Farewell Jon

My first cousin, Jon Tabique, died last night. He was a basketball player for San Beda during his elementary & high school years. During college he was playing for the UP Maroons.  The article attached was published in 2004 in the Phil. Daily Inquirer when he was first diagnosed with cancer.

Please pray for the repose of his soul. We will miss you Jon.

Fighting to Play Again

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer) 



Byline: Jasmine W. Payo 



Publication Date: July 4, 2004

KNOWN for his daredevil moves and keen outside shooting, University of the Philippines point guard Lino "Jon-jon" Tabique Jr. thought he had the game all figured out. 

Like any athlete, he felt invincible on court. He was a fleet-footed playmaker who could authoritatitvely orchestrate the team and fearlessly take the game-winning shot. Until, at 21, he was told he had cancer. Tabique now carries with him the fear of dying young. 

"Sometimes, I wonder if I'm still going to wake up tomorrow. And I keep thinking that I don't want to die. So I just pray. I tell God to give me one more chance," says the soft-spoken Tabique. 

It's a fear that the UP Fighting Maroon has been battling since January this year. Tabique was first diagnosed with tuberculosis, but further tests revealed he had stage 3 non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a form of cancer affecting the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is made up of tissues and organs that help the body fight infections and other diseases. 

Having to fight 

But Tabique admits he did not attempt to comprehend the doctor's diagnosis. "I didn't want to know the medical explanation. I just started focusing on the thought that I have to get well, that I have to fight," he stresses. 

It was, in fact, a vague day for Tabique. "I don't even remember the exact date. After New Year, I was coughing blood. I went to the hospital for tests and stayed there for a week. Then one day, the doctor just told us that it's cancer, stage 3. We were all shocked," he says. 

At that time, Tabique was with his two older sisters and relatives, as his father Lino works as a seaman, while his mother Susan works as a caregiver in the United States. "No one wanted to tell my parents," he recalls, "It took two days before my sister told them and they just kept crying." 

Tabique's father decided to come home to care for his youngest child. "He wanted to stay until I'm cleared," he says. Unfortunately, his mother doesn't have the same option. "It's really hard for my mom in the States. She can't go home because we need to pay our increasing hospital bills," he notes. 

With the gravity of his illness, Tabique went through chemotherapy right away. He admits that the weeks that followed were tough. "I was depressed for two months. I was often angry. I can't eat and I was always dizzy and often felt like throwing up after chemo," he says. 

He also lost his hair, which he loved wearing long. "Sayang, I had F4 hair," he jokes. But Tabique seriously felt scared. "After my first chemo, I just ran my fingers through my hair, at sumasama na sila (they were coming off). I had my head shaved right away because I'll feel more depressed if I see my hair slowly fall out," he reveals. 

The sad news spread, and soon, everyone-from long forgotten grade school batchmates to his current college teammates-started visiting and reminiscing with the talented athlete. 

Born in Nueva Ecija on March 7, 1983, Tabique has always been a healthy and active kid. "As long as I can remember, I've been playing basketball. And when I was young, my dad would bring me basketballs as pasalubong (homecoming gift)," he says. 

All basketball 

Growing up in the streets of Sampaloc, Manila, the 5'7" court general soon discovered the joys of street basketball. "I always joined barangay leagues. It was all basketball for me," says Tabique. 

All those practices even led him to a quirky discovery. "When I play, my nails should always be long. It doesn't slip and I get a good grip of the ball. If not, the ball is too big for my hand," he says. 

But beyond the street scrimmages, Tabique was fortunate enough to study in San Beda, where basketball is almost like a religion. The Mendiola-based campus arguably produces the best high school ballplayers in the country. Coached by Ato Badolato for three decades, only the gifted athletes make it to the San Beda Red Cubs' roster. 

Thus, like any young basketball junkie, Tabique joined the try-outs in a bid to make the junior powerhouse. But his raw skills didn't pass muster. "I was cut three times! I've been trying out since I was in Grade 4. I guess Coach Ato doesn't know how to pick talents," he says, laughing. 

And it's this kind of banter that Badolato remembers him by. "Boys will be boys, mga pilyo (naughty)," the multi-titled mentor chuckles. "The first time, I didn't even notice him. I don't remember him because every year, hundreds try out in San Beda. But he finally made the cut in Grade 7," he says. 

It was in 1999 when Tabique got a taste of his first NCAA junior championship title. Among his teammates were L.A. Tenorio and Magnum Membrere, who are now among the stars of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, and Arjun Cordero, who remains an old reliable on San Beda's college team. 

Tabique moved on to play for the UP Fighting Maroons. "I felt at home. There were a lot of Bedans in UP. I didn't feel out of place," he shares. 

Although their team can barely match up to the talent of other UAAP squads, he enjoyed playing for the popular collegiate league. "There were fans," he grins. With his boyish charm, it was no surprise that Tabique got his share of female groupies. 

Such perks didn't distract him, though. "I'm focused when I'm on court. I don't even trash talk. Like many players, I also want to go pro. And I was planning to do it step by step," he says. 

Gaining strength 

Sadly, cancer cut short Tabique's hoop dreams. With his weakening condition and regular hospital trips, the sport he loved all his life is one of the many things he had to give up. 

He didn't get to play for months, and had to settle for watching the PBL games on television. "I always watch the PBL. But sometimes, I turn it off when I see some of my teammates playing. Naiingit ako (I get jealous)," Tabique confesses. 

Recently, though, he's gaining strength and trying to get back into the game. "It's hard. I didn't play for four months. I'm much slower and there are some skills that I lost. I think I have to start all over again. Back to basics," he sadly admits. 

In his entire five-month ordeal, Tabique acknowledges that he has questioned God many times. "I've asked Him, 'Why me?' Ang dami-dami namang sira ulo diyan na walang ginagawang mabuti (There are so many crazy guys out there who aren't doing anything worthwhile)," he says. 

But the young cager has put the entire experience into perspective. "I guess this is a challenge for me. I did forget Him when everything was going well for me in basketball," he discloses. 

Biggest battle 

Right now, he keeps a fervent relationship with God. "I go to mass and I have a prayer booklet that I read every night before I go to bed." He then adds in jest, "Kulang na lang mag-pari ako. Kulang na lang lumuhod ako papasok sa simbahan (All that's left is for me to become a priest and walk the church aisle on bended knees)." 

Aside from spiritual inspiration, Tabique regularly gets encouragement from friends and family. Coach Badolato, for instance, told him the story of one of the world's best cyclists who also combated the disease. "I've always known him as a fighter so I gave him Lance Armstrong as an example. He survived cancer," he says. 

But more than anything else, it's his four-month-old daughter Andrei who inspires him to go on. "I didn't get to see her right away. I was confined in the hospital when my girlfriend gave birth. But I was so happy when I saw my daughter, she looks just like me." 

Indeed, the past five months have been like a wild, unpredictable ballgame for Tabique. Although his health has gradually improved, he knows how the condition of cancer patients can change. "So I really have to take care of myself," he notes. 

And just like on court, it's still Jon-jon Tabique's competitive spirit that's pushing him to win the biggest battle of his life. "I don't want to die. I will fight to survive."

*pic grabbed from his Friendster page.