Moments

Youngblood 6/13/09

2009-06-16T18:49:00.002+08:00

Customer service - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

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You're Invited

2009-01-24T14:58:00.002+08:00

Join me in Facebook.

Happy Birthday Manong Roldan!

2009-01-23T19:55:00.000+08:00

My Resolution for 2009

2009-01-07T02:29:00.004+08:00

ALWAYS LOVE

To make a mountain of your life
Is just a choice
But I never learned enough
To listen to the voice that said
Always love, Hate will get you every time
Always love, Don't wait til the finish line

Slow demands come 'round
Squeeze the air and keep the rest out
It helps to write it down
Even then if you cross it out

But Always Love, Hate will get you every time
Always Love, Don't wait till the finish line

Self-directed lives
I want to know what it'd be like to
Aim so high above
Any card that you get dealt you

Always Love
Hate will get you every time
Always love
Hate will get you

I've been held back by something
Yeah. You said to me quietly on the stairs,
I've been held back by something
Yeah. You said to me quietly on the stairs.
You said
Hey, you good ones.
Hey, you good ones.

To make a mountain of your life
Is just a choice
But I never learned enough
To listen to the voice that told me
Always love, hate will get you every time
Always love, hate will get you

I've been held back by something
Yeah, You said to me quietly on the stairs,
I've been held back by something
Yeah, You said to me quietly on the stairs
You said..
Hey, you good ones
Hey, you good ones
Hey, you good ones

Sweet Sixteen!

2009-01-06T01:00:00.000+08:00

Happy Birthday Nathalie!

High Intensity Group

2009-01-06T00:48:00.005+08:00

HIG Teambuilding 2008

2009-01-04T19:48:00.003+08:00

One Singular Sensation

2009-01-04T14:26:00.001+08:00

On a Night Like This..

2009-01-04T14:20:00.001+08:00

A Black Blast!

2009-01-04T14:16:00.000+08:00

Corporate Xmas Party 2008

2009-01-04T14:14:00.002+08:00

The Power of Three

2009-01-03T20:42:00.003+08:00

Hope for 2009!

2009-01-02T16:29:00.000+08:00

Faith for 2009!

2009-01-02T16:27:00.001+08:00

Love for 2009!

2009-01-02T16:25:00.000+08:00

Welcome 2009!

2009-01-02T16:23:00.001+08:00

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T11:16:00.000+08:00

Twin Bash

2008-11-18T06:53:00.002+08:00

Dodoy and Agie celebrated their birthday together last Saturday, November 15, 2008. Dodoy who is just a year older than Agie turned 3 decades old last Nov.8, and Agie turned 29 yesterday.

Happy Birthday Agie!

2008-11-17T10:18:00.001+08:00

Articles on Jon

2008-11-16T07:23:00.003+08:00

A very merry Christmas.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Jasmine W. Payo

Publication Date: December 26, 2004

LINO "Jon-jon" Tabique Jr. wasn't sure if he would live to see Christmas.

At 21, the former University of the Philippines point guard has been carrying the fear of dying young. "Umabot ako ng Christmas (I made it to Christmas)," he said, managing a chuckle.

Last January, Tabique was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a form of cancer affecting the lymphatic system.

The disease had spread extensively, attacking tissues and organs that helped his body fight infections and other diseases. The critical condition cut short his hoop dreams and Tabique quickly started with chemotherapy to combat the illness.

"I was depressed for two months [after the diagnosis]," Tabique said. "I was often angry. I can't eat and I was always dizzy and often felt like throwing up after chemo."

Tabique also lost all his hair, which he loved wearing long. "After my first chemo, I just ran my fingers through my hair, at sumasama na sila ," he said. "I had my head shaved right away because I'll feel more depressed if I see my hair slowly fall out."

But amidst bouts of depression, the ex-varsity player has shown great resolve. It has been a long and difficult treatment, but just last November, doctors said Tabique seems to be on his way to recovery.

"Long hair na ulit ako ngayon. Nakakapag-gel na ako," Tabique shared with a hearty laugh. "There's no more chemo, no more radiation (therapy). I'm just taking medicines and vitamins."

But Tabique remains cautious, well aware that the condition of cancer patients can change. "I'm still under observation," he noted. "I also have to go back to the doctor on January."

The 5-foot-7 playmaker hopes to get back on the hardcourt. "I haven't been playing basketball," said Tabique. "Gusto ko sana maglaro but my doctor said I need to rest. "

Basketball always holds a special place in Tabique's heart. "As long as I can remember, I've been playing basketball."

Tabique started out scrimmaging in Sampaloc, Manila. He then became a member of the vaunted San Beda junior high school basketball team.

His first NCAA junior championship title came in 1999 and among his teammates were LA Tenorio and Magnum Membrere of the Ateneo Blue Eagles and Arjun Cordero of the San Beda Lions.

Although his basketball career has taken a backseat, Tabique is happier now that he's aptly celebrating the gift of life on Christmas. He's spending the holidays with his family including his 10-month-old daughter, Andrei, and his father, Lino, a seaman who has decided to take care of his son full time.

His mother, Susan, however, is still in the United States working as a caregiver. "Sayang, she won't be here," he said.

"Pero masaya na rin ako ngayon," added Tabique. "I'm just hoping for good health for next year. Sana tuluy-tuloy na."

___________________________________________________________________

Athlete Profile: Lino Tabique Jr.
by: purple_angel
http://www.peyups.com/article.khtml?sid=2143

Going to UP was the one decision that changed his life. He was overwhelmed with the support and acceptance he received from the UP community. For him, the coaching staff has been supportive and inspiring, motivating each member of the team to give their best shot.

Shy, loveable, and friendly -- these three words best describe Lino Tabique, member of the UP Maroons varsity basketball team, and a self-confessed Michael Jordan fan from Nueva Ecija.

Jon Jon, as he is fondly called by friends, family, and fans, credits his father for introducing him to the game. A former player himself, his father would use any occasion as a reason to give him a basketball.

As they say, perhaps it’s in the blood.

Jon Jon started playing organized basketball in the fourth grade, after trying out and qualifying for the San Beda Varsity Basketball Team. His career with San Beda came to its climax when he led the Lions to the NCAA Championship Game against Letran last year.

As a nominee for the MVP award, Jon Jon replied with a characteristic selfless grin on queries as to how his team managed to succeed that season. “Since I was graduating then,gusto ko makaabot naman kahit sa championship yung team,” Jon Jon replied.

Going to UP was the one decision that changed his life. He was overwhelmed with the support and acceptance he received from the UP community. For him, the coaching staff has been supportive and inspiring, motivating each member of the team to give their best shot.

“They bring out the best in me,” Tabique says. Although adjustment was never that difficult for Tabique since most players also came from San Beda, being a rookie is not an easy task. You have to prove yourself, and that means a lot of hard work has to be done. “Height pa lang, talo na ako eh,” Jon Jon muses.

With erstwhile rival Jay-R Reyes on the same squad, Jon Jon is often regarded as the “other one.” Though his role may be diminished in college, Jon Jon looks forward to playing with Reyes, now one of his best friends on the team.

For more than a decade, fate has not been kind to UP. The last championship was won with Joe Lipa at the helm at the end of the 80’s. This mounting pressure to win another championship is not lost on Tabique. “We [the team] feel pressure, but [sic] not losing hope.”

In fact, Jon Jon’s vision of the future is clearer than ever. The Lino Tabique game plan for UP’s success has four cornerstones: good basic defense, solid teamwork, belief in one’s coach and teammates, and the heart to win. As for himself, Tabique also implements a pre-game regimen of eating right, having enough rest, and having a lot of focus while playing.

Jon Jon remains flattered by the way people continue to welcome him to the UP community. Although he felt a little awkward being in the limelight at first, he’s getting used to the hype that surrounds varsity basketball.

“Una, hindi nga ako pinapansin eh, puro Jay-R Reyes na lang!” he retorts with a rather big laugh, but now he has his own share of stalkers. His most unforgettable stalker so far knows almost everything that he does —from his locker room habits to where he loves to eat. Although Tabique does not mind the attention, he’d rather that these people introduce themselves instead of giving him that awkward feeling of being followed. “It’ll be much worse if it’s a guy!” Tabique says in mock horror.

Jon Jon shares that aside from basketball, swimming is another sport close to his heart. Nothing else exists for Jon Jon at the moment except for basketball and academics. He’d rather spend whatever free time he has left relaxing at home instead of whiling it away in bars.

Despite appearances to the contrary, Jon Jon insists that he still has a personal life. Although his parents are in the United States, he can feel their love and support for him, and he is grateful.

Jon Jon is currently single. And what does he like in a girl? “Mabait, sexy, and understanding,” he says with extra emphasis on understanding. All you girls whose ears are flapping with this information should take note that he usually likes older women, because he wants someone to take care of him. Another major turn-on for Jon Jon is a pretty face with a matching set of equally beautiful eyes.

Not unlike many, JonJon dreams of a career away from basketball. He sees himself as a businessman 10 years from now (since his family is in the medical supply business), or in a different country, working and earning lots of money.

Jon Jon is currently a Comparative Literature major. He is also interested in pursuing a career in either Tourism or Mass Communication. He admits that there was pressure during the course of the season as he was juggling time between schoolwork and basketball, but he manages to cope.

Shy, loveable, and friendly indeed: Jon Jon Tabique is all that and, to borrow an idiom, a bag of chips.

* * * * * * *

This article is from Peyups.com - The UP Online Community
Please include the author's name and the source of this article when copying or sending this article.

A Sorry State

2008-11-16T06:55:00.003+08:00

"The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone."

- Harriet Beecher Stowe

Farewell Jon

2008-11-13T13:18:00.005+08:00

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.

Christmas Wish List: Crocs Adara

2008-11-10T06:24:00.000+08:00

Extra Cool Adventure

2008-11-08T19:20:00.002+08:00

I went whitewater rafting earlier with my officemates.

Fab 3!

2008-11-07T20:53:00.001+08:00