What ‘puso’ means

Last Tuesday, we announced in this column that we would give away Gilas MVP calendars to each of the three best senders of the most meaningful, creative and moving expressions of what “puso” means to them in relation to the national basketball team’s silver finish at the FIBA-Asia Championships here last year. The limitation was every post had to be only one sentence. We found it difficult to choose just three because of so many deserving entries so in the end, four were selected.

The posts will be forwarded to Gilas coach Chot Reyes. Who knows? There may be a coffee table book to follow the “11 Days In August” on the “Road To Spain” and the posts might find a place in the story.

Yvette Ruiz, senior project specialist of Smart Sports under Epok Quimpo, supervised the production of the calendar from concept to execution. She’ll celebrate her seventh year with Smart in April. The calendar is an annual project of Smart Sports that started in 2009 with the theme “Abutin Ang Tagumpay” then “Tropa Ng Tagumpay” in 2010, “Cultivating the Culture of Champions” in 2011, “The Dream Lives On” in 2012, “Heart of a Champion, Heart of a Filipino” in 2013 and now, “Pilipinas, Isang Puso, Isang Laban.” Maynilad senior vice president Patrick Gregorio, Smart sports consultant, assigned Ruiz to the project.

Only 500 calendars were produced and distributed to MVP’s dear friends, the PBA and top executives of the MVP Group. Gregorio said the calendars even reached First Pacific in Hong Kong. Since the calendar is a limited edition, it’s now a certified collector’s item. Those who have seen the calendar but don’t own one are appealing for a second run.

Ruiz said she’s overwhelmed by the excitement generated by the calendar. Gilas guard L. A. Tenorio, for instance, has asked for more calendars. She added that what makes her job exciting is “I give passion in everything I do and make sure I glorify God with my work at the end of the day.”

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The passion is evident in the calendar which contains quotes from PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, Reyes and every player on the Gilas squad. There are pictures of the players in action and the overall look is reflective of what went on at the FIBA-Asia Championships. The calendar is a memento of Gilas’ achievement in qualifying for the FIBA World Cup in Spain on Aug. 30-Sept. 14.

Here are the top four posts we chose:

@arieldmorales. “Puso turns the impossible into an extraordinary achievement.” The post was creatively highlighted in a collage of pictures, including one with Reyes autographing a copy of “11 Days In August.”

@castandframe_stlukes. “Puso is playing with an undying passion, fighting with an unquenchable fire and competing for a common cause higher than our collective selves – that is Gilas Pilipinas!”

@artvillasenor. “Puso ay iaalay, lahat ibibigay, patay kung patay kapalit ay tagumpay para sa bayan!”

@pretermpogi. “Walang tatalo sa gilas ng bawa’t Pilipinong may puso na di kinikilala ang salitang suko at ibibigay ang lahat hanggang sa dulo.”

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There were many other stirring posts. Some were struck out of contention because they had more than one sentence. Here are several honorable mentions: @evangabe21 “Mula sa puso para sa bayan, pangarap makakamtan.” @cherrylrose1710 “Puso ng Gilas Pilipinas maipagmamalaki saan mang dako ng mundo dahil ito’y binuo ng mga nananalig na Pilipino na ‘Kaya Natin Ito!’” @sharonim2 “Pusong magilas, matikas na tindig, noo’y itaas, sa bawa’t laban di aatras dahil galing mo’y lalabas.”

@qyflorentino “Puso is simply defined as priceless, valuable beyond estimation, just like Gilas giving our country an honor – priceless.” @cruzjonasc “Puso means making every beat of your heart propel you to achieve goals dismissed as impossible.” @luckybalisi “Puso: Hindi napapagod, lumalaban hanggang sa huling tibok.” @jengbasijan “Puso: Pagiging selfless para maabot ang iisang mithiin na minsang naging mailap para sa atin.” @myas110 “Teamwork, striving for hunger to win and playing for pride and our country.” @thecallofjuarez “Puso” Manalo man or matalo, ibibigay ang lahat alang alang sa lahing Pilipino.”

@m_e_r_v_i_n_28 “Puso: Lalaban kahit hanggang sa huling lakas para maipamalas sa buong mundo na ang lahing Pinoy ay di basta basta.” @coachchrisking3 “Puso for me as a basketball coach is living out the Filipino fighting spirit of never giving up despite the odds stacked against our team.” @josephdreamer “Puso means the resiliency of Gilas towards solidarity to bring back Philippine basketball glory.”

The four winners may contact Babes Angat at Tel. 527-6007 to claim their calendars.