Young Arevalo reaps honors

Six years old and oblivious to what is really going on in the world, Abegail Arevalo quietly returned to the Philippines at dawn Tuesday, not to a welcome band playing and without streamers at the Centennial Terminal.

She just endured a 16-hour plane ride from San Diego in the US, less than 48 hours after finishing second in the six-under division of the Junior World Golf championships.

Helping dad Tony unpack, Abby picked the things she needed for school — not her books, but the little stuff she gave her classmates and teachers at Southville International, where no one initially recognized the enormity of what she had just achieved.

"Second place in the world is not at all bad," said father Tony. "She showed some emotions after failing to gain ground and eventually losing. It was surprising for someone as young as she is."

Abby won a string of 11 tournaments after spending the most of last year working on her golf game under the strict guidance of her dad. The father-daughter tandem almost hit the jackpot at the par-54 Colina Park last week.

A big American girl named Claire Hodges won the Class F plum by seven shots over Abby, who sputtered in the final day because of poor putting.

"The American had a huge advantage in size and power," Tony said. "But we never gave up with the thought of bringing honor to the Philippines in mind."

Abby booked the next best finish for the huge Philippine delegation that went to California, second only to Wolen Superal, who bagged the 11-12 diadem.