GUV Cup finale

Before anything else, I'd like to greet all of you a very merry Christmas!

Let us always remember that this season is not only about gifts, decors, lights, bonuses, and all other material stuff. It is also about sharing and caring for the less fortunate.

Let's all have a meaningful Christmas celebration.

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I sat at the edge of my seat yesterday afternoon while watching the championship match of the 2nd Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup.

The person beside me was also at the edge of her seat and unlike many politicians, who just show up for sports events so people would think they are supporting sports, she was genuinely interested in what was happening and understood the game quite well.

I sat beside Gov. Gwen Garcia when we watched the exciting battle between Talisay City and last year's champion Lapu-Lapu City at the Mandaue Cultural and Sports Complex.

The sport of volleyball has so much to thank Gov. Gwen for as her support in this tournament has not only brought much attention to the sport in Cebu Province, but also pushed grassroots development.

We don't only have a good tournament that is ran like an international event, the GUV Cup also gives the players the opportunity to hone their skills and get recruited by the school teams.

More than that, the event also serves as an opportunity for local game officials to master the skill and earn the much-needed experience that could not only earn them accreditation to officiate in the national competitions, but also in the international level.

I would have loved to linger after the awards ceremony, but then knowing the severe traffic situation in the north Reclamation Area and the absence of CITOM personnel, I decided to leave earlier than the rest of the officials of the Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA).

Talisay City truly deserved to be the champion after overcoming a setback in the first set and never giving up. Lapu-Lapu City gave a really good fight, but in the end the better team prevailed.

Until next year then and Gov. Gwen has already promised to continue supporting this event, which is the biggest volleyball tournament outside of Manila.

I know for sure that our president Glen Anthony Soco and VP Antonio San Juan, Jr. are looking forward to the 3rd GUV Cup. So is my good friend Andrew Choachuy, who probably is the most traveled among us to the various cluster elimination venues.

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MILESTONE: Many people used to mistake us for one another, but the reason is that we're brothers. Happy birthday to my brother Nereus David, who turns a year older tomorrow.

He is now based in Dublin, Ireland where he works as a nurse, but has remained a staunch supporter of my sporting endeavors and now also that of my son.

Happy birthday Ner and more power!