CEBU, Philippines — Three distinguished sportsmen who have made a positive impact on the Cebuano community recently met up with each other in a golden moment to cherish.
They have a lot in common.
Aside from being a highly accomplished businessmen, they are all Ilonggo from Bacolod City who studied in La Salle and were basketball varsity players of their beloved alma mater back then.
But the strongest tie that binds Antonio “Bidoy” Aldeguer, Monico Puentevella, and John Pages together is their ultimate love and unbridled passion for sports.
A Cebu Sports Hall of Famer, the 84-year-old Aldeguer is revered as the ‘Godfather of Cebu boxing’.
The man behind the fabled ALA Gym before it closed shop at the height of the pandemic four years ago is responsible for producing a slew of legendary fighters, most notable among them are former four-division world champion Donnie Nietes, two-weight world titlist Gerry Peñalosa, ex-world titleholders Malcolm Tuñacao, Rodel Mayol, Joma Gamboa, and Andy Tabanas, and two-time world title challenger Edito Villamor among others.
For his part, the former Bacolod mayor and congressman Puentevella once gained a distinction for being the longest-serving commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Now president of the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas, Puentevella takes pride for helping chart the career path of Hidilyn Diaz on the way to becoming the first Filipino gold medalist in the history of Olympic Games.
Pages, on the other hand, is a regular fixture in Cebu sports as a well known race organizer, multi-sport athlete, and exemplary leader.
One of the founders of the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) that organizes the sought-after Cebu City Marathon for over a decade now, Pages is currently the chairman of Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) and president of Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC).
In so many ways, the lives of Aldeguer, Puentevella and Pages are intertwined.
Aldeguer was the high school basketball varsity coach of Puentevella. From there blossomed an enduring friendship.
Closely connected to the two sporting greats, Pages looks up to his fellow Bacoleños for their success in business and in sports.
“They are not only my role models but the role models of everyone in sports. I admire their passion and great love of helping others achieve their dreams through sports,” Pages shared. “In a unique way, our bond is special. I am blessed to have mentors like tito Bidoy and tito Monico.”
Now in the twilight of his life, the 78-year-old Puentevella looks forward with optimism that Pages will follow in their footsteps and continue what they have started.
“One of the invaluable blessings the Lord gave me is having friends for life especially in the field of sports and life itself. Bidoy has been my coach for life, from grade school till now, and John (Pages) in whom I see myself when I was striving to do something for Philippine sports,” said Puentevella.
“Bidoy has given so much to Cebu and this country through boxing and John will follow what we started. And it doesn’t stop here. I’m blessed. Let God do the rest,” Puentevella ended.