Pangasinan’s oldest priest ecstatic over Purefoods players’ visit

DAGUPAN CITY — "I can die now."

So quipped an ecstatic Rev. Monsignor Leon Ver Bitanga in jest to Bishop Renato Mayugba after his favorite basketball team, the Purefoods Chunkee Giants, visited him Friday afternoon in the archdiocese-owned retirement villa in Bonuan Gueset here.

"Oh, no, not yet. We do not want yet to lose you," replied Mayugba.

The bishop though was happy to see that Bitanga, the oldest living priest in Pangasinan, at age 92, finally met the players of his favorite team.

A certified Purefoods fanatic, Bitanga said last Friday’s encounter was one of the most memorable moments of his life.

The visit was an offshoot of a STAR front page article last Oct. 10 about Bitanga who, despite his age, still celebrates Mass every day, rain or shine.

After the visit, Bitanga recounted how the members of the basketball team were amazed when he identified each one of them, including their coach, Ryan Gregorio.

He even commented that Gregorio looks "boyish" in person.

The basketball team, which was on their way to La Union for a game, dropped by the retired priest’s residence to thank him for being a fan and stayed for an hour.

Bitanga sang his favorite Spanish song, O Sole Mio (There’s No Tomorrow), for the team.

He told the basketball players that whenever they would win, he would tell his parishioners during Mass how happy he was.

Asked why he likes the Purefoods team, he said, "Because they play well."

He recalled that he has been an avid fan of the basketball team since when it was formed, with Alvin Patrimonio and Jojo Lastimosa among the original members. Since then, he would often watch their games on television.

Bitanga said his favorite player used to be Patrimonio, but now, it is James Yap "because he is married to Kris (Aquino)."

He said Aquino’s grandmother in Moncada, Tarlac was his good friend whom he used to visit in her sugarcane plantation. He was once assigned to Moncada town.

Bitanga thanked The STAR for publishing his story, saying he has received many letters congratulating him and that many priests also dropped by to personally praise him.

"Were it not for your article, maybe they would not have thought of coming over," he told this writer.

As a souvenir, the Purefoods Chunkee Giants gave Bitanga a white T-shirt signed by all the players, plus a jacket that bore the name of the team. In return, he gave them his blessings.

Meanwhile, for making Dagupan City his second home and for having spent the longest part of his life here, the city council passed last Oct. 16 a resolution making Bitanga, who was born in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, an adopted honorary son of Dagupan.