Cebuano jungolfers off to San Diego

The victory of Manny Pacquiao over Ricky Hatton last Sunday has made many boxing experts out of the ordinary men and women. 

So I won’t be writing about that anymore as I’m sure whatever I’d put down here must have already been said by many others.

So, just allow me to thank Manny for once again lowering the crime rate of the country even for a few hours last weekend.

For that, you’re really a hero.

To the many hangers on among the Filipino politicians, who all wanted a piece of Manny in Vegas, please don’t give him the wrong advice to join you in congress. 

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So much for boxing, a sport I enjoy if it’s without the politicos trying to take the limelight.

I will now switch to a sport that I picked up only over a decade ago, but had changed my life so much – golf. I’m not exactly saying if it changed my life for the better, but I have learned to live with all the bad shots I make.

Last Monday, I received email from one of my idol golfing dads, Opep Gandionco, who relayed to me the results of the qualifying tournament for the Callaway Junior World Tournament in San Diego, California this July.

Opep, who has been to different parts of the country and the world to support his son, Gio, said that three Cebuanos made it to the big event.

The three are LJ Go of Cebu Country Club, who finished as first runner-up for boys class B in the qualifying events in Luzon; Gio, who finished as third runner-up for boys class B; and Irina Gabasa, who ran away with the girls class B plum.

Gio and Irina are both from Alta Vista Golf and Country Club.

LJ did not only make it big in the qualifying tournament, but he was also one half of the winning team in Kadaugan sa Mactan 9th Island Tee with Andoy Mondares.

I have been following the junior golf scene of Cebu for many years and it always makes me happy to know that we are sending our best to the international events.

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I would like to invite everyone to join the 1st UP Cebu High School Batch ’84 Inc. Golf Tournament on May 15 at the Mactan Island Golf Club.

Entry fee has been pegged at only P2,000, which covers not only your green fee, but also snacks, dinner, raffle and the caddie fee.

Although I am not from class ’84, I volunteered to help them as a fellow alumnus of the school. So, if you have queries about the event and most especially if you need tickets, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Several UP High alumni and even spouses of alumni have signified interest to join the 18-hole event.

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MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to Conrado Abarintos, who turned a year older last Monday. The same goes to my former student and wedding goddaughter Lady Genevieve Cabahug-Ybañez, my classmate Reynaldo Villavelez, and our niece Sabrina R. Macaraya, who all turned a year older yesterday.

Today, I’d like to extend warm, birthday greetings to Bien Fernandez.

More power to all of you!