Binggoy came back to golf circulation with a big bang when he made a hole-in-one at the Apo Golf and Country Club recently.
Binggoy is no other than Leon Gonzalo Garcia Montemayor of Villa Margarita Hotel, Binggoy’s Lounge and one of the only two Mindanaoans who served as commissioner in the Philippine Sports Commission.(The other one was William “Butch” Ramirez, who eventually became PSC chairman).
Well, golf is nothing new to him as this is one of several sports he took up when he was younger.
The product of Ateneo de Davao U. and Japan’s Sophia University has been involved in sports in various capacities until his appointment as PSC commissioner in 2002 and his resignation in 2007.
Binggoy was deeply involved with the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines (BIMP-EAGA) Friendship Games during his stint but unfortunately, with no Mindanaoan serving in the Board of Commissioners, the Games has been lost to the consciousness to Mindanaoans who have been regular particpants to the biennial event since 1996.
After public service, he is back to running the family-owned hotel on J.P.Laurel Avenue and becoming the biggest supporter to wife and chef, Mary Ann “Baby” Maceda-Montemayor, who has made transformations to some Davao dishes, thus the renaming of Binggoy’s Lounge to Binggoy’s Gourmet.
If he is not busy managing the Villa Margarita Hotel, Binggoy’s usual routine is attending to visitors and friends who usually find their way to the golf course.
Should you want to try a delectable cuisine in a small but comfortable, homey dining place, go to Binggoy’s Gourmet. Call (082)2242712 or (082)2215674 and Binggoy would be glad to give you a good conversation. [Moses P. Billacura]
