RIGHT now I am in Tabaco in Albay with a group of senior citizens like me from Paco Catholic School Batch ’72 for a six day tour of Bicolandia.

It was initiated by one batchmate, Bong Nocon, now based in Nova Scotia in Canada, second time already as last year the group went to the Visayas side even as Bong and I failed to make it.

Bong actually did not finish his high school in Paco as he transferred to then Jose Rizal College to play basketball as his uncle Kiko Calilan was the senior coach though the junior coach was Jose Cabusao.

He played alongside Norbie Rivera and Jimmy Otazu for JRC in the inter secondary, together with his cousin Cris Calilan, Marty Tierra, Jess Sta.
Maria, Amang Ladores, and Renan Pablo in the NCAA junior division.

Ironically, both Norbie and Jimmy ended up playing for San Sebastian and played in the 1972 NCAA Finals against JRC where I was then in first year college.

I still remember watching that game on TV at the school canteen where we all cheered on our team with Philip and David Cesar with big man Ed Carvajal matched up against Dave Supnet in the middle.

Bong mentioned that JRC was shooting for a three-peat earlier in 1969 against Ateneo after winning in 1967 and 1968 with a team led by Roehl Deles, Sixto Agbay, Ulysses Rodriguez, Eduardo Dada. Boy de Vera , and Roberto Victorino.

Unfortunately they were up against Ateneo’s Chito Afable, Baby Boy Morales, Marte Samson, Ricky Palou, and Joy Cleofas.

What I did not know was the story that the lights went out just before half time with JRC ahead by double digit, when the game resumed after around 40 minutes, the Heavy Bombers cooled off and eventually lost to the Blue Eagles.

Bong was right there watching the game so I could not argue with him on the matter.

In college, Bong went to Adamson University to take up Chemical Engineering and only played in the training team of the Falcons but suited up in the inter collegiate but not in the UAAP as he opted to concentrate on his studies.

Among others, he had Mon Calma, Hector Calma’s older brother as team mate, Mon made it to the RP Youth team but because of injury, he never made it to the PBA like Hector.

According to Bong, Mon was a “sahod” victim in that Asian Youth tournament and he never recovered.

Fast forward to the present Bong is a made man carving out out a corporate career in different companies, including San Miguel Corporation in the late 70s and saw action in the inter plant and inter division basketball tournaments, playing with and against the likes of Dave Regullano and Ricardo dela Pena.

Alejandrito Miego was his coach, later on he opted to start his own businesses in 1999.

But what is good is his feet remained planted on the ground and without fanfare was helping out a lot of people particularly young kids to finish their college education thru scholarships.

I tapped Bong in the past to help me in my out reach program in Mt. Banahaw and recently when para powerlifter Adz Dumapong requested my assistance in raising funds for the repair of the musical instruments of the Rondalla on Wheels.

Even as I was receiving some help from friends, Bong volunteered to cover the entire repair cost for which Adz was very happy.

On November 27, the Rondalla on Wheels get the opportunity to meet their benefactor Bong as we will be holding a simple advanced Christnas party for them at the Orthopedic Hospital in Quezon City, we will use the funds I raised for them for the event.

Bong will also join me when we go to Banahaw on December 16 for our regular gift giving to indigent kids and families in Sta. Lucia in Dolores.

Way back, I brought Bong and his family to Banahaw to enjoy nature and I guess he remembers the good times we had there.

You see one thing we found out we had in common is what we are doing for the less privileged in life.

Good to have a friend like Bong.