I had a good year and I hope you all did too. Sana next year will be brighter and happier for all of us here. We may not agree all the time pero that's what democracy is all about. Allow me to share some thoughts.
Wish ko for 2005:
1. Sana wala nang pasaway na member who will send us numerous forwarded e-mails na wala namang kinalaman sa group. I understand that you want to make your presence felt pero naman, say something from the heart, not by clicking on Forward. Same goes for chain letters, solicitation letters, advertisement ng kung anu-anong scams and most especially links to mail-order brides, puh-leeze. Send it to your friends, huwag sa buong group where hundreds will receive it. It's spam, however way you look at it.
2. I would like to see less of Friendster, hi5, Myspace, Tickle invitations sent to the whole group. Send it directly to the people you want to be friends with not to everybody. It doesn't make sense to me. It's getting to be a popularity contest, paramihan na lang ba ng friends sa list? (While I'm at it, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everybody who have been sending me Friendster invitations in private. Touched ako na you all want to be friends with me but please get to know me first. Baka you haven't been warned, I can be your worst nightmare. And I would like to inform you all that I don't have a Friendster account and that if ever you find one, it's not me. Sorry if feeling celebrity ako pero close friends have been bugging me to have one and they've been offering to create and maintain it for me.)
3. I know that hindi tayo mauubusan ng something to say about what's happening to our team, other teams, sa mga players, coaches and life in general pero nakikiusap naman po ako, don't use words you wouldn't want your future kids to read and learn about. I've said it before and I will say it again, nobody deserves to be called walang kuwentang tao, bobo, tanga, a-hole and kung anu-ano pa. We know how to use the computer so we all have brains, right? Be responsible.
4. Lastly, for my favorite PBA team, Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, to finally be the champs again after more than two years of frustrations. (I know what you're thinking, cut it out.) For my UAAP team, UE Red Warriors, to book a seat to the finals in season 68 and win it of course.
And to everybody reading this, sorry mahaba na naman, A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU! GOD BLESS EVERYBODY!
29 December 2004
28 December 2004
Si Rey Evangelista... bow
A college ball player just recently asked me: "Ano gusto mo talaga sa isang player?" He was of course on a fishing expedition, wanted me to say things that best describe him. I gave him the following answers: a hardworker, one who doesn't curse and one who doesn't make reklamo all the time.
He met the first and the last but can't argue with me as to my second criteria. I did catch him twice. He said he didn't mean to, it was an expression. Precisely, I told him and it's bad.
I've been watching basketball for as long as I can remember and cursing is... part of the game? I think it's a guy thing. And I don't understand it.
I honestly can't think of anyone else who meets my idea of an ideal basketball player but Rey Evangelista. And I'm not exaggerating. Totoo po, promise. I mean, you see the guy on court, he hardly even say anything. Mahirap basahin. You don't know what's going through his mind. Which is good for the team but sometimes I wish he smiles naman a bit. Para lang may variety ang facial expressions. Parang emoticons, maraming choices.
Kuya Rey (I think I've already asked permission for this) first came to my senses in 1993. September 18, 1993 to be exact. It was UST's last game in the eliminations of UAAP's season 56. Saturday's classes were to be suspended, the memo said Friday morning. Walang klase! Ang saya! Only we realized later wala pala talaga kami pasok kasi Sabado.
It wasn't clear to me then kung bakit and ano meron. I thought it was the championship game, hindi pala. They're gunning for a sweep. Say what? Just go and watch, I was told.
Good thing I did.
It was my first UAAP game and it was awesome. In all aspect. S'yempre panalo kami! I will never ever forget that day. Walang pasok the following Monday and Tuesday. Ang saya-saya! We had an overdose of Tiger power. They're everywhere. Posters and banners congratulating them mushroomed all over the campus. I finally learned the names behind that historic sweep, thanks mainly to the Varsitarian (the school paper) special edition. (Sayang talaga, I just got rid of my copy two months ago. You look... young pa naman do'n. Very young.)
Kuya Rey left us after that year and would resurface, hah, with my favorite team in the PBA, Purefoods. So I had the chance to see more of him, share more championships with him and cry for him and the team when they loses.
To Kuya Rey, this year is your 10th as a professional basketball player and quite special for you had just been named new team captain. I've always admired your on-court attitude and was one of those who prayed for you to be chosen as Cap's successor.
I would like to congratulate you for a decade of harwork and dedication to the game. As a Purefoods fan, I'm hoping and praying that you go the way of Cap who spent all his playing years at Purefoods.
Happy birthday, Kuya Rey. I feel privileged to have watched you grow as a player through the years. I hope it's not too late for me to know naman the person behind the name.
Congrats again for the new role and may God bless you and your family more.
Smile, Kuya Rey, you're on cam!
He met the first and the last but can't argue with me as to my second criteria. I did catch him twice. He said he didn't mean to, it was an expression. Precisely, I told him and it's bad.
I've been watching basketball for as long as I can remember and cursing is... part of the game? I think it's a guy thing. And I don't understand it.
I honestly can't think of anyone else who meets my idea of an ideal basketball player but Rey Evangelista. And I'm not exaggerating. Totoo po, promise. I mean, you see the guy on court, he hardly even say anything. Mahirap basahin. You don't know what's going through his mind. Which is good for the team but sometimes I wish he smiles naman a bit. Para lang may variety ang facial expressions. Parang emoticons, maraming choices.
Kuya Rey (I think I've already asked permission for this) first came to my senses in 1993. September 18, 1993 to be exact. It was UST's last game in the eliminations of UAAP's season 56. Saturday's classes were to be suspended, the memo said Friday morning. Walang klase! Ang saya! Only we realized later wala pala talaga kami pasok kasi Sabado.
It wasn't clear to me then kung bakit and ano meron. I thought it was the championship game, hindi pala. They're gunning for a sweep. Say what? Just go and watch, I was told.
Good thing I did.
It was my first UAAP game and it was awesome. In all aspect. S'yempre panalo kami! I will never ever forget that day. Walang pasok the following Monday and Tuesday. Ang saya-saya! We had an overdose of Tiger power. They're everywhere. Posters and banners congratulating them mushroomed all over the campus. I finally learned the names behind that historic sweep, thanks mainly to the Varsitarian (the school paper) special edition. (Sayang talaga, I just got rid of my copy two months ago. You look... young pa naman do'n. Very young.)
Kuya Rey left us after that year and would resurface, hah, with my favorite team in the PBA, Purefoods. So I had the chance to see more of him, share more championships with him and cry for him and the team when they loses.
To Kuya Rey, this year is your 10th as a professional basketball player and quite special for you had just been named new team captain. I've always admired your on-court attitude and was one of those who prayed for you to be chosen as Cap's successor.
I would like to congratulate you for a decade of harwork and dedication to the game. As a Purefoods fan, I'm hoping and praying that you go the way of Cap who spent all his playing years at Purefoods.
Happy birthday, Kuya Rey. I feel privileged to have watched you grow as a player through the years. I hope it's not too late for me to know naman the person behind the name.
Congrats again for the new role and may God bless you and your family more.
Smile, Kuya Rey, you're on cam!
17 December 2004
Giving gifts, exchanging cards
My holiday sense is slowly turning from bad to worse. It's the second day of Simbang Gabi and I still haven't bought a single Christmas gift. Where have all my time and plans gone?
I was a professional crammer back when I was still in school, the only explanation I can give myself and it's not even a reasonable one.
I started okay, really. I finished writing cards for friends abroad as early as the last week of October. My list survived countless revisions but ready by last week of November. I mailed the cards first day of December. They have reached their destinations here and abroad, save for the two sent to Iloilo and Quezon, got lost probably. They will turn up, I have great faith in our postal service. I just hope it reaches my friends before the middle of next year.
I even have one big blooper, the Christmas cards I got this year were so small my annoying little cousin said it looks like an over-sized gift tag. I honestly didn't realize it was small until I opened the box at home. To think that it took me a good thirty minutes to decide which one to get. I had trouble picking from three different sets but I didn't want anything too red and too gold so I got the one with cute little bears. It cost more than the other two but I liked the box at first sight. Lucky me, they're really small, but hey, it's the thought that counts!
And the gifts... maybe because I haven't thought of a particular theme until now. I started a themed Christmas two years ago and actually thought it was easier to get gifts that way. From friends to godchildren and everyone else, I gave them books. Then went all sleepwear last year.
I partially blame the book I consulted just before the -ber months came. It even got me more confused than ever. I should have trusted my instincts at the start.
I'm dreading the trip to the mall especially at this time of the season but I don't really have a choice, do I?
I was a professional crammer back when I was still in school, the only explanation I can give myself and it's not even a reasonable one.
I started okay, really. I finished writing cards for friends abroad as early as the last week of October. My list survived countless revisions but ready by last week of November. I mailed the cards first day of December. They have reached their destinations here and abroad, save for the two sent to Iloilo and Quezon, got lost probably. They will turn up, I have great faith in our postal service. I just hope it reaches my friends before the middle of next year.
I even have one big blooper, the Christmas cards I got this year were so small my annoying little cousin said it looks like an over-sized gift tag. I honestly didn't realize it was small until I opened the box at home. To think that it took me a good thirty minutes to decide which one to get. I had trouble picking from three different sets but I didn't want anything too red and too gold so I got the one with cute little bears. It cost more than the other two but I liked the box at first sight. Lucky me, they're really small, but hey, it's the thought that counts!
And the gifts... maybe because I haven't thought of a particular theme until now. I started a themed Christmas two years ago and actually thought it was easier to get gifts that way. From friends to godchildren and everyone else, I gave them books. Then went all sleepwear last year.
I partially blame the book I consulted just before the -ber months came. It even got me more confused than ever. I should have trusted my instincts at the start.
I'm dreading the trip to the mall especially at this time of the season but I don't really have a choice, do I?
10 December 2004
A Letter to Paul
I am a fan. But I guess you already know that. Since when exactly, I don't really know. I just found myself watching your every move. Every game I mean, I haven't resorted to stalking you, don't worry.
I have always been a UAAP fan. One can't help it when you have classes being suspended before and after a championship game. You learn to love it especially because it comes before the final exams. I went to UST before UE and will forever be a Thomasian by heart. Until you and James came along. To be perfectly honest, I didn't really give a damn about the Red Warriors back when I was still in school. I only got to watch UE games when UST was playing them. I was a Tiger in disguised in a Warrior outfit. I was mean and did my school injustice. I looked forward to an Ateneo-La Salle game the same way their alumni would. I did watch their games live. Lualhati probably rued the day she welcomed me into her midst.
But you and James came along. It was very unfortunate that my awakening came when I was done with school. A UAAP-freak as I said, I would still watch the games whenever I had the time. And for once, I made an effort to catch UE play. The year was 2002.
You were in the Final Four with a twice-to-beat advantage over Ateneo. I was saddened by the first game loss but it didn't prepare me for the knockout match. I was too shocked to even move after the final buzzer sounded. But like a true-blue (red) fan, I didn't see the point of blaming you for the miscue. I trained my guns instead to Gec Chia. I actually refused to acknowledge Gec as part of the Ateneo team that eventually won the title that season. For me, he was just so darn lucky he nailed that shot and comforted myself with the thought that maybe they really were destined to be the champs that year.
You eventually redeemed yourself not long after the UAAP season. Your team won the Bantay Bata benefit games, Champion's League and the Guam Invitationals. You even won for yourself MVP citations for the Champion's League and Guam Invitationals. It was not a bad school year after all.
On your last UAAP season, things really were looking up for you and the team at the end of eliminations. I imagined a fairy tale-ending to your glorious UAAP career. You lost, I cried a river. I can still remember the look on your face in the last minute of that game. I wanted to run to you and give you a hug. I didn't obviously.
Again I comforted myself with the thought that FEU was meeting its date with destiny. James ran away with the MVP honors and you were in the Mythical Five as the best point guard of the league. It was enough to lift my spirits.
Then your team-up was reenacted in the PBL when James joined you in Welcoat. I couldn't ask for more. You two played for two teams that conference, side by side. You were both in the RP team that would later see action in the SEA Games.
The 2003 SEA Games, another disappointing memory. You got dropped from the team for not being an offensive threat they said. My heart bled for you. I actually wanted to hunt down Coaches Aric, Dong and Boysie.
It was too much to close a year that started with a bang. You missed the UAAP finals again, lost the Bantay Bata title and failed to help the team in defending the Champion's League crown as a big send-off to the departing Coach Boysie. It wasn't the most fitting closing to your college ball career.
The Rookie Draft came. I kept praying for Purefoods to pick you along with James who reportedly already met with Purefoods team officials even before the draft. It seemed so impossible and unthinkable but I have been a Purefoods fan ever since and I want you in the team so my life would be easier. My informant at the Glorietta sent me a message that you went to Sta Lucia and Purefoods got James. Sad and hungry for I refused to eat dinner, I still watched the proceedings on television. Good thing I did for I have been fed the wrong information. I didn't let my informant-friend sleep soundly that night.
I got my wish. You got drafted by my favorite team with James in tow. I couldn't be any happier.
Welcoat lost the championship to Fash in a very emotional and controversial series. Everyday is not Christmas, I realized. But felt really overwhelmed when the Purefoods team came down for a visit in Game 2. It was a sight to behold when they were shown on television wildly cheering you and James on after a fastbreak.
I waited long and hard for the opening of the Fiesta Conference. I especially wanted to see that one because it would be your first official PBA appearance. I almost killed myself after I got stuck in traffic from a short trip to the mall. I missed you and the team coming out. I only caught the last team. I missed your first day in the PBA. I felt bad.
Your first game wasn't televised live. I was restless the whole night trying to convince myself the team won and you didn't do a Rich Alvarez. The team won I found out the day after and you survived your initiation. With flying colors. You were best player of the game and even outplayed Johnny A. How cool is that? I had a blast watching it two days later.
You finished the first round of eliminations on top of the rookie race but wasn't able to hold on because of the team's slump.
You won your birthday game and I was really glad for you. I wasn't able to catch that one live but I managed the next game. I will forever remember that day for it was the day I actually let you know I exist. I just wanted you to know in my most simplest way you bring happiness to my otherwise boring life by simply watching you play. I'd like to thank you again for what you did and my apologies again for saying and doing the wrong things for I was so stunned to even think straight.
Thanks again for greeting me on my birthday. I didn't give you much of a choice, did I? Thanks really, from the bottom of my heart. But the team lost its playoff game that same day so I canceled my birthday dinner for I was in no mood to celebrate.
Then the All-Stars came. Your first. In your rookie year. And you're in as starter. That was really great. Sorry you didn't do well in the side event but it seemed very obvious that you totally enjoyed your first All-Star experience.
And now we're in your second conference as a professional basketball player. You really are doing a good job. Your name got involved in trade rumors but remained rumors up to this day. Your free throw shooting is improving and though there's an obvious change in your game with regards to quickness, I suspect it has something to do with the PBA play but I'm not complaining. At times yes, but not every game.
You have come a long way since your La Salle days. A lot of disappointments along the way but you're where you are right now. No one can really explain the phenomenon that is Paul Artadi. You're not very tall, not known for your shooting skills (well yes, but in a negative manner) and yet you're in the PBA where playmaking is a chore more than a skill. Where point guards are shooting three-pointers as natural as the sun coming out in the morning. Where free throw shooting is a must especially for point guards who get fouled a lot. One can get away with it when you're a center, I don't know why. But you are in the PBA, making waves.
You don't know how happy I am when I learned you were back in school last semester. I was glad. No, ecstatic. It was good to know you still got your priorities right.
Now that you're officially a graduate, I truly am proud of you. You never let me down. I knew you would, that's why I like you. Your family must be really proud of you. Not that they aren't before given the state of your athletic career but a diploma gives a different high to parents, you know.
I want to congratulate you again for this latest achievement. I really am so happy and so proud of you. I'd like to thank you for awakening some sense of pride in me. Lame as it is, you and James were one of the few reasons I felt glad I went to UE for college. For that I'm grateful.
More power to you and may you continue to be an inspiration to others. James included. May God bless you more.
I have always been a UAAP fan. One can't help it when you have classes being suspended before and after a championship game. You learn to love it especially because it comes before the final exams. I went to UST before UE and will forever be a Thomasian by heart. Until you and James came along. To be perfectly honest, I didn't really give a damn about the Red Warriors back when I was still in school. I only got to watch UE games when UST was playing them. I was a Tiger in disguised in a Warrior outfit. I was mean and did my school injustice. I looked forward to an Ateneo-La Salle game the same way their alumni would. I did watch their games live. Lualhati probably rued the day she welcomed me into her midst.
But you and James came along. It was very unfortunate that my awakening came when I was done with school. A UAAP-freak as I said, I would still watch the games whenever I had the time. And for once, I made an effort to catch UE play. The year was 2002.
You were in the Final Four with a twice-to-beat advantage over Ateneo. I was saddened by the first game loss but it didn't prepare me for the knockout match. I was too shocked to even move after the final buzzer sounded. But like a true-blue (red) fan, I didn't see the point of blaming you for the miscue. I trained my guns instead to Gec Chia. I actually refused to acknowledge Gec as part of the Ateneo team that eventually won the title that season. For me, he was just so darn lucky he nailed that shot and comforted myself with the thought that maybe they really were destined to be the champs that year.
You eventually redeemed yourself not long after the UAAP season. Your team won the Bantay Bata benefit games, Champion's League and the Guam Invitationals. You even won for yourself MVP citations for the Champion's League and Guam Invitationals. It was not a bad school year after all.
On your last UAAP season, things really were looking up for you and the team at the end of eliminations. I imagined a fairy tale-ending to your glorious UAAP career. You lost, I cried a river. I can still remember the look on your face in the last minute of that game. I wanted to run to you and give you a hug. I didn't obviously.
Again I comforted myself with the thought that FEU was meeting its date with destiny. James ran away with the MVP honors and you were in the Mythical Five as the best point guard of the league. It was enough to lift my spirits.
Then your team-up was reenacted in the PBL when James joined you in Welcoat. I couldn't ask for more. You two played for two teams that conference, side by side. You were both in the RP team that would later see action in the SEA Games.
The 2003 SEA Games, another disappointing memory. You got dropped from the team for not being an offensive threat they said. My heart bled for you. I actually wanted to hunt down Coaches Aric, Dong and Boysie.
It was too much to close a year that started with a bang. You missed the UAAP finals again, lost the Bantay Bata title and failed to help the team in defending the Champion's League crown as a big send-off to the departing Coach Boysie. It wasn't the most fitting closing to your college ball career.
The Rookie Draft came. I kept praying for Purefoods to pick you along with James who reportedly already met with Purefoods team officials even before the draft. It seemed so impossible and unthinkable but I have been a Purefoods fan ever since and I want you in the team so my life would be easier. My informant at the Glorietta sent me a message that you went to Sta Lucia and Purefoods got James. Sad and hungry for I refused to eat dinner, I still watched the proceedings on television. Good thing I did for I have been fed the wrong information. I didn't let my informant-friend sleep soundly that night.
I got my wish. You got drafted by my favorite team with James in tow. I couldn't be any happier.
Welcoat lost the championship to Fash in a very emotional and controversial series. Everyday is not Christmas, I realized. But felt really overwhelmed when the Purefoods team came down for a visit in Game 2. It was a sight to behold when they were shown on television wildly cheering you and James on after a fastbreak.
I waited long and hard for the opening of the Fiesta Conference. I especially wanted to see that one because it would be your first official PBA appearance. I almost killed myself after I got stuck in traffic from a short trip to the mall. I missed you and the team coming out. I only caught the last team. I missed your first day in the PBA. I felt bad.
Your first game wasn't televised live. I was restless the whole night trying to convince myself the team won and you didn't do a Rich Alvarez. The team won I found out the day after and you survived your initiation. With flying colors. You were best player of the game and even outplayed Johnny A. How cool is that? I had a blast watching it two days later.
You finished the first round of eliminations on top of the rookie race but wasn't able to hold on because of the team's slump.
You won your birthday game and I was really glad for you. I wasn't able to catch that one live but I managed the next game. I will forever remember that day for it was the day I actually let you know I exist. I just wanted you to know in my most simplest way you bring happiness to my otherwise boring life by simply watching you play. I'd like to thank you again for what you did and my apologies again for saying and doing the wrong things for I was so stunned to even think straight.
Thanks again for greeting me on my birthday. I didn't give you much of a choice, did I? Thanks really, from the bottom of my heart. But the team lost its playoff game that same day so I canceled my birthday dinner for I was in no mood to celebrate.
Then the All-Stars came. Your first. In your rookie year. And you're in as starter. That was really great. Sorry you didn't do well in the side event but it seemed very obvious that you totally enjoyed your first All-Star experience.
And now we're in your second conference as a professional basketball player. You really are doing a good job. Your name got involved in trade rumors but remained rumors up to this day. Your free throw shooting is improving and though there's an obvious change in your game with regards to quickness, I suspect it has something to do with the PBA play but I'm not complaining. At times yes, but not every game.
You have come a long way since your La Salle days. A lot of disappointments along the way but you're where you are right now. No one can really explain the phenomenon that is Paul Artadi. You're not very tall, not known for your shooting skills (well yes, but in a negative manner) and yet you're in the PBA where playmaking is a chore more than a skill. Where point guards are shooting three-pointers as natural as the sun coming out in the morning. Where free throw shooting is a must especially for point guards who get fouled a lot. One can get away with it when you're a center, I don't know why. But you are in the PBA, making waves.
You don't know how happy I am when I learned you were back in school last semester. I was glad. No, ecstatic. It was good to know you still got your priorities right.
Now that you're officially a graduate, I truly am proud of you. You never let me down. I knew you would, that's why I like you. Your family must be really proud of you. Not that they aren't before given the state of your athletic career but a diploma gives a different high to parents, you know.
I want to congratulate you again for this latest achievement. I really am so happy and so proud of you. I'd like to thank you for awakening some sense of pride in me. Lame as it is, you and James were one of the few reasons I felt glad I went to UE for college. For that I'm grateful.
More power to you and may you continue to be an inspiration to others. James included. May God bless you more.
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