Wishes for 2018

The holidays were dampened by the visits of Urduja, Vinta and Agaton. They became spoil sports and left a path destruction. A good number of our brothers and sisters, in the middle of the holiest and happiest of all seasons, had trauma and tragedy instead of celebration. I wish for them perseverance, strength and more faith in their saddest and baddest of times.

Floods and landslides came and our bald mountains and clogged waterways were the culprits. Legal or illegal, a cut tree is still a cut tree. Despite the hype about garbage segregation, we’re still resistant to change and indifferent to the ails of the environment. Garbage is slam dunked on canals and rivers and then we blame the government when baha comes. It’s not the plastic wastes’ fault as they can’t obviously go by themselves to the waterways. My first wish for 2018 is that we’ll finally grasp Mother Nature’s situation as she’s had enough and wants us to show concern with the environment to at least lessen the effects in times of calamities.

I also wish that the employees displaced by the Metro Ayala fire find alternative sources of income and that their employers assist them in this time of need. Along this line, I wish that the high and the mighty of the city see the immediate need of our brave firemen instead of prohibiting

the construction of multi-story buildings. Our fire fighters have the capability and competence but they can only do so much even in single-level fires if equipment is wanting.

• That the government will consider building more world-class sporting arenas in the Visayas and Mindanao areas, Cebu in particular being the hub, to afford the VisMin community the chance to witness international competitions. It is still Manila-centric because we don’t have the facilities in the provinces.

• That we may see more foreign teams and international sporting events once these arenas had been completed.

• That the Pinoy Pride boxing series continue to bring world-class matches to the country and thru this will have more boxing champions in different weight classes.

• That Manny Pacquiao finally retire from boxing already and concentrate, if he has not done yet, on whatever career he fancies. He has nothing else to prove, boxing wise.

• That Pacman’s University of Sports and Health somewhere in Laguna had its construction already in full swing and will truly serve its purpose.

• That Gilas Pilipinas will wake up and realize that they do have to practice as a team more often for their game against Australia on February 22. We go up against a tall and experienced Aussie squad that includes players with NBA experience and that complacency eventually kills the cat even if it has nine lives.

• That the PBA will find a competent person to lead the league minus the controversy and the rumored merger of two teams come to realization to break the duopoly. Also, an entry of one or two teams would bring in new supporters generate renewed interest to the pro league.

• That the Philippine Super Liga volleyball league will also feature a men’s division that also feature imports. I’m not sure if the PSL is only a tournament for women.

• That the Philippine Football League will still excite football fanatics despite the departure of one of the league’s premier teams and take seriously into consideration provincial markets and more media mileage for continued survival.

• That more corporate entities will follow the lead of Smart, Chooks-to-Go, Tanduay and others already involved in supporting national teams and athletes.

• That district, provincial, regional and national athletic meets more concerned with the needs of student athletes, re, accommodation, scheduling, nutrition, equipment, medical emergency and safety and other related logistics. Thru these athletic meets that new talents are discovered and it is only proper for organizers to give them the needed concern.

• That more broadcast networks be involved in airing national and local sporting events to drum up interest and promote sports and athletes.

• That a revival of the Tour ng Pilipinas summer cycling race be made, to start somewhere in Mindanao, pass thru the Visayas and end in Manila. Wouldn’t it be nice to see once again the sons of summer ride.

• That the POC, PSC and the related NSAs be in harmony and be united in the development of our athletes and focus more on sports that are potential medal winners in international competitions. It is time to rise up from a sporting dormancy.

• That Roger Federer will win his 20th Grand Slam.

• That a UFC fight card be held here in Cebu.

• That Luke Walton realizes the futility of playing small ball without someone whom everybody knows as Stephen Curry.

• That the CESAFI will somehow show improvement in officiating and that they will do away with the Slam Dunk competition if they can’t have decent slam dunkers competing.

• That Mary Joy Tabal continue with her joyfully winning ways.

• That I can lose at least 15 pounds and run and complete my first 10k.

I would be very happy if at least one fourth of these wishes would come true, including the last one. Hala Bira!