Billie Jean

No, It’s  not Michael Jackson’s hit songs but  probably one of  tennis’ greatest players Billie Jean King.  My “kumpare” Relly Mercado, marathon runner-turned tennis buff has requested me to write more on tennis.  It was the same suggestion echoed by another friend Sam P.  Well, It’s just good timing as a tennis movie titled “Battle of the Sexes” is set to hit the big screen next year.  The movie is of course about the highly-publicized tennis match between then  29- year-old Billie Jean and retired champion Bobby Riggs, 55, in a 1973 infamous match.  King blasted Riggs to win the match.  The movie will also reveal  some of King’s secrets. Actually it’s not a secret but a known fact that  King is a lesbian and had a passionate affair with her secretary Marilyn  Barnett, also her  hairdresser, from 1972 to 1978.  After an accident, Marilyn, a paraplegic, slapped Billie Jean with a palimony suit in 1981.  The suit was dismissed, but the scandal cost Billie Jean millions of dollars in endorsements, ended her marriage  and plunged her into a secret 14-year battle with bulimia.  In 1995, the now 72-year-old Billie Jean checked into an eating disorder clinic to end her cycle of purging.  Billie Jean captured 20 Wimbledon titles and co-founded the World Team Tennis.  In 2000, she became the first openly lesbian coach of the US Tennis Team to the Sydney Olympics.  Billie Jean also won 39 Grand Slam titles.  In the upcoming movie, Emma Stone will play Billie Jean while British actress Andrea Riseborough plays Marilyn Barnett.  Actor-comedian Steve Carell is Bobby Riggs.  Speaking  of movies, Big Bill Tilden who dominated tennis during the Roaring Twenties, was the first American male to win in Wimbledon.  Known for his “Cannonball”  serve (150 miles per hour)   Tilden retired in Hollywood and  gave lessons to film stars like Judy Garland, Douglas Fairbanks and Paulette Goddard .  One of his favorite  tennis courts belonged to Goddard’s ex-husband Charlie Chaplin.  Tilden is remembered today as one of the world’s elite gay athletes. 

Myanmar 

By the time you read this column I’m on my way to Manila for the final preparations for my trip to Myanmar.  Yes, my brother Dr. Jun Uytiepo always makes it a point that before the year ends we bond together.  Last year we were in Thailand and Vietnam, experiencing an overnight cruise to Halong Bay, considered one of the Seven Wonders of Nature.  This time around we will be going to Bagan, an hour’s domestic flight from Yangon.  It’s in Bagan where you will find 2,200 Buddhist pagodas and temples. I was told it used to be more than 10,000  and that the best way to see the magnificent sites is by bike or for the more adventurous, ride a horse.  From Bagan we fly to Heho and tour Inle Lake, via engine boat, then we fly  back to Yangon and finally to the “finish line” in Manila.

Did you know?

LEW ALCINDOR  in three varsity seasons, at UCLA  (1967 to 1969)  Lewis Ferdinand Alcindor (who changed his name to Kareem Abdul Jabbar in 1971) led the Bruins to an 88-2 record and 3 national titles.  In 1975, the Los Angeles Lakers obtained Jabbar from Milwaukee Bucks.  Kareem played 14 seasons with the Lakers and helped them with five NBA titles and retired as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.  Jabbar is famous for his deadly accurate sky hook.

LONNIE WILLIAMS ALI   then six years old was Muhammad Ali’s neighbor who lived across the street in Louisville, Kentucky.  Lonnie married Ali in 1986 to become wife number four.  In 1984, Lonnie recalled  Ali stumbled getting off  the hotel elevator and knew something was wrong.  He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.  Many suspected it was a result of the brutal punches he received over the years.  Ali died recently at age 74.  Ali has nine children including Laila, now 38 who later became a boxer herself.

Note:  Elvisaya

Elvisaya will again serenade the Mapesos on December 11 at Cafe Laguna in Ayala Center  Cebu.  He will again be joined by Jhun Villahermosa, the Frank Sinatra  of Cebu and Sam Costanilla who will host the show.