Paeng's showbiz connection

As it is with politics, showbiz has ceased to be sports’ strange bedfellow and has become its inseparable partner, not only in the romance department but also in the playing field.

Boots Anson-Roa, executive director of MOWELFUND, and Puyat Sports Group probably saw this happy partnership when they thought of holding the Paeng Celebrity Bowling for Mowelfund, a special fund-raising event set for Thursday, Oct. 13, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Paeng’s Eastwood Bowl at the Eastwood City Walk II in Libis, Quezon City.

Paeng is Rafael Nepomuceno, at 54 a multi-awarded six-time world bowling champion and acknowledged worldwide as the greatest international bowler in the history of the sport.

“For the first time,” said Boots, “the sport of bowling and the filmmaking community are coming together with special guests and sponsors from the corporate world in an afternoon of bowling fun, camaraderie and fellowship for the benefit of the country’s marginalized movie workers.”

with MOWELFUND head Boots Anson-Roa (left) and his wife Saira during the signing of the contract for the Paeng Celebrity Bowling for Mowelfund set for Thursday, Oct. 13, at Paeng’s Eastwood located at Eastwood City Walk II in Libis, Quezon City.

Founded by former Pres. Joseph “Erap” Estrada in 1974, the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, Inc. (MOWELFUND) has been serving around 4,500 members through medical reimbursement, hospitalization, surgery and death benefits, livelihood and alternative income opportunities and housing. Proceeds from the bowling event will benefit the MOWELFUND’s Welfare and Education Programs.

Showbiz is not alien territory to Paeng who is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for three unbroken records  youngest World Bowling Champion at 19, winning the most world titles in three different decades and winning the most worldwide titles (120 so far) in a career.

Paeng’s paternal grandfather, Don Jose Nepomuceno, is considered the Father of Filipino Movies. His uncle, Luis Nepomuceno, took over from Don Jose and put up Nepomuceno Productions which produced such Charito Solis classics as Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak, Pulubi and Igorota. Paeng’s father, Angel Nepomuceno, was a pre-war child actor who partnered with Tita Duran.

“That’s why the movie industry has a special place in my heart,” said Paeng who also has “newspaper” connection through his maternal grandfather, Don Manolo Villareal, known as the Filipino Dean of Newspaper Editors. “The Oct. 13 bowling event is my way of giving back to the industry which is very much a part of our family heritage.”

Also joining the event is Sen. Tito Sotto, himself a champion bowler.

“Sen. Tito was my partner in the ‘doubles’ world championship,” Paeng pointed out.

At 6’2” and with his good looks, Paeng could have joined showbiz but his heart really belongs to the sport.

But did you know that the first sport that he dabbled in was golf, starting at age five? It was a heavy rain that diverted Paeng’s attention to bowling. He got stuck with pleasure.

“We were in Baguio then for a golf game,” recalled Paeng. “Suddenly, it rained so we took shelter at a nearby bowling alley. I tried the sport and I fell in love with it. When I look back, I realize that I wouldn’t have been a professional golfer.”

The love affair has been going strong since then.

Paeng in front of his huge image at the entrance of the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame in Arlington, Texas.

Still in tip-top shape, Paeng will show his winning form at the bowling event, side by side with bowling lovers from showbiz (Boy Abunda bowls to keep in shape; Ai-Ai delas Alas met one of her ex-boyfriends at a bowling alley; I’m not sure, though, if they are joining the event).

Paeng is married to Saira Puyat, managing director of the Puyat Sports Group, with whom he has three children  Rafael Jose Jr., Saira Margarita Paz and Isabel Angela.

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