Antonio L. Pasaoa, Jr.
4 Feb 2009

Dear Mr. Jess Garcia,

Congratulations in advance! I hope that new cycling extravaganza will push through as planned. You really deserve that position and I believe you can produce a cyclist at your caliber! An Olympic medal? Why not? Boxing and Cycling are the 2 sports I believe we, Filipinos, can produce gold medals in the Olympics. It is just a matter of choosing the right person to run the organization.

Please allow me to introduce myself, I am Eng’r. Antonio L. Pasaoa, Jr. now a resident of Baguio City, married to my beautiful wife, Thelma and we are blessed with four children. I am currently working here in Riyadh, K.S.A. but having my annual vacation leave yearly wherein I am always visiting our beloved town Mangaldan (but only few hours of tour from Baguio— just to feel being at home again). I was born in Bari, Mangaldan, Pangasinan in 1956, the same year the Sunday Punch was founded. I finished my high school at Mangaldan Community High School in 1974 and Mechanical Engineering degree at the Adamson University in Manila in 1979. I have been an OFW for cumulatively 11 years now (8 years in Indonesia and 3 years now here in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia).

I was one of your fans when you won the Tour of Luzon in the 70’s. I still remember that time when you and your colleagues, Cesar Catambay, Pareno & Co. were paraded by then lates Mayor Macario Ydia and Dr. Penuliar when you and your team almost overwhelmingly won the individual top 10 and the Team honors of the Tour of Luzon in 1972-73. I think, nobody could match that victory of yours until now! Nobody from our generation could forget that triumphant moment of Pangasinan cyclist especially Mangaldan!!! My late father, who was also your avid fan, even bought your first album during that time from Vicor, entitled Bicycle or Bisekleta— what a great moment to cherish those gold old days!

I am also a sportsman like you but not as good as you. The only achievement I have was a member of the Mangaldan Cobra basketball team that represented Mangaldan in the 3rd inter district (but now 4th district) of Pangasinan in the summer of 1974. Our manager was also the late Mayor Macario Ydia, who was also a sportsman like us.

I have been reading Sunday Punch website on a weekly basis for almost 3 years now to continuously update myself of what is happening in Pangasinan and enjoyed all the news especially your column and Mr. Al Mendoza’s General Admission. Please inform your Pareng Al that he is one of my favorite Sportswriters. I am one of his avid fans even during his Inquirer days. In fact, when I was still studying in Manila in mid 70’s, I always make it a point to visit Mangatarem during semester & summer breaks. I have a lot of friends from Mangataren during my college days which I consider it as my second town after Mangaldan.

Please extend also my regards to Mr. Jesse de Guzman, Brgy. Captain of Poblacion, Mangaldan. He was my former neighbor in Bari and former class mate in high school. I wish he could still remember me.

I planned to write you and e-mail so many times but the timing was not right. I think, this time, is the right time. Again, congratulations to you and more power to all management & staff of SUNDAY PUNCH!

Mabuhay kayong lahat!

Professionally yours,

Joe Pasaoa

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