Hodge Podge Monday: James Yap of Coke, Arboleda of Barako Bull?

ONE is the husband of possibly the highest-paid actress in the land, the most sought-after endorser and a former presidential daughter.

The other one is the son-in-law of the owner of a PBA franchise, who made a living stealing – the ball from his opponent.

But can you imagine James Yap and Wynne Arboleda, whose names are synonymous to the teams their playing for, suiting up for different squads?

Yap to Coca-Cola. Arboleda to Barako Bull.

Truly, the proposed transfer were indeed made half meant at least.

Yap, Purefoods’ to gun, was the main dish to a feast thrown by Coca-Cola executives, according to a source. Since the giant soft drink company was very much involved in giving relief goods, the cager’s wife, popular TV/movie personality Kris Aquino, reportedly told Coke execs that “she wants James to play for the Tigers next season.”

“That is on top of saying that the next president of the Philippines is somebody who drinks eight cans of Coke daily,” said the source who attended the said lunch gathering.

Arboleda’s case is a different one. The player will be suspended the rest of the 2009-2010 season after assaulting a fan named Alain Katigbak. He was offered to Barako Bull as confirmed by its coach, Leo Isaac.

Who would have thought the two players who were perceived as untouchables on their respective teams are now being talked about of being shipped to new teams.

But before respective fans get excited – or go overacting – the VFPR believes the transfer won’t push through.

Purefoods would most likely exercise its rights of first refusal or simply match the offer of Coke by the time he becomes a free agent. On the other hand, Barako Bull might not bite on the offer as it doesn’t want to waste on something that cannot be useful to its campaign – for now.

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The man of the moment is certainly Arboleda, the hardworking Burger King point guard who established a name making his rivals bleed every time they bring the ball down court.

Every point guard in the PBA fears – or should I say take extra care of themselves against the man known as The Snatcher.

But the player who’s busy taking the ball out of his opponents hands was playing a new role – as an action star and villain for most people’s eyes in the PBA’s first triple header in years.

A kick landed on the mid section and punches were thrown on the visibly helpless Katigbak, who reportedly cursed and gave Arboleda and every Burger King player who passed by him a mouthful of unpleasant words.

The fan’s arms were used as if it was his shield to the attacking Gladiator from the South.

Burger King players are used to a Yeng Guiao-tongue lasher that they loved to make it as a side dish to a one, hot, appetizing meal. But not Katigbak, whose invectives could certainly make even Arboleda’s stone-built body and iron-like feelings more sensitive. More so, with his family among those present in attendance that game.

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So Arboleda will be banned from playing the rest of the 2009-2010 PBA season. Many believed justice had been served against Katigbak, reportedly a Smart-Gilas fan and friend of Chris Tiu.

But wait, what’s the punishment to somebody who started this trouble? All those heckling, insults and invectives hurled against the player, and he’ll just get away with it and in turn had the guts to file a case against the player who confronted him and taught him a lesson he will never forget?

Is justice been served fairly here?

I agree with the punishment on Arboleda. Ban him for the season, if you certainly wish so. Trade him to other team, Burger King, if you think that’s the way to make up for all the troubles he brought.

But what about the fan who created this mess? Would we simply clean this up after Arboleda was penalized?

There’s a saying among men that once you scattered dirt all over, make sure you can back up your thrash.

Here’s the fan, starting it all, creating trouble and now hiding in the law enforcement’s pocket for protection. Did he even say sorry for all those things he did, when he screamed his lungs out at the Big Dome and many people heard of what he said.

Words such as PI mo, has become a figure of speech for Filipino, especially if there’s no harm to be done. It was used as an expression, most of the time at social gatherings or simple barkada hang out.

But once PI has been repeated over and over again – with curse and to do harm – then that’s a different case. Arboleda doesn’t know Katigbak, that’s for sure and I believe the PI word was done to do harm not just used to spice up friendship and make conversation more lively.

So Wynne will be playing more golf – and gulp – from here on until the rest of the season while could also be awaiting whatever charges Katigbak has filed against him.
As for Katigbak, he was a classic case of a class bully who finally met his match.

I assume Arboleda has to become a sacrificial lamb so abusive fans would think twice of their actions.

Bits and grabs from Ondoy and how I survived it

ANYTIME from now as I publish this blog, another strong typhoon is about to hit the country.

Its international code name is frightening – Lupit – that I would rather call him by its local name, Ramil, who is by the way a namesake of the Philippine Basketball Association’s technical committee official and a veteran sportswriter whom I shared countless nights covering ball games.

Curiously, this veteran sportswriter whom I knew for 11 years now, happened to be a victim of a devastating storm – just like me -- that wrecked havoc in our nation, creating a sea of flood from towns in Rizal, Laguna and key cities in the metropolis like Pasig and Marikina.

Ondoy was an unwelcome visitor, damaging properties, taking away lives and breaking the hearts of thousands of families, some of them losing their loved ones – from direct family members, their favorite pets and even every animal species who have been part of their daily lives, and friends whom we shared great memories with.

For two days, Ondoy kept as in the dark – literally and figuratively – in our rented small, studio-type unit in Cainta as its collective rain downpour recorded as the most number of rain falls that showered the metropolis, was the most in five decades.

Too bad for us, we live in the ground floor inside a compound but what caught us surprised was the flood entered our home and the water quickly went up. In just a matter of minutes, the water have gone up, chest-deep.

And before I could save everything, it was already around 6 feet and I couldn’t save it all.

Personal items were devastated, including the one gifted to me by the late Bert Cuevas, my former editor and wedding sponsor.

For two days, I have barely eaten. The first meal for the day came around 8 p.m. when a kindhearted neighbor offered a bowl of oatmeal – which I normally don’t eat – then the next day I got instant noodles after a considerate retailer nearby threw us the noodles, which floated because of the flood.

Since they cannot do business for a particular days, or make it days, it would be advisable if he would just share those goods in times of distress. Choppers flew every moment, possibly one after every half an hour, but we were not been provided any assistance. Maybe, there were more who needed the help most so we lived by the day.

It was survival. Up there, in our neighbor’s terrace, we saw refrigerators turned into a boat as well as sofas following the running water down the streets as if a sail competition was in store.
We managed to blurt out some fun even on trying times, but deep down inside us, we couldn’t wait for the sun to shine and hope everything goes back to normal immediately.

For me, it was the biggest event I’ve ever covered. Sure, I was the source of the story, but on this bleak day, I was the topic, too. It was like sailing, chase for the fastest time to get your belongings on safer grounds and survival all in one. But it wasn’t a game. It’s real, action-packed, suspense where lives are at stake.

It was pure dark at night as electricity was forced to be shut down. Worse, even communication lines, such as mobile phone, was cut off temporarily.

It was only a day after when I received a text message from a high-ranking official who have no idea that I’m one of those who needed help as well. But the shocking message brought me back to realization that I am one of those fortunate enough to live for another day.

The message brought gave me goose bumps. It read: Pease pray for the soul of our beloved Tony Chua of Barako Bull, who passed away at the time when Ondoy was terrorizing most parts of the metropolis and provinces nearby.

The third day saw us a little glimmering light. Streets were now down to waist-deep in flood. As my stomach was grumbling so as my mind telling me that I need to do it to survive, I walked to get something to eat.

The remnants of the storm that just ravaged us two days ago mirrored the pain the entire area was suffering at that time – establishments were swept and totally not fit to do business, people crammed to get on board be it on jeepneys, taxis or buses while many were forced to walk.

The first decent meal I got after three days came from a different city, in Libis, Quezon City, wherein a Mcdonald’s chain was operating. Never mind how I looked that day with mud staining my shirt and haven’t taken a bath as there was no water supply either, but my stomach tells my mind that I need to act – and fast.

A Shopwise Supermarket was just few blocks away and I needed to buy a new bed. Again, I wasn’t curious with the way I looked. I was more concerned to purchase something which me and my family needed at once.

Days passed by and the remnants were still there – personal items, most of them valuables, were turned to junk. Clothes which we wore, including those favorite of ours, were turned into rags.

Oh yes, there were more. My laptop, my cellular phone and the PSP, which my wife bought for diversion. They all needed repairs, too. But life, more than anything else, is the most essential. I’m thankful we survived all of these. My loved ones still remain intact that I could spend days and nights, share every moments with them and that hope springs eternal to all of us.

But time has tested us to remain strong – and be prepared at least. After Ondoy came Pepeng and it whipped Northern Luzon for days causing hundreds of lives. The next one that would hit us – Oh, God, spare us for another one – remains unpredictable.

Help, assistance and relief goods are mere temporarily. What we need is the Philippines to come up with a program that would give importance and keep everyone aware regarding global warming and what ways should we do as to help lessen or avoid such another tragic scenario. Some said it happened once in a lifetime. But history tend to repeat itself and we don’t want to experience yet another forgettable one.

God said he would spare us from another Noah’s Ark scenario. But the earth is for the people to live and the children of God should protect it with utmost care.

The nation weeps. Our country, one of those belonging to Third World, is crippling, needs help. And the people should stop the blame but find a solution because when nature struck, there’s nothing you, me or anybody could do. Let us all be part of the solution.