The Inspiration

I have been to 21 editions of the All-Cebu Sports Awards since 1990 and not one of the members of the Sportswriters Association can probably beat that streak yet.

In the 21 years that I have been part of the event, I’ve never been as moved as the other night when Z ‘The Dream’ Gorres stood up from his wheelchair to receive the Presidential Award given to him by the SAC.

Gorres may have already scored a major victory in his battle for life after surgery in the United States for a head injury sustained in a boxing match.

The battle of Gorres continues as he tries to put all the pieces of his life back together, but it is a battle that he is now fighting with the love from his family, his boxing stable, friends, and even people who heard about his fate, who came forward to lend a hand, helping him face it.

Gorres was the star of the awards ceremony as he does not only epitomize what a true athlete is with the determination that he has shown, but also he proved that being a winner is not all power and brains, it also takes a lot of heart.

I’m sure there were many teary-eyed people among the sportswriters, awardees, and the audience that moment that Gorres got up from his wheelchair.

Even our guest speaker, boxing patron Antonio ‘Bidoy’ L. Aldeguer, ditched his prepared speech.

Ninong Tony, as I fondly call him, was right when he said that there was nothing more inspiring than what we saw, moments before he was called up to the stage, when Gorres received his award.

Z’s dreams continue despite the big blow he suffered ending his career as a professional boxer. His desire to overcome the obstacles that he is now facing should serve as an inspiration not only for athletes, but for all of us as we face various challenges in our lives.

He should now be called Z ‘The Inspiration’ Gorres.

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The Sports Awards has always been a chance to meet old friends, who I rarely get a chance to meet these days unlike when I was always out on the field covering sporting activities.

The other night I was with my college buddy, Atty. Vicente E. Fernandez II, who was in the event to receive the award for judo of his son, Vicente III, who also happens to be my godson.

There were also the likes of Jiji Jawad-Honoridez, who I admire a lot for her dedication to the promotion of table tennis; Jesse Bernad, who has given batted sports a big push; and my long-time friend Edito ‘Ala’ Villamor, the former RP champion, who is now the trainer of champions.

There were also Glen Ramos and Francis Ramirez, who are old friends from the football community. Junjun Calderon and Neil Carcel, were there not as awardees, but as proud fathers of two champion karters.

I will never run out of reasons to miss the annual event. I don’t know when my streak will end, but I’ll stretch it as long as I can.

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings go to Abon Cimafranca, Ed Franco, Mardi Madarang, Mayel Martinez, Tina Visaya, and my dear cousin Ria A. Lebumfacil, who are all turning a year older today.

Advance greetings to The Freeman’s Joeberth Ocao, who is celebrating tomorrow.

Belated greetings go to The Freeman’s Niña ‘Ninja’ Sumacot, who celebrated yesterday.

More power to all of you!