Last January, at around the time of our Sinulog, a group of men and women from Glendale, California, held a friendly tennis encounter with our very own Casino Espanol de Cebu tennis group. The original schedule, January 19 (the day before the Sinulog), rained out so we moved it to Jan. 21, the day after [...]

[Read more →]

In Nov. 9, 2004, I wrote this article for Sun.Star Cebu… Jaime Gallego and I are members of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP). Our motto reads: Be Honest. So I’ll be honest. I’ll make a confession. I had an affair. And so did Jaime. Three weekends ago in Ormoc City, miles of [...]

[Read more →]

From left: Jesse Taborada, John Pages, Meyrick Jacalan, Dr. Ron Eullaran and Roel Militar The year was 1986 when my family and I moved from Bacolod to Cebu City. Back then, like any 14-year-old who had developed deep friendships with classmates and neighbors, I resented the decision “Can I just stay in Bacolod?” I recall [...]

[Read more →]

Tennis’ greatest-ever—next to Roger Federer—is Pete Sampras. He amassed 14 Grand Slam singles titles—the most of any male player. But we know he’s long retired; back at the 2002 U.S. Open final against Andre Agassi, Pete won that match—his last on the ATP Tour. And that was 5 ½ years ago. Today, Pistol Pete is [...]

[Read more →]

Anyone out there who can identify these two?

[Read more →]

February 17, 2008. That date was to have been one of my life’s biggest moments. Like that first kiss. Like my graduation. Like winning that first tennis event. Like my wedding. Like my daughter’s birth nine Novembers ago. When I woke up at 4:45 a.m. last Sunday, I was sure that when I crossed the [...]

[Read more →]

Yesterday (Feb. 21, 2008), when I wrote about my daydream-turned-nightmare called the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, I spoke about running comfortably until the 28th km. when cramps writhed my legs in pain, when I vomited and could barely stand up when I sat down, and when I trudged on with the help of Dr. [...]

[Read more →]

From left: Dr. Peter Mancao, Dr. Yong Larrazabal, John Pages, Jesse Taborada, Dr. Vic Verallo, Meyrick Jacalan and Serge Amora Dr. Vic Verallo crossing the finish line

[Read more →]

From left: Dr. Vic Verallo, Dr. Yong Larrazabal, Mendel Lopez, Leszl Gitaruelas, Jesse Taborada, Dr. Albert Santos, Ted Tecson, Serge Amora, Dr. Peter Mancao, Meyrick Jacalan, John Pages, and Perl Jacalan

[Read more →]

They are the two fastest long-distance runners in Cebu. One is 23 years old, single, and a graduating student at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF). His name is Mendel Lopez. The other is 33, married with three children and was once RP’s no.1 in the sport of arm-wrestling! Her name: Leszl Gitaruelas. Mendel [...]

[Read more →]

  Meyrick and Perl Jacalan, the duo behind one of Cebu’s top advertising agencies, ASAP Advertising

[Read more →]

Helicopters swirled the skyline. Booming music blared. Photos were snapped. Camera bulbs flashed. Wives, husbands, children, friends—all tiptoed at the sidewalks to revel in the hot atmosphere of last Sunday’s cold morning. From left: (sitting) Ted Tecson, John Pages; (standing) Dr. Peter Mancao, Jesse Taborada, Serge Amora, Dr. Vic Verallo, Meyrick Jacalan, Dr. Yong Larrazabal, [...]

[Read more →]

From left: John Pages, Mendel Lopez, Leszl Gitaruelas, Dr. Yong Larrazabal, Dr. Peter Mancao HONG KONG—After six months of waking up each Sunday at 5 a.m. for “The Long Run,” after pairs of Nike shoes worn-out and replaced, after over 1,000 kms. of mileage, dozens of Runner’s World magazines read, hours of ‘80’s music on [...]

[Read more →]

Along the route… Performers practicing for the event day presentation

[Read more →]

HONG KONG—The two words and eight letters that spell this popular region south of China can be downsized and cut to one word and four letters: C-O-L-D. My wife Jasmin and I arrived here via Cebu Pacific from Cebu at 12:16 a.m. yesterday and, when we stepped out of the airport doors and smiled to [...]

[Read more →]

DAN MASTOUS, my good friend from the U.S. who arrived in Manila last week just in time to watch the Philippines versus Japan three-day event (Feb. 8 to 10) called the Davis Cup, sent me more pictures yesterday… Eric Taino (left) with Cecil Mamiit in the doubles event last Saturday, Feb. 9

[Read more →]

This weekend (Feb. 15 to 17), a big event will kick-off at the Mandaue Reclamation area: the annual Horse Show and Competition now officially named “The Governor’s Cup 2008.” If you want to see cowboys or want your 12-year-old to ride on a pony, visit this weekend. To my brother-in-law Jake Mendez, the president of [...]

[Read more →]

John, Leszl and Mendel At 11 a.m. yesterday in my office, I met two athletes. Skinny and long-legged, they can sprint after a cheetah. Ask them to visit the Cebu City Sports Center and they’ll zoom round and round, circling the track oval with nary a sweat, not losing breath. ML is Mendel Lopez. Only [...]

[Read more →]

NO, it wasn’t embarrassing. And the matches, especially the first two days and the doubles last Saturday, were close. We just couldn’t pull through. I spoke last night to Randy Villanueva, one of the officials from the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) who helped our Davis Cup team, and he said the matches could have gone [...]

[Read more →]

Another highly-successful event organized by Dr. Peter Mancao, one of the most prominent running doctor/enthusiasts in Cebu. Here are the details on yesterday’s “2nd Run For Your Heart” event written for The Freeman by Caecent Noot-Magsumbol. AT THE STARTING LINE: Doctor’s Division champion Dr. Yong Larrazabal (center) with (wearing purple) Milet Chiongbian, who placed second [...]

[Read more →]