Success

There are many ways to measure the success of a tournament and last Sunday, the drizzle during the awards ceremony of the Alta Vista Christmas Fun Golf Classic at the club's poolside did not dampen the mood of the people.

Some measure success in terms of the raffle prizes being given away. Others by the giveaways to all participants and some by the number of participants.

Put all of that together with a bunch of unhappy players then you probably are not as successful as you think.

Seeing the happy faces of the participants and even the non-participants who came to partake of the feast during the awards ceremony was more than a consolation to a very long day last Sunday.

The performance of Jimmy Noel and Karla Fornolles of Team Cebu City Dancesport added more flavor to the awards ceremony unfortunately they had to dance at the kiosk instead of the stage set up at the pool due to the rain.

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The 90s team once again proved to their elder brothers that they are the better team in the Garcia Cup played at the Cebu Country Club last Friday and Saturday.

This tournament, which is held in honor of Cheling Garcia, who once was one of the pillars of Cebu Country Club, pits the jungolf alumni of the 1980s with those of the 1990s.

The team from the 80s is one that is loaded with stars. Unfortunately that is not enough to earn them the title, which the 90s team successfully defended.

The gap is however closing and soon I should see my friends from the 80s take the title. I hope it does not show that I am another man from the 80s. But then, although I never was a junior golfer, I can't help but root silently for those who are from my age group.

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It was not all golf during the weekend as the finalistsof the 2nd Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup slugged it out in Talisay and Mandaue for the final four slots.

On Friday, the last four teams standing will clash starting with the game between defending champion Lapu-Lapu City and Toledo City at 8:30 a.m.

The winner of the firt game will face the winner of the second game between Mandaue City and Talisay City for the title.

The losers will face each other for third place.

The games for the third place and the championship will be played on Friday afternoon still at the Mandaue Cultural and Sports Complex.

Everybody, including those who are not volleyball enthusiasts are invited to watch the competition as the four best teams from around Cebu province slug it out for the top prize of the event.

Many of these players in the tournament will soon become the stars of the various collegiate teams of Cebu.

Through the GUV Cup, they have not only been given the chance to represent their towns or cities, but also have been given an opportunity to be scrutinzed by the various collegiate coaches.

They are not just scrutinized but more importantly also given a chance to get a good education from the various schools in Cebu City.

This could be your ticket to free college education and I hope there will even be more participants next year.

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MILESTONE: Happy birthday to my brother Nino Paolo, who turns 32 years old today. More power to you!