Talking about football

Before I start today's column, I'd like to ask all our pious readers to say a prayer for the soul of a colleague in the profession, Ivan Suansing, the editor-in-chief of Cebu Daily News, who passed away the other day.

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I had a very interesting conversation with Paul Weiler, a German who is married to a Filipina, last Thursday morning.

Paul is the European Manager of the Cebu Football Association and is trying to find ways to help the sport move forward through linkages and other activities.

In the meeting, I was joined by my buddies Ruel de Guzman and Vince Nery, who are also active football parents and members of the Dads United Football Club.

Paul presented many ideas that I believe should be worth pursuing for the love of football and I believe such can also be done in other sports.

One thing that surely caught my attention was his proposal to encourage the management students to get involved in the sporting clubs to help develop a marketing program that can be used to raise money for sponsorships and pay the bills.

It surely is workable and I hope our friends from the academe can look into this matter as another venue for internship of the students and hopefully a career.

Sports marketing, though quite popular in many advanced nations and even in Manila is still in its infancy here.

Paul also invited us to the family day of their club at the OAD in Tabor Hills, Talamban tomorrow at 2 pm.

We also discussed the planned sports facility at the South Reclamation Project, which could become the main home for football and other field sports if it materializes.

He also proposed that a listing of the existing facilities should be made like fields that can be utilized for games and practice including their rates and the time that they can be used. This way, sports enthusiasts will know where to go and hone their skills.

There is a lot of work to do yet and I believe Paul is more than willing to help us out in this endeavor.

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Engaging in sports can be relaxing but also stressful if you are the one organizing the event.

When the tension builds up or when you are simply dead tired from all the action, you'd wish to go somewhere to get the pampering that would loosen the tight muscles and help reduce the stress.

One place to do so is the Zen Spa at the Centro Fortuna Building along A.S. Fortuna St., Mandaue City.

On the invitation of a good old friend, Asila Malasarte, we had a chance to check out the services that Zen Spa offers and its facilities.

Since it is just a few minutes away from where we usually play football, I guess my friends would love it there.

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I got a text message last week from Reny Sarmiento, which I almost forgot about so I am relaying it now.

Reny told me that they are now in search of bridge players. No, this is not the same as the bridges that my good friend Engr. Willy T. Go builds, but bridge, the card game.

I honestly don't know much about the game also, but those interested to play with Reny's group can contact Daisy Moro through 0918-9225187.

Reny said that they are in search for young talent in their group. That could be you.

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MILESTONES: I would like to send birthday greetings all the way to Thailand for a former co-worker at The FREEMAN. Today is the birthday of Mary Rose Javier, who is now an English teacher in the neighboring country in the Southeast Asian region.

Belated happy birthday greetings to Herbert Kwan, father of my kumare, Hayley Kwan-Faustino. Herbert turned a year older last Thursday.

More power to all of you!