Celebrating Pinoy greatness

All roads lead to the Newport Performing Arts Theater at the Resorts World Manila tonight as Taas Noo, Inc., a company formed to immortalize the greatness of Filipino athletes, stages a show called “Gabi Ng Pagpupugay” that is an audio-visual travel through time to celebrate 100 years of Philippine sports.

Project organizer and broadcaster Chino Trinidad said the labor of love wouldn’t be possible without the support of nameless and faceless sponsors. Artists contributed their works for free and the “Pagpupugay” exhibit, which opened last June 1 at the Resorts World Manila lobby, displays murals, photo collages, portraits and sculptures donated by talents like Alfred Galvez, Jun Aquino, Ronilo Abayan, John Henson, Hael Pinat and Rum Mallari.

Trinidad said he has a lot of surprises in store for those attending the 6:30 p.m. affair. One surprise he’s letting out of the bag early is the arrival of 1988 women’s bowling Olympic gold medalist Arianne Cerdena from Los Angeles. Cerdena’s medal will be on display at the “Pagpupugay” exhibit. Unfortunately, bowling was a demonstration sport in 1988 and Cerdena’s feat isn’t recognized in the Olympic record books. But Trinidad said it must be acknowledged because nobody can deny Cerdena ruled the lanes at the Seoul Olympics.

“By luck, I connected with Arianne through facebook and when I mentioned about the ‘Gabi Ng Pagpupugay,’ she promised to look into the possibility of flying over to attend and now, she’s here,” said Trinidad.

Another sports luminary coming to the event is Tony Genato who played alongside Caloy Loyzaga on the Philippine team that took the bronze medal at the FIBA World Championships in Rio de Janeiro in 1954. Loyzaga is unable to attend as he is confined at the Makati Medical Center with a broken right foot. Genato will be given a replica Philippine team jacket of what he wore in bringing honor to the country in 1954.

* * *

Other sports stars confirmed to attend include PBA legend Ramon Fernandez who’s flying in from Cebu, billiards champion Efren (Bata) Reyes, Asia’s first chess grandmaster Eugene Torre, six-time bowling world titlist Paeng Nepomuceno, three-time Olympic basketball player Ramoncito Campos, the oldest living Olympian Jacinto Cayco of swimming, reigning WBO lightflyweight ruler Donnie Nietes, 1996 Olympic silver medalist Onyok Velasco of boxing, Olympic long jumper Elma Muros, Felix Barrientos of tennis, Alvin Patrimonio, Yoyong Martirez and Bonnie Carbonnel of basketball, Eric Buhain of swimming, reigning Women’s International Boxing Association minimumweight queen Gretchen Abaniel, 1992 Olympic bronze medalist Roel Velasco of boxing, bowling world champion Bong Coo and many, many more.

The Gilas basketball team will be represented by assistant coach Joseph Uichico who played on coach Ron Jacobs’ national squad that shocked China to win the FIBA Asia Youth title in 1982. Representing football hero Paulino Alcantara is the late Filipino-Spanish striker’s grand-nephew Johnny Rocha. Alcantara held the record of most goals for FC Barcelona with 369 until Lionel Messi broke it this year. Alcantara’s record was untouched for 87 years since he retired from playing in 1927.

Trinidad said the program will be a celebration of Filipino greatness with sports as a platform and music to tie in the decades. The 12-piece Manila Philharmonic Orchestra and the 20-strong Manila Children’s Chorus, both conducted by Trinidad’s younger brother Sebastian, will provide the musical backdrop. The chorus, made up of Mandaluyong City scholars from 10 to 16 years old, will sing 14 songs, including Conrado de Jesus’ “Ang Bayan Ko” which was composed in 1924 – coincidentally, the year the Philippines made its Olympic debut in Paris with lone athlete David Nepomuceno of track. Another song in the lineup is “A Million Thanks” which will be dedicated to the late 1964 Olympic silver medalist Anthony Villanueva.

* * *

There will be audio-visuals interspersed throughout the 1 1/2 hour program to show the 19 honorees in action. Sev Sarmenta will be the master of ceremonies. Among those paying tribute to the honorees on stage are Barrientos for Felicisimo Ampon, Buhain for Teofilo Yldefonso, Muros for Simeon Toribio, Chito Loyzaga for his father Caloy, minimumweight contender Denver Cuello for Pancho Villa, the Azkals’ Chieffy Caligdong for Alcantara and Roel Velasco for his brother Onyok.

“We’re a proud nation and we want to show today’s generation that we have a legacy of greatness left behind by the heroes of the past,” said Trinidad. “We’ll have a red carpet reception for our sports heroes and provide an opportunity for everyone to meet them, to listen to their stories and to be inspired. We want to show our heroes that they’re not forgotten, to show their families how grateful and proud the nation is. We hope that through this project, today’s athletes will be inspired to excel and achieve greatness for our country.”

Trinidad, the oldest of three sons, conceptualized the “Pagpupugay” project and almost singlehandedly, organized the exhibit and tonight’s event. His parents Recah and Fe, brothers Sebastian and Paolo, his wife Babette and their children know how much he sacrificed for this project for the love of sports and country. Tonight, the dream of immortality for 19 Filipino sports heroes will become a reality.