It was Jan. 17, 2009 early in the morning at NAIA manila we are in disaster at the arrival early crowded Pal Airport PR 102 just landed and hot humid morning for us carrying our golf bags tired of seating in plane for 17 hours from Lax to manila. a big file of golf bags and massive suit case that won't fit in 2 tourist bus. we have to leave those at the airport and let the hired Filipino guys to sort it out and deliver in our room at Hotel. every body was tired and excited looking forward for having fun at fairways.
Registrations at the hotel was very whelming and we are so welcome as very special guest.Breakfast while doing the registrations and meeting new friends. Of course we are well behave. sipping a cup of coffee and banana bread was great for us while waiting for others and chatting with fellow balikbayan the room was crowded but yet you can see everyone is smiling even tired and don't know each other.
I went straight to my room, open my laptop and started calling my family back home in USA....informing my relatives that I am in Manila. Oh yes Manila Philippines where i came from.
Sunday morning we had a special mass exclusive for golfers and family only. Meet the priest, and my fellow golfers are choirs, ushers, etc. we of course hugs and shake hands and greet peace be with you. mass was so successful ended with peace and happiness you can see in everyone face although each of us still has a jet lag for 17 hours flight knowing that some of them from California, aside from me my friends here at west WV. we traveled 24 hours and others that came from Texas, Kentucky, Ohio, Chicago, Florida and some other part of state.
Monday morning we are meeting at the hotel lobby to wait for the guys to load our golf bags on coach just parked behind the hotel, While we are having our breakfast at the HEAT ( at buffet restaurant at Edsa Shangri-la),
Every morning 6:45 sharp we are off to the golf course.
On our first day at fairways i played with the two big boss, Mr. V. Espilita and M. espilita at Malarayat Golf and Country Club Lipa Batangas. I truly enjoyed the first day of the tournament , it was so much fun! although i lost 4 of my favorite and very expensive golf balls, in fact i tried to find and buy some new with same brand name but unfortunately not for sale in Philippines yet. its normal for us to lost balls if our caddy is not warning us about jabong and water (hazard). to be cont....
