Ang Kalatas Volume IV July 2014 Issue | Page 24

24 THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 4 Number 10 | July 2014 SPORTS Ang KALATAS Sports By Ric de Vera Fr Serving takes PAL Kalayaan Cup FR SERVING Bustamante from Leichhardt Parish took the PAL Kalayaan cup golf tournament held at the prestigious Macquarie Links International Golf Club on June 9 in conjunction with the 116th anniversary celebration of the proclamation of Philippine Independence. HIS fantastic score of 42 points under stableford scoring using his handicap of 20 from Fox Hills Golf Club gave him the edge over the rest of the players. He was awarded the championship trophy, a return ticket to Manila courtesy of Philippine Airlines and the privilege to engrave his name in the perpetual monumental trophy. “I’m overwhelmed as I really did not expect to win over so many participants” said an ecstatic Fr Serving. “I enjoyed my game because of the perfect weather which was what we prayed for anyway.” Fr Serving has been joining this tournament for many years and was always enthusiastic to do the opening prayers before the game. Division winners with their handicaps and scores were: Prescilla Keogh for A using 12 handicap and score of 36 points; Jirapon Thungsumaman for B, 18 handicap, 38 points; Jayare Belen for C , 19 handicap, 36 points; Raul Reyes for D, 27 handicap, 37 points. These winners received $150 cash prize, trophies and golf balls. Division runners up together with their handicaps and scores were: Tom Chotichuong for A, 11 handicap, 35 points; Danny Martinez for B, 15 handicap, 36 points; Tony Salalila for C, 25 handicap, 36 points; Frank Tan for D, 27 handicap, 36 points. They were awarded $100 cash prize, trophies and golf balls. Ladies division champion was Anika Ortanez, the daughter of Aris Ortanez, marketing director of AICL/AIH Education and a golfer himself. Anika scored 34 points followed closely by runner up Jean Sirisatien with 33 points. They both received cash prizes and trophies donated by Dr Anton & Atty Kate Andres. Novelty prizes were given to nearest the pins on four par 3’s amounting to $30 each. An exciting part having everyone on the same level of playing field was the putting competition with a pot of $300 divided among the winners. Mr Jirapon Thungsumaman from Thai Golf Club Association was the only golfer who holed the ball and ran away with the whole amount. ‘I’m lucky I got it’ said an excit- ed Jirapon after he holed his ball. At the awards presentation, Consul General Anne Jalandoon Louis stressed on te significance of ‘Kalayaan’ which means freedom. She acknowledged the presence of Consul General of Vietnam, Mai Phuoc, congratulated the organisers, expressed appreciation to sponsors and thanked all participants wishing them to come back next year. This writer, as Fil-oz president, acknowledged the sup- port of various sponsors, particularly Philippine Airlines, LBC ‘We like to move it’, SMDC, AICL/ AIH Higher Education and R.O. Biala, CPA’s. He also expressed appreciation for the support given by different Social golf clubs presidents, namely John Prompanya of Thai Golf Association; Benny Bacalla of Marsden Park Golf Association, Rey Garcia of Golf ParE Social club, Manny Castillo of PASC Sydney Eagle Golf and Sylvia Pham of AVGA. Some groups were represented such as Pogi; Fairgolf; Sydney Jokers and Stonecutters Ridge. He also thanked Macquarie Links Int’l Golf Club. The master of ceremony, Fidel Zaballa a golfer himself kept everyone laughing with his wits while waiting for the final results of the tournament. Philippine Airlines, the Phi lippines national flag carrier is the principal sponsor donating two economy class return airfare to Manila for the over-all champion and the raffle winner. Major sponsors were LBC, AICL/AIH Education, SMDC and R.O. Biala Pty Ltd. Aside from financial assistance, SMDC provided t-shirts to all participants and AIH Higher Education supplied a box of 30 umbrellas. Toti Umali and Kate Andres donated cash to subsidise the cost of trophies. Other sponsors are Revesby Press (art works, printing of flyers and souvenir program), Jirsch Sutherland (golf packs and caps), Maya Holidays (accommodation), Fiesta Blacktown & P-Noy Lounge for meals for two vouchers. The event is also supported by Philippine Consulate General – Sydney, Philippine Trade & Investment, Philippine Tourism and Philippine Embassy in Canberra.