Freddie Webb heeds the call of the airwaves

He became a basketball superstar in the ’70s and ignited the hardcourt scene playing for YCO team. His contemporaries in the field are Robert Jaworski, Francis Arnaiz and Atoy Co, among many others.

In the ’80s, he dabbed in TV and movie acting and became best remembered for his popular sitcom role as the husband of Nova Villa in Chicks to Chicks, which was later titled to Chika Chika Chicks.

In the ’90s, he tried his hand at politics and became a councilor and congressman in Parañaque, and later a senator for one term or six years. After politics, however, Freddie Webb led a quiet life and shifted to business with his sons. His eldest son Fritz owns Basement Salon at Rockwell’s Power Plant Mall and NYPD Pizza at the Podium. Jason, meanwhile, owns Yaku Japanese Restaurant at Podium.

Freddie also has a farm in Botolan, Zambales, where he has over 1,500 fruit-bearing trees. "When you retire, everybody goes to farming," he smilingly says.

Asked if he plans to return to politics, Freddie replies matter-of-factly, "It’s hard to say, but right now, it’s off my mind."

Two months ago, Freddie was offered by ABS-CBN vice president for Manila radio division Peter Musngi, to host a weekly radio program on dzMM, the AM radio station of the network. Freddie was immediately receptive to the idea, especially since the radio show is close to his heart as it is all about sports.

"I was immediately interested when it was offered to me," Freddie says of his radio program. "I liked it. I was short of telling Peter to really make me host a radio program."

Sports Talk airs on dzMM 630 every Saturday, 3 to 4 p.m. Hosting with Freddie is seasoned sports commentator Jude Torcuato, also Studio 23’s Sports TV anchor. The duo’s illustrious career in sports, public service and broadcast media stamps a back-to-back edge for Sports Talk. Adding to their track record is the program’s action-and-information-packed segments, which include Sports Headline for the newest and latest sports developments; Hoop News for the latest basketball news; Sports Medicine for tips on sports-related injuries and Galing ng Pinoy for outstanding athletes.

"Jude and I never talked together before, but we hit it off well in our program," Freddie says. "He worked in UAAP while I was coaching for MBA. In our radio show, we have a free-wheeling discussion every Saturday. We invite guests who join us in the radio booth, like physical fitness instructors, so audience can participate and call. The show is very interactive. Sometimes, the one hour given to us is not enough for our guests and the listeners who call."

Freddie returns to radio after more than eight years. He had a brief radio stint then when he hosted the talk show, Pag-usapan Natin on dwXL.

Pinky, meanwhile, is also a dzMM radio host who tackles the day’s burning issues in Pasada Sabado, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. also every Saturday. Pinky hosts with Atty. Sal Panelo, a staunch activist and human rights lawyer.

When one talks to Freddie, the topic inevitably shifts to his 35-year-old son, Hubert, who has been languishing in jail for nearly nine years now. The public’s interest on the case has been rekindled lately, as the Webb family awaits the decision of their appeal from the Supreme Court.

"We are still working on the result of Hubert’s case," Freddie says. "I’m tired of explaining. God knows how much my son has already suffered. If it can happen to others, why can’t it happen to Hubert? There must be a greater plan for him. He wanted to become a basketball player before, but at 26, he was brought to jail. Today, when you talk to Hubert, he wants to become a preacher."

Every week, the Webb family visits Hubert in Muntinlupa. Everyday the driver brings him food, cooked from the house. "He’s a meat eater," Freddie says of his son. "He likes steak and porkchops. Since he’s been jailed, he’s had three girlfriends. One is a family friend, the second one was introduced to him by a friend and the third is Pinky’s friend."

Hubert is the fourth among Freddie’s six children including basketball players Fritz and Jason, and ANC newscaster Pinky. The other two are Maribeth and Michael. At present, a less pre-occupied Freddie delights in his five grandchildren, the kids of Fritz, whose own family lives downstairs from their home. The eldest grandchild Joshua is a potential basketball star who is being trained this early.

"I spent for his training in the US and I bought him things he needs," Freddie says of his grandson. "I told him I will manage his career."

Freddie, who used to be greeted with giggling, screaming girls during his heyday in the hardcourt, unabashedly admits he turned 60 in November last year. But most everyone who see him will readily say his good looks and physique are indeed deceiving for his age.

"In anything you do, for it to become successful, you really have to like it," Freddie says. "When you start faking it, that’s when you fail."