Ron Artest eager for son's RP trip

MANILA, Philippines - Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest is looking forward to taking his eight-year-old, half-Filipino son Jerron to Manila for a “homecoming” but Waffle Marketing president Auty Villarama said yesterday the trip is not yet final as sponsors are still being lined up to cover the budget for the 10-day visit.

 “Ron is excited to come,” said Villarama who is organizing the tour. “I spoke with him a few days ago in a long distance phone call and he’s eager to bring his son to the Philippines. He calls it a homecoming for Jerron. Ron himself is thrilled to come as he’s heard so much of our country from his Filipino fans.”

Jerron’s Filipina mother Jennifer Uy Palma was only 18 when she gave birth to Artest’s son. Her brother James is a music producer who performs with the rap band Q York, manages the Philippine All-Stars dance troupe and owns a recording studio in Mandaluyong.

“Jerron has never been to the Philippines and we, his relatives, are hoping to see him,” said Jennifer’s first cousin Veronica Uy Ramos who lives in Paranaque. “We understand Ron wants to jam with James and look into the music business in the Philippines. He wants to meet Jerron’s Filipino family.”

Artest and Jennifer were high school classmates in New York. The Lakers star is now happily married to Kimsha Hatfield with three children – Sadie, Ron III and Diamond.

Villarama said he’s anticipating Rep. Manny Pacquiao to invite Artest to General Santos City if the trip pushes through. Artest is a huge Pacquiao fan and they’ve met at least twice in Los Angeles. Artest’s father Ron Sr. was a Golden Gloves heavyweight boxer.

“What strikes me about Ron is he’s easy to talk to,” said Villarama. “He’s been very reasonable in our negotiations. In the US, his rate is something like $2,500 an hour for a personal appearance, like if he signs autographs. Obviously, that rate won’t apply in Manila. I really hope we can make this trip a reality. The important thing is Ron wants to be here.”

Villarama said he has firmed up hotel accommodations for Artest and his traveling party for 10 days, starting Aug. 11. But he has a budget to raise to seal the deal.

“We’re hoping we can do it,” said Villarama. “We’re giving ourselves until next week to decide if it’s a go or no go. We’re covering the basics first, like plane tickets, hotel and inland transportation then we’ll tackle the other things where we can explore possibilities of endorsements, concerts and clinics.”

Artest is bringing along three rap singers with his band called The World-Wide Warriors and plans to perform in a concert here. In an earlier interview, Artest said he’ll sing his new rap song “Champion,” do parties, sign autographs, make mall tours and conduct basketball camps in Manila.

Villarama said he’ll tap Eric Altamirano and Ronnie Magsanoc to assist in organizing Artest’s camp if it happens.

“We’ve got a letter of intent from Ron authorizing us to act in his behalf,” said Villarama. “We’ve contacted possible sponsors who may want to contract Ron as an endorser. Ron is willing to sit down and discuss options. But we need to give him some assurances before we finalize the trip.”

Mimi Raquid, one of Artest’s closest Filipino friends in Los Angeles, is now in town to coordinate the visit. It was Raquid who contacted Villarama to arrange the trip from the Manila end. Villarama, in turn, asked advertising executive Chito Miguel for assistance in packaging the tour.

Artest is also arriving with another son Ron III, 11, publicist Heide Buech, manager Ji Lee – if the trip materializes. The group will be coming from Beijing where he’s booked to promote the Chinese sports brand Peak.

Artest played a major role in the Lakers’ victory over Boston in the recent NBA Finals. He averaged 10.6 points in the series and shot 20 points in 46 minutes in Los Angeles’ 83-79 win over the Celtics in Game 7. It was the Lakers’ second straight title and next season, coach Phil Jackson will shoot for a three-peat with Artest reuniting with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher and joined by new recruits Matt Barnes, Steve Blake and Theo Ratliff.

Artest said LeBron James’ transfer to Miami is no big deal. “The important thing is we continue to work hard,” said Artest even before James announced his move out of Cleveland. “I can’t predict what will happen next season, if we’ll win three in a row. All I know is that if we work hard and play as a team, good things will happen.”