Ex-cager's new life in Tagum

For 18 years, former Barangay Ginebra player Rey Perez owned and operated a successful manpower placement company in New York City. His clients included celebrities like Donna Karan, Robert De Niro and Puff Daddy.

But in 2008, Perez decided to go back home to the Philippines. His wife Evelyn stayed in New York City for a year before closing shop and rejoining Perez in Tagum, Davao del Norte. They had no children so there was nobody to leave their placement agency to when they got older.

In Tagum, Perez started a new business in construction and opened a company dealing in gravel and sand. Last year, Perez decided to run for city councilor. His visibility was limited as he had hardly re-established himself from living so long in the US but threw his hat in the political ring anyway on the advice of his wife’s uncle, a classmate of Vice President Jojo Binay. Perez’ goal was to experience what it was like in a political campaign as an underdog.

As it turned out, Perez garnered 17,042 votes – good only for 18th place of 29 candidates with the top 10 making it to the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The top vote-getter was De Carlo Uy of the Liberal Party with 51,992 votes. Only two of the 10 winners were independent candidates. The 10th placer was Francisco Remitar of the Liberal Party with 36,211 votes. Perez ran as an independent and had the eighth most votes among those without a political party. The lesson will go a long way in preparing Perez for possibly another bid in 2013.

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Early this year, Perez’ wife died of cardiac arrest. Now, he’s all alone in trying to rediscover himself as a budding politician out to make a difference in the lives of others. Perez is involved in championing the rights of minorities and fighting for the down-trodden as a personal mission. He knows what it’s like to battle daunting odds – he got used to it in basketball.

A Mapua standout, Perez played for YCO and Crispa in the amateur ranks. Perez played under coach Narciso Bernardo with the Redmanizers and his teammates included Rudy Distrito, Noli Banate, Tito Varela, Bambi Kabigting and Noni Robles. He saw action with the Philippine team in two Southeast Asian Games then turned pro with Ginebra, then known as Gilbey’s Gin, in the PBA in 1985.

Among his Ginebra teammates were Francis Arnaiz, Arnie Tuadles, Ricky Relosa, Chito and Joey Loyzaga, Dante Gonzalgo, Terry Saldana, Roger Buhay, Ed Ducut, Steve Watson, Romy Mamaril, Dondon Ampalayo and former Mayor Joey Marquez. Coach was Robert Jaworski.

Perez, 49, didn’t enjoy a long PBA career but it was extremely memorable. Playing under the Big J was special and Perez said he learned a lot from the Living Legend. In 1986, Perez was on the Ginebra team that won the PBA Open Conference title with imports Billy Ray Bates and Michael Hackett.

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“I’ll never forget that championship with Bates and Hackett,” said Perez. “I’m happy that Bates is back in the Philippines and has found a job with the Philippine Patriots as a skills coach in the ABL. I hope when I visit Manila, I can get a chance to see Bates and reminisce about old times.”

Like Bates, Perez is a coach with the University of Mindanao-Tagum’s senior men’s varsity. And like Bates, Perez is living a new life.