Sports Journal

Corpus Christi Parish’s fun fund-raising golf, cheer for the Edmonton Stingers next season, crazy Oilers 50/50

SPORTS JOURNAL

Father Joseph Vadassery (extreme left) visits the Secretariat of the 4th Corpus Christi Parish Fund-Raising Fun Golf, August 15, at the Mill Woods Golf and Country Club. Virgie Sumalinog gestures to golfers where to sign up during the 4th Corpus Christi Parish Fund-Raising Fun Golf, August 15, at the Mill Woods Golf and Country Club. The cool Corpus Christi Parish FundRaising golf co-organizer Joseph Duenas.

Moses Billacura mo.sports@gmail.com

Moses Billacura was a sports correspondent for national newspapers in the Philippines since 1992 and served as sports editor and columnist for a community paper before moving to Canada in 2010. He loves photography, manages pinoyedmontonnews.com and cheers for the Edmonton Oilers.

Ithought that the Corpus Christi Parish Fund-Raising golf will not push through this year.

So I texted Kuya Joseph Duenas, co-organizer of the three previous tournaments and he said that it would not really be a tournament like before because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Tinuloy lang namin this year for continuity,” he said. From what I can recall, the Knights of Columbus, which Kuya Joseph belongs, spearheaded in organizing the fundraising golfest for the “Building Fund” of the parish in 2017. It was actually Kuya Abel Cereno, a KofC member, who introduced me to Kuya Joseph and since then, the AFJ as a newspaper has been covering the golfest.

I hope this Covid pandemic will be gone next year so that the 2021 edition of the golfest will become a normal golf event. Because of the pandemic, safety protocols were set in place, masks, physical distancing, etc. Sigh, the new normal.

It was a beautiful warm Saturday and the weather was just gorgeous. I cooled myself with MASAZ Water courtesy of Michelle (Mabelle?, no she’s a Marin from Bulacan) of MASAZ Beauty & Massage, who was in the same flight with Joanne A. Mella, DJ Rolan Latorre’s partner at World FM’s Himig Pinoy. After I walked to hole no.10, I saw a regular participant. "Oh, it's Father Jim."

“Are you the paparazzi?”, asked Father Jim Corrigan and I responded from about 200 meters away from him, “Yes Father Jim! And this is the same hole where I took your photo four years ago.” Should I sell my photos to you Father Jim? I forgot to ask you that, lol, that’s what paparazzis do, right?

While others were golfing, manoy Aurelio Sumalinog and I had our “gulping” event too. We started on Hole No.10 and ended at the same hole, “gulping” kasi eh and that hole is strategically located near a “sarisari” store. Thanks to ate Virgie, owner of Ellwood Daycare and Out of School Care along 91 Street, who was volunteering at the event with husband Aurelio for the cool drinks! To spice up the fun golf, Go Honda’s Rob Victoria donated a 50-inch Smart TV for the raffle, a 55-inch TV from Dr.Greg Abesamis, a wheelbarrow of beer from Blake Stubbington, and the Mill Woods Golf Club donated two rounds of golf with cart.

Other raffle prize donors came from PACE Technologies, Ricky Santos, Raymond Johnston Equipment, and GDI.

Rolan Latorre said they had so much with his flightmates Dodo De Guzman, the local crooner, Jimmy Ramos and Eric Patterson.

It’s been awhile that I have not covered a sports event and I thank the organizers of the fun golf for allowing us to chronicle the event.

And I can picture out Father Joseph Vadassery’s smile, who will be more than happy if you can still chip in for the “Building Fund”, with or without golf. See you next year! * * *

Congratulations to the Edmonton Stingers for winning this season’s Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL).

We’ve been covering local Pinoy basketball for years and the pandemic has placed everything to a stop.

Luckily, the CEBL aired by CBC has provided us some sports sanity by watching Xavier Moon, Jordan Baker and the rest of the Stingers making some buzz in the league.

They were not just entertaining us, it was very enjoyable to watch them play up the game when they clinched the title. What a joy!

Tickets are actually now on sale for those who would like to watch the games live next season. Reserve your seat by August 23 and you can receive a 12% off.

Calling all Pinoy basketball fans, let’s cheer for our CEBL champions next season! * * *

Judging from what’s happening on the FB posts, many Filipinos have joined the 50/50 of the Edmonton Oilers online. I first saw the post of Andy Chua about the 50/50 who gave me the idea that we can actually play 50/50 online.

When Warren Guillen of Lube City had the chance, he would give me a call for us to watch the Oilers at Rogers Place. And I don't forget to buy 50/50 tickets.

Sadly, we lost the game that night and we are not happy about it.

The only consolation we have is that the 50/50 raffle has reached more than $15 million and that means that the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation with have lots and lots of money to support its various projects!

That’s the best part!

We lost the game. What can we do, eh?

I don’t know if there will be line-up changes, coaching changes, etc. but it’s just heartbreaking to see the Oilers lose that night.

Sometimes, I wish there’s five Connor McDavids in the line-up! * * *

If you a soccer fan, the FC Edmonton is currently campaigning in the Canadian Premier League.

They lost 0-2 to Forge FC, Aug.16, and we hope they will bounce when they meet Cavalry FC on Aug. 20, Atletico on Aug.23., the Wanderers on Aug.26, Valour on Aug.29, York 9 on Sept.1 and Pacific on Sept.6. Good luck FC Edmonton! * * * If you have sports news, tips, updates, please let us know by emailing mocolumnist@albertafilipinojournal.com.

Maraming salamat po!

Eric Patterson

Father Jim Corrigan

Michelle Marin of MASAZ Beauty and Massage tees off at Hole No.1 during the 4th Corpus Christi Parish Fund-Raising Fun Golf, August 15, at the Mill Woods Golf and Country Club. Joanne Aguilar of World FM 101.7.

Deacon Gem Mella