Join the Cebu Open

It was like a prelude to ‘draft day’ in the professional leagues yesterday when six aspirants for president in the May 10 elections presented themselves to the Cebuanos in a forum at the Cebu International Convention Center.

Just like aspiring pro athletes, the forum became a chance for the presidentiables to show what they are made of.

I hope the Cebuanos have seen what we want in our next president from among the candidates. During the day of the draft, there is always a lot of expectation from the top draft pick.

In this case, whoever wins in May will have a huge task ahead. Most often, the top draft pick doesn’t always deliver. I hope this doesn’t happen to whoever wins the presidential elections.

Let us do our share in building a better Philippines, vote wisely!

* * *

The Cebu Open Golf Tournament, an amateur event, will be held at the Mactan Island Golf Club in Lapu-Lapu City on January 28 and 29.

Retired (but definitely not tired) General Rodante Joya, the dynamic general manager of MIGC, called me up yesterday to inform me that the event already has the green light.

While this tournament is only in its infancy, I believe that this can become the showcase of talent, not only for the Cebuano golfers, but the best amateurs of the country as well.

Gen. Joya said that this can be a tune-up for the players seeing action in next month’s Philippine Airlines Interclub in Bacolod City and the town of Murcia in Negros Occidental.

Entry fee has been pegged at P2,000 and the organizers plan to plough everything back to the players in terms of prizes.

I sure hope this tournament will get the support of the Cebu golf clubs as well as those from neighboring provinces.

In a few years, I won’t be surprised if we’ll have the best players from Manila also taking part in the Cebu Open.

* * *

I received a text message yesterday morning from Jesse Bernad of Fastball Batting Cages inviting me to form a team for his summer softball league for amateurs and beginners.

The league will start around mid-April and will run for six weekends, he said.

I know for sure that many alumni of the beleaguered UP Cebu High School want to get a chance to play softball again. Maybe this is our chance to swing those bats and catch those fly balls once again reliving those good old days.

I sure hope I can say that the future generation would still get a chance to learn to love softball at UP Cebu High School, which is now threatened with closure.

I hope the interested players would contact me soon so we can get this going.

* * *

MILESTONES: I’d like to greet Janice Adele ‘Jandee’ Dy, Janette Mendoza-Fidler, and Melissa Sykimte-Maniwang a very happy birthday.

Advance greetings go to my Tao sister, Regina ‘Ina’ Casano, who is celebrating tomorrow. The same greeting goes to Commander (or is it already Captain) Ramil Roberto B. Enriquez of PMA class ’88.

More power to all of you!