My Boracay Nostalgia

Organized by Richard Gomez and Marilen Nuñez since 1994, the GOMA Cup has been regarded as the longest-running and most successful celebrity event in the country, gathering the country’s biggest stars, media personalities as well as golf enthusiasts! This reunion of sorts brought about camaraderie and cherished memories for me, my media buddies and celebrities who took time off from their busy schedules to participate in the much-anticipated GOMA Cup Reunion held at the Fairways& Bluewaters in Boracay.

What made this year’s Goma Cup inimitable was the celebrating Earth Day with an inspiring Boracay beach clean-up activity, taking part in preserving the environment and sending a poignant message. I hope that things do not stop here because the island is fast becoming a subject of my nostalgia. I have reached a point where when I look back miss the days when Boracay was once a picture perfect portrait of pristine beach. Environment Secretary Jose “Lito” Atienza has called for a six-month moratorium on development projects on Boracay Island to ensure sustainable development. “We need to restore order to the otherwise uncontrolled construction and introduction of new edifices and stop the over-stretching of the facilities especially the sewerage, water, drainage and power systems,” Atienza told the press.

With such nostalgia in mind, I chose to indulge myself with fun-filled times that only Len Plus could offer. For three consecutive nights, we were treated to special dinners which perfectly capped off each exhausting day of sporting activities. Golf enthusiasts got their fill of the game, which showed their sportsmanship and swing skills. We, on the other hand, had the time of their lives in the adrenalin-pumping watersports competitions such as aquavolley, paddlesurfing, water polo, and beach frisbee.

The last night of the reunion also recognized the outstanding performances of the participants in the different competitions. For the golf tournament, named winners were: John Estrada, overall champion; Class A Category champion Anthony Suntay; 1st runner-up Jong Cuenco; and 2nd runner-up Arnold Clavio; Class B Category champion Ronnie Henares; 1st runner-up Hajji Alejandro; and 2nd runner-up Glydel Mercado; and Class C Category champion Jake Roxas; 1st runner-up Martin Nievera; and 2nd runner-up Drew Arellano. Special Awards were given to Richard Gomez for Longest Drive, Jay Manalo for Most Exercised Player, and Jong Cuenco for Nearest to the Pin.

For the watersport competitions, first place went to Jeremy Marquez’s team, composed of Wilma Doesnt, Jommy Teotico, Bubbles Paraiso, Michelle Madrigal, and Phoemela Baranda; winning second place was Bernard Palanca’s team, composed of Alynna Asistio, Joanne Santos, Rey Pumaloy, and Dyan Castillejo; third place went to Paolo Paraiso’s team, composed Marco Alcaraz, LJ Moreno, Cesca Litton, Carlene Aguilar, Priscilla Meirelles, Domini Primero, and Rachel Alejandro; fourth place was Ernie Lopez’s team, composed of Jeena Lopez, Reema Chanco, Carla Humphries, Ricky Gallardo, Maxine Eigenmann, Gov. LRay Villafuerte, and Geneva Cruz.

The GOMA Cup Reunion was successfully organized by no other than LEN PLUS Inc and I really hope and pray that the Goma Cup will cease to be nostalgia and again be a yearly event!

The fun in Boracay continues today with a plethora of shore-side events that are sure to tickle any beach-goer’s fancy. After a successful “Preserving Boracay” convention sponsored by Philips and comprised of eco-minded bloggers on the island and their counterparts around the would who participated via online channels and teleconference, many more were educated and updated on the efforts being done to save this paradise.

Additionally, congratulations to the University of the Philippines Dodgeball Association, Magic 89.9,Hawaiian Tropic, Garage & Stella Magazines and other participants of the first ever Dodge & Pop: Nestle Pops Ice Cream Beach Dodgeball Tournament which kicks off today at the Beach Bum shores along Boat Station 1.