Every time I'd sit beside Boybits Victoria for our PBA D-League broadcast, I would always remind him he signed my first PBA autograph.
I hated Swift. I guess when you grow up cheering for Alvin Patrimonio and the rest of the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, you're supposed to hate the Mighty Meaties. I remember reaching down in my mom's grocery basket to put back any Swift products she had planned on buying, as she did not have the same enthusiasm for Purefoods being a San Miguel Beer fan.
We were eating out at a Chinese restaurant (Shanghai, if there's anyone from Angeles City who's wondering) when I looked behind to see Boybits. He was on a date with a local celebrity. Being from a small city, we're not used to seeing PBA players in the flesh. We didn't have an arena big enough to host out-of-town games. There isn't much to do there too except to eat and shop, things that could easily be accomplished in Manila. So when I saw him there, it didn't matter if he was playing for Swift. Even if my classmates knew me as a Purefoods fan, they would have flipped out if I showed them an autograph.
I told my dad and he told the manager who was his friend and she accompanied me to approach Boybits armed with a yellow paper and a pen. He asked what my name was, wrote it, and signed.
I don't remember what he wrote. I guess I was too excited that I had it. I also didn't know if the girl he was dating was impressed that he was approached for an autograph. Looking back, though, I think that was one of the most important moments I had as a PBA fan: that the first player I met was kind and accommodating. He put his date on hold and openly welcomed a kid who bothered him for an autograph.
Twenty-plus years after, I got the chance to work with Boybits doing commentary and that was the first story I ever told him. He'd always say that was my way of pointing out how old he was but that was never my reason. I kept on bringing it up because I was really thankful.
I also know I'm not the only one who wants to express gratitude to Boybits. Throughout his basketball career, from San Beda to Swift to San Miguel Beer to the teams he helped coach, I'm sure he touched many lives.
As most of you now know, Boybits is currently battling a terrible disease. I was still able to work alongside him a couple of weeks ago for the PBA D-League after he recovered from a respiratory tract infection. He was downing pineapple juice to build up his immune system and, although there were still some moments when he had to take a break to cough, he looked well.
Guillain-Barré syndrome only affects one or two people per 100,000 every year and it causes the immune system to attack the peripheral nervous system. Our hardcourt idol is still in the ICU as he needs assistance for his breathing. This, along with the expensive medication needed to address the rare disease, has caused a strain on their finances. For those who want to help out, you can contact me.