to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy… and to laugh along the way
This season marks a significant generational shift in the league’s hierarchy. Forget the old guard; the NBA’s marble pillars are crumbling. We are witnessing a cold-blooded coup as a ‘positionless’ generation of giants and hunters dismantles the league’s traditional hierarchy.
Looking back, my childhood was a series of wacky disasters and adventures that were actually the perfect rehearsal for plebe year in the Academy. Whether I drank fish sauce like fine vintage wine, or played barbarian barber on my own eyebrows, or pulling off a “Mission Impossible” adventure in downtown Sta. Cruz, I was inadvertently training for my future in the Army. These escapades weren’t just mischief; they were early masterclasses in audacity, self-reliance, and the art of the calculated risk.
So now, it’s on to Brazil this June 2027. Mark your calendar, folks. Our Filipinas are playing with the big guns once again; but this time, with more experience, more preparation and training, and even more heart.
From a challenging childhood with a family that faced adversity, my parents instilled values of resilience and strength. Their love and sacrifices fueled my passion, particularly for sports, guiding me to become what I have become today.
As we say farewell, let us carry forward his lessons, lessons ingrained in the Academy’s motto of Courage, Integrity and Loyalty. To stand up with Courage to always strive to make a positive difference, to lead with Integrity to fight for what is right, to love our people with a fierce Loyalty – an unwavering devotion – even when it was inconvenient, even if it would mean a personal sacrifice.
Looking back, I’m grateful for those early days of sun and games, for the friendships that added so much color and excitement into my life, and for the teachers and mentors who showed me that effort and heart can carry you far. I carry those memories with me as my little badge of honor, trusting that the future holds brighter paths to run, write, and remember those good old days.
Color My World 