THE DAY after Francisco Bustamante won the World 9-ball Championship in Doha, Qatar, in June, he received a text message on his cell phone from none other than the President of the Philippines, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. The president, himself an avid pool player from Bustamante’s hometown, had just been sworn in to a six-year term in office. Despite a hectic schedule and many pressing problems besetting the nation of 90 million people, the new president took a few moments to send the newly crowned world champion a message.
“This is Noynoy Aquino here,” the text read, “saying congratulations to your success and honor that you have given our country.”
“I’m very happy that I received recognition, especially coming from President Noynoy,” a clearly overawed Bustamante said afterward. “I am not intending to ever erase that message. It’s like a double whammy. Winning the world championship for the first time, then getting a message from the president of the Philippines.”
Several weeks later, however, an unsuspecting Bustamante would be hit with a triple whammy. W
