AND a Happy New Year to all!

This is the time of the year when we think of beginnings. And beginnings are always fun and exciting.

Every time we begin something new, we think it’s going to be better than it was last time.

We look back at  all the things we didn’t  get done in the year past and look forward to the things ahead of us.

Two years ago, I listed my proposals for the New Year’s resolutions of  our favorite personalities in the wonderful world of sports.

I have more this year:


World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao -- stay away from all the distractions brought about by his popularity on and off the boxing ring and continue to live up to the high   expectations of a nation  forever in need of a hero.

Chess hero Wesley So --    keep his focus and  continue to perform to the best of his ability whenever he represents the country in international competitions. Listening  more to the  words of wisdom from the elders is also a good idea this year.

Billiards idol Efren “Bata’ Reyes --  with age fast catching up,  win as many tournaments and bring as many  honors to the country before the old magic completely fades away.

Helping find new world-class talents is also a welcome addition to his resume.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco -- keep politics out of sports. For years, politics is considered as the biggest scourge in sports.

But then again, how can you leave politics when politicians are the ones running  the sports show.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richie Garcia -- do what is right  an dproper in sports without fear or favor.  Political patronage is another no-no in the sports vocabulary.

Former sports leader Harry Angping -- help sports in whatever capacity  -- with or without the imprimatur from Malacanang.

Sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan -- continue the numerous sports programs aimed at putting the country in the world sports map regardless of the initial setbacks, like the ones in basketball and boxing, but  be always wary  of  malicious individuals taking advantage of his generosity.

Philippine Amateur Track and Field Associaiton (PATAFA) head Go Teng Kok -- stay away from controversies and concentrate on what he does best in the years past: produce top-notch  track and field athletes.

Basketball legend Robert “Big J”  Jaworski -- spend more time  in the sport he loves most  -- basketball --  in whatever role possible. Another  coaching job in the PBA may already be too taxing even to the ageless basketball legend, but a top-echelon role in the still-fragmented basketball body might finally do the trick to  finally unite all major stakeholders.

Philippine Basketball Association  (PBA) commissioner Chito Salud -- keep his focus on making the PBA as the country’s No. 1 sports entertainment show again by luring the fans back to the games like what his beloved father, Atty. Rudy Salud, did many summers ago.

Basketball Association  of the Philippines (BAP) president Sen. Antonio V. Trillanes -- take a more active part in the promotion of basketball, especially in the grassroots, regardless of the  many unfounded criticisms  being hurled against the basketball body  and stay  loyal to friends who stood by his side during his  darkest days.

Cycling president  and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino --  remain steadfast and keep local cycling alive with his year-long program despite lack of support from the government sports agency.

So, that’s  our  list of   proposals for  the New Year’s resolutions of our 12 favorite sports personalities in  the Year 2012.

What do you think they should add to the list?


NOTES -- Bon voyage to good friend  Marylou Suinga-Maclang, who flew back home to Los Angeles, CA. yesterday following a two-week stay in Manila to attend the ‘ERJHS Batch 81 Grand Reunion 2011’ 30 Years After’ at the Hard Rock Café-Makati  and celebrate the holidays with her family and friends…

Birthday wishes to  my sis-in-law Phanny Martinez, who will  celebrate on Jan. 6…

Birthday greetings, too,  to our  ERJHS  Batch 81 friends --  Mary Jane Castro (Jan. 1),   Noel Infante (Jan 1);  Rosemarie Devera-Godfrey (Jan. 3), Esmeralda Parial Torrico (Jan 3); Jojo  Dizon  (Jan  8);  Sarie  Benitez (Jan 9);  Nano  Crispino (Jan 12); Johnny Reyes  (Jan 16); Jun Ruiz  (Jan 22);  Jong Marcos (Jan 24) and  Elizabeth Ronquillo Cayas  (Jan 28).


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