Title: Japanese influence and Quincy's ace

CEBU, Philippines - What a long weekend we just had and for the first time in years, I actually had a chance to enjoy such luxury and spent three days (not four unlike others) with other host families of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu – Eiko Gakuen High School International Exchange Program.

The two-week visit of our Japanese foster sons will end early tomorrow and we shall be heaving a sigh of relief for having been able to do our task of giving them a home in Cebu, but at the same time we could not also help but feel sad to see our mosuko (son) head back home.

Maybe the Japanese families of these boys, who are now here, also felt the same when our sons from SHS-AdC headed back to the Philippines in the middle of May after their two-week visit to Eiko Gakuen High School in Kanagawa.

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While on board a boat heading back to Mactan Island last Sunday, I received email that brought a smile on my face.

Why not? Quincy Quek of Singapore scored an ace on hole number 16 at the Palmer Course in Orchard Golf and Country Club to win the ICTSI orchard Golf Championship.

Quincy happened to be the professional golfer, who was assigned to our team during the pro-am event of the Aboitiz Invitational in Cebu the other week.

We finished third in the pro-am, but he missed the cut for the tournament by one stroke.

Last year, the pro of my pro-am team, Jay Bayron, successfully defended his Aboitiz Cup title. I feel like many years ago when I was only starting to play and enjoy the game, there was always somebody from my flight, who would win in the tournament that we would play in.

Before you think of booking a round of golf with me, I don’t think it has something to do about me. It is their ability to play the game hehehe…

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A judo demonstration is scheduled this Saturday, 10 a.m. at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu gym in Canduman, Mandaue City.

This demo that will be conducted by a team led by Atty. Vicente Fernandez II, the executive vice president of the Philippine Judo Federation (PJF), is the first step to forming a judo club in the school.

Judo is a very popular sport at Ateneo de Manila University and we hope to get the kids in Cebu interested in the sport, which is the first Oriental martial art to become an official event in the Olympics.

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MILESTONES: Belated happy birthday greetings to one of the most inspiring people that I know, Mary Ann ‘Me-Anne’ Alcordo-Solomon, who turned a year older last Monday. Manang Me-Anne is helping many advocacies, but has been very active in promoting cancer awareness.

The same goes to Roselle King, Chris Evert Lato, Mariel Veloso-Campañon, Linette Ramos, Sheryl Davide-Ureta, Mutya Columnas-Saburao, Nick Torfefranca, and LTO’s Alita Pulga.

Belated greetings also go to yesterday’s celebrators like my uncle Jose Miranda, Jr., Renee Villasin-Pimentel, Jenevieve Nadela, Janice Callino-Consiglo, Chelo Colis, and Angel ‘Tito’ de la Merced.

Today’s greetings go to Phrixel Pimentel, Jay Chiongbian Young, Dr. Kevin Cimafranca, Atty. Rameses Villagonzalo, Cavalier Augustus Caesar Esmeralda, Ella Mae Aliganga, and my classmates Cristina Pacis-Ouano and Alma Gayondato. (FREEMAN)

More power to all of you!