In Pichay’s defense; JDV awards golf champ

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

It’s a  bag of nonsense that senatoriable Butch Pichay is being made to resign his position  as national president of the Philippine Chess Federation simply because he is gunning for a senate race.

I know the guy as a sports lover, and if plans will not miscarry, he will sponsor a Pangasinan-wide tour of the province pitting the national cycling greats on May l.

Jun Velasco, topnotch journalist and now a Knights of Rizal devotee, says “Butch will surely love to push the Tour project because he is a sporstman like you.”

The cycling spectacle timed with the Pistay Dayat extravaganza is expected to be a smash hit in the north. Butch knows (I’m sure  my pare Jun V must have briefed him) that many national cycling  stars come from Pangasinan such as Rufino Gabot, Edmundo de Guzman, Cesar Catambay, Mamerto Eden, Teofilo Cuison, Cesar Catabay, at marami pa.

Butch is lucky to have gotten the sponsorship of the Tour. There are many glittering personalities who want to ride on it. I have yet to know anyone who does not love the sport.

Now, back to the chess controversy.

Chiz  Escudero, the opposition’s  best bet  for senator in Bicolandia, is crying foul over the issue. He is “overstepping,” as they say in sporting parlance, because Butch Pichay has long been president of the national group before he even thought of running for senator.

Most, if not all of the chess afficionandos in Pangasinan are for Pichay on the issue. 

Butch is popular in the north because of his Ilocano roots, particularly in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur. And the love the Ilocanos are according him is just right because the lawmaker is the champion of local vegetable growers.

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There are wild talks about who would win in the battle of the century between Golden Boy Oscar dela Hoya and Floyd Mayweather. It’s really hard to tell who, but my friends like Hermie Rivera, Al Mendoza and Jun Velalsco are pro De La Hoya, maybe because he is goodlooking.

Nope, snaps Jun V, who says Oscar has more science in boxing.                                                     

Let’s see.

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 Teddy Molina of Philippine Star wants to greet Speaker Joe de Venecia in behalf of his London-based friend Nick Wise, a secret admirer of the speaker. Wise says “De Venecia is even better than many top leaders of the world,” Wise told Teddy.

Teddy’s friend must really be wise, huh?

Congrats to Norman Velasco, manager of RCBC Dagupan, for emerging golf champion Class C in Dagupan City.  He received his award from Speaker de Venecia in the awarding rites at the Dagupan Gold and Beach Club in Bonuan Gueset. In his speech, the Speaker, a golf aficionado himself, commended the local promoters of golf because it is a high-level and prestigious sport worldwide, citing world’s greatest leaders as golf players.

Norman is younger brod of Jun V who, like balikbayan sister Mitz, sings very well. Pero talo ko sila sa videooke scoring, ha ha! 

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/sports-eye/)

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