In one of those narrow unpaved streets of Tondo not far from the railroad tracks, a young player emerged whose skills in ping-pong (table tennis) was extraordinary. His name was Erning Pingol.
During those years before the Pacific War, Erning lived in a place where ping-pong was a common sport and past time among the males. After school or during weekends, he would go to these ping-pong circles and watch those playing. At times, he would be the scorer as he sat himself on a high chair at the side facing the net. As players had to pay for the table and equipment use, losers usually foot the bill, and they called this arrangement, “paga-mesa” or pay the table. Often, there would be betting among the participants and kibitzers. In the process, Erning would get free drinks, or even a “balato” or tip from the winners of a bet.
As years passed, from a slow start Erning learned the rudiments of the game. Later, he progressed by leaps and bounds, and at that early age, he could beat many old players with ease. Observers felt that this young lad had that inherent skill required in the difficult game of translation and rotation or ping-pong. Soon, Erning beat the best players in the area.
Later, like a “fast gun” in the legendary Wild West of America, Erning’s fame spread fast and soon, challengers would invite him for stakes. One by one, these challengers fell by the wayside and Erning’s fans made easy money by betting. Erning was showered with praises and tips.
But his schooling suffered. His parents received a stern letter from the school pertaining their son’s attendance. They told their son about his attendance but did not insist knowing Erning was from a poor family trying to earn a living. Economic survival was more important than education during that time.
“Erning, join us in our tournament tour in the provinces where you are unknown” offered Mang Jose, a gambler who often bet for Erning.
“What good will winning do o me, Mang Jose?” inquired the teenager.
“Money, my boy, money and lots of it” rebutted the veteran bettor.
Erning accepted the offer knowing his family needed money. But this acceptance is a probable expel from school. After a week’s of absence, Erning returned triumphantly from the competition tour. He gave his parents a substantial amount that nearly staggered them. Erning never returned to school.
As there were no official tournament in table tennis during those pre-war years and the country was not a member of any world Table Tennis Federation. Erning had to play for exhibition or for stakes. He preferred the latter in terms of cash wins. As his income looked steady, Erning married his sweetheart who lived in the neighbourhood. Later the couple had their own apartment.
Erning tour engagements were always mixed with wine, women and song especially, after big wins. Eventually, the tournaments took a toll on his health. He needed rest, but by resting too long he could not make money. His income depended on his playing.
As there were no players willing to play with the champ, Erning’s income dwindled. With wife and two kids, he needed cash to support his family. Exhibition games would not earn much.
“You better take a regular job”, his wife said. “The kids are about to go to school and they can not enrol with just your trophies.
“A player from Cebu arrived and many said he is good”, reported Mang Joe, the gambler.
I’ll will meet this guy anywhere, anytime,” boasted Erning. This matched looked like the battle of ping-pong champions.
The big day came in a spacious arena. Erning saw the Cebu champ, a thin and small guy named Panfilo Nunez. He could not speak tagalong well, and Erning’s English was deficient, so the two competitors hardly spoke to each other.
Erning’s past accomplishment made him egoistic and he brushed aside the whispers that his opponent was using an unconventional bat of sponge of rubber on the side and plain wood on the other, compared to his sandpaper type, which was the standard equipment at that time.
There was heavy betting for the Visayan group and was ready to match the group led by Mang Jose. Erning lost the first game and could not believe he would lose and much more the lopsided score. Erning’s fan were amazed that Erning would lose and the opponent had not even made offensive actions.
In the second match, Erning attacked his opponent ferociously, but Panfilo merely stood his ground returning the balls with uncanny accuracy. Erning lost the second game. In the third game was crucial for Erning, he knew he had to win. Like a seasoned player, Erning played defensively to regain his ebbing strength after playing the first two games offensively.
At this juncture, the Cebuano made his offensive moves, not with brute force, but the sudden flick of his racquet from the waist.
Using the sponge surface, the velocity of the flicked ball was so fast that Erning was caught flat-footed. Erning lost the third game.
Mang Jose and Erning’s fan went home silently and meekly, and still puzzled what hit their champ.
From time on, Erning lost his followers. The bettors, including Mang Jose, went to the other camp. And Erning faded out from the competition circuit as his health continued to deteriorate.
Erning then accepted a job as table tennis trainer with a big firm whose executives love to play the game. The work was not difficult and work hours regular. So Erning became a regular employee in the firm.
The firm’s annual physical test showed that Erning had tuberculosis, probably as a result of his carefree days when he was a champ.
One weekend, Erning was invited to a town fiesta, there was heavy drinking and eating. In the midst of camaraderie, Erning heard the sound of pinpong ball from a house nearby. He got up, half dazed due to liquor, and went to the playing area. He got the bat and challenged the best in the crowd. His host and companions tried to stop him from playing, as he was tipsy and no condition to play, but Erning just ignored them.
In the middle of the game, Erning suddenly became pale and was grasping for air. In a split second, he collapsed on the floor. He was rushed to a local clinic but Erning expired within an hour.
Erning was buried with honors befitting a real champion. His legions of friends and flowers attended the kilometre-long funeral cortège, closing traffic for hours along the Tondo route.