Kasadyaan

Players from the Purefoods Hotdogs squad of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) showed us another side of themselves during the press conference of the Purefoods Beef Loaf Kasadyaan Festival at Table 7.

Chad Borja, yes the popular singer, who is one of the owners of Table 7, was also on hand for the activity yesterday afternoon. We did not get to talk about basketball though but instead discussed golf, which is his new passion.

Many might look at basketball players to be all brawn, but the event yesterday showed that they too can be total performers.

Manang Kris Relatado, who was looking for James Yap, asked some questions that had the players a little stumped for a moment, but they've managed to pull through.

Present yesterday were the veteran Jun Limpot, who Paul Artadi fondly calls 'Papa Jun' together with their skipper Rey Evangelista, Richard Yee, Eddie Laure, Peter June Simon, and Artadi.

* * *

Tiger Woods came roaring at the start of the 134th British Open shooting six-under-par 66 to post a one-stroke lead.

It has been a long time since we've seen Tiger in this shape at the start of a Major and hopefully will stay there until the end of the tournament.

Well, not all would like that just like one of my closest friends, but many would want to see Tiger win a lot more tournaments and hopefully match or even surpass the record of 18 Majors won by Jack Nicklaus.

I'm also happy to see one of my old favorites, Fred Couples, among the leaders after the opening round and I hope he'll stay in contention until Sunday.

Somebody asked me how come golf is an emotional game. I was about to answer, "I don't know, I just slam my clubs when I miss a shot," but since I am also duty-bound to explain, I told him that is because you can play so well on one hole and be the worst golfer in the world on the next. Yes folks, this can also happen to the best in the world.

Remember that French guy, Jean Van De Velde (I can't even remember exactly how his family name is spelled, but I remember how he collapsed in the final hole of the British Open at Carnoustie in 1999)?

What's nice about the British Open compared to the other Majors is that we in the Philippines don't have to stay up all night or wake up very early to catch the live action on television.

* * *

MILESTONES: I congratulated in my column last Wednesday my grand uncle, who was inducted as president of the Rotary Club of Cebu Port Centre, Nolan Rada, and I got a text message from one of my favorite Rotarians, Manang Me Anne Alcordo-Solomon, who told me that Michael Veloso was also recently inducted as the new president of RC-Cebu Fuente.

Michael is one of the directors of the Cebu Football Association and I was told he has something planned to boost football as one of his projects. I'm very happy to hear that.

Well, I believe that RC-Cebu Fuente, which is the only club that has its own billboard, thanks to Manang Me Anne's Alcordo Advertising, is not only a popular club, but also a hardworking one. Immediate past president and Balamban councilor Dave John Karamihan also did a very good job during his term.

By the way, I am not a member of the club, just one of their fans.

Congratulations to all of you!

On Monday, The FREEMAN will be celebrating its 86th anniversary. Yehey!

Long live my favorite local newspaper!