Mic-mic Bugash.

Today, I’d like to extend birthday wishes to Armi Lou Rovillos, my cousin Estela Pace-Yu, and my inaanak Shelamay Montenegro.

Those celebrating tomorrow are my fraternity brother Tirso Ramon ‘Jinggoy’ Roa and my good friend Gilbey Cleopas.

More power to all of you!