Bad Boy cage tour a financial disaster

The recent two-game Bad Boy tour featuring Dennis Rodman set back promoter Mario Whitmire a cool $200,000.

Despite bathing in red ink, Whitmire said he’s not discouraged. He learned a lot of lessons from his first venture in Philippine sports and if there’s a next time, he’ll surely be wiser in getting things done.

One thing Whitmire said he’ll do the second time around is to partner with a local group. He thought he could work the project by himself and two assistants, one of whom was his son Eric and found out soon enough he was wrong.

"We knew weeks out this event was destined for failure but I went ahead and pulled through with it," said Whitmire. "All the players got paid in advance even though two of them did not even step foot on the court." Whitmire referred to retired National Basketball Association stars Otis Birdsong and Sidney Moncrief who were suited up for two games but never saw action. They "earned" their pay by coaching from the sidelines.

"I did this because I believe in the Philippines and I still do," he continued. "I am currently working on a project for next year and we are trying to get in contact with Karl Malone to invite him and John Stockton. The team will be reinforced by about eight Development League players."

Whitmire said he didn’t realize how difficult it is to do business in the Philippines. His consolation is from the horrific experience, he connected with a lot of people who are trustworthy, respectable and helpful. Whitmire said he has high regard for Solar Sports chief operating officer Peter Chanliong, Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Noli Eala and businessman Bobong Velez.

Whitmire said he had sleepless nights before and after the tour. It was like a living nightmare to go ahead with the project that was a sure loser. And when the players left, Whitmire stayed behind to lick his wounds, count his losses and pay off his debts.

Worse, Whitmire said he was unjustly pilloried by certain quarters who tried to sneak into the project’s money trail but were shut out.

"I don’t know how people can be so ruthless," he added.

By the way, Whitmire is now back in Dallas where he lives with his wife of 33 years, Terry Magistrado of Iriga City.

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Robin Tong forwarded an e-mail from Bessie Badilla del Castillo whose husband and my classmate Bambi passed away in their Connecticut home last May 28.

Here are some excerpts:

"My daughters and I are fine, still in shock and missing Bambi terribly. Ines, 11, was back in school Tuesday. She attended the dress rehearsals of Greenwich Catholic school’s presentation of Alladin and is ready for the event. Isabel, 24, and Bianca, 19, have matured overnight. I have kept myself busy finishing the 41 costumes I put together for the Alladin show.

"Bambi had intestinal flu a week before and had to cancel his trip to Nice, France. This was the first time he canceled a business trip so I knew he was very sick. Aside from the flu, the doctor diagnosed his colon to be infected. He was given antibiotics and he was back at work Tuesday. We had an early Memorial Day barbecue with friends after his golf game. He ate a lot and complained of a stomach ache. He went to sleep and was all right the next day. He left early for the golf game, had lunch with his golf buddies and came home. The girls and I were on our way out so we kissed and hugged him in the garage. He said he was taking a nap, which he normally does after golf, and instructed us not to wake him up.

"After the girls and I heard Mass, we arrived at around 6:05 p.m. and saw Bambi sleeping on his favorite recliner with the TV still on. Bianca closed the door to the family room because our dogs were strangely barking and acting up. We did not see this as a sign that there was something wrong. We all did our chores and checked on him if he was awake so we can have dinner together. He appeared to be fast asleep and so we did not disturb him. Bambi enjoyed long hours of sleep on his recliner and sometimes slept on it throughout the night. By 11 p.m., I went to see if he would like to transfer to our bed. This was when I realized he was no longer with us. He must have passed on shortly after we left him at around 1:30 to 2 p.m. He was cold when I touched him but his face looked so peaceful.

"The autopsy result showed that my dear Bambi had an aneurysm in the center of the brain. The clot was massive that he would not have survived even if a doctor had called within minutes. My only consolation is that it happened while he was asleep, he did not feel any pain and he did not suffer. He also had a perforated ulcer explaining the stomach ache after each meal. "Bambi was ready to be with our Lord. Bambi was a devoted follower of our Lady of Lourdes. He was given the rare gift from our Lady called "cleansing of the soul" during his first visit in Lourdes in 2003. While waiting in queue at the Holy Water Baths, he prayed the rosary with the other men in line. He then started sobbing uncontrollably and two volunteers explained to him that he was very lucky. The gift of "cleansing of the soul" was only given to very few visitors to Lourdes, mostly the ones who are heavily burdened. Another surprise, Bambi prayed the rosary everyday for the last 17 years but his devotion to our Lady deepened even more after his experience at Lourdes.

"For the last year, Bambi was a Eucharistic minister at our parish church in Greenwich. I know he was more than ready to be with our Lord, not only from the big change in him the last four years spiritually but from the wonderful stories people shared with us about him, about his quiet generosity that he willingly shared with people we are now only meeting for the first time. My husband was a humble man who had a lot to be proud of.

"Bambi was the greatest man I’ve ever known. God is good."