My life as an All-Star

BACOLOD CITY — I’ve always enjoyed being on the road as both a writer and a sportscaster. But this Friday, I had a unique perspective on how hard it is to travel as a player and public figure. I spent the weekend as an All-Star.

I had been discussing with project director Eric Altamirano the possibility of tagging along with and documenting a trip of the SMC All-Stars for a feature on The Basketball Show.

The San Miguel Corporation All-Stars were launched seven months ago as a means of generating good will and rendering public service on the corporate level. Beyond that, the SMC All-Stars (both north and south teams) have provided a source of income for many retired and unemployed pros. A pool of roughly 50 ex-pros are part of a roadshow that is endlessly touring the Philippines, playing against all comers, bringing cheer to our countrymen. Whether it be before crowds of thousands or groups of less than a hundred, the All-Stars never disappoint.

They have also provided a second chance to a few of our players who have been injured or have fallen through the cracks. Two-time Most Valuable Player Benjie Paras retired and made select appearances with the All-Stars before being picked up by San Miguel Beer when Danny Seigle, Danny Ildefono and Dorian Peña were injured. Ronald Magtulis was constantly on the road with the All-Stars until he was tapped by the Purefoods Hotdogs to fill gaps in their swingman position and guard imports.

This week, the mission of the north team was to play with the Association of Disabled Persons in Bacolod City. They never turn down an invitation, more so since it provided an opportunity to perform for the less fortunate of our countrymen. But since it was also the traditional Masskara festival, I thought we would spend some of our time partying.

I was wrong.

I boarded the 5 a.m. flight, bleary-eyed after a full day and night of shooting and editing. My cameraman Jayson Diokno and I arrived at the Bacolod Convention Plaza before 7 a.m. looking forward to a couple of hours’ sleep before the day’s activities began. I notified coach Eric that we were there. He quickly called.

"Hi, coach," I said. "What time are we leaving?" I could almost hear him chuckling.

"We’re having breakfast now. We leave at 8."

Needless to say, sleep would have to wait. He also told me that I might have to suit up since the south team was in Mindanao, and they were spread very thin. I thought he was kidding.

The mood at breakfast was very light, much like the wildly colored masks and decorations that blanketed the city like man-made sunlight. Mon Fernandez, Hector Calma, Dondon Ampalayo, Tonichi Yturri, Bobby Jose and Nandy Garcia were already there. We would be joined by Mannix Ortega. That meant they were a couple of players short. Uh oh.

First item on the itinerary was a visit to St. Vincent’s Home for Older Persons. There, a group of abandoned and destitute elderly waited to be entertained. The SMC All-Stars were also donating loot bags of SMC products, and the players mingled with and - more importantly - listened to the stories of the elderly, who almost always had nobody to talk to. I was surprised at how engaged the players were, going out of their way to amuse and cheer up these fallen parents and brothers and sisters. One old woman beamed through her toothless smile at how glad she was that we visited, because, as her voiced cracked, nobody from her family visited her anymore.

And the elderly entertained us even more, singing songs our parents (and grandparents) tried to get us to listen to. The music suddenly meant more, as I felt a tug in my heart for my late grandfather. I was glad I listened then.

"It sometimes looks like we’re giving so much," Eric Altamirano explained. "But honestly, we and the players receive even more." He didn’t need to explain.

Next stop, Manna, an orphanage where more than 40 young children from months to eight years old sat patiently. The players spread out into group’s reading stories to them as they sat, wide-eyed, staring up at all these giants who had reached down to share themselves so far from home. It was heart-warming to watch some of my favorite players cradle, hug, hold hand with and laugh with these little angels who had no parents, or whose parents had hurt them, perhaps permanently. A little curly-haired infant named John Ryan reached out to me with both hands, begging to be carried. When I picked him up, he hugged my neck and leaned his tiny head on my shoulder. He didn’t want to let go.

After a big lunch of seafood and grilled southern specialties (which made me wonder why these guys didn’t put on weight), it was on to the game.

More on Saturday.

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The Basketball Show was pre-empted by the activities of US President George W. Bush last Saturday. It will be aired at 6 p.m. tonight over IBC-13. The Basketball Show will be back to its regular timeslot of 4 p.m. this Saturday. The program is brought to you by adidas, Vfresh, Levi’s, Selecta Moo, Kooky biscuits, Champi, and Accel sports gear.