Not all that fun in Boracay

We’re back in Manila. Unscathed, I’m happy to report.
We survived the hilly, roller coaster terrain of Alta Vista Hotel, thanks to hotel manager Arie Sena (who provided a shuttle service for the duration of our stay), the slippery bathtub with the equally slippery rubber mat on it, the spoiled pork dish served at the hotel poolside for dinner on the eve of the PBA delegation’s return to Manila, and the rickety, worm-infested wooden plank that served as bridge connecting the ferry at the jetty port to land.
Few escaped the curse of the tub. I know several friends who slipped while doing their business in the bathtub.
PBA Chikadora Grace Torres was the last casualty in our group—just before an old, Taiwanese woman fell and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital for checkup.
Grace’s Chikadora partner Malou Aquino reported that the old lady could not get up after the fall. Grace, who landed on her right behind, said her right hip might need X-rays to check if there’s any fracture.
The PBA’s Hazel Ancheta bounced out of the tub after slipping and fell on the tiles. Lucky for her, she did not sustain any serious injury because she was well-padded.
Mato Matitu, a male PBA staffer wasn’t as lucky. He showed me the big, ugly bump on his forehead. The rubber mat, he said, did not serve its purpose.
Former PBA officials supervisor Perry Martinez said there must be something wrong with the design of the bathtubs.
Incidentally, Perry was in Boracay to bid for the staging of the next all-star festivities in Ilocos Norte where he is now a high-ranking provincial official.
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Coy Perez’s eye was caught by the tall, tanned, half-naked hunk standing by the ATM machine at the Boracay beach front.
Barefoot and clad only in printed shorts, the hunk was surrounded by a platoon of children, obviously denizens of the beach, his face covered by a huge sign.
As he moved closer to the machine, however, Coy caught a glimpse of the man’s long blonde curls. “It was Asi Taulava, most likely withdrawing money to give away to the kids. He’s very kind and generous,. That’s why he’s well-liked and followed everywhere he goes,” Coy said.
“I used to come here often that’s why I’ve become a very familiar figure hereabouts. I like this place, I love the people,” said Asi.
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Marc Pingris hardly expected to be MVP of the All-Stars. In fact, he thought he would make PBA history by being the first cager to be ejected from an All-Star game “because I am going to guard my man very tightly, I’m liable to hurt him,” he said before the game.
Incidentally, it was Marc who provided the white masks worn by the North team in their very entertaining opening dance number. The number was choreographed by Arwind Santos, “but everybody helped to complete the act,” Pingris said.
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It was in Boracay that I got the latest on the bid of businessman Manny V. Pangilinan for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings franchise.
“The investment banker who’s doing the wheeling and dealing for MVP on this business endeavor has just informed us that the Atlanta Hawks franchise is also in the market,” said Pato Gregorio, Maynilad’s senior vice president for marketing.
Pato said the Atlanta deal seems to be sounder. “All 40 shareholders of Atlanta have decided to sell. The Hawks is a stronger team and the business has less liabilities.”
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Wanting to surprise her partner Dondon Hontiveros, television host Valerie Concepcion arrived at the Alta Vista unannounced.
“I was really surprised—surprised at the huge bill I was going to shoulder,” said Dondon, who was, of course, only joking. I think.