The welcome dinner started a little late due to the delayed flight from Manila. We were already at the room at 7:30pm but we whiled away our time discussing our room assignments and showed appreciation to Lito “Jabbar” Hibo on his handling of our flight and accommodation. The Manila group finally arrived a little past 8pm.
This writer is fidgety and a little uneasy since it will be his first time to meet in person the names he’s been reading in sports pages way back years ago and now facing them in the flesh, and will be dining together in one big room.
Awestruck was I when Al Mendoza and Jake Ayson, considered as the pillars of sportswriting shook my hand when I met them as they arrived together with the bunch of sportwriters/editors from Manila. Jun Engracia of Phil Daily Inquirer, Ding Marcelo, Dodo Catacutan, Rey Bancod and Musong Castillo of PDI followed suit as they were introduced by the amiable Cielo Villaluna of PAL.
The old guards and Manila writers occupied one big table. The Broadcast group sat together in another table composed of Conrad Banal, Danny Buenafe of ABS CBN, Igan Clavio of GMA 7, Milky Rigonan of DZRH, Ely Saludar of DZXL and also director of NGAP JunGolf and Olympian Rey Fortaleza who came all the way from Vancouver, Canada.
Aljo Bendijo of PTV 4 chose to join the table where this writer is sitting together with the rest of the sportswriters from Davao, Jon Develos, Paul Palo and Tommy Inigo of Southern Sports Digest, Ace Perez and Imee Garcia of Sunstar.
Aljo joined the group since he is more comfortable speaking the native tongue and share jokes with his fellow Dabawenyos.
VP for Corporate Affairs Josen Perez De Tagle regaled the group with his speech and table hopped doing selfies as the night went on. He made sure that foods and drinks were provided and all the needs of the sportswriters were attended before they head to the big game on the next day.
Call time is 6:45 am for take off to Mactan Island Golf course for Day 1 of media golf tournament. Right after breakfast at 6am.
Jake Ayson lost no time by announcing the pairing as we took our breakfast. In between sips of his coffee, he announced the flight groupings, tournament format and the rules of the game.
Every now and then laughter would ensue when past experiences are being mentioned by Jake Ayson or Al Mendoza which Musong Castillo would elaborate further with his booming voice.
“Kumpadre Chito, it’s your turn. Make great memories” says my editor In chief Neil Bravo before I headed to Cebu.
Indeed, before I hit my first ball on the tee box, memories already abound and were created. Great experience, great memories which I would treasure for the rest of my life. Salamat Kumpadre. Cheers.
Fooooooooooore.
