Dance record

A very important event for dancesport is about to happen in Cebu – a bid to have the biggest dance class to make it into the Guinness Book of Records.

I learned about this plan a few days ago from Edward Hayco, director of Team Cebu City DanceSport and regarded as the godfather of the sport in this part of the world.

More than a decade ago, dancing wasn’t really thought of as a sport, but shortly before the new millennium, dancesport became a by-word in Cebu.

Today, Edward and the other organizers of the world record attempt are holding a press conference.

More details should be known today and we hope to be part of this in our own little way. One thing is definite though, I won’t be among the dancers lest you want to see the world’s worst dancer hehehe…

* * *

After winning the gold medal in the National Boys and Girls Judo Championships, Cebu’s pride Vicente L. Fernandez III earned a slot in the Philippine team to the 2009 Jikji Cup International Judo Tournament on July 2 and 3 in Cheongju, South Korea.

I learned about this last weekend from Atty. Vicente E. Fernandez II, my long-time buddy and the father of the champion.

Vic said that the only problem is that they were asked to raise at least $700 for the fare of his son as the Philippine Judo Federation doesn’t have funds for such.

Seeing this as a good exposure for the boy, I asked some friends to help out and got some positive response. We’re still trying to do more and we hope to do that before the end of the week.

* * *

I started writing about fathers and their kids in my previous column leading up to the Father’s Day weekend.

Vic and his sons – Nonoy and Joaquin – are also in the list as he has painstakingly taught the boys the rudiments of judo and help elevate them to national prominence being gold medalists in that level.

Vic’s father, Atty. Hector Fernandez is also a judoka and I’m sure his influence was also a key in their choice of a sport to dedicate their lives to.

I also covered many golfing dads and their children from Niñi Tionko and his son Jojo to George and his kids – William, Mary Kim, and Chuckie.

There were also Rudy Lizares and his son Gassy, who often teamed up during tournaments very much like the amiable Dr. Mike Mancao and his son Dr. Peter.

Fathers often go out of their way to see to it that their kids get the best and I can attest to that being part of the group of fathers who would hang out at the sidelines while waiting for our children, who were playing football.

In the many years we spent as a football family, I met many more dads and even moms who did the same and I’m sure, without them, the football programs of their schools would never have been as successful.

I continue to keep in touch with my fellow dads like Carl Veloso, Vince Nery, Ruel de Guzman, and Rico Navarro even if we don’t anymore hang out in the same places to watch our kids play or practice.

* * *

MILESTONES: Advanced birthday greetings to my fellow member of the PMA Cebu Squad Inc., Nilo Arribas, who turns a year older tomorrow.

The same goes to Julienne Guanzon and the forever cute Maria Theresa ‘Matet’ Nierre, who are also celebrating tomorrow.

More power to all of you!