JJ13

I want to share the story behind the person that I idolized most. He was an ordinary point guard for me, but eventually he became the most extra ordinary one. Actually, he’s not my type of guy (well, because I don’t have preferences either). I was an ordinary 2^nd year High School student before I became an avid fan of Bryg. Ginebra Kings. I really don’t know if I’m still thinking about my reality, all I know is I want to know and to get closer to PBA players.

GINEBRA'S POINTGUARD, ALSO PLAYING FOR TEAM PILIPINAS.

Jayjay Helterbrand became my addiction. He was a simple guy with outstanding skills when it comes to handling the ball and as the captain of the sheep, he’s always involve in specific game play. I think his leadership is one of the biggest factors why I became interested in him. Like what I’ve said to my previous blog entry, it was Mark Caguioa whom I liked first; but then, I ended up with his backcourt tandem, the one wearing jersey number 13. It took me a year or 2 before I’ve decided whose player I would choose to like the most. When my friends (co-ginebra fans) ask me about it, I don’t know whom to choose. Well, it’s a common struggle when you’re a Ginebra fan, especially when you’re a girl; it’s really hard to choose between the two.

To begin with, “Helterbrand was born in Quezon City to Lamberto Heras Vicente and Melanie Jimenez Romero. The name on his birth certificate was Lamberto Romero Vicente, Jr. His father later died, and his mother took him along with his brother Francis and sister Rowena to the US when he was six. His mother remarried a US serviceman Ronald Helterbrand and changed his name to Anthony Helterbrand in 1986 at the age of 10.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jayjay_Helterbrand). According to my previous knowledge about Jayjay, he had a daughter named Jaylyn. The last time I went to Ginebra’s practice game, I had a chance to take a picture with her. She was very lovely and her accent was similar to her father. (nag epistaxis ako!) It was very frustrating to know that he already had a daughter (hahaha! J andami kasing umaasa) well, he is already 33 years old now if I’m not mistaken, so I think it explains it.

Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) celebrated their Victory Party at the San Miguel Corp Building in Ortigas for being the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference Champions. It was a 4-2 series between their sisters-team San Miguel Beermen. Ginebra brought the championship crown with a depleted line-up, still struggling until the last gameof the finals. I was watching the game live (game 6) and I think the support of the crowd became a big factor for the Kings to survive. I had a chance to go to this victory party because of Kuya Paul Artadi’s help; he helped us and gave us a ticket to enter.

KFC (Kidlightning Fans Club) with our Idol, Paul Artadi.

This victory party was, I think, my most memorable moment with Jayjay. I don’t know if I had a very good chance to get closer to him, all I know is I’m staring at him from stage like there’s no tomorrow. When the celebration went on, he had gotten us video from his cell phone while I’m taking a video too. (sobrang nabaliw ako at nag sisigaw ng literal!) I had a chance to have a picture with different Ginebra players, and with the other BGK fans club. (pati nga mascot ng Ginebra hindi ko pinatawad) It was a very happy night with full of surprises for us, the fans. When the party was about to end, I still don’t have a picture with Jay, I am so hopeless. I only had a video of him while he was capturing a video too (bale parang nag kukuhanan from afar ang eksena). While waiting from the parking lot, I checked my phone, noticing that the video was not saved. I was not able to save it, I became very frustrated, I cried a lot. (nakaka tawa pero totoo, hopeless na kasi ako makapag pa-picture kay Jay, hind

i pa na-save ung video ko sakanya). My other PBA friends (especially kidlightning fans club friends and my beloved partner in crime, Jenina) encourage me and cheered me up, “lalabas pa si Jay, wag ka mawalan ng pag-asa makakapag pa-picture ka rin”. I’m still crying because I can’t see Jayjay’s car, I thought he already leave and for me, I was not satisfied. Mark was not in the country that night because he had an early vacation at states. After almost half-an-hour, two men are coming closely to us. “kat, si Jayjay oh!”. Hindi pa ako tumitingin kasi ayoko nang umasa, ni-let go ko na talaga si Jay, akala ko nung tinatawag nila ako nag loloko lang sila.. patuloy pa rin ako sa pag-iyak. Suddenly, when I look up straight from where I’m sitting, I saw him. hindi ko alam gagawin ko, hindi pa prepared a cam ko at wasted pa itsura ko. He is with his friend, Mike Holper, Ginebra’s forward at that time. My friends gave me the opportunity to have first a picture with Jay. I was really panicking at that time and I don’t know what to do. “Jay, she is crying because she thought you already leave and she wasn’t able to had a picture with you”, my friend stated. Then Mike said, “Oh that’s sweet, stop crying” (he laughed). I was not able to speak, I’m still crying and Jayjay hugged me, he was literally laughing. I don’t know why, but I think he was surprised that I was really crying just because of the picture. It was a very memorable night and I’ll never forget it.

Me and Jay (Sept 27, 2008 @ SMB Corp Bldg parking lot).

It all starts with his jersey number...

This next person is one the very reason why I became a “Ginebra fan.” Why? Because he is my first addiction, he’s the reason why I became interested in PBA. It’s actually a long story, but to sum it up, Mark Caguioa is my “FIRST LOVE” in the Basketball realm. My Dad is a solid ginebra fan way back on his adolescent stage, as well as my mom. (hindi naman siguro kagulat-gulat na anak nila ako no?) I remember when I was 7 to 8 years old; my Dad is going home late because he watches the championship game of Ginebra. I don’t have any idea about Basketball that time; I thought it was a office work or something. Until my Mom goes abroad, my Dad is still watching Basketball games. I was in my first year high school then. Until one night on February 2004, Dad is watching PBA together with my Kuya and Kuya Ron (my cousin). I became curious about their business so I joined watching, it was the game 1 of the best-of-7 series between Talk and text and Brgy. Ginebra. As I continue watching the championship series, I had a crush on TNT’s point guard Jimmy Alapag. I found him cute and very nice. I remember, he was always bullied by the Ginebra guards because of his 3 point shot ability. At that time, I really hate Mark Caguioa. I don’t know his name but I just remember his jersey number, he really made my day worst every time I see him playing against Jimmy. Approaching the game 4 of the finals, Dad watches the game live and he wants us to go with him. Sabi ko nalang kay Daddy, ikamusta nya nalang ako kay Jimmy, baka kasi makita ko pa yung naka number 47 ng ginebra eh! Kuya and Kuya Ron watch the game together with Dad, they were cheering for Talk n’ text. Ginebra won the game and eventually won the series. It was their back2back All Filipino Title. On the championship night, I thought it was Talk n’ text who’ll win the game because I was cheering for them, I was very frustrated to see Jimmy looses. The highlight there was the interview of this man in Jersey number 47. “Sa mga talk n’ text fan jan, alam ko sa puso nyo.. Ginebra pa rin kayo” Mark stated. I really get irritated, tinanong ko nga si daddy eh.. “sino ba ung kagoya ba un? Sabi nya.. “ka-gi-wa”. So it all starts a frustrating interest. After the championship game, Ginebra had their victory party and as I expected it, Dad watches it on TV.

some of my Caguioa's Stuff.

As usual, ang yabang pa rin ni Mark! But I can see that they had so many supporters, Dad told me that they are the crowd’s favorite in the PBA, especially MC47 and his tandem Jayjay Helterbrand (hindi ko pa kilala nun si Jay kaya never mind lang ako sa mga kwento ng aking ama). I ask Dad to buy me poster of my favorite point guard Jimmy Alapag, he says yes, and promised to bring it the other day. The next morning, I woke up at my room with a “BIG” poster of Mark Caguioa. I was shocked! I don’t know if it’s a surprise for me, or my Dad buyed it for himself. I ask him why he bought it, said that’s the only poster he saw (lahat daw caguioa na, ewan ko kung may halong bias yun, pero malamang na meron!)

Until the next conference started again, suddenly I found myself liking Mark. Nag tataka si Kuya at si Kuya Ron kung bakit Ginebra na ako, at favorite ko pa si Mark na dati sobrang kinaiinisan ko. Until now, I really don’t know how it happens, siguro kasi dahil sa poster? O pwede rin dahil sa statement nya nung nag champion sila. All I know is, I enjoyed being his one of thousands or millions fans out there.

you'll always be my SPARK :)

Mark really changed me. Ang drama pakinggan pero totoo… I spent my time knowing him more through joining PBA forums, fans clubs, reading every article about him. I buy MC47 stuffs to show my support, my other friends called me Mrs. Caguioa. I really enjoyed my Fanatic Life… Talagang nirerecord ko pa ng bonggang bongga sa Cellphone ko ang mga interview nila Mark Caguioa. Adik ba? Ako yun!