Quite obvious on Richard Gomez's smile was the happiness he felt about the outcome of the recently concluded 14th Goma Cup: A Reunion, which was held on April 22-25 at Fairways and Bluewater Resort Golf and Country Club in Newcoast, Boracay.
In a short chat with the invited media, Richard said he has fulfilled his main goal, "to get the people in the industry together, maging masaya at magkaroon sila ng camaraderie," for the comeback of his brainchild, Goma Cup.
While the press was a little disappointed because some of the invited celebrities did not attend the event, Richard was glad because no intrigue or controversy happened during the 4-day event.
"'Yon talaga yung moving spirit ng Goma Cup," he said. "Talagang para masaya lang lahat. Bahala sila kung paano nila gagawin yung kasiyahan—we provide the venue, they provide the spice."
CELEBRITY GOLF. Despite the short drizzle on the second day of the event, April 23, celebrity golfers still geared up for opening of the golf tournament.
Richard led the tee off in the morning to signal the start of the amateur competition. He was followed by other invited celebrities: Martin Nievera, Jake Roxas, Jay Manalo, Robert Ortega, Glydel Mercado, and Haji Alejandro.
Other personalities like talent manager Ronnie Henares, golf columnist Jong Arcano, and Unang Hirit hosts Drew Arellano and Arnold Clavio also gave their best swing in this competition.
Fellow golfers were all praise for John Estrada, who had an outstanding performance and emerged as the overall champion of the 36-hole tournament. He did not only gain recognition in his golf career, the actor also took home a P1.1 million-worth Omega Double Eagle Constellation watch during the culmination party held on the evening of April 24.
It was also a lucky day for talent manager Douglas Quijano who won the P400,000-worth titanium Omega watch in a raffle since nobody achieved the "hole in one" feat.
CELEBRITY WATERSPORTS. This year's event was different from all the past Goma Cup tournaments due to added feature—the water sports.
All the way from Camarines Sur, the Lago del Rey group of CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) brought its wakeboarding and inflatable sports set-up for the celebrities who could not play golf but wanted to join the event. The games include Aquavolley, Paddlesurf, Water Polo, Instawake, and Beach Frisbee.
The celebrity contestants were divided into four groups, which were headed by actors Jeremy Marquez, Bernard Palanca, Paolo Paraiso, and Amazing Race Asia season 1 contestant Ernie Lopez.
Actresses Wilma Doesnt, Phoemela Barranda, Michelle Madrigal and Bubbles Paraiso joined forces with Bernard Cloma, Matt Torres, Martin Nuñez, Erik Waldi, and Pinoy Fear Factor participante Jommy Teotico to help their team leader Jeremy in all five water games to be the grand champion in the tournament.
Following them were Bernard's team composed of Pinoy Fear Factor participante Manuel Chua, entertainment columnist Rey Pumaloy, Joanne Primero (also known as Joanne Quintas), Francis Ricafort, Ynna Assistio, Jojo Manlongat, Stephen Ku, Jaime Ripoll, Gian Herrera, and Sports Unlimited host Dyan Castillejo.
Despite a cut on his right foot, Paolo's team still managed to be in third place. He got help from his teammates, namely, Marco Alcaraz, LJ Moreno, SNN segment host Cesca Litton, Jackie Aspiras, Carlene Aguilar, Rachel Alejandro, Domini Primero, Rachel Alejandro, Terence Lo Tik Man, and talent manager Neil de Guia.
Ernie's team struggled so hard to be on top but, unfortunately, they landed on the last place. His team was composed of his wife Jeena Lopez, Reema Chanco, Bugsy Lising, Carla Humphries, Maxine Eigenmann, Geneva Cruz, talent manager and entertainment columnist Ricky Gallardo, and Camarines Sur governor LRay Villafuerte.
On the last night of the 14th Goma Cup, April 24, Richard and producer Marilen Nuñez of Len Plus awarded the winners of both golf and water sports tournaments. They also gave away stuff from their sponsors such as Hawaiian Tropic, Rudy Project, Osim, Jagermeister, Jose Cuervo Tequilla, Ocean Minded, and Philosophy by Mikaela.
The program continued to celebrate the success of the reunion of celebrities through Goma Cup. A sumptuous buffet and unlimited drinks were served along with a music entertainment provided by the local band True Faith.