Thanks to Manila Standard sports editor Riera Mallari, I started writing for this space on 23 April 2008—eight and a quarter years ago.
In that time, I’ve brought you news on upcoming horse racing, the race results, Philippine Thoroughbred industry news and issues, and other concerns of the sport and the business that is horseracing.
Racing has been my life since I was a dewy-eyed jockey’s bride two decades ago. I raised my two daughters in a home next to a stable, made friends and frenemies on the track, and rebuilt my life from the rubble of ground zero through the kindness of people in racing who gave help unconditionally.
The first to give me a break was the Philippine Racing Club, Inc.—Santa Ana Park under then-managers Fulton Su and Andy Maramag. They brought me on board the broadcast panel and my life changed entirely. From then I went on to helping manage the broadcast team there, producing television advertisements for PRCI events and writing a Filipino column in a now-defunct tabloid. I also assisted corporate communications vice-president Jessica Villanueva under the guidance of executive vice-president lawyer Ramon P. Ereñeta.
I was also hired by the Philippine Racing Commission as a writer by then-executive director Eddie Jose to craft press releases, and as a communication consultant when lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II was agency chairman. I’ve also helped out during the present term of Chairman Andrew Sanchez and his commissioners including lawyer Ramon S. Bagatsing Jr. and Bienvenido Niles Jr., and executive director veterinarian Rovie Buencamino.
Later I worked for horseowner Herminio S. Esguerra on his racing stable and farm, where I learned much in the way of attention to detail and excellence in work performance.
I also became a panelist on the broadcast of the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park, then as assistant racing manager under Jose Ramon “Ding” Magboo and then-racing vice-president Admiral Juan de Leon, under the supervision of lawyers Alfonso Reyno Jr. and King Reyno.
Along the way I’ve worked for Philtobo and written for Klub Don Juan de Manila. I stayed quite a while with MARHO under chairman Sandy Javier and presidents lawyer Benhur Abalos, Eric Tagle, and Tony de Ubago.
Once upon a time I also put in a couple of years in the Games and Amusements Board that supervises horseracing betting. That makes me the only person I know who has worked for all the major entities of racing except Metroturf.
Over my years in racing I’ve learned many skills—how to write fast and beat a deadline, how to write anything from columns to position papers for Congress to TV commercial scripts and sequence guides, how to commentate races live in front of the camera.
I’ve produced entire racing magazines from scratch, writing all the articles, taking most of the pictures, and making sure it comes out from the printers on time. I’ve learned how to ride horses, handicap races, and arrange racing events.
Because of my life in racing, I’ve learned how to work hard and fast, with excellence. Thank you to everyone I’ve named, and all the others unnamed who touched my life in one way or another.
Does this sound like a farewell? It is, in a way. My life has changed so much from what it was, and starting next month, I will be undergoing a huge change that requires me to leave my comfort zone and venture into the strange and unfamiliar.
The next stage of my life will be a tremendous challenge, but because of my years in racing, I’m well prepared to face the future. Who knows but it may bring Philippine racing back in my life again.
As a karera saying goes, “Once in racing, always in racing.”
I’ll still be writing, but about other topics. Please follow me on Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, and Instagram: @jensdecember.
To my fellow taga-karera and to you, dear readers, thank you and, not goodbye, but au revoir— till we meet again.
And always, may your horses be fast and your luck the best.
