In the eyes of his children

I always believe that through every stage of life, each one of us should be open to friendship. This is one lesson I learned from my late parents. Today I am most grateful for the loving friends God has sent me. Indeed they have enriched my life in countless ways.

Three summers ago, I encouraged my son Vincent to join a basketball tournament called Kids Hoops. Being new to the game, I thought my son as well as my husband and I should make new friends with basketball playing families. It was in this occasion that we met the Nieto family — Jet and Girlie and their children Nicole, 13, twins Michael and Matthew, 11, and Josh, four. Our friendship grew as we were together every weekend, cheering for our team.

Girlie and her four children always speak well of Jet. With a Father’s Day story in mind, I sat down with them to find out what makes Jet an adorable father and role model in the eyes of his children.

Joseph Kenneth “Jet” Nieto was born on March 13, 1968. Both his parents are doctors. His father, Dr. Rolando Nieto, is an anesthesiologist and a former councilor of Manila. His mother, Dr. Ethelyn P. Nieto, once served as Undersecretary of Health.

While he was growing up, Jet was closely watched by his lolo Honorio Passion and his late lola Felicitias Passion. He is the eldest in the family of six, all professionals. He married his girlfriend of 10 years, Dr. Girlie Martinez Nieto, a very lovable lady.

Both Jet’s grandparents and parents molded him to become a doctor. He is a much sought-after orthopedic surgeon practicing in Metro Manila and nearby provinces where he serves the less fortunate. He is happy to be able to pursue what Ateneo de Manila University has taught him — to be a man for others.

“But that is only half of our father’s life and dream. The other half contains his passion for basketball,” Nicole said. Nicole knew by heart that her father was a member of the Ateneo basketball team, which won back-to-back national championships in the UAAP in 1987 against University of the East and in 1988 against archrival De La Salle University. Jet, according to his wife Girlie, started his career in his sophomore year in high school where he was a member of the PAYA Juniors team that placed second to Xavier School. He came back the next year to help the team win the championship in the PAYA Juniors. In his senior year, he became a member of the UAAP Juniors team which won several championships including the 1984 championship via a 12-game sweep and the national UAAP championship in Baguio again via a sweep. The team is composed of Jet Nieto, Joseph Canlas, Jun Reyes, Alex Araneta and Jayvee Gayoso. Many observers said that this was the strongest junior team Ateneo ever formed.

“He dreams of playing again, going back to the court, hearing the roaring of crowds, the beating of the drums,” Girlie shared as we sat together, watching Jet standing on the sidelines, with that intense look on his face as he watched his sons. “My husband’s heart is in every game because basketball was his very first love. I am the second,” she laughed.

He could have pursued a career in basketball yet his obedience to his parents and grandparents won him over. It was their fervent dream for him to become a doctor. So after his senior year, he left Ateneo to pursue a medical career.

But after 20 years comes God’s reward for this obedient son. Dr. Jet Nieto’s dream is becoming a reality. He is back in the court, though not as a player, but as a father, coach, mentor and critic to his very talented fraternal twins Michael and Matthew, Grade 5 students and varsity basketball players of the SBP division, Junior PBA.

Matthew plays the 1-2-3 position while Michael plays the 3-4-5 position.

Matthew is sometimes referred to as “Payat”; and Michael, “Taba.” Matthew is also known as “The Flash,” “Mr. Clutch” and “The Defender.” Michael is also called “The Bulldozer” and “Kid Mountain.”

At age six, the twins started playing basketball. They enrolled in prestigious basketball clinics like Milo Best Center and ABS and competed in a lot of basketball tournaments. At age seven, they won major leagues like international basketball tournament. When they were 10, they won the Small Basketeers of the Philippines and Junior PBA Leagues and became both back-to-back national champions. Both were in the Mythical 5 and Michael was the Most Valuable Player. Their team NCR Talk ‘n Txt also won in the First National Junior PBA Champ in 2007, 2008 and 2009. They are now training for the RP team, in the 13-and-below category.

Every day, the twin brothers go home at 7 p.m. because of their training in school and they usually compete during the weekends. But in between, Jet continuously trains them on the court.

“If we don’t have practice, our Dad trains us. He trains us most especially when we have a very important game. He gives us tips on shooting. He also studies the moves of our opponent then teaches us defense,” Matthew proudly said.

“We love Dad because he compliments us when we have a good game. If we don’t have a nice game, he will tell us what’s wrong with our game. After that, he will give us a prize for our hard work,” Michael said, adding, “Dad spoils us, especially Nicole and Josh. He buys us shoes for every tournament that we join in.”

Jet’s basketball influence is also very evident on his youngest son Lebron Joseph or Josh. At the age of three, Josh could already dribble with his left hand and right hand. Josh also plays basketball with his father. He can shoot and play defense with his Dad, ate, kuyas and Nanay.

Jet’s love for sports also rubbed off on Nicole, an avid badminton player. She just won first place in the Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association midgets division and the Inter-Scholastic Sporting Association even though she has only been training for less than a year. Nicole is an honor student in Miriam College. She is a super ate who tutors her younger brothers with their assignments.

“Jet is the best husband, father, teacher, mentor and coach,” Girlie said.

“Dad has been able to instill in us the virtues of obedience and discipline. His motto for us, his children, is: Pray hard, play hard and study hard,” said Nicole.

“He raised us to become very respectful, too,” chorused Matthew and Michael.

As for the four-year-old Josh, this is what he had to say about Jet: “I love Dad because we always go out to buy our midnight snack.” Josh loves his dad so much because, according to Girlie, “Jet loves spending time with his children. He consistently brings them to the mall or anywhere the children want.”

Girlie said Jet, after 20 years, was nominated and elected as one of Ateneo’s Hall of Famers.

Jet is a proud father who only wishes to hang, in the future, the championship banner of Michael, Matthew and Josh in the Blue Eagle gym and Nicole’s banner in badminton.

At the rate he’s going and with the love and discipline he has instilled in the heart and mind of his children, Jet is already reaping the rewards of his dreams.

(Would love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com)