By NIMROD NL QUIONES
This is supposed to be a season of good cheer, but when your body says you ought to slow down, you have to heed its call.
Such was the case for me when I spent the whole Christmas Day at home and mostly in bed. I can’t remember the last time I stayed home on Christmas Day and if I get another chance to celebrate Christmas next year, I’ll make sure I will be healthy enough so I won’t feel like the Grinch.
I am feeling much better now, which is the reason why I found time to write again, and I hope I’ll be feeling much better for the New Year celebration.
***
The year 2013 has been very challenging.
Early this year, I had the chance to play another role in the Philippine Airlines Interclub Golf Tournament, which was as manager of one of the host clubs. I’ve played various roles in this event the past 20 years – as sportswriter, photographer, player in the media tournament, player in the men’s regular tournament, and once as team captain of my club.
My most favorite role is being a writer.
In May, I experienced being part of the organizing group of a new level of football competition when we hosted the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President’s Cup. It was a challenge trying to meet the standards set by the football officials, who were here to oversee the event.
In the end, we heaved a sigh of relief when we learned that we exceeded their expectations and I now hope we can duplicate the standard in all tournaments that we hold.
There were also those challenges that were not entirely about sports, but took place in a venue where golf is played that resulted to visits to the Palace of Justice. I realized that I have spent more time visit the courts this year than when I was covering the beat for a few months as a TV reporter.
Then the calamities struck one after.
First came the war in Zamboanga followed by the earthquake the hit Bohol and Cebu and then super typhoon Yolanda that devastated many parts of the Visayas.
We are lucky to have been spared from major damage, but then these calamities also affected the tourist arrivals in Cebu, thus affected our business.
That is not a reason to feel bad though, we have also heeded the call to help in all of these calamities, which gave us a lot of hope about our nation.
***
The question now is, will 2014 be better? I try to be an optimist and think it will be, but we have to always prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Suddenly, my being a security professional on top of all other things I do, seem to become more relevant in the course of discussions with other members of the Philippine Society for Industrial Security.
Being ready for a crisis is very important and we have seen that during the recent calamities.
My dream for 2104 is to make it to the World Cup in Brazil. It seems remote, but there is no price to pay for dreaming right?
***
MILESTONES: Belated happy birthday greetings to my brother Nereus David L. Quiñones (December 24), my former squad leader Col. Raul Jesus L. Caldez (December 25), and Jess Padin (Dec. 25).
Today’s greetings go to my mistah Arthur Acot and to Teng Angan.
More power to all of you!
