In gratitude

My birthday has always been a strange time for me. It’s just after the holidays, when everybody’s starting to build up momentum at work and trying to make up for all the conspicuous spending from Christmas and New Year. It’s also when most people are chastened and sober, and that last thing they want is to spend on another gift when they just blew everything doing that. Just kidding. All gifts are welcome, more so when you’re the one receiving them.

As I turn 41, I tend to keep to myself (and follow the time-honored tradition of avoiding treating friends out) and look back on what the last year has wrought. Like most of you, I was very busy driving around, running errands, giving gifts and trying to cram as much work as I could into the days before the mandated break. Now that the temporary insanity is over for the year, one tends to slow down, and look within.

41. Such an odd number. A number nobody seems to think about. I mean, 40 is a huge milestone. I used to joke about hoping I live to be 40, and here I am on the north side of that number. Honestly, could you name anybody who wore number 41? It took me a while, but I came up with Wes Unseld. Unseld was the 6’7"center of the Washington Bullets who teamed up with Elvin Hayes to bring the franchise its first and only NBA title. Come to think of it, that’s the only number 41 that’s ever been retired in the NBA. Even the Boston Celtics, who’ve retired 22 jersey numbers, still have a slot for number 41.

Oh yes, there was also Tom Seaver. Tom "Terrific" was the pitcher on the "Amazin‚ Mets" team that up-ended the Orioles to win the World Series. Then there’s Randy Johnson of the New York Yankees, the 6’10" pitcher who’s been around forever. All of them, it seems, defied the odds one way or another. That’s also been the story of my life. And yes, I’m thankful for it, and everyone who’s been there, watching and playing the game of my life.

The first person I always want to thank is my mother, Lirio Velasco. I can’t even fathom how difficult it was to be a single Asian woman with child in the United States in the 1960’s. I’m just glad she decided to keep me. Who knows what path my life would have taken? I’m also thankful for my stepfather, Luis Velasco Jr., for giving me a name.

Growing up was very difficult, what with the inherent "factory defects" that came with the package: migraines, asthma, scoliosis, flat feet. I guess that meant I was built for sports. Sports literally saved my life. Swimming every day helped me overcome the asthma, calisthenics and other sports alleviated my scoliosis, having flat feet kept me moving all the time, and being healthy and fit soon eliminated my migraines. So I’m thankful for sports.

I also found a lot of support from my grandparents, particularly my grandfather, Jose Unson. He was the stern but generous father figure I needed in my formative years, and I did my best to repay him by never getting into trouble. As I got older, having a father figure meant more and more to me, at least until I met my biological father, John Schoen, at age 23.

There were rough times, too. A lot of them. Growing up a white face in a brown world and being taller than most people, expectations were always different. So I’m thankful for my high school mentor, Onofre Pagsanghan, who helped a temperamental, transplanted La Sallite find shelter in Ateneo’s Dulaang Sibol. As I always maintain, moving was not my idea, but I’m happy it happened. Having theatre and sports as an outlet helped me keep my sanity (although some people may disagree that I still have it.)

I almost forget one person. My mother’s youngest brother, Romy, introduced me to the game of basketball when I was five. That’s one love affair that has never died. From there, it was on to watching Julius Erving sail through the air as I imitated him on the ground in our garage, and keeping tabs on the Crispa Redmanizers as I grew to love the game even more. I’m sure we all have memories like those.

I also want to thank my wife, Din-din, for always wanting me to be better and find out what I want in life. And, now that they’re old enough to play the game itself, my sons Vincent and Daniel, for being an inspiration. Frankly, I sometimes play the game just to be able to keep up with them. And we don’t play together enough. I always joke about how much they consume, but I really don’t mind. I’d rather they eat me out of house and home than bankrupt me with medical bills.

I’d also like to thank The Star, for giving me an outlet for my thoughts and passions. Miguel Belmonte and Isaac Belmonte have been more than great bosses, they are true friends. It’s been an honor to be on the team.

Lastly, I’d like to thank everyone who reads The Star and watches The Basketball Show. In a career that has been filled with accomplishments that had never been attempted before, a welcoming audience makes all the difference. It was a lonely ride at the beginning, but as TBS comes up on five years, I’ve found that we ARE all on the same team. To the thousand-plus members of our e-group, the hundreds who’ve constantly been writing, and our loyal friends and advertisers, and those who’ve commented on the pieces of my mind printed here whether good or bad, thank you. It’s the greatest feeling in the world to be able to make a living while living the life you want.

Now there are only 364 more days until I’m 42. I’d better get back to work.

Thanks again.