MANILA, Philippines?Was it my last column, the one that appeared here on Monday?

Was it my farewell piece?

No, I assured the concerned reader who sent the text message.

It was actually my penultimate piece, a sort of rehearsal for retirement.

This now is my last from here and thank you very much for your understanding and patronage.

Kindly allow me, too, the luxury of thanking all the heroes (and villains) who have made my stint worth it.

To boxing superhero Manny Pacquiao, thanks for the joy ride.

You indeed made us very proud of being Pinoy with your mythical ring heroics.

OK, in your last fight, you were not as sharp and dominant as the original Pacman we?ve learned to worship and admire.

But here?s wishing you?d be able to bring all your God-given gifts into the boxing ring for your next fight.

Here?s also a prayer for you to finally find the serenity and nobility, not to mention the humility, which you richly deserve as a genuine world champion.

* * *

I step and move out in this scented, rain-freshened morning.

A few days ago, the dependable uncle narra tree across the street fulfilled its annual vow.

It exploded with yellow blossoms, not unlike perfumed fireworks, and blessed the entire neighborhood with unforgettable young flower sweetness.

Anyway, I report this natural miracle thankful that I have completed my watch with my wits and senses seemingly intact.

Yes, there had been serious bumps, there were bruising blows, spills and slips, fights, libel suits and curses in the long journey but, let me assure that they were all worth it.

Now that my watch is over, I can at least serve my cats their breakfast before turning on the computer early in the morning.

After praying the rosary in bed, I could also resume my long morning walks with greater peace.

* * *

I do love people. I also love watching them go about their mundane chores during that daily trip to the Mandaluyong City marketplace, rain or shine, from our borrowed riverside residence.

It?s indeed bothersome and painful that hapless citizens, caught in the slimy sidewalk rat race, continue to be bitten and trampled by the galloping rodent of high prices, while the sneering lords at Malacañang wallow in the fat of mismanagement, cheating and corruption.

Oops! Am supposed to move on in peace, and that definitely is not the kind of parting shot I had intended to take.

Basketball jerseys are retired, they hang up boxing gloves at the end of a career.

So what do we do with this old pen, after it has reached its appointed expiry date?

And, come to think of it, how do I like to be remembered as a journalist?

* * *

Well, it?s like this. I?ve lost much hair but, at least, I?ve not totally lost my waistline.

A good enough bargain and let me report with gladness that the small Honda car I bought second-hand in 1996 can still take me to where I need go, to as far as the simple cogon resthouse I?ve built for my dear wife, my three boys, my family, in a cool, tree-lined shared lot in Batangas.

It was a long journey, definitely distant for the skinny cab reporter who had tried his luck at sportswriting thinking all along it would all be about boxing and basketball.

I was to learn all too late there were other games.

But at least, my first day out in the field was not a total flop.

Sent out to cover the RP-Vietnam Davis Cup tie at the old Rizal Memorial shell courts in 1967, I was taught to score tennis in one hour by Totoy Bulag, a battle-scarred ticket scalper who definitely agonized.

I rushed back to the Philippines Herald office, wrestled with the story for nearly three hours, honestly hoping I?d land my first byline under the great Eddie Lachica, my first mentor.

Well, at least they printed a bit from my masterpiece?who won, who lost and, of course, the right scores.

* * *

So what?ve I achieved?

Nothing much, really.

But, modesty aside, I would like to believe that I?ve always come back to report the truth?success and failure? the proper scores, no matter who got hurt.

I had been loud and harsh in my criticisms but, honestly, I believe that, in the end, I?ve made more friends than enemies.

No, that doesn?t necessarily deserve a reward.

But, as a token, I?ve finally bought myself a dream subscription to National Geographic, on bargain.

Hope our paths meet again. Thank you very kindly.

Please do a kind deed, comfort the sick and lonely, whenever you can.

The Blessed Virgin will guide us all!