Dindo Idio
8 Oct 2007

Jess,

I’m not sure if you can still remember me. We used to play a lot of “heated” basketball game. I used to play for the Jolly’s, remember that team?

I’ve been following your articles and have been very impressed with your insights. You’ve really gone a long way.

It’s great to come back here every week or so and read your articles regarding sports not only locally there in Pangasinan but nationally. I love your article (don’t remember when) about basketball that all of us practically love so much to play but will not at all be successful internationally, and yet it has become our national pastime.

Oh well! I would like to hear our national government spearhead a program in soccer or baseball. I remember back in my high school years, 1970’s when our high school had a very strong team in baseball that competed strongly around the region. I remember their coach, Mr. Aquino (?). Wasn’t he related to you? He coached girl’s volleyball, too! Am I correct?

I admire what you have accomplished, as a cyclist (winning nationally, how many times?), as basketball player and as a sportswriter. How’s your family doing?

I could still recall those years when I was still in grade school and you had that bicycle repair shop in Mangaldan. I used to come to your place and watched TV too because my family didn’t have one. I remember your wife being always so nice to me.

I remember your eldest son, Jazy, too. I heard he’s been an accomplished cyclist himself in like you. I’ve been living here in the US since 1988 and I long sometimes for that lifestyle in our hometown. Carefree and laid back.

Well, keep up the good work and hopefully you will have time to respond to my comment or email. Thanks and take good care!

(Reply of Mr. Jess Garcia Jr.: I’m sorry for this very delayed reply. There is a cliché that goes… “It’s better late than never”.

Of course I know you! I remember you as a friend and an enemy during our basketball tourney. I preferred to come back to our homeland in 1993 and stayed up to now. I also believe on the adage “there’s no place like home”. I’m off and on in the country and visiting Uncle Sam’s land once a year in Hawaii, California and Texas being American citizen like you.

I am still very much involved in sports not physically but mentally as I am a sports writer of The Punch.

I hope to see you when you come and visit our hometown especially during the yuletide season or town fiesta to drink some beers with pulutan bangus and mangoeswith bagoong and chili.

Thanks for your praise… hasta la vista, gracias y buen dia!)