Willie in Amo Cup

Popular showbiz host Willie Revillame was a visitor at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club last weekend.

Willie, who is known to give huge sums of money in his television shows, reportedly also gave money to the caddies of the club during his first visit.

That round of golf apparently wasn’t enough as he came back around noontime last Sunday when we were holding the 4th Amo Cup.

Since there was a tournament, he and his group did the right thing by signing up and playing in the event.

Many were hoping they would attend the award rites, but I guess they were too tired when they finished around 6 p.m. and left the club after playing.

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The family of the late Albino ‘Amo’ Gothong attended the award rites last Sunday.

His widow, Pacita, was there along with their children Barbara ‘Bambi’ Gothong-Tan and Benjo Gothong.

Amo had an even bigger family – the Cebuano golf community where he was one of the acknowledged and well-loved patrons.

To us members of the committees of the tournaments he organized, we were like an extension of his family, which is why we also referred to him as Tatay.

With a shade below 300 players taking part in the 4th Amo Cup, there was no doubt about the success of the tournament, which took only about two weeks to put together.

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Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was around for the cocktails and the early part of the awards ceremony.

He even sang a song with the guest all-female trio.

The mayor is not a golfer. Although I have seen him do a couple of ceremonial drives and have nailed both of them, he said that he only goes to the driving range and doesn’t play on the fairways.

He prefers basketball, which he still plays with his group regularly.

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Since I have mentioned basketball, a good friend of mine who is so passionate about the sport is getting recognition for something else in the Grand Chamber Awards to end the Cebu Business Month celebration.

The entrepreneur of the year award for 2011 will be going to Chester C. Cokaliong, CEO and COO of Cokaliong Shipping Lines Inc.

Chester and I met because of basketball about 12 years ago and since then I have been to many of his tournaments and others activities that his company and his family have hosted.

Many times he has been misunderstood, but there is one thing that we can never misunderstand – his passion for excellence in whatever he does.

Congratulations, my friend!

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MILESTONES: Today’s birthday greetings go to Guy Gabison III, Aledel Gonzalez-Cuizon, and Christine Pereña-Abalo.

Advance greetings go to those celebrating tomorrow especially my mistah Lt. Col. Michael A. Santos. The same goes to Therese Amodia, Tisha Stroud-Lloren, Alezandra Buendia-Tadlip, and Imee Kua.

More power to all of you! – THE FREEMAN