Game of the Generals

Two major events occurred last week for Kabayan Action Group (Kasracom). First was the launching of Barangay Peace-keeping Action Team (BPAT) last July 16, ’09 at Amphitheatre in Malabon. The event was the culmination of a month long preparation made by Northern Police District for the project. The affair was well attended. From NPD Director Gen. Samuel Pagdilao, PCR Chief Col. Ferdinand Del Rosario, Malabon Chief of Police Col. Jessie Villanueva to barangay captains and kagawad in CAMANAVA. The agreement was signed by the high-ranking officials with the chairman of different volunteer groups that composed BPAT. Second was the personal invitation made by Gen. Pagdilao to Kabayan last Sunday. NCRPO Chief Roberto Rosales was upset that he failed to attend the BPAT launching that he vowed to give a little of his time to personally see the pet project of Gen. Pagdilao. A meeting was set in front of Citisquare mall in Letre Malabon. DD (District Director) Pagdilao proudly presented his BPAT (although it was our group Kabayan) to Gen Rosales. He mentioned that aside from the CCTV cameras NPD will install to various critical locations, he will use human resources to serve as eye in places can’t be covered by the cameras. Before the briefing ended, several members of the group including myself proceed to LRT station in Monumento. We work with Caloocan police led by Col. Santos in traffic management around the vicinity. Minutes later, Gen. Rosales arrived with his convoy. He talked with us and was even impressed with our uniform who looks the same as the new sky blue uniform of PNP. He even noticed our dog tag and asked how much we spent for it. 20 minutes later, Gen. Rosales left with thumbs-up sign.

Paalam, Kaibigan

Gabi ng Lunes, Hulyo 20, ako’y nagulat sa mensaheng aking natanggap mula sa isang dating kasamahan. “Pare patay na raw si Ariel”? Napatayo ako sa aking pagkakahiga. Tinawagan ko ang ilan sa mga taong alam kong malalapit sa kanya kasama na ang kaniyang pamilya. Kumpirmado. Namaalam na ang isa sa aking matalik na kaibigan.

Mula ng matanggap ko ang masamang balita, gabi-gabi akong hirap matulog. Di makapaniwalang wala na si Ariel na sa murang edad ay kinuha na ng ating Dakilang Lumikha. Pero sino nga ba si Arielito Delos Santos? Ano ba ang naging papel niya sa aking buhay?

Taong 2002, buwan ng Agosto yata ‘yun ng una kong makilala si Ariel. Unang araw ng training naming noon para sa Surveillance Monitoring Staff (SUMS) Batch 2 ng Pagcor. Palibhasa’y karamihan sa mga kasama namin ay Pagcorian na, kaming mga galing labas ang nagsama-sama. Si Ariel ang una kong nakatabi at naging kasabay sa uwian. Nataon pa na ang kaniyang kasintahan ay taga-Malabon din kaya’t mas lalong naging malapit kami sa isa’t-isa. Nagkahiwalay kami ng branch sa deployment namin after ng training. Muli kaming nagkasama sa CF-Pavilion noong 2003. Madalas kaming magkasabay ng shift at madalas ding sabay sa pagkain, nguni’t hindi sa paninigarilyo. Masasabi kong medyo may pagka chain smoker din siya kaya’t madalas tamaan ng ubo. Marami kaming pinagsamahan sa Pavilion. Magaganda, pangit, nakakatuwang mga ala-ala ang naiwan namin dito. Muli kaming nagkahiwalay panandalian at muling nagkita sa CF-Silahis. Dahil itinuring ko na siyang tunay na kaibigan, pinili ko siyang maging abay sa aking kasal noong 2005. Ngunit isang mabigat na pagsubok ang hinarap niya noong 2006. Naoperahan siya sa puso sa Manila Doctors dahil sa pagbabara ng ugat nito. Dinalaw namin siya at matagal din bago siya naka- recover. Napilitan siyang mag-resign noong 2007 dahil pinili niyang manirahan sa ibang bansa kasama ang kaniyang maybahay na si Michelle. Kinuha ko siyang ninong sa binyag ng aking bunsong anak bago siya lumipad patungong Los Angeles. Doon ay biniyayaan sila ng kanilang unang supling. Mula noon ay hindi na kami nagkita. Nagbabalitaan na lang kami sa telepono, nag- chachat sa internet at nag-iiwan ng mensahe sa aming Friendster account. Huli kaming nag-usap bago ang Reunion Concert ng Eraserheads. Gusto niya akong isama bilang isa sa mga security ng venue nguni’t last minute ay hindi natuloy. Nag text pa kami noong Pasko noong isang taon at nangako siyang pupunta sa bahay. Hindi rin kami nagkita dahil hindi siya natuloy pumasyal ng Malabon.

Nakakalungkot lang isipin na napaka-bata pa ni Ariel para bawian ng buhay. Maliit pa ang kaniyang anak na hindi na niya malalaro pa. Ang mga pangarap nila ng kanyang asawa ay mag-isa na ngayong haharapin ni Michelle. Hangad ko na gabayan ng Diyos ang kaniyang pamilya gaya noong nabubuhay pa siya.

Paalam, Kaibigan. Salamat sa Ala-ala.

Let the Games Begin!

Forget about the pandemic scare brought about by A (H1N1) virus. Forget about the cause of Michael Jackson’s tragic and untimely death. Forget about the possibility of poll automation in 2010 election initiated by the partnership of Total Information Management Corporation (TIM) & Smartmatic. Move over, National Collegiate Athletic Association; let’s roll the red carpet for the opening of the 72nd edition of University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).



On Saturday, the eight participating teams will try to outclass each other once again in 15 sports lined up every season. Ateneo, La Salle, UE, FEU, UP, Adamson and NU attempts to break the string of 11 straight over-all championships by the University of Sto.Tomas.

I’m one of the many patrons of UAAP despite leaving University of the East in mid 90’s. I had a lot of fond memories with the sports institution that made me aware of its yearly festivities. I'm one of the 6 lucky applicants, out of 25 wannabes, who were accepted in our schools official student newspaper, DAWN. My first assignment was to cover the junior division in basketball (my wish granted). I thought covering basketball was a piece of cake. I realized that watching vehemently and waiting for outcome of the game is not enough. Knowledge in running score is a must. After several weeks, I was given a new task. This time, not just one but a handful of sports events were assigned to me. But being involved in this small organization gives me not only unforgettable experiences but privileges and advantages too. During my brief stint in news writing, I met different people in different walks of life. I had the opportunity to interview emerging basketball superstars Mark Telan and Gerard Francisco during their high school days. I also had the chance to witness first-hand the domination of Dennis Espino-led UST Growling Tigers and the up and coming play of NU Bulldog Danny Ildefonso. I went in and out of playing venues like Rizal Memorial Coliseum and Swimming pool area, Ninoy Aquino Stadium, UST gymnasium and even Bro. Athanasius gymnasium in Dela Salle Taft. Gatorade became my favourite drink since you can get it free from playing venues. From courtside to dug-out, I can go wherever I want using my Press ID. I also had a grand time talking with students from different universities where I met some new friends. As a student, being a writer benefits me a lot. My uniforms were kept in my closet because I can wear civilian clothes. I can easily have access to different colleges from U.E. Kalookan and Recto. But the biggest privilege I got is when my arnis professor in Physical Education exempted and gave me 1.25 without attending his class. After learning that he was a long-time national coach in gymnastics, I interviewed him. 2 weeks after, the article came out. He was so happy that now, many students recognized him.

UAAP’s founding members believed that student’s growth and development is not based solely on their academic stand point. Encouraging them to participate in different sports brings out their competitive nature, sportsmanship, immense talent and potential to excel in this field.

For the next 4 months we will be treated to nail-biting, nerve wracking and pulsating games only the Archer,Eagle, Warrior, Tiger, Maroon, Falcon, Tamaraw and Bulldog can offer.