Good sports

When can you mix sports, politics, showbiz and business and still have a ball?

When you do it for a cause, and when Sen. Loren Legarda plays host.

If you were ever in doubt that sports could ever make a difference then you should have been in the Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club in Cabuyao, Laguna recently for their first ever "Libro ni Loren Foundation Invitational Golf tournament."

Leading players in business and politics – and, yes, golf – were not deterred by the weather nor by the fact that the tournament was held on a weekday to show their love for the sport and their determination to extend a hand (or a book) to the disadvantaged. The tournament, organized to raise funds for the foundation’s many scholars nationwide, raised over P2 million.

"With the funds that we have raised today from golfers and sponsors committed not only to the sport but also to society’s less fortunate," Loren, who is the Senate Majority Leader, said in a hearty speech during the awarding ceremony. "We will able to send more poor children to school, give more books to remote barangays and provide other educational assistance to the needy."

The closing and awarding ceremonies featured Voice of Asia winner Ladine Roxas, Miss Saigon veteran Pinky Amador, Flamenco dancers and the Mustangs, a young dance group. An array of prizes were raffled off to the participants. Prizes included air-conditioners, TV sets, trips to Boracay, paintings, jewelry and an Omega ladies watch.

And of course, the winners of the tournament were honored. Among the victors were Emilio Zulberti (class A champion), Jose "Pepo" Nunez (class B champion) and Tony Ortigas (class C champion). Marilyn Ty won the ladies competition. The group of Jun Tolentino, Zaldy Villa, Rom Tolentino and Alex Joseph ruled the class A division in the team competition while the group of Chuch Buenaventura, Joey Leagogo, Rudy Datoc and Armand Santos took home the trophy for the class B division.

Among the tournament sponsors were Addict Mobile, Toyota, Ralph’s, Malayan Insurance and San Miguel Corp. The next staging of the tournament is set tentatively for January of next year.

(You may e-mail me at [email protected])