Advice for Pagulayan

After Alex Pagulayan won the World Pool Championships in Taipei a few weeks ago, he thanked a certain Andrew Lee for his support.

The other day, Lee explained his relationship with the Isabela-born cue artist who lives in Toronto and is in the process of obtaining dual citizenship.

Lee’s son Winston, 27, is Pagulayan’s best Filipino friend. His best Canadian friend is Greg Debora.

Winston and Pagulayan met at the Barracuda pool joint on Remedios Street some four years ago. They hit it off from the start.

When Pagulayan is in town, he often drops by the Lees’ home in Paco to eat or play basketball in the backyard or just hang out. Lee treats him like a son. There are no strings attached in their relationship.

"Mabait si Alex," said Lee. "Happy-go-lucky guy siya. My advice to him is now that he’s a world champion, he should take care of his money. Huwag siyang gumaya kina (Rolando) Navarrete at Onyok (Velasco). Si Navarrete, walang-wala na ngayon. Si Onyok, naging comedian na lang."

Lee said he doesn’t put money in Pagulayan’s pockets. "Sinusundo namin sa airport pag-dating niya at hinahatid namin pag-alis," he continued. "Kung minsan, ginagamit niya ang sasakyan namin. Ang bahay namin is always open to Alex. Nakikikain siya sa amin and we enjoy his company. He never forgets us. He’s part of our family."

Lee and his brother Simon own a paper trading business that started in 1965. They source paper from Europe and North America for Canadian, Taiwanese, Filipino and Chinese buyers. Their offices are in Vancouver and Manila.

The Lees trace their origins to Paniqui, Tarlac, where they occasionally retreat on weekends. They never forget to give back to their hometown and are involved in several socio-civic projects, including a scholarship program for the underprivileged.

Lee accompanied Pagulayan in a courtesy call on President Arroyo in Malacañang last Thursday. He also took Pagulayan to San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo (Danding) Cojuangco in his Mandaluyong office for a visit the next day.

"Alex was surprised when the President gave what she described as a small incentive for winning the world championship," related Lee. "We didn’t know what was inside the envelope. When we left Malacañang, Alex opened the envelope that the President gave him. Lumundag siya sa tuwa. The check was for P500,000. Hindi niya akalain. He thought baka mga P50,000 to P100,000 kasi hindi naman siya Filipino citizen at the time. Alam niya ang incentive for a Filipino world champion is P2 million."

In the call on Ambassador Cojuangco, Pagulayan was surprised to learn the San Miguel chairman watched his recent championship game on TV from start to finish.

"Nagulat si Alex when Mr. Cojuangco recounted the highlights of the match," said Lee. "Mr. Cojuangco was in Vietnam on a business trip and watched it on TV. Naalala ni Mr. Cojuangco na down si Alex sa finals at akala niya hindi na siya makakabalik. Sabi ni Mr. Cojuangco, malaking bagay ang mga achievements ng mga Filipino players like Bata (Reyes), Django (Bustamante) at Alex to improve the image of billiards as a sport for all, not just for canto boys."

Lee said during the courtesy call, President Arroyo sent instructions for Bureau of Immigration commissioner Al Fernandez to facilitate Pagulayan’s dual citizenship and administer the oath-taking before his departure last Monday. Fernandez got the job done. When Pagulayan returns here on Aug. 27, he will submit his birth certificate and Canadian naturalization papers to Fernandez to complete the requirements for the issuance of his Filipino passport.

Debora said Pagulayan hardly exercises but doesn’t put on weight despite eating about 10 times a day. He added that Pagulayan is now more serious in his career, probably because he has two families to take care of.

Pagulayan’s first wife Abby lives in Caloocan with their three-year-old son Simba. They are now separated. Pagulayan’s girlfriend is a half-Filipina, half-Korean named Phoebe who lives in Hawaii with their one-year-old daughter Nala.

Debora said when Pagulayan visited Manila after winning in Taipei, he was deluged by at least 100 daily phone calls from well-wishers, reporters, relatives and fans in his Century Park hotel room.

"Alex called Phoebe every day when he was away," said Debora who roomed with Pagulayan in Taipei and Manila. "He’d ask how she was. He’d call her honey then before closing, he’d say to kiss Nala for him."

Debora said Pagulayan is such a cool competitor that when he saw a Taiwanese girl holding up a poster that read "Go Home" as he entered the pool hall to play in the recent world finals, he walked up to her and assured her he’d do it after the match.

"Alex doesn’t get distracted when he plays," said Debora. "He doesn’t give up and fights to the end. He’s got a lot of heart and a sharp mind. He’s so focused. That’s why he’s a great champion. He’s smart and very talented."

While in Manila, Debora said Pagulayan never entered a casino. "Sure, he bets on his games like I bet on his games," continued Debora. "I bet for Alex in Taipei and I won a substantial amount. But in Manila, I stayed away from poker which I play for a living. We just ate, visited friends and played basketball in Mr. Lee’s backyard."

Lee said Pagulayan is still maturing. "Bata pa siya at malayo ang kanyang mararating as a world champion," said Lee. "Ang advice ko sa kanya ay iwasan ang pagpupusta. Kung pupusta siya, dapat discreet lang. Role model na kasi siya. Look at Bata’s example. Quiet lang siya, very discreet."

Pagulayan, 26, was born to full-blooded Filipinos Remigio and Sonia who migrated to Canada when he was 13. His parents are separated.

Last week, Pagulayan flew to New York and Connecticut to compete in two tournaments where the combined first prize purse is $70,000. He earned $75,000 for capturing the world championship in Taipei but took home only $60,000 net of 20 percent tax. Pagulayan is expected here late this month to compete in a tournament featuring eight Filipino stars versus eight foreign hustlers.