He wore red, high-cut boots by Nike with the words “PACQUIAO” and “MANNY” etched at the back. His black shorts were printed with yellow flames. A gray sleeveless Nike shirt covered his chest while a green pair of gloves wrapped his hands.
Last Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., accompanied by the country’s top boxing writer—Salven Lagumbay [...]

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Two years ago (August 28,2007, to be exact), I wrote this piece. It’s relevant given that PacMan is scheduled to play basketball again in Cebu.

I LIED. In an article I wrote two days ago, I vowed to stay five feet away from Manny Pacquiao when I’ll guard him in basketball. But when we met last [...]

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Published in Nov. 13, 2007, this has to be my favorite of all the articles I’ve written…

One of my most fulfilling roles in life is being a dad. I love being a father. I love the moments when I hold my daughter’s hand and take her out to a date, when we sit on the [...]

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Once, there was a teenager who lived alone with his father. The two owned a special relationship. Even though the son never got to play basketball—he was always on the bench—his father never stopped cheering from the stands, never missed a game.
This young man was the smallest of his class when he entered high school. [...]

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Published in Feb. 28 of last year, here’s an article (and fruit) that all should consume…
Each morning for breakfast after I consume a cup of coffee and devour a bowl-full of cereal, I peel open fruits that are delicious, quick to digest, inexpensive.
Bananas. Are they good for us? For those who exercise? For athletes? I [...]

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First published in October 24, 2006, here’s a tribute to my best friend…
I don’t do this. Usually, I don’t yield space to send birthday greetings to friends. But this one’s special. This person is different. Someone I’ve known for many Septembers, opened my ears and listened to talk, someone whom I’ve heard sing—and what [...]

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Since summer is near (or has, in fact, because of the HOT weather, arrived), here’s an article I wrote in May 2007 about one of the world’s best beaches….

It was 23 years ago when my feet first touched the powder that sprinkled on this island. Then, there was no electricity. No rock bands rocked your [...]

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Photos courtesy of Dr. Vic Verallo and Meyrick Jacalan

Mizuno-Asia Miles Sinulog Half-Marathon 21K Men’s winners (from left) Rogelio Reli, John Dueñas, champion Angelito Sibayan, third placer (and last year’s champion) Elmer Bartolo, Rene Desoyol, Vicky Yue of Cathay Pacific/Asia Miles, Paolo Cagalingan of Mizuno and Dennis Lu of Philam Life. The Sinulog Run, held last [...]

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(EPA/V. Donev)
Squandered break points. Rain delays. Two-set comebacks. Saved match points. A finish just 12 minutes shy of five hours. And, at 9:16 p.m. London time, the latest ending for a Wimbledon singles final. It wasn’t just a Grand Finale. It was a Match For The Ages. A rivalry that’s unrivalled. A marathon classic. Here [...]

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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 asking my [...]

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