Chino Trinidad: Farewell to a Man of Truth and Consequence
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 06 Aug 2024
He knew a good story when he saw one, and by golly, he told it well. As a master storyteller, he proudly showcased Philippine heritage through its arts, culture, and history. He had the ability to make mundane topics sound interesting, thanks to his captivating voice, ebullient spirit, and trademark smile.
If you were fortunate enough to have met him, even for just a brief moment, he left you feeling inspired and profoundly Filipino. We will forever remember his compelling narratives, human interest stories, and social commentaries that cut straight to the core.
He never outgrew his wide-eyed curiosity, inherited from his loving parents, Recah Trinidad and Fe Lacsamana, 57 summers ago. His journalistic career in radio, television, and recently the internet, encompassed all the sports Filipinos love—basketball, boxing, bowling, billiards, and everything in between.
From his youthful days in Barangay Vergara in Mandaluyong to his formative years at the prestigious University of the Philippines, Diliman, Manolo embraced both knowledge and the accompanying responsibilities with open arms.
He welcomed healthy competition with both aspiring and seasoned writers, journalists, photographers, and documentarians. By fate or personal design, he became our de facto hero-worshiper and advocate for anything Filipino—our link to the past, present, and future of Philippine sports. His world was replete with athletes, literary giants, and luminaries like Robert Jaworski, Nick Joaquin, and Fernando Poe, Jr., Carlos Edriel Poquiz Yulo (Paris 2024 double gold medalist in men’s gymnastics), Michael Jordan and the late Kobe Bryant, whose transcendent stories inspired his heart and soul.
Through his extensive business network and circle of friends, he was always ready to lend a helping hand. I remember two occasions when his guiding light supported this aspiring writer who shared his passion for Philippine boxing.
First, back in November 2009 in Los Angeles, he convinced me to postpone my trip back home to the San Francisco Bay Area and invited me to tag along as he covered Manny Pacquiao's practice with his band leaders Lito Camo and Madonna Decena at an undisclosed studio. “Bring your family, I got you covered with Manoy (Pacquiao)…and make sure to bring your father, Mom Tina, and sister Christine,” he said.
If I didn't know him better, I would have thought he was just being courteous. But Manolo had a purpose—he wanted my dad and mentor, Hermie Rivera, one of the champ’s doting advisers, to tell Manny to shorten the choir practice and get some precious sleep. At the time, Manny was set to face the great Miguel Cotto in less than five days at the MGM Grand for the WBO welterweight title in Las Vegas, Nevada.
More recently, at the Manila Grand Opera Hotel near the old site of the Olympic Stadium in Santa Cruz, last March, Manolo stoked my attempt at curating the Philippine Boxing Historical Society. The Gala of Champions provided us the privilege to honor him, his father Recah, his mother Fe, and the Greatest Boxers Made in the Philippines, along with the past and present supporters of Philippine boxing.
Manolo Trinidad’s hard-hitting persona gravitated towards boxing, where he covered and befriended fistic heroes, notably Luisito Espinosa and Manny Pacquiao.
Art of Basketball featuring Robert Jaworski (A Gift for Chino from Jun Aquino)
His respect and reverence for past boxing heroes like Francisco Guilledo, known as Pancho Villa—the first Asian and Filipino world boxing champion—warms the soul. Until the end, he quietly collaborated with painter Rodolfo “Jun” Aquino and sculptor Frederic Caedo to restore Villa’s forgotten grave. He got the ball rolling for next year’s centennial “Celebration of Life” for Pancho Villa, a tribute we will strive to honor in their memory.
He was generous with his time, inviting my sister Charina, my son Grant, and I to the famous live stream show, ‘Larong Pilipino’, at Studio DZME. “There are people that light up the room. He was one of them. He could make you feel very special and loved. We lost a good, humble, and the jolliest man ever. Thank you for being the light,” said Charina Rivera.
https://youtu.be/pr8z-4wxKzU?si=Klbi50DPdauqWYkH
For half an hour, Mr. Erel Cabatbat, Manolo, and I discussed how Filipino boxers became giants. The show’s reach opened the gates to our humble Philippine Boxing Historical Society Gala of Champions, a celebration at the Manila Grand Opera Hotel last March 23, 2024.
There will never be another Manolo Lacsamana Trinidad. His legacy of truth, dedication, and love for Filipino culture and sports will forever inspire and guide us. I feel a deep sadness now that he has left our midst, but also gratitude for the chance to express my profound appreciation for him last March 22.
“Manoy Chino, you are an inspiration to many, myself included…Your better half Babs and children Yoye, Duz and Pis, dad (Tito Recah), your mom (Tita Fe), brothers Paolo and Sebastian, I am sure, are proud of you for highlighting the Filipino spirit, just as we all are.
“Mabuhay, salamat…Thank you for the nod and your friendship.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.
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