SPORTS SHORTS 157: PNOY AND SPORTS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 26 Jun 2021
The late former President Benigno Aquino III is also a sportsman being a skillful shooter in the firing range and a keen e-sports enthusiast.
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Former Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) official Joey Romasanta, a family friend for several years of the Aquinos, said PNoy was indeed enamored with firearms and would engage shooting on the range during his leisure time.
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“He is good at practical shooting not the precision shooting,” revealed Romasanta, who was the Gintong Alay project director during the time of the late president’s mother, ex-President Corazon Aquino, as quoted by spin.ph.
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The Philippines' 15th president died on his sleep last Thursday morning at the age of 61 and was cremated right after. His sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada said the cause was “renal disease secondary to diabetes.”
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His shooting comrade Rico Puno, Aquino's former Interior and Local Government Undersecretary, also testified that the former president was a good shooter. "He can engage multiple targets in just a few seconds,” Puno told the Philippine Star.
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Aside from shooting, Romasanta remembers Aquino is fascinated with billiards, too. “The family compound of the Cojuangcos, has a billiard hall,” said Romasanta, who remembered seeing PNoy play billiards at the Cojuangco’s residential compound in Central Azucarera in Tarlac.
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After his presidency, Aquino became lured to playing video games especially with his nephew Joshua. “His room has video games. He loves e-sport,” added Romasanta, who has served as president of the karatedo and volleyball sports associations.
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Sports may not be a top priority in the Aquino administration unlike during the term of her mother as president, but the two had a common agenda during their respective terms as Chief Executive of the country, according to Romasanta.
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“He may not be anything appealing to others, but he is not corrupt. He followed what Cory did,” he said.
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PBA star James Yap paid tribute to the former president who was once his brother-in-law when the former two-time MVP was married to the late president’s youngest sister Kris.
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“Rest in peace President Noynoy Aquino. Thank you for being nice to me,” posted Yap on his Instagram account. “You will be missed.”
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Yap campaigned for then senator Aquino in the 2010 presidential elections. He and Kris separated later and their marriage was annulled in 2012.
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Other Filipino athletes coaches, and sports personalities likewise offered prayers and condolences.
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Chris Tiu, a former PBA teammate of Yap's, posted a picture of himself shaking hands with former President Aquino. "Thank you for your service to our country President Pnoy! Rest in peace," he posted it as caption.
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Chot Reyes, former coach of Gilas Pilipinas national basketball team also posted photos of himself with PNoy: "This is how I prefer to remember you, Mr. President. RIP."
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Also offering condolences to the Aquino family was boxing champion Nonito Donaire, who tweeted in Filipino: "Ang pinaka malalim na pakikiramay at dasal sa Aquino family na nawalan ng pinakamamahal na kapatid na si Benigno Aquino III. Galing sa familia Donaire. Salamat po."
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The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) also posted a tribute to the late former President on their Twitter page: "Requiescat in pace, Mr. President. Maraming salamat po sa inyong serbisyo sa bayan."
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Sen. Manny Pacquiao said former president Aquino's "legacy will be remembered.". He added "His love for the country was manifested in his term of service where he championed 'Daang Matuwid' and 'Kayo ang Boss Ko."
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Former president Noynoy Aquino, who was a bachelor, is survived by his other sisters, Pinky Aquino-Abellada, Victoria Elisa Aquino-Dee and Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and Kris Aquino.
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President Benigno S. Aquino III may not be politically aligned with this author, but in behalf of our constituents we say we are saddened by his sudden demise. We pray for a peaceful rest and our deepest condolences to his family.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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