Super Fan

sandy72300
May 20, 2017
5 min read

Note: Originally posted at Wikinut in June 2013

I used to think going gaga over something is just a temporary feeling. But I was wrong.

Fanatic

They say a fanatic is someone who won't change his mind and won't change the subject. I realized I was. Or at least close to being one. I guess I was destined to become a PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) fan. A Purefoods (Team) fan for that matter, forever!

My childhood

I often thought there were really major mistakes when I was born being a girl to the point I question myself if I'm a member of the third sex. Now I have a child, I realized I wasn't. Although having a kid is never a guaranty of sexuality, as we all know. When I was little and growing up in the coastal town of Zambales, I was so drawn with the conversations of fishermen including my own father, that I would actually sit in the sand near the shore with them as they talk about their catch, the weather, their bait or even plan of having a drink later at night. I'm everything boys want their girlfriends or wives to be. I have always been one of the boys, so to speak. I don't remember being drawn by barbie dolls and stuff. I would be so engrossed with toy robots, tumbang preso, tatsing (a game where you collect softdrink crowns by hitting them using your "pamato" to get them out of a cirle on the ground), etc. But among the boys thing I love, Sports would definitely come on top. I love watching basketball, boxing and wrestling. Who among the girls of my generation would know the likes of Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, Dennis Rodman, John Stockton, Latrell Sprewell, Scottie Pippen, Hakeem Olajuwon, etc of the NBA. Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Roy Jones, Evander Holyfield, Julio Cesar Chavez, Felix Trinidad, Bernard Hopkins of Boxing. The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels, Bret The Hitman Hart, Diesel, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Yokosuna, The British Bulldog, the Undertaker, Mankind, Goldust of Wrestling? Arguably, none. I could not agree more if they say growing up with a bunch of boy cousins spelled the difference. In fact their greatest influence in me was the PBA. All the rest came afterwards that I consider self indulgence.

Growing up with the PBA

I started watching PBA during 1987. I don't remember exactly what team I rooted for at first but I liked Yves Dignadice and Hector Calma of San Miguel Beer. I also liked Ronnie Magsanoc of Shell early on in his career.

I started to notice the Purefoods during its entry in the PBA in 1988 but I only became a fan when I saw the very endearing Alvin Patrimonio play. Then started the team being called the "Glamour Boys of the PBA". With the likes of my ultimate idol, "THE CAPTAIN", Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codinera, Jojo Lastimosa, Glenn Capacio in the roster, who wouldn't agree? Then came Noy Castillo, Frankie Lim and Elmer Lago.

Additions in the 90's were Bong Ravena, Vince Hizon, Ritchie Ticzon, Olsen Racela. And the 20th century breeds of goodlooking men were James Yap, Marc Pingris, PJ Simon, Jonas Villanueva, JC Intal, Rich Alvarez. And a bunch of goodlooking imports along the way as well. I remember my share of going gaga over Ken Redfield, Marquin Chandler and Denzel Bowles. Now I use the surname of our should I say "resident import", Marqus Blakely, who gave us a Governor's Cup Championship last year, on my twitter account. And at my age, I admit having a big crush on Joe Devance.

Obsession

I was so obsessed with the team to the point of joining an Olsen Racela fans club, the other player I adore next to the Cap way back. I was always present at Reyes Gym in Mandaluyong during practice days even though we were never allowed to watch. Instead, we just patiently waited outside hoping for just a few minutes with our idols. If we're lucky enough, a few picture taking and autograph sessions. I even went to the extent of missing my final exams in one of my subjects in college just to attend a Purefoods fans day in Philsports Arena (formerly the Ultra). There was also a point in highschool when I have never missed a single issue of then very popular sports magazine called Sports Life in one year during my fourth year, with my idol and the rest of the PBA gracing numerous columns with juicy bits and pieces about the organization. Players come and go and I thought that would change my mind regarding my team. But I was wrong. I don't know but my love and admiration for Purefoods did not falter a bit through the years even if the players retired, changed teams, traded, became coaching staffs, just disappeared into oblivion or whatever. I became a PBA fan before my youngest sibling was born. And now he has just celebrated his 29th birthday last April (2017). Beat that!

My only vice

There wasn't anytime in my life since then that I did not have any connection with PBA in any way. I might have become busy with school, career and anything else, but there will always be a time for my SanMig. On the way to work, most people are keeping themselves busy with MP3's, Apps, or games on their mobile phones or tablets, while I watch everything about my Sanmig that's available on youtube or google every member of the team on my phone. I even bring along my kid in the games since he was one year old. Now he has turned 3 and recognizes James Yap as his idol (Unfortunately, he was eventually traded to Rain or Shine). If there would be any appropriate term for my unconditional love and endearment to this team, perhaps I would love to be called a "Superfan". Now after almost 3 decades of rooting for this team, the feeling is still the same. No more, no less. The Captain might have retired and have become Purefoods' team manager, but my love and devotion to this team is eternal. Call it loyalty, obsession, or even madness. I don't care. This is my Purefoods, Coney Island, Bmeg or Sanmig. And forever it will remain. Count on that.