Viray, Ardina grace Balik-Canlubang golf

MANILA, Philippines - Former national amateur champion Rolly Viray and many-time Junior World titlist and reigning Queen Sirikit Cup champion Dottie Ardina will grace the Balik-Canlubang golf tournament tomorrow at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club’s south course in Laguna.

Viray, a proud Canlubang son, and Ardina, whose grandfather Faustino was one of Canlubang’s baseball legends, will lead the ceremonial drive in the tournament, the last sporting meet of the Balik-Canlubang community homecoming which will have highlight events on Jan. 6-7.

Tee off time is at 11 a.m.

At the same time, participants of the event, particularly Cangolf residents and balikbayans, will be treated to a barrio fiesta bash at the Canlubang Golf Old Course clubhouse by Coy Quiros, grandson of the late Speaker Jose Yulo Sr. after the tournament.

Luigi Yulo of Cangolf and Ely Baradas of Entom Pest Control lead the roster of hole sponsors, which includes Lito A. Tacujan of The Philippine STAR, Richard Hong of Korpack Corp., Rudy Verano of Folares Pharmaceutical, Inc., Gerry Sy of San Francisco, USA, Alice Carig-Ashwell of Canlubang, Elpidio Rosario of Canlubang Seniors Golf Association and Sa Gook Hwan (Dominic) of Gee Gee KTV Bar and Korean Resto. The other donors are Bing Bunye, Darly Patalot, Jess Tapay, Fely Anillo, Mari Hechanova, Ernie Ocampo, Dave Hernandez, Joe Mercado of Merlo Agri Corp., Tommy Manotoc, Dante Patalot, Albert Garcia, Dan Morales, Kiwanis Club of Canlubang and Viray.

On Jan. 6, the Canlubang Homecoming festivities will be ushered in by registration at 7 a.m., a Holy Mass at 8 a.m. at the St. Joseph Parish Church and lunch and get-together party at the Don Bosco gym in the afternoon. It will culminate with a dinner-dance on Jan. 7.

A fun run kicked off the Balik-Canlubang community homecoming with Bernardo Desamito and Luisa Raterta topping the 10k races last Friday. The event was graced by Philippine sports commissioner Chito Loyzaga and pro cager Arwind Santos of Petron.

The Balik-Canlubang homecoming will be participated in by bona fide Canlubang residents from all over the world who will converge on their old hometown for a weeklong of fun, camaraderie and fellowship.

 It is also set to raise funds to finance the cost of a medical mission for Canlubang old timers this year.

For inquires, call 0949-449-0389 or Louie Mijares at 0928-7795634. Registration fees are pegged at P200 for the 5k and P300 for the 10k event.