Bernie Fabiosa and humility

Bernie Fabiosa, the first known “Sultan of Swipe” of the Philippine Basketball Association, has found a new life and home in California. Upon the invitation of a friend, Bernie flew over to check it out. It was a very comfortable situation for him to start on a new path. Coaching was not one of his options. That flame had already burned out. Plus, his only child Beej did not really take to the sport, but is doing very well in the hotel industry in the Philippines. The legendary Crispa Redmanizer had devoted much of his life to basketball, and his career had come full circle. The 15-time PBA champion is a part of all of the league’s all-time greatest lists, and was merely checking out the employment opportunities in the US.

“I’ve done all sorts of jobs,” revealed the 71-year-old Fabiosa. “I’ve been a caregiver, and now I’m an Uber driver. I don’t see myself going back to the Philippines. I’m already happy here.”

Bernie says that you can be successful in America, as long as you are not picky about the work. He has seen firsthand how many of his countrymen often lose their way because they expect higher ranking, glamorous positions when they migrate. Fabiosa says that work is work, and you can earn a good living if you take what is available to you. There is no rule for pride, only professionalism.

“Many Filipinos are embarrassed to do other work,” he explains. “But there is no such thing here. There’s a lot of good work that can earn you a good living. As long as you work hard, you can earn well. Make friends and be good to others.”

Fabiosa is just one in a long list of homegrown former basketball players who have done well in the US. Abe King, Abet Guidaben, Yves Dignadice, Ricky Relosa, Tim Coloso, Yoyoy Villamin, Chris Bade, Naning Valenciano and many others have gone on to stable, comfortable lives there. They mostly came from an era when salaries were smaller, contracts were not guaranteed, and financial education was non-existent. It was somewhat perilous, as one major injury could make your entire career vanish. But in America, those who do the work get the pay. Labor is honored and respected and protected. What’s not to like?

There have been several migrations of Filipinos to the United States since the 1920s after World War I, promoted initially by the high demand for nurses. Regardless of your stature or glamor in the Philippines, starting over equalizes everyone. As long as you have the humility to work hard, be consistent, and not cause waves, you will survive. Filipinos are the second largest ethnic minority in the United States, second only to Hispanics, who live next door.

The full interview with Bernie Fabiosa is on Basketball Universe PHL on YouTube and Facebook.