BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Team Carlson Digital bagged the championship cup over team ECARP during the 1st Ernesto Carpintero Table Tennis Cup Tournament, held at Ayala Malls Capitol Central, last 4 to 5 December 2021.
Twelve teams coming from the cities of Iloilo and Bacolod took part in the two-day tourney.
Each team had three to five members who paddle out in an SDS (Single-Double-Single) format.
The tournament was participated in also by two current national team members, Emy Rose Dael and Joshua Castro.
Among the highlights of the tournament was the game between Joshua Castro and Nonoy Gubaton where they took turns in grabbing each set.
But in the fifth and final set, Gubaton overpowered Castro in a 10-12 decision.
Winning teams brought home cash prizes medals, and trophies.
The tournament was mainly sponsored by Sir Enesto’s siblings and relatives namely, Jose Ernie, Jorge, Erna, Macel, Lourdes, Josephine, Lawrence, and Atty. Joselito Bayatan.
Close family friend Jack Ortaliz Omo, also contributed to the event.
Private entities from Iloilo City also contributed, such are: Carlson Digital Prints, Toto Pol Fish Broker, and ITTSA (Iloilo Table Top Spinners Association). Other contributors event are Dr. Carlitos N. Orola, Rhomel Ordena, and Paul Jerome Puentespina.
Former national team members Luisa Espino-Bonakdar and Nida Saligumba-Morris also extended their support.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Ernesto Carpintero is a Physics department head from the College of Engineering in the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos and a table tennis coach during the ‘70s and ‘80s from Bacolod City.
He won championship titles that brought honor to Bacolod City and Negros Island.
Among his finest students are Nida Saligumba-Morris, Luisa Espino-Bonakdar, and Viveca “Viczi” Ramos.
Nida and Luisa became members of the Phil. National Team in 1979 known as “Gintong Alay”.
Luisa Espino become the silver medalist during the 1985 SEA Games held at Bangkok, Thailand.
A GLIMPSE OF SIR ERNIE
Viveca “Viczi” Ramos describes Sir Ernie as like a father to them.
Just like any father, thru thick and thin, he never fails to guide them.
It was tough for them. Unlike now, there were no smartphones nor internet as sources of information for the sport. But sir Ernie never failed to share his wisdom of the sport to his foremost athletes.
His sports discipline coupled with sheer willpower and mental toughness has led his team to achieve multiple Palarong Pambansa titles, 1st National UAAP Championship title at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, and 2nd place at the National UAAP held at Marawi City (at that time, internal conflict between government troops and rebel forces was heating up.)
Those achievements are only a few among the long list under the guidance of their legendary coach.
FUTURE PLANS
In honor of their father’s contribution to the sport, Ernie and Jorge are planning to make this tournament an annual event. To save not only the memory of their father but to those table tennis icons in Bacolod city and in Western Visayas.
