It was around this time when The Link first came out of the sports page of Daily Tribune to become part of your weekend reading habit.
Although this column has been around for over a decade, it found a home in a news outfit that arguably has the best and most comprehensive sports coverage in the country.
At the Daily Tribune, this column has become just one of the few platforms that brings sports closer to Filipino fans.
Aside from The Link, yours truly was also given the opportunity to expand our coverage through a weekly podcast called Down To The Wire, where we bring in personalities of the past to rekindle their glory days and discuss their takes on the pressing topics of the present.
It has been a good run of about a year and a half.
With that, I want to express my gratitude to our good, formidable team in the Sports Section led by our editor, Julius Manicad, and his deputy, Nick Giongco. I also like to thank the two gentlemen who made their marks in the golf, motoring and volleyball industries in Marc Anthony Reyes and Mark Escarlote as well as the do-it-all Ivan Suing and the up-and-coming Gerard Manalang, who is now being groomed as the next most important piece of this talent-laden section.
Did I say that the Daily Tribune has become a haven for the members of the sportswriting fraternity?
Yes, it is. When I rejoined the group, this media entity houses the best sportswriters in the country.
I also used to work here about a decade ago, but when I returned under a new management, the broadsheet has become somewhat a flock of sportswriters from the dashing Rey Bancod, Mr. Congeniality Manny Angeles, John Henry Dodson and my longtime friend and college buddy Elmer Manuel, who has been holding key positions in the editorial department and crucial in putting the paper to bed.
Much credit should also be given to the owners of this organization, Boss Willie and Ms. Chingbee Fernandez, for building a very competitive and more efficient team. Thanks for the wonderful opportunity, bosses.
Sports has been a sacred haven for us. Before, it was branded as the “toy department” of newspapers, but not anymore as conglomerates now prefer to invest here.
Two major sports had become the nation’s favorite pastime through the years — men’s basketball and women’s volleyball. However, we were also treated to some historic feats from Hidilyn Diaz’s first ever Olympic gold medal to Gilas Pilipinas’ heroic performance that ended the country’s 61-year drought for an Asian Games gold medal.
We’re all glad to witness it, not just by seeing them with our naked eyes, but also by becoming a big part of telling the stories of the people behind those successes.
The Link is more than happy to be part of the sports journey, the joy of triumphs, the agony of defeats and the struggles that athletes, sports officials and even benefactors share. But most of all, we’re glad to provide sports fans a platform where they can be both entertained and educated.
It’s been a great ride being part of the Daily Tribune. But since we live in such a small circle, there will be no goodbyes — not yet.
Instead, I just want to thank all of you, all the members of the daily, all the KaTribu, for the 17-month journey.
See you around.
