JOSE “PEPS” LAPASTORA: THE JOURNEY OF A SINGING DARTER The journey to a thousand miles begins with a first step. This popular quote may have inspired Jose “Pep” Lapastora who started as a folk singer and dart player in Olongapo City in the ‘70s. His first step, figuratively and literally, was in 1983 when he travelled to Manila and played darts at Shakey’s Escolta. After winning successively in the weekly doubles events, Peps was recruited by ADAM (Association of Darters-Manila) founder Dick Odulio. Peps played for ADAM dart team and was one of the original members of the Manila-based squad that won several championships in the Metro Manila Darts League and national team competitions. ADAM first topped the non-rated division of the Metro Manila Darts League in 1983. Other members of this victorious team were Nello Clutario, Renato Mauricio, Jun Esguerra and Cathy Odulio. The team then jumped to Class A or rated division in the following season and still won the championship, defeating much favored and power-laden teams, like the Easy Bar of then reigning national champion Flor Aldon and the Pathfinder of national players Darren Liwanag and Jun dela Cruz. ADAM then won more championships with the additional of 1984 Philippine Masters Cup champion Jake Ubaldo and Taytay darters Noel Reyes, Nilo Valle and James Felizardo to the team. Peps is best remembered for being the overall champion in the rated division of the P100K Kent Dart Classic in 1985 and pocketed the biggest cash prize in the 6-leg and three month-long tournament held at the Big Kitchen in Makati. Rey Garcia of Meralco was second and Renato Mauricio was third. In the non-rated division, Jun Esguerra was the overall champion while Chito Yakapin was second. Feeling rich and overjoy, we all painted the town red that night, except for Jun who spent the night with his one and only Jopet Esguerra. Peps left for the USA in 1986 to play in the LA Open and the North American Open in Las Vegas. He settled down in Hayward, California and actively played darts in the Bay Area and became one of the top players in Northern California. He then moved to Chicago in 1995 with his American wife and their three kids. “Si Lolo Jose ay matanda na, ngunit mahal ko pa…” Do you still remember that famous song of Coritha? Yes, Peps is now grandfather to four beautiful and handsome kids, lahat mukhang Kana at Kano (see the photo). The journey of the singing darter never stops as he’s planning to retire next year and return to the Philippines, and looking forward to playing his guitar again and the sport that he loves most—darts. His journey has never stopped. Mabuhay ka, Peps! (Photo shows Peps Lapastora with his American grand daughter. The singing darter is now based in Chicago.)
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 01:19:18 +0000
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