Love of my life

With your indulgence, I won’t be writing about sports in today’s column but about the person who inspires me to live each day to the fullest for the greater glory of God. There isn’t a day that passes when I don’t thank the Lord for bringing Menchu into my life. She is my greatest blessing, the special someone who puts a smile on my face when I’m sad, encourages me when I’m low and perks me up when I’m down.

This is my way of saying happy birthday to my wife, best friend, squash partner, worst critic, No. 1 fan, walking pal, movie buddy, travel companion, shopping adviser, treasurer, faith booster, bed sharer, housemate and shining light of our family.

I met Menchu in 1972 and I can’t imagine how long it’s been since it doesn’t seem like 40 years ago. She was, and still is, a ravishing beauty.

Menchu was the dream girl of college boys at the time. I was smitten the first time I saw her. And when we began dating, I was the envy of a lot of boys. Menchu and I hit it off from the moment we met, like we were meant for each other. We talked for hours on the phone or when I visited at her Cubao home. We never ran out of things to talk about. We joked, laughed and shared stories about school and other things that were a priority in our lives. We went to Sunday Mass together. I remember taking the mini-bus down EDSA from Makati to get off at the corner of Aurora Boulevard then boarding a jeepney up to New York street for the short walk to Spencer where Menchu lived whenever I visited.

By Christmas 1972, Menchu wore my school ring. We were inseparable. My parents Gregorio and Marina and my aunt Pacita – they all lived in Makati – loved Menchu and it became a tradition for them to take us out to dinner every Sunday, often at Casino Español or the Jeepney Bar of Hotel Intercontinental. Menchu’s father Dr. Jose Genato and mother Carmencita were loving to me, too. I recall that when a Southern gentleman began courting Menchu when I wasn’t looking, her mother came to my defense. In the end, Menchu chose me.

Menchu wasn’t only a looker but also very intelligent. I was at the Cultural Center beaming with pride when she was named one of the country’s 10 most outstanding coeds. Menchu’s charming personality drew attention from advertising companies. She was featured in several print commercials before signing an exclusive contract to endorse Maggi noodles as Tita Maggi – a role she played for over 20 years. Menchu also appeared on TV as Bebs in the comedy series “Baltic and Company” with Nanding Flores as Mr. Baltic (later replaced by Prospero Luna), Bert (Tawa) Marcelo as Johnny the Janitor, Mely Tagasa as Miss Tapia and Angelo Castro as her love interest.

When Menchu graduated from Maryknoll in 1974, San Miguel Corp. immediately hired her as a PR coordinator assigned to Magnolia. Menchu had done an apprenticeship program at San Miguel during her college days and PR senior vice president Joe Carpio knew a gem when he saw one, eventually molding her into a jewel. Menchu rose from the ranks and became a highly qualified executive known for her work ethic and professionalism. In her last San Miguel posting, Menchu was vice president for marketing and in-charge of franchising at Monterey where she worked closely with Amading Veloso and Ramon Llanos. She was credited for spearheading the opening of Monterey Meat Shops which are now a staple across the country. Menchu retired from San Miguel in 1995 but that’s getting ahead of our story.

In 1977, Menchu and I were married at the Archbishop’s Palace along Shaw Boulevard. In 1983, our only child Cristina was born and our family was finally complete. Two years ago, Cristina was married to Mark Ngkaion as we welcomed a son to our family.

Menchu was enjoying a successful professional career when she decided to retire in 1995 to devote more time to our daughter who was 12 at the time. Menchu felt she had neglected quality time with Cristina growing up because of her work and before our daughter became a teenager, she gave up a career to become a full-time mother. Cristina went on to grow up to be responsible, hard-working, respectful and God-fearing. Menchu’s decision had paid off handsome dividends.

Today, Menchu is intimately involved in volunteer social work as president of SAGIP, a foundation that cares for abused women and children in Muntinlupa. She works closely with the city government in the battle to eradicate all forms of abuse of women and children. She is also an active member of the Zonta Club of Muntinlupa which she has served as president. The work ethic that was her trademark at San Miguel is what she demonstrates as passionately in her social mission.  She also takes special care of her father, now 86, alternating with her sister Vicky in visiting him for dinner during the week.

Whenever we get the chance to travel, Menchu and I enjoy visiting relatives and friends abroad. My brother Ramon and sisters Vicki and Irene, who all live in the US, love her dearly. Together, we have shared unforgettable moments exploring and discovering new destinations here and overseas. These moments are among the highlights of what we treasure most when we look back at what we’ve experienced as a pair through the years.

Sports is something that connects Menchu and me even more. We play squash together, we do one-hour walks together, we watch games together. In her younger years, Menchu played football and in fact, was cited as the prime mover of the first women’s match in the country by no less than FIFA president Joseph Blatter during the centennial celebration of the sport here in 2007. She was also a Class A pelota player who used to tour provinces in exhibitions with her cousin Cuquita. When I get home from covering a basketball game or a fight, we talk endlessly about what happened. Our love for sports is as enduring as our love for each other.

What has kept our bond stronger than ever is our faith in God. He is always in the middle of our lives as devout Catholics.

When I wake up in the morning and see Menchu beside me, it’s the perfect way to welcome a new day. I’m just as excited to come home to Menchu as I was on our first year of marriage 35 years ago. It’s this magic that makes life worth living. That’s why I thank God every day for His gift of a wonderful wife. Happy birthday, Menchu.