Lucky readers to meet Warrior Girls

Seven lucky readers are set to enjoy an unforgettable evening with the celebrated National Basketball Association (NBA) high-energy dance team Warrior Girls at the Conservatory of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati tonight.

The readers were chosen out of a big pile of entries for the "Meet the Warrior Girls" contest announced in this column last Sunday. Joining was simple. All you had to do was to write in 100 words or less, English or Pilipino, why you want to meet the Girls. The best pieces in terms of creativity, originality, and sensibility were picked.

Initially, we had a target of five winners. But we found it difficult to select only five with so many interesting entries. So after consulting NBA Asia’s public relations director Cheong Sau Ching, we finally decided to choose seven red-blooded males.

The seven winners will bring a companion each to the cocktail party tonight. They’ll be the Warrior Girls’ special guests.

The lucky winners are:

• Emmanuel Fabian of Cubao, Quezon City. He has worked the last 16 years at the Araneta Center where he is an Assistant Vice President. Fabian, 45, and wife Annabel have five children and one of them, Christopher Carlo, 19, will accompany him to meet the Warrior Girls tonight.

Excerpts of Fabian’s piece: "I’m an avid NBA fan. Not only because I love basketball but also because I love to see those gorgeous and sexy dancing babes. To think that I could have the chance to see them in the flesh, up-close and personal, just gives me goose bumps."

• Joey Batino of San Antonio Village, Makati. He’s a 44-year-old real estate broker whose wife Maritess has been employed at Citiland for 23 years. The Batinos have two children Jolo, 13, and Joshua, 7. Batino is bringing his wife to the Warrior Girls party.

Excerpts of Batino’s piece: "I want to meet the Warrior Girls because I’m an NBA fan. An avid one at that. From what I’ve read, there’s a Pinay in the group. That’s interesting and makes you proud. To be honest, I’m not familiar with the Warriors team now. I know Chris Webber once played for them. Even Don Nelson once coached them. I wish the Girls a memorable and grand time in Manila."

•Samuel Divina of Pioneer Highlands Condominium, Mandaluyong. He’s a 32-year-old bachelor. A lawyer at Philcomsat, Divina will be accompanied by a friend Michael Agcaoili at the party.

Excerpts of Divina’s piece: "In November 2001, I was in San Francisco for a vacation and one of my coveted plans that time was to watch an NBA game live in Golden State. My cousin promised to bring me to a Warriors game on a Sunday. As each day passed by, the excitement in me increased for the opportunity to see the Warrior Girls perform. Unfortunately, I did not see them on that fateful Sunday because my cousin became ill. Instead, I watched them on TV and boy, they do pack a lot of fine moves and jaw-dropping maneuvers. How I wish I had seen them up close and personal. Now that they’re in Manila, it would be an honor and privilege if I will be given the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet them in the flesh."

• Garry Fabros of Dansalan St., Mandaluyong. He is a 27-year-old bachelor and a Mandaluyong City Hall employee the last 10 years. Fabros will be accompanied by his brother Glen.

Excerpts of Fabros’ piece: "Having a physical disability on my lower limbs is not easy. It doesn’t only make me difficult to move from one place to another without the help of others but, for most of the time, it deprives me to meet interesting people. Thanks to Mr. Henson’s column, through this competing piece, I believe the chance is there for me to meet the Warrior Girls which besides my curiosity to see their gracefulness up close and personal, gives me the privilege to talk to them and to be able to write an article about them."

• Jonathan Chan Lugay of Benavidez St., Tondo. He is a consultant at SGV and is a 23-year-old bachelor. Lugay will be accompanied by his friend Kelvin Chua.

Excerpts of Lugay’s piece: "This is how much I know about the Warrior Girls. (Blank space) Can I know more?"

• Jess Carpena of Sta. Rosa, Laguna. He is a 33-year-old store owner. Carpena and wife Josie have two children Jason Kidd, 8, and Junique, 2. He will be accompanied by his brother Mark at the party.

Excerpts of Carpena’s piece: "I read in The Star last Feb. 19 that the Laker Girls were coming. The Laker dancers backed out but it was a blessing in disguise that the Warrior Girls are coming since a member

Audrey Michelle Asprec is a Filipina whom I can’t wait to see."

• Dan Dunayre of Panghulo Road, Malabon. He is a 34-year-old bachelor and pedicab operator. A long-time Star subscriber, Dunayre will be joined by his friend Arnold Romulo at the party.

Excerpts of Dunayre’s piece: "I want to tell the Warrior Girls to continue their mission to show goodwill and inspire all NBA fans. To be a good dancer is a great honor. Dancing is good for the body and it is a noble job. I pray to someday meet Audrey Michelle Asprec."

For seven lucky Star readers, tonight will be a dream come true.