15 minute read
Chapter 10: Honoring the Men Who Gave So Much for the Love of the Game
chapter 10:
HONORING THE MEN WHO GAVE SO MUCH FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME
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TRIBUTE TO RANDY VILLANUEVA, UTP FOUNDER Message of Mr. Lito Villanueva (Dad of Randy Villanueva)
Randy was always an active kid since he started walking. At age of 2 he learned how to ride a skateboard, not minding if he gets bruises. When I gave a tennis lesson to his older siblings, he insisted that he join the group. He was very interested, and he was pressing the coach to have extra sessions with him alone. He immediately pick up the game. When he went to school, he was always active in physical activities.
One time, he went home with dirt all over his shirt, and when I asked him what happened, he said he played and won all the marbles. He pressed to join a tennis tournament when he was nine but always came up as runner up to the son of the trainer. Later, he insisted to keep on playing with this kid until he became more competitive such that before moving over to 14 below age group tournament, he finally beat the kid. The kid’s father became so mad that he abandoned the kid crying. I took pity on him so I just brought him home.
He went on winning and losing in age group tournaments until he became the top of his group. He started representing the country abroad all-around Asia. He, at one time became the overall champion in his age category beating everyone from different, countries. It was the highlight of his early tennis career. When our home club, Rizal Sports Club was closed, we moved over to a nearer private court, The Valle Verde Tennis Club. He played there constantly.
As he became a youngster, I wanted to check on how he was doing with his tennis skills. Upon arriving in Valle Verde, I went straight to the court and Randy was nowhere to be found. His friends were watching me smiling and joking as I went around the club. Later, since they know me well , they asked me to check around the badminton court. I cannot imagine Randy playing badminton. Then I saw Randy playing the game with his crush, Chiqui Ferrer. And the rest was history, he finally married Chiqui and bore two beautiful girls.
His interest in tennis continued, organizing training for young kids and later on sponsored the “Truflex Age Group Tennis Tournamen”. The Philippine Tennis Association took cognizance for his effort to improve the Philippine team of tennis such that he was later on invited to join the board. He stayed there and did what he needed, so that he rose to become the vice president of PHILTA. He could have risen to become President if not for some illegal manipulation of some members of the board.
This lead him to resign and actively help tennis through another organization, “Unified Tennis Philippines.” Eventually everyone in the family started playing tennis competitively and brought the enthusiasm into the next level of joining tournaments.
Just like Randy, his girls Rafa and Alessi joined age group tournaments and became part of the DLSZ tennis varsity team in grade school and in high school. In the long run, this opened doors for college scholarships in the U.S. Rafa being a recipient of an athletic scholarship at the University of North Georgia, while Alessi navigated through the academic path and received a scholarship as well at the Georgia Southern University.
Randy was also a part of Tru-Flex sports surfacing company, a family-owned business that he helped thrived in the sport surfacing industry. Since he was already an established elite tennis player, it was inevitable for him to navigate through the business side of the sport; thus, making him successful.
Randy’s love for the sport and being in the forefront of developing potential athletes, honing their craft to an optimum level who will eventually ready compete not only in the local arena but also in the International level was his battle cry. This led him to help organize Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP), a group operated by the National Lawn Tennis Association, a non-stock, non-profit, and an SEC registered sports organization. It is supported alongside with the biggest patrons and aficionados. One such patron of tennis who incidentally is the President and also the founding member of UTP is Jean Henri Lhuillier, who contributes much to the efforts of making UTP a flourishing and inclusive organization you see today. UTP stages more than 100 tournaments all year round and is supported mainly by Cebuana Lhuillier and Palawan Pawnshop. To Randy, it was a start of a glorious dream coming to pass leaving a mark of his love for tennis. But unfortunately, his life had to come to an end much too soon. Randy will be missed by everyone. His selfless, free-spirit and joyous character will always remain in our hearts forever!
It all started in the mid 90’s when Randy and I met in Valle Verde Country Club. This was during the popularity of the sport badminton when I met and played regularly with the MWF group. Eventually his friends became regular badminton players who tagged him along to play as well. Anyone who knew Randy in the club and the tennis community would undeniably agree that he was a very good class A tennis player from the time he was in juniors doing the ITF circuit and up until his adult playing years. The temporary shift from playing tennis to badminton was just a walk in the park. In tennis lingo; it was a walkover.
Randy and I joined numerous badminton tournaments organized by the club and other badminton organizations in the metro and won a couple of trophies. We shared the same competitive spirit, a zest for life, love for sports, love for food, travel and just simply enjoyed each other’s company. That sealed the deal.
In 1999, my best friend and I got married; shortly after, we were blessed with two lovely girls whom we named Rafa and Alessi. Since we’re both into sports, it came as no surprise that our girls got into sports as well, tennis in particular. Randy paved the way for all of us to be involved in tennis. During their elementary and high school years, the girls were part of the tennis varsity teams of De La Salle Santiago Zobel, which led to opportunities for college scholarships in the U.S. Our eldest daughter Rafa graduated this May 2022 at the University of North Georgia and was offered to work for an investment company in Miami. Meanwhile, Alessi is currently a sophomore business and marketing major at Georgia Southern and decided to navigate through the academic path.
Randy being a sports surfacing contractor, played a pivotal role in scaling up the family-owned business Tru-Flex surfacing corporation to the next level. It is a testament to the products advantage and playability as opposed to its competitors in the region.
As Vice President of Philippine Tennis Association, (PHILTA) he propelled the potential of the Philippine Men’s National team to its optimum level during the Davis Cup tournaments. He was also an enabler for bringing the concept of the International Premiere Tennis League in Manila as one of the international venues to showcase top seeded players in the world. Randy’s playbook and vision for Philippine Tennis would not have been realized without the amazing support running alongside with the biggest tennis patrons and tennis enthusiasts. This led to the organization of Unified tennis Philippines spearheaded by Jean Henri Lhuillier, a staunch patron who is the President and founding member responsible for the concerted effort of a thriving inclusive organization you see today. Randy’s untimely death had taken aback both in the international and local tennis communities. The realization of his dream left an indelible mark not just in the sport that he was passionate about, but also touched the hearts of the people he had met along the way or had a close relationship with. His selfless, giving, and happy spirit will be greatly missed.
I love you so much my “Big Pupung”. There’s not a day that I don’t think about you.
You are the song in my heart.
My papa was one of a kind. He was always so full of life, in fact, most people would say that he was larger than life. Growing up, I was so blessed to have a dad so passionate about what he did that it was reflected so evidently in every area of his life. From his professional life, to being my coach all throughout juniors, to being a true friend, and a loving family man. He lived such a colorful life as he touched the hearts of everyone he encountered from all walks of life. He is the epitome of hard work, love, and passion. He is everything I want to be. He embodied everything I could only hope to be. One of the most important life lessons he taught me was that everyone works hard, but doing extra work, literally and figuratively going the extra mile is what will set you apart. That among many other lessons he has taught me has shaped my work ethic now and the person I am today. In his short life, he accomplished what most people couldn’t possibly do in two lifetimes. My papa will be my forever inspiration and my role model of how living life with passion can lead you to a life of happiness.
My papa was the perfect package except for one thing, he was too selfless. He didn’t want anyone to worry about him and that’s because his heart was so big and he had so much love for every single person he met. When my dad and I would have arguments or even when he would get mad at me for something, he would always apologize. Even if it was my fault. He never wanted us to fight, he never let us hold a grudge. He was the glue, not just between me and him but for my whole family. He always gave us reasons to love each other. My dad could do it all. He can cook, sing, dance, and he can make you laugh endlessly, He can beat you in any game, and of course, play tennis like the champion he was. But what I admire the most about him was his patience, kindness, and hard work. I honestly don’t know how he did it all. He would work for hours but still have time to work on other things for me, Rafa, or my mom. But he had this never-ending patience and drive to work hard because he loved us. He loved my family, his parents, and his friends. He wanted to be able to provide everything and more. He made sure we were his priority and he never did anything without thinking about us. He was so kind and thoughtful. I couldn’t have been blessed with a greater dad. My papa was not only the best dad to me but also the best person I have ever known. There is really nobody like him in this world and there is nobody I will love more than him. There aren’t enough words in this world to describe how amazing my dad is, but he was truly a light in this dark world. My dad is my hero and my life has been great because of him.
Randy and partner Lanlan Ruel clinching a critical victory for Cebuana Lhuilliner Tennis Team during the 2019 PCA InterClub Tournament
Randy giving a pep talk to UTP National Team bound for Indonesia
Randy in a meeting with PPS President Mr. Bobby Castro, Tournament Director Bobby Mangunay and UTP Directors. Randy in a meeting with Mr. Chris Tang and Liza Tang of HEAD Philippines
Randy presiding over a UTP Board Meeting
TRIBUTE TO FATHER FERNANDO SUAREZ
“BORN TO SERVE” This is the mantra of Healing Priest Father Fernando “Dho” Suarez always utters to his followers, friends, and tennis buddies. He is indeed born to serve God as a priest tending his flock and born to serve and play the game he loves, the game of tennis. Despite his hectic schedule, holding mass all over the Philippines and abroad, he still finds the time and energy to play the game of tennis, this is a miracle in itself. His strong and unwavering faith can be seen in his tenacity to play each point as if it is championship point, hitting every down the line shots, running for every drop shots and hitting wins after another, with such precision and vigor. This is Father Dho we know and loved, his life was mirrored by his faith, miracles, and tennis. As a priest with a gift of healing, he transcends all boundaries, healing physically, emotionally, and spiritually people from all walks of life, regardless of belief and race. This is the same with his passion and love for tennis. He encouraged and supported grass root tennis development, thru tennis development programs, tournaments, and the likes, all over the Philippines. Father Dho is the first person to say “YES” in this endeavors, all for the love of tennis, his passion for tennis is unquantifiable as his faith. I asked him once, “Father, of all sports, why were you drawn to love tennis?” He said, “Tennis is where I find peace, all by yourself, with a singular thought of hitting the tennis ball over the other side of the net and be a better person/player win or lose, respecting the game and respecting your opponent.”
Father Suarez in action in the 2019 Father Suarez Seniors Tournament - Bukidnon
Father Suarez in action in the 2019 Father Suarez Seniors Tournament - Bukidnon
Father Suarez with participants of the tournament in Bukidnon
2019 Father Suarez Seniors Tournament - Bukidnon 170
Father Suarez with tennis players from Alabang Country Club
Father Suarez with Father Jeff and friends Father Suarez playing in a tennis club in Paris, France
The two fisted forehand is the favorite shot!
Jean Henri Lhuillier with Gael Monfils (first from the left) Jean Henri Lhuillier with Ana Ivanovic` Jean Henri Lhuillier with Goran Ivanisevic
Jean Henri Lhuillier with Daniel Nestor Jean Henri Lhuillier with Jo-Wilfred Tsonga Jean Henri Lhuillier with Carlos Moya Jean Henri Lhuillier with Treat Huey
Jean Henri Lhuillier with Mark Philippoussis Jean Henri Lhuillier with Mark Philippoussis Jean Henri Lhuillier with Novak Djokovic
From left to right: Stephan Lhuillier, Rafael Nadal, Sebastien Lhuillier, and Jean Henri Lhuillier during the International Premier Tennis League in 2015
Jean Henri Lhuillier with Philippine Davis Cup team members
Rafael Nadal and Sebastien Lhuillier Cebuana Lhuillier Elite Tennis team members: Fritz Verdad, Ruben Gonzales, Sebastien Lhuillier, and Treat Huey
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