Kwentong Pinoy: Barangay Ginebra
11.04.09
Ito po ay isang aktwal na e-mail, kaya po nakasulat sa Ingles.
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To Mr. Recah Trinidad,
I was sorting through some of my older stuff when I came across some very important papers: One was written by you, one was written by me.
I don’t know if you can still remember the articles [or me], for it was already years ago, but in my end, I still remember everything: the do-or-die game, Ginebra versus Shell, whoever wins goes to the championship, the winning three-point shot by Kenny Redfield, the agony and pain, your article, my reaction, my letter.
(Click image to enlarge.)
Needless to say, I was a Ginebra fanatic. Yes, years ago, when it was the Jaworski Sr.-David-Hizon-Locsin-Aquino era, I wouldn’t miss a game. When I couldn’t watch, I made sure that someone recorded it for me. I was that into the team. I was one of the tens of thousands who would cheer and cry for Ginebra and was a certified member of the Barangay Ginebra.
Being young, I was too emotional and quick to react without thinking. So you could just imagine my reaction to your article. I remember thinking, “this man is so insensitive! Natalo na nga eh! Does he really have to rub it in?” So I wasted no time in writing a letter. I thought, this man needed to learn a lesson!
(Click image to enlarge.)
That was 14 years ago.
Now, when I remember that time, all I can do is smile [and yes, laugh]. Gosh, was I really only 16 when I wrote that? It was full of passion, full of emotion. It was so not me!
Honestly, when I read it now, I can’t help but laugh…laugh at my overreaction! As an adult now who has more or less learned to become objective and think before reacting, my 16-year-old self has become a wonder to me! I understand my reaction, but it was still funny how I let anger, and perhaps pain, take over me.
Ironically, I have long since stopped watching the PBA—if I remember correctly, 1 year after writing that letter—there were other priorities, other things to amuse me. In short, perhaps, I outgrew Ginebra. However, all those memories of the times I cheered for, cried over, and yes, crushed on the players of Ginebra will always be cherished—this letter included.
Truth is, those were the harshest words I have ever spoken to someone, moreover a complete stranger! I hope you would accept if I apologize that you were at the receiving end. Allow me also thank you, Mr. Recah, because the way you handled the situation, which was, in your own words, the “meanest blows I’ve received since I started crossing mitts with Mr. Deadline,” has made me realize that letting our emotions get the best of us is not a good thing. Your calm and professional way of reacting to my reaction is something I have always admired and emulated since this article was published. Now, when I react to things, I always try to see things from an objective point of view. Lesson learned!
And yes, I do sign my name in full now.
This letter will always hold a significant part in my life, for with it are so many memories and lessons, not to mention the laughs it gets from family and friends. And for that, I will always treasure our “correspondence.”
God bless, and more power to you!
PS, on hindsight, after all that I have said, I am honestly happy you’re still writing [and did not "go down," as I predicted].
Tags: Funny, Kwentong Pinoy, Life
Hahaha! Funny
What if he stumbles upon this blog post? Hmm….. 
grace, you have to send this post to him!!! ^-^
it’s about time you own up to that sweet letter you sent him! ^-^
funny thing is, you just reminded me that at the time you were crying for Ginebra’s loss, i was jumping for joy in excitement! wehehehe! i was a big fan of Shell at that time, and i even sent a fan mail to kenny redfield!!! ohmymama, this is hilarious to recall. like yourself, i was caught up with the PBA games when i was in college, because all of us in the family followed it. at that time, i was very passionate about supporting Shell and really thought ginebra played their games dirty, all the time! ^-^ now don’t be mad at me, that was a brief episode of my life! hihi
.-= odette´s last blog ..postcard winner =-.
funny ate KG! and you;re right napaka calm ng reply nya sa letter mo hehe. he’s like teasing you pa nga with the roses hehe i bet your letter left him floored pero napasmile sya sure ako hehe!
.-= yeinie´s last blog ..he’s my beautiful disaster! =-.
hehe kaktuwa nmn to..sobra tlga ang effect ng basketball..hehehehe
.-= sunny´s last blog ..insured =-.
wow… what a fan you were then defending Ginebra.. it really is sweet ..too bad you did not give your return address, you might have gotten the rose and the chocolates
.-= Toni´s last blog ..Christmas in a Shoebox =-.
hahaha. funny! malay mo one of these days eh napadaan sa blog mo si mr recah at mabasa ito. hindi pa naman huli ang lahat para ipadala sa’yo ang chocolates & roses. LOL.
.-= blue rose´s last blog ..happiness… =-.
don’t worry everyone, i really plan on sending this email to Recah Trinidad!
What’s going on? LOL. What I mean is that all the people around me were into Ginebra that time (lalo na mga classmates), and I was like “I don’t care”. Parang I’m in a different world noon. =)
hinga grace hinga..
hehe.. kahit ako naawa kay Mr. Recah kasi feeling ko nabugbog nga sya ng words mo. Haha!
.-= cza´s last blog ..The Red Cups =-.
Ginebra fanatic din ako nun. Nung high school ako pinagaawayan pa yan sa klase. Ngayon di na ko nanonood ng PBA. wala ng thrill.
Kakamiss ung era nila Locsin – Hizon – Aquino – David – Jawo.
Dear Kg,
I can relate with the PBA excitement. Haha. But I was too much a fan for Alaska that my ex-bf told me i was nuts over the small guy: Abarrientos! Woohoo! Magkalaban din kami ng team ng ex ko, haha, so imagine the pustahan we made, konting wager lang naman, kung sino magbabayad ng food sa next date. Haha, kakatuwa.
Galing! Mr. Trinidad should seet this!
Awesome new Christmas theme. Hindi naman halata na excited yung mga bahay natin sa Pasko!
.-= Rico´s last blog ..fiery sermon =-.
mimi, i plan on sending this to him.
odetteha! isa ka pala sa maga kalaban! he!he!
yeine, sa sobrang funny ko ba naman hindi sa matamaan! he! he!
sunny, oo nga, grabe ako noon talaga. i watch almost all their games!
toni, i was young at that time! takot ako kay recah!
blue rose, sana nag. pag sinend ko to sa kanya ihabol nya yung roses at chocolates!
wits, di ko alam kung ikaw ang normal o abnormal lang ako! he! he!
rej and sheng, aha! kalaban pala kayo ha! you know, i hated alaska before! they were the achilles heel of ginebra. bwisit talaga ako sa kanila!
rico, excited talaga!
Im a Ginebra fan din. I remembered that time pag may game ang ginebra ang neighborhood laging nagsisigawan lalo na pag nakakascore ang ginebra. Hay those were the days. Pero ngayon I dont watch PBA na UAAP na lang hehehe
Happy weekend KG
in high school i also liked PBA but i was SMB, medyo addict mode din talaga. i think we all have these phases don’t you think so too? i cannot read the articles ayaw magload ng net ko eh but i sure do have an idea what you said LOL
.-= PM´s last blog ..Knock Yourself Out =-.
Awww.. di ka naman na highblood nyan
.-= aLiNe´s last blog ..Manny Pacquiao on Jimmy Kimmel live =-.
ginebra rin ako. dami kasing papable dun. lol. yun yung matinding season na nagkalaban ang shell at ginebra sa finals. pero meron shell na player na pinagkaguluhan. hindi ko matandaan name niya pero namukhaan ko pa rin siya. yung autograph ni anthony suntay at photo niya nasa photo album ko pa rin. lol. nakakatawa balikan ang nakaraan. naitanong ko nga sa kaibigan ko kung natatawa rin siya kapag naalala niya yung mga ka-weird-dohan na ginawa niya nun.
wait, whatever happened to Purefoods? i still love basketball even today, but i don’t watch it as often as i used to.
.-= kayni´s last blog ..Finding Kayni =-.
grabeehhh! Mahilig din ako manood ng basketball noon with my dad and bro. Inis pa nga sila sa akin kz’e naman kung makasigaw ako grabeee din hahaha… I both love Ginebra and San Miguel Beer (balimbing ba?) Madaming Papables eh! =)
you really should send this to him para it gets published again…
it was really such a funny read. also, for a 16 year old, you wrote pretty well. your thoughts were organized and you conveyed all your raw emotions without resorting to name-calling or below-the-belt tactics. his reaction was so funny also, parang he was more amused than hurt by your lambasting actually. Siguro natawa siya na his column was that capable of eliciting such anger, and from such a young girl pa at that. 
i would really, really love to read his response, 13 years after!!
grabeeee! ganun ka pala katindi maging fan! i didnt watch pba much, unless it’s Alaska and Ginebra ang naglalaro…
grace, amfunny! i was a die-hard alaska fan naman, nun time nila johnny a and jolas. oh my gosh, those were the days
.-= mai´s last blog ..Arya =-.
*raises two hands* here! here! another Ginebra fan dati hehehe.
I’m sure Mr. Trinidad will reply to your email
Di na kami makapaghintay sa reaction niya lolz
.-= Nortehanon´s last blog ..The Fisherman =-.