Don't kill the non-smokers

There is something about sports arenas that lures me to them. The same probably paved the way for my decision to become a sportswriter since I don’t only get to watch the action, but I get to tell others about what happened.

When I go to a place, I always find time to check out the sporting venues even if nothing is happening at the moment that I am there.

When I’m home I go to the sporting venues for work, for fun, or sometimes just to while the time away.

There is however one thing that I hope the owners or the people overseeing the sports facilities must make sure to check out, smoking.

We know smoking kills and the smokers should be well warned by now about the ills of their vice, but they are taking the risk.

But they should not put others who don’t smoke to the same risk that they are taking. That to me is murder.

I enjoy watching the games of the CECABA at the gym of City Sports Club Cebu and I enjoy covering it for SkyCable TV, but what I don’t enjoy is being exposed to all that smoke that some inconsiderate individuals release inside the gym.

Isn’t there a national law banning smoking in sporting arenas?

In fact, the golf clubs in Cebu, except for one, ban it in enclosed areas.

Yes, the smokers have the right to kill themselves, but they don’t have the right to force others to breathe the air that they are polluting.

I have many friends who smoke since I am not picky, but they are decent enough to do it away from the other people.

This is not something about smokers versus non-smokers. I believe it is a matter of promoting healthy living in the sports arenas and not killing those who don’t smoke.

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A very excited Atty. Vicente E. Fernandez II called me up last Sunday. Although Vic is my lawyer, I know that when he calls it’s not about trouble, but judo.

No father would not be excited when your son is about to play for the gold medal most especially if it was the National Boys and Girls Judo Championships.

Vicente ‘Nonoy’ L. Fernandez III, who also happens to be my godson, was about to play for the gold in the -66 kilograms class when Vic called me.

I had just enough time to log in to www.philjudo.com and find the link to the live coverage on the Internet to see how Nonoy won the championship match using a technique we call the ouchi gari or the major outer reaping throw in English.

Nonoy’s younger brother Joaquin won a bronze in the -55 kilograms division of the event.

The boys were coached by Tracy Tradio, not Badonio as earlier reported. Tracy also happens to be my fraternity brother and a long-time judo teammate with Vic.

I guess the baton has been passed at last to these young men, who shall win more medals in national and hopefully international judo events.

* * *

Milestones: Belated birthday greetings to Fr. Randolph Figuracion, SDB and to Retired Chief Supt. Federico Terte, who both turned a year older last Saturday.

Belated greetings also go to June Rabin, Anne Batuhan-Rentuza and Joseph Alfafara of Petronas, who celebrated last Monday.

Yesterday was the big day for one of the newest members of The Freeman staff, Anjieliz or AJ de la Torre, who celebrated her birthday.

Lastly, I’d also like to wish Arvy E. Lopez a happy birthday today.

More power to all of you!