HANG IN THERE, BILL

IN the over three decades that I have worked with Bill Velasco, both in print and media, there is one thing that stands out about the big fella: he never runs out of ideas on how to make the craft better.

Long before sports websites littered the internet, Bill was the first to come up with the idea of a website dedicated to Philippine sports.

He called it "philsports.net." I remember staying with him at the Makati City office until the wee hours to edit articles and monitor their uploading to the site. It was laborious but fulfilling.

In the 1990s, Bill came up with yet another novel idea: a regional boxing tournament. ABS-CBN Sports called it "Knockout." We stormed the countryside, providing blow-by-blow coverage to fights involving up-and-coming pugilists. It was exhausting but fulfilling.

The thing about Bill is that he is never stationary. He is always on the move, always on the lookout for new projects. He can come up with a new idea while we are having lunch or while on the road with him behind the wheel. Bill's mind is an endless expressway.

Late this February, I received a message from Bill asking for an interview. He was so proud to inform me that he is now with IBC-13.

Right then and there, I knew Bill just found a new garden where he could plant the seeds for his new projects. I remain knee-deep at work and have yet to clear up a schedule for the interview.

Last March 20, a common friend of ours, Nissi Icasiano, informed me that Bill was not in good shape. Apparently, Bill has been having respiratory problems. In Zoom meetings, Bill could not finish a sentence without coughing. The message sent chills down my spine. I remember years ago when Bill told me about his plethora of health problems.

Given his size and build, it was difficult to believe.

I do remember Bill telling me how he once drove himself to a hospital when he started feeling a bit weird. Nissi's message thus gave me deja vu vibes.

As of this writing, Bill remains in the intensive care unit. The diagnoses mention acute respiratory failure, atrial fibrillation, cardiogenic shock, etc. Simply put, Bill is not in good shape. The hat is being passed around, and everybody is doing their share in addressing the skyrocketing medical expenses.

As of March 27, Bill remains in the ICU. In the words of his partner, however, Bill is "fighting and staying strong."

This is truly Bill.

No matter how dire the situation is, he just does not give up.

Hang in there, Bill. In my mind, you are already concocting new ideas on how to get out of the foxhole you are in. You are no different from the athletes we cover; you also have in you the boxer's never-say-die attitude. What is happening is no different from the countless boxing matches we have covered; you got clipped on the jaw and are down on your knees, but remain confident of getting up and going the full distance.

In the end, I see your hands being raised in victory. You are a fighter, brother. And, yes, we still have that interview to do.

2024-03-28T16:22:04Z dg43tfdfdgfd