The change in schedule of the Island Tee to this time of the year from late in the year the past eight years put it in time for the Kadaugan sa Mactan.
This is the celebration of the triumph of Rajah Lapu-Lapu over the invading Spanish forces led by Portuguese Captain Ferdinand Magellan.
Although I got pretty high grades in my history classes, I won’t dwell much into this kadaugan where Lapu-Lapu slew Magellan after the foreigner was hit by an aljo or pestle and was writhing in pain from the blow to the groin and was then killed using a sword.
I will discuss a different kadaugan or victory that my friends at the Mactan Island Golf Club are celebrating.
With about 400 players taking part, the 9th Island Tee is a major success and the improvements of the course further proves that the club is really serious about elevating its status.
The secret is not exactly a secret that the club’s membership is not talking about. In fact, many members of other clubs know it so well even if they haven’t personally met the reason behind the club’s success – Retired General Rodante S. Joya, the GM.
General Joya also shared with me one more secret – the involvement of the club’s members and even the golf course staff in improving the MIGC.
He said that the staff have realized that if they take good care of the course and work to make it better, crisis or no crisis, they will have work and Mactan will have this gem that took some time to polish to make it glitter like it does now.
This is the kadaugan that brought the Cebu golf community across the two bridges to play in the Island Tee.
* * *
I got a few inquiries about the Rugby event this weekend at the Aboitiz Sports Field in Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
Most of the inquiries were about how to find the venue.
It is not really so hard to find as the field is right beside Makro, which is on that road where the North Bus Terminal is located.
You pay a minimal entrance fee to the field and another amount for parking.
The participants of the event are not only Filipinos, but mostly expatriates as well as visitors from Hong Kong.
Those who would like to know more about rugby can go to the venue and enjoy the pure action of the sport.
I was also informed yesterday that a free rugby coaching will be held this Tuesday and Wednesday and this will be conducted by coaches from the United Kingdom.
The event is from 2 to 4 p.m. The text message says this event is for kids, but I’m sure a lot of older ‘kids’ are also interested.
Better head to the pitch today and look for Damien Allison to know more.
* * *
MILESTONES: My closest friend in the Cebu racing scene is turning a year older today. I call him buddy and he was among my close friends, who I asked to join my wedding entourage. I am referring to Lorenzo Sebastian ‘Lord’ R. Seno.
Happy birthday greetings also go to Antonino ‘Jun’ San Juan of the Cebu Volleyball Association; Amparo Osmeña, daughter of my friend Jing-jing, and Dr. Evangeline Costelo, who are also celebrating today.
Advance birthday greetings to Dominic Ylaya, Jaybee Cometa, and April GN Abatayo, who are celebrating on Monday.
More power! - THE FREEMAN