The fall of the last man

Yesterday morning a sports page headline referred to Roberto Gomez as “The last Pinoy standing” in the World Pool Championship being held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City . The event had drawn the best pool players, some of them former champions, from several countries in Asia and Europe . Gomez, who had been given the monicker of “Superman,” was the only one among the Philippine billiards bets who had qualified for the finals.

***

Earlier in the week, our most famous pool masters – Efren “Bata” Reyes, Django Bustamante, and Ronnie Alcano - had all bitten the dust, so to speak. Somehow, all three were beaten by their opponents, and as of Sunday morning, Gomez was really the “last Pinoy standing”. Alas, before the day was over, his dreams had been pocketed by the cool and calculating Daryl Peach from England . Although he had been leading up to what you may call the third quarter of their bout, Gomez, who seemed overcome by tension, began missing his cues, failing to take advantage of the misses of Peach who soon evened the score at 15-15, and went on to reach 17 first, leaving Gomez no longer standing but slumped gloomingly, barely able to stop his tears from falling.

***

Well, at least, the foreign entries could never say that we got the championship through a hometown decision. Remember that our three biggies, Reyes, Bustamante and Alcano, made their names by winning in competitions held in other countries. And they had been doing so well that the Philippines began to get a reputation for mastery in the game. In fact a few weeks ago, I heard a commentator – a foreign one – covering a billiards match, saying “Pool has never been the same since the Filipinos got into it”. What happened?

***

Maybe our players got distracted by the cheers and wails from the crowd. A big one had gathered to watch the finals yesterday and, in fact, the emcee had to remind them several times not to distract the players. It has to be admitted, however, that Gomez does not yet have the aplomb of Reyes, Alcano and Bustamante. More so of Peach, his tormentor yesterday. While Peach was concentrated, and even impassive throughout the match, Gomez telegraphed all his emotions and apprehensions. On the other hand, Peach only let his feelings show when he already had the beautiful trophy in his hands, his bald head glistening and his eyes squinting under their very pale blond eyelashes. Asked what he was planning to do after the triumph, he showed a sense of humor by answering, “Grow some hair.”

***

By the way, I was also happy to hear the comments of those covering the match between Gomez and Peach, especially after Peach, who was clearly the winner, had been proclaimed. The reporters, all foreigners, noted that the Philippine fans were “very well educated” because even if they were devastated by the defeat of Gomez, they did not walk out but stayed and cheered for the champion. “They just love a winner,” one of them said.

***

Meanwhile, I was relieved to hear that the Church in Davao City had granted the request of the family of Mariannet Amper, the 12-year-old girl who hanged herself, to give her the final rites before her burial. As far as I know, such ceremonies are not allowed for those who take their own lives. But it seems justified in the case of Mariannet, who, being only 12, had not yet reached what is called the “age of reason” and therefore not fully responsible for her act. May her soul now rest in peace, especially if the sympathy and shock brought about by her death will translate to improvement in the lives of those in similar circumstances as hers.

***

Is this also true of other income-generating projects of the government? Reports said that, within 95 days, the administration of the new governor of Pampanga, former priest Ed Panlilio, the province was able to collect P88.65 million in quarry fees and taxes. On the other hand, former Senator Lito Lapid and his son, Mark, who had their stints there, collected only P86.45 million in three-and-a-half years, from January 2004 to June 2007. The figures come from the Office of the Provincial Treasurer who has confirmed that there had been no increase in the amount of taxes and fees charged. Was it just poor collection, or lots of exemptions and accommodations? Shouldn't the Pampangueños look further into the causes of the discrepancies? The President is from Pampanga, she should be interested in these findings.*

back to top