Beech, Phl sports grand old man, 92

MANILA, Philippines - Enrique Beech, one of Philippine sports’ most distinguished two-sport athletes in the 1950s and 1960s, passed away yesterday. He was 92.

A former football star and two-time Olympic shooter, Beech died in his sleep at 12:40 p.m. He was supposed to report to the Philippine Sports Commission, where he had served as liaison officer/consultant since 1995.

“Mr. Beech was a very diligent consultant. He will be a big loss,” said PSC commissioner Buddy Andrada.

Beech first made a name in football from 1934 to 1954, during which he was twice adjudged as the country’s “Mr. Football.” He ventured into shooting from 1954-87, competing in the disciplines of trap and skeet, and made it to back-to-back Olympiads in 1956 and 1960.  Beech won shooting bronze medals in the 1954 Asian Games and was named “Mr. Shooter of Phl” along the way. He later served as shooting coach before joining the PSC.

Per information forwarded to the PSC, Beech’s remains will lie in state at Loyola Memorial in Sucat, Parañaque for three days, after which he will be cremated.