In memoriam: the people in sports who left us in 2012

Happy New Year! 2013 marks the start of fresh hopes, resolutions to be broken and goals to be achieved. I know most of you are still reeling from the partying in the last couple of weeks, but it’s back to the grind and here we kick things off by revisiting the year that was and remembering the individuals who have gone ahead and joined The Creator to make sure we have a reserved slot in the Great Beyond.

For those of you who know me, you will recall that 2012 started on a sorrowful note for my family as our matriarch, Chari Zarate, succumbed to complications from Liver Cirrhosis on January 1st. She was only 64. Yesterday we reminisced on her life and times with relatives and close friends and I ended the night by saying that January 1st is not really my mother’s death anniversary, but her first birthday in heaven. I’m sure this is how she prefers it. My uncle Johnny Zarate also departed last November at the age 83.

2012 saw its fair share of people who have shaped the sporting world pass on. The immediate names that come to mind are boxing’s Carmen Basilio, Angelo Dundee and Hector “Macho” Camacho, the NFL’s Junior Seau and Jovan Belcher (both tragically via suicide), the NBA’s Dwayne Schintzius, Pat Cummings and Orlando Woolridge and the poker world’s legendary Thomas “Amarillo Slim” Preston, Jr.

In the Philippines, a handful left our industry in the previous year, and their loss still stings us sports folk. Let’s say a prayer as we remember the sports personalities who will always be part of our lives.

Maan Panganiban, 25, Sports Broadcaster (January 29th): I recall when she was thrust into the limelight for the first time as a TV broadcaster. She was still a varsity volleybelle at UP and was also dabbling in the Radio DJ scene. I worked with her in her first game covering the Shakey’s V-League in 2010 always tried to tone down her “bubbliness” on air. She was one of the most vibrant Courtside Reporters (CSRs) I’ve ever worked with and had shown tremendous improvement over the years; so much so that TV5 had recruited her into their news team as their sports reporter. She had her whole life and career before her. Her much publicized relationship with UAAP MVP Ray Parks also added color to what was shaping up to be a very bright future. Late in 2011, Maan was diagnosed with Lymphoma and was sidelined for a spell. I remember exchanging text messages with her in early December, saying it was getting boring doing volleyball broadcasts without her on board.

On January 29th, during an emergency procedure, Maan died. During her wake, an air of sadness swept across the UP Chapel, but was quickly replaced by stories of her wit, charm and charisma; an undying spirit that was claimed too soon. She will always be a model of spunk and resilience for everyone entering the sports broadcasting industry. She will always be the “Apple” of volleyball.

Karlo Maquinto, 21, Professional Boxer (February 3rd): It wasn’t since the shocking death of up and coming pugilist Lito Sisnorio, 25, in 2007 that the country would ever think the sport would lose another boxer so young. Sisnorio’s demise came in an unsanctioned bout in Thailand and was condemned by many aficionados. That incident has not happened since.

But in the case of Maquinto, he was involved in a Games and Amusements Board (GAB) sanctioned multi-card event in Caloocan City on January 30th. The fight against fellow Junior Bantamweight Mark Joseph Costa had already ended in an 8-round draw (marking the first time in nine professional fights that Maquinto had not won) and after the decision was announced, he collapsed in the ring and was rushed to the Nicanor Reyes Hospital in Quezon City. There it was discovered that Karlo had developed Subdural Hematoma (blood clots in the brain). He eventually slipped into a coma and was never revived, dying five days later. Deaths on the ring have been greatly reduced over the years, but once in a while an incident like this sprouts out. Unfortunately, it had to happen to a young fighter who had his whole life in front of him.

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>> GAB airs its side on Maquinto tragedy

Zean W. Macamay, 47, Sportswriter (June 12th): Many cannot claim to be a “veteran” in his field at the age of 47, but that was what Zean was to many, including myself. I met him during my days as a broadcaster for the PBA and he had a smile that could disarm even a furious Ron Jacobs. He was the former sports editor of the Times Journal and in 2011 was elected President of the PBA Press Corps. He died of a heart attack. He was in the media industry since the early 80’s and many of his peers considered him a “true warrior” in the sportswriting arena; an apt description for the UE alum.

Ramon Igaña, Jr., 44, Ironman Athlete (August 5th): There were many conflicting reports on the true cause of death of the Cebuano triathlon enthusiast. Initial details were that Igaña fell off his bike during the relay portion of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines race in Cebu, hit his head on a nearby street gutter and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Chong Hua hospital. Later, it was revealed that he suffered from what is described as an acute pulmonary embolism which caused Igaña to stop breathing leading to his fatal fall. Whatever the reason was behind his untimely death (accidental or natural), a cloud of grief momentarily afflicted the country’s biggest triathlon. Many began recalling the drowning death of swim participant Miguel Vazquez in 2009 and began questioning the safety of the sport. Igaña’s death has triggered talks about adding more medical personnel in future stagings of the event. Hopefully, Igaña’s passing will inspire upgrades in that respect.

Joey Lim, 51, Basketball Organizer (August 5th): He was known as the “Little Big Man” of amateur basketball in the archipelago. My first stint as a broadcaster in 1994 was with the now defunct Philippine Basketball League (PBL). Joey was already there as the operations chief under then league commissioner Charlie Favis. Throughout the terms of the subsequent commissioners, Joey was always a fixture at the games. You couldn’t miss him. Afflicted by dwarfism, he stood all of 4’6” and his gait could be noticed meters away. His wit and having the disposition to poke fun at himself is what made Joey so endearing to everyone. I recall how then PBL deputy commissioner Tommy Ong would refer to him as “Yao Ming”.

Later on, he became more known as “Jeremy Lim”, especially while conducting the day-to-day operations of the Fr. Martin’s Cup; a league that has become almost synonymous to Joey himself. He died of cardiac arrest while preparing to go to a scheduled game. Not very many people know that Joey is the older brother of Amparo “Weena” Lim; 1996 badminton Olympian and presently a commissioner at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). Joey sort of helped me in my primitive days as a broadcaster by giving me insights on the players of the league. I last spoke to him in July and promised to hook up soon. Hopefully, Joey will be patient waiting for me to keep my word.

Butch Maniego, 50, Sports Broadcaster/Journalist (September 30th): Speaking of people who helped me in my primitive years as a broadcaster, Butch should be among the tops in that list. I auditioned for a vacancy in the PBA Radio panel in 1997 and he was the Executive Producer. There were almost fifty of us on the list vying for one slot. It was Butch who gave me the “page/beep (yes, we used pagers/beepers then, and not celphones)” that would forever redirect my existence: “Baks (my IRC chat handle), you’re in. You start on Tuesday at Araneta. Second game. Good luck.” I later found out that it was though his influence that he persuaded the big bosses at Vintage Enterprises to take a chance on me.

Butch and I later worked together covering games for the NCAA and the PBL. I was always amazed at his Yahoo! Search Engine-like knowledge of music (being among the original folks at “Jingle Magazine”), having an uncommon grasp for words (some you’ve never even heard of) and his ability to be on point with every facet he chooses to dissect in a coverage. In 2005, Butch was diagnosed to be suffering from a failing kidney which required him to undergo dialysis at least three times a week. He had plenty of support from the industry, but he finally said “no mas” on September 30th. During the wake, Butch had his favorite crossword puzzle tie on. That’s the way he always will be remembered; as the man who used words to touch lives.

RELATED:

>> Veteran sportscaster Butch Maniego dies

Roehl Nadurata, 74, Olympian/Basketball Coach (October 9th): Ever since my early days as a PBL broadcaster, his presence was always imposing but he always found time to share an anecdote or a joke—sometimes even during a game. That was Coach Roehl for you. He was part of Yeng Guiao's team when the former was the PBL commissioner in the late 90's and when Red Bull made the jump to the PBA, Coach Roehl was part Coach Yeng's coaching staff.

Coach Roehl evolved from being one of the stalwarts of the national team as a player in the 1960's to being the quintessential assistant coach. Through his guidance, greenhorns like Enrico Villanueva, DaVonn Harp and Mick Pennisi developed rapidly in the PBA.

Many actually forget that Coach Roehl was the man at the helm of his collegiate school, the UE Red Warriors when they boasted of a powerhouse roster in the 1980's with future big names Allan Caidic, Jerry Codinera, Boyzie Zamar and eventually Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena and Jolly Escobar. Coach Yeng actually credits Coach Roehl for jumpstarting his coaching career in the 1980's. The lanky, soft-spoken Caloocan native is surely missed not only on the Elasto Painters bench, but also in their locker room where he helped balance the squad as a “father-confessor”. He succumbed to complications from his brief battle against lung cancer on October 9. He was actually my balut-buddy when I was still broadcasting in the PBA years back. I'm sure he's now having balut while engaging in hilarious conversation his co-inhabitants in heaven now as we read this...

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>> E-Painters win one for Nadurata

Clarito Samson, 52, Sportswriter/Boxing Promoter (October 17th): I had heard about the man’s exploits even before meeting him, so it was a silent honor to finally shake his hand when showed up for the Philippine Poker Tour media event last August. He shared with me what steps we could take to create a National Sports Association (NSA) for poker so it can be included as a medal sport in the 2019 Manila SEA Games. We were to meet up again soon to discuss the details more thoroughly but a heart attack for Samson weeks later prevented that reunion from happening. I’ve always known him as a boxing promoter. Clarito was responsible for uplifting the careers of Luisito Espinosa and later on Gerry Peñalosa. He was the first to bring an international boxing event to the then home of the PBA, the Cuneta Astrodome when Gerry took on my namesake, Joel Luna Zarate in 1998 for the WBC Superflyweight title. Clarito had returned to his original passion of sportswriting at the time of his passing.

We also say goodbye to the icons that have changed our lives for the better, albeit apart from the sporting world: Congressman Iggy Arroyo, newspaper publisher Isagani Yambot, rock god Karl Roy, songwriter Bodgie Dasig, ace anchorman Angelo Castro, Jr., former Miss Philipines-World Maita Gomez, renowned film directors Mario O’Hara, Ike Jarlego, Celso Ad. Castillo and Marilou Diaz-Abaya, the inspiring Sec. Jesse Robredo, the inimitable Fr. James B. Reuter and, of course, the Philippines’ one and only King of Comedy, Dolphy.

Let’s pray that 2013 will be the year we rock the world, guys! It’s a SEA Games year as well as a FIBA Worlds qualifier season. The Year of the Snake is upon us. Let’s get it on!

Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.