See you around, Ed

 It’s difficult when you lose someone close to you, someone who’s been a part of your life for over 30 years. And it’s even more difficult when that someone has done so much to impact the landscape of a sport that means a lot to our country as a rich source of national pride. Last Wednesday, I lost a part of my heart when my dear friend Ed Picson passed away at the St. Luke’s Hospital, Quezon City, late morning. Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) chairman Ricky Vargas phoned about an hour after his passage to break the news and my heart fell.

Ed and I met when we were TV broadcasters for Vintage back in the day. We did PBA games together, partnered for boxing coverages and were on the same TV team for several international assignments. Working with Ed was as enjoyable as it was educational. He was blessed with a voice that was a broadcaster’s dream, wit that he shared with spontaneity, timing of commentary that was a trademark, sense of humor that was disarming, vocabulary that was imaginative (for instance, he liked to say “walang aling” when a shot was made cleanly with ease) and knowledge of the game that was impressive. He connected with his audience by welcoming fans from all over the country, speaking different dialects. Beyond all that, he was a consummate professional who knew what it took to make a broadcast comprehensive and alive.

Ed was a man of many talents. He started his broadcasting career as a disc jockey during his school days and worked his way to national recognition as a sportscaster. Ed was a media favorite. Vilma Santos asked for only Ed to be her off-cam voice host on TV and believe it or not, he appeared occasionally on the TV sitcom “John En Marsha” with Dolphy and Nida Blanca. An admirable trait that Ed had was loyalty. He was loyal to his school Letran, loyal to his friends, loyal to his roots in Tacloban, loyal to his principles and loyal to institutions that he stood by.

Ed’s love for music brought him to operate a bar and bistro called “Easy Street” in Quezon City for a while. It was a way for him to gather around friends over a drink or two or more. And a way for him to enjoy his passion for music. Inevitably, Ed found his calling when he was invited to join ABAP as executive director in 2009. Vargas was then ABAP president and Pato Gregorio, secretary-general both of whom gave Ed free rein to run the show. Under Ed’s watch, ABAP blossomed. Boxers found a renewed purpose for their sacrifice in the gym and in the ring. Ed was their father figure and made them an extension of his family. Eventually, Ed became secretary-general and president, even assuming critical functions at the Asian level. Representing the country in international conventions, Ed fought for justice and impartiality, joining a group that went against IBA’s discredited leadership and backing IOC to preserve boxing as an Olympic sport.

To Ed’s wife Karina and their daughters Binggay and BamBam, our sincere condolences. Ed will be forever remembered as a legend in broadcasting, hero in the country’s boxing program and friend for life. Ed always ended a broadcast with his signature farewell “See you around.” His words will remain etched in my heart.