A question answered

A question I have been asked many times was answered yesterday morning.

Although I never went to school at Cebu Eastern College and previously my closest ties to the school was going there on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday to play volleyball, I have made many friends among the alumni of CEC.

This happened because when the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA) came to being in 1999, fellow columnist Rico Navarro and I were recommended by SkyCable TV Cebu to Chester Cokaliong as the sportscasters to cover the event.

As several seasons passed, our relationship with members of the CECABA also flourished.

So did our friendship with Chester, who also took us to cover his games in the other leagues that he took part in.

We would also meet up with the CECABA players in gatherings hosted by Chester and bump into them at the malls, in the school of our children, in their place of business and just about anywhere.

In fact last Saturday, during the firearms proficiency training for the members of the Philippine Society for Industrial Security (PSIS)-7, I was with my fellow Certified Security Professional (CSP) Bryan Renejane, who used to be one of the top players of the CECABA.

Now back to the question. Is Chester going to revive the CECABA?

Yes, it will be and the tentative schedule of the opening ceremony is on January 13, 2013 at the Cebu Coliseum. Knowing how Chester works, I believe that this date is already final.

See you then for the revival of the CECABA.

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Alumni leagues do not only allow graduates to have a sporting activity, but also encourages them to get together more often.

The ties that are developed also help the schools in one way or another as the alumni can take an active role in helping the students attain their goals.

We’ve seen this happen for CEC when its alumni came forward to help their basketball team.

The alumni of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu are also actively supporting the school teams along with the parents of the athletes.

Even the more senior alumni are looking at the welfare of their players.

Late May, I had a talk with two former University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors from the 1960s – Justice Christopher Locke and our host that night Vicente ‘Vince’ Colina.

The two former Warriors along with their teammates are finding ways to support the school’s new coach Julian Macoy, who they played alongside with during their prime.

I will write more about our conversations in future columns.

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MILESTONES: Congratulations to Maj. Gen. Alan R, Luga, who recently got his second star. The same goes to my squadmate Conrado P. Gongon, who was recently promoted to Sr. Supt. of the Philippine National Police along with another mistah Jimili Macaraig.

Today’s birthday greetings go to Mark Lester Guanzon.

Advance greetings to those celebrating tomorrow like Veia Nery, Juliet Ngo-Franco, Arnold Alforque, Melecio Angel Jr., and Kenneth Sy.

More power to all of you! - THE FREEMAN