AND  A Happy New Year to all...

This is the time of the year when we think of beginnings.

And beginnings are always fun and exciting.

Every time we begin something new, we think it’s going to be better than it was last time.

We look back at all the things  we didn’t get done in the year past and look forward to the things ahead of us.

Several years ago, I listed my suggestions for the New Year’s resolutions of our favorite personalities in  the wonderful world of sports.

I  have  more  for 2019:

Boxing champion  Manny Pacquiao -- stays away from all the distractions  brought about by his popularity on and off the boxing ring. For a start, he should  stay  away  from  too much  politics in the sports and continue to live up to the high expectations of a nation forever in need of a hero.

Chess hero Wesley So --  keeps  his focus  on  the bigger tasks  ahead and continue to perform to the best of his ability whether or not he still  represents the  country in international competitions. Listening  to  the   words of  wisdom  from  the   elders  is also a good idea this year.

Basketball superstar June Mar Fajardo -- hopes to stay  away from injuries and  help the Philippines tearn  more  respect in the  international  basketball stage. In the PBA,  achieve his  bid for  an  unprecedented five straight MVP awards while playing  for   grand slam team  San Miguel Beer.

Bowling legend Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno -- with age  fast catching up,  win  as   many tournaments and  bring as many honors  to  the country as possible. Helping  find  new world-class talents is also a  welcome addition to his resume.

Track and field queen Lydia de Vega  -- spends more time with her family and her kababayans who have kept an adoring eye since her meteoric rise in the international scene in the mid-80s. And while she’s here, get a chance to lend her expertise in the search and training of  more Lydia de Vegas in the future.

Weightlifting  great Hidilyn Diaz -- the  27-year-old pride of Zamboanga City  fulfills  her lifetime  dream  of  producing more world-class  weightlifters  not only in her province  but in the whole country.

Marathon champion Mary Joy Tabal -- stay physically fit annd healthy  to achieve    her goals of bringing  more  international recognition  to the country -- and her home province of Cebu in particular.

Kiteboard hero Christian Tio -- the Fil-Norwegian silver medalist in last year’s Youth Olympic Games hope to get more opportunities to represent the country and achieve his  goals of  winning  more  honors for the country.

Swimming sensation Jasmine Mojdeh --  As  the  country’s biggest hope in swimming, the 13-year-old student of Immaculate  Heart of Mary College-Paranaque needs to keep  her focus  of getting better  every  time regardless  of the controversy  hounding the local swimming association. There is no doubt  that Mojdeh is a rare find in  swimming  and it is just  not right to keep  her  from  achieving her dreams due to squabbles among the sports offiials.

Golf  superstar Yuka Saso -- Afte   winning the  gold medal in the  2018   Asian  Games,  the Saso is now one  of the  biggest finds in the sport and top  sports officials should   now  shower the 17-year-old  Fil-Japanese from  San Ildefonso, Bulacan with  all  the  support  she needs to  reach her full potencials. An international campaign will be a good start.

So  that’s our list of suggestions for the New Year’s resolutions of  our 10  favorite sports  personalities in  the Year 2019.

What do  you think they should add to the  list?

Happy New Year to all.

*   *   *

NOTES  -- Welcome  home to  two of  my  E. Rodriguez Jr. High  School  buddies Ed Santiago and  Edwin   Benedicto, who are  both  in   Manila for a  brief  but  meaningful   holiday vacation. Ed, who is now based in Canada, and Edwin, who works in Saudi Arabia,  are  hosting the ERJHS   New Year  celebration at  Archie’s Sports Grill  and  Bar along  Sct. Borromeo,  South Triangle  in  Quezon City on Jan. 5...  

Happy  birthday to my  Lyceum  of  the  Philippins University classmate- good   friend  Mhel  Akamine, who will celebrate   another  special  year on Jan. 4...

Birthday greetings, too,  to our Mary Jane Castro (Jan. 1),   Noel   Infante   (Jan 1);  Rosemarie De  Vera-Godfrey  (Jan. 3), Esmeralda  Parial  Torrico (Jan 3); Jojo  Dizon  (Jan. 8);  Sarie  Benitez  (Jan 9);  and Mariano  “Nano”  Crispino  (Jan 12).

For  comments and suggestions, email to edandaya2003@yahoo.com