Softball

While basketball maybe the centerpiece event in the intramural games of others schools, at the University of the Philippines Cebu College High School, it was softball back during my high school days.

My high school class is celebrating its silver jubilee this year, but the celebration will be this July yet to allow those who are abroad to schedule their vacations.

I won’t be expounding on what it is to be 40 something and celebrating your high school class’ silver jubilee, but In was only reminded of such when I received a text message from a fellow UPian about softball.

Jesse Bernad, probably the most passionate among the graduates of our small school about batted sports, is organizing a team from the alumni for a summer tournament.

He is doing it alongside Icky Salazar of class 1986, who is also actively inviting those who went to our school to join in.

The tournament is set on April 18 to May 30 with games to be played every Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m., said Jesse.

One of my high school classmates and our pitcher during our senior year, Kerrwin Sanchez, said he is interested to join.

If a big group would come out and express interest, I told Jesse that maybe we can do an alumni tournament just like the basketball events organized by alumni of Sacred Heart School, Cebu Eastern College and the University of San Carlos Boys School.

It might be thinking too far ahead, but taking part in an alumni league seems to be one of the best ways to get those who went to the school interested about the present affairs of their alma mater.

There’s a long way to go, but I’m hopeful something can happen one of these days.

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It’s less than a hundred days to go before World Cup 2010 in South Africa, which will be the first time that the quadrennial sporting spectacle will be held in the African continent.

While most of the news we get about Africa are the wars, hunger, and calamities, the staging of the World Cup shall also hopefully change the way we look at the continent.

When I was much younger, when South Africa would be mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind would be apartheid. 

I’m sure that will change for the generation of my children, who will think of the biggest football tournament of the world when South Africa will be mentioned to them.

Those who want to watch the games live better try to get their body clocks used to the schedules.

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MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to Christine Inocencio-Aldeguer, Ruby Allyn Farnal-Regoso and Phoebe Lapinid, who all turned a year older last Monday.

The same greetings go to The Freeman’s Joy Ulla-Nacua and Ramesh Rosillo, Alta Vista’s Bet Suplico, Dr. Jonathan Bendebel, Mike Besa, Portia Abanilla, Allan Jayme Rabaya, Jane Gocuan, my Tao sister Ailenne Galicinao and my fellow Gray Knight Erwin ‘Dabong’ de Vera, who all celebrated yesterday.

Today’s greetings go to Philda Pangilinan-Florido and Shena Sarne-Banaay.

Of course, happy birthday greetings also go to General Victor S. Ibrado, who is turning 56 years old today and will be retiring as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

More power to all of you!