By The SUN
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| There was not a dry eye in sight when Fate players saw their 'Daddy' for the last time |
They may be a hardy bunch, but the Filipina domestic
workers who make up the Fate softball team were all in tears Sunday night when
they paid their final respects to Law Wai Ho, their team manager who they all
called “Daddy.”
Law, who was 92, died in his sleep on Jun 9, just four
days after he had his usual Sunday meet-up with the group he had helped nurture
for nearly 10 years.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
In a heartfelt tribute during a “sharing of treasured
memories” with Law at the Po Fook Memorial Hall in Tai Wai, team captain Don
Gaborno said of their relationship with their beloved manager, “We are not just
a team but a family.”
Gaborno said that above all, her group wanted to thank Law for becoming an instrument to
their getting into the Hong Kong Softball Association league, “giving honor and
pride to all Filipinos.”
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
"Thank you for becoming a part of our lives," she added.
On the side, other Fate players recalled how Law had treated
them like family that he would go on short trips to the Philippines to visit them
and soak in the atmosphere, including going for a massage and haircut.
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| Law (in black) is all smiles here as Fate just scored back-to-back wins in the 2019 HKSA leagues |
It was Gaborno who set up Fate at Law’s prodding shortly after they met at a baseball match in December 2012. Law assured her of financial help, from paying for the team’s uniform and equipment, as well as the registration fee to join the HKSA annual league. That fee amounted to $14,400 as of 2019, the year before the pandemic halted all the games.
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More importantly, Law became a constant presence in their
Sunday trainings and games. Photos from the various wins Fate had chalked up over
the years show their benefactor always smiling broadly for the cameras along
with them.
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| HOW? PINDUTIN LANG ANG PICTURE |
With his death, Fate has become more determined to
keep winning, and for this year, achieve its goal of moving back up to the HKSA’s
elite Bracket A category.
In her tribute to Law, Gaborno said Fate knew that
they made him happy and proud of their achievements.
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“We will continue to make you proud of us and for our
upcoming games we will do our best and we will offer it to you,” she promised.
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| Photo used in the tributes to Law, a true softball lover |
An article on Law and published on the HKSA ten years
ago said he was originally from Singapore who got hooked on baseball at an
early age. But since there were no opportunities beyond little league baseball at the time, he
shifted to softball - and got stuck.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
In no time he began teaching softball convincing more
people to play the sport and form teams. He also became team manager for
softball, and later, vice-president of the South China Athletic Association.
The final rites for Law will be held this morning at
Po Fook Memorial Hall, to be led by his four children.
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| PADALA NA! |
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| CALL US! |
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