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Philippines, 24 Feb 2026 |
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TRIBUTE TO THE LATE PBA COMMISSIONER RUDY SALUD PhilBoxing.com Fri, 11 Mar 2011  Transcript of the eulogy delivered by TV boxing commentator and host and Inquirer columnist/sportswriter Ronnie Nathanielsz at the Necrological Services for the late PBA Commissioner and WBC founding secretary general Rodrigo ?Rudy? Salud. Rudy Salud was my friend, my mentor and my brother and the memories of the man tnhat he was will linger, long after these beautiful flowers that surround his casket have faded. Our friendship began 47 sumers ago under the most unusual of circumstances. I had written an article in the Philippines Herald and broadcast a story on radio station dzHP which was critical of the Games and Amusements Board of which Rudy was secretary general and his bosom friend Justiniano Montano Jr, chairman. It concerned then world flyweight champion Erbito Salavarria who was disqualified by the local boxing commission in Venezuela after they allegedly discovered sugar in the water he drank during the title fight. I cannot quite remember the details but suffice it to say that Rudy Salud called the newsroom and when I answered the phone he introduced himself in an extremely polite manner and told me who he was and that he wished to clarify some of the issues I had raised so I would better appreciate the position of the GAB. I listened intently to his views and as always, they made sense, because Rudy was a man who thought things out almost flawlessly which was one of the many traits I admired in him through the years. He ended the conversation with an invitation ? if I had the time or the inclination ? to visit the GAB and enjoy a cup of coffee with him. When I told him I was a tea drinker he said don?t worry, I?ll make sure we get you some tea. When I put down the phone I was, in a sense, elated to know that a man in his position had bothered to even call me, a small-time radio reporter and writer. But that was the measure of the man. Nobody was too small or too inconsequential for him to call to explain a decision if indeed there was need for clarification. At the PBA he did this all the time and that is why he was the darling of the sports media in particular. He found time for the big name columnists as well as for the least amongst the reporters. Presidents of countries receive what has come to be known as a honeymoon that lasts one hundred days. In the case of Rudy, his honeymoon with the media was forever because it was anchored on the fundamental principle of mutual respect and the noble virtue that Rudy lived by ?. that integrity was non-negotiable. He demonstrated this in the PBA, the world boxing council where he was founding secretary general and the man who crafted its constitution and by laws -- just like he did as the first legal counsel of the PBA under his distinguished mentor and first commissioner Leo Prieto. As his close friend WBC president Don Jose Sulaiman who also referred to Rudy as his mentor noted ?? he was one of the most distinguished leaders of the World Boxing Council based on principles, impartiality, perseverance and strong attachment to rules.? But while Rudy subscribed to rules and regulations he had the wonderful capacity to temper his application of the law with a touch of human justice. Just before he assumed the position of PBA Commissioner in 1988 Rudy and I, unknown to anybody else in the PBA office, collaborated quietly to find out whether any of the league?s referees had been tempted to fall prey to gambling syndicates. When we found out Rudy summoned the guilty ones, two of whom were among only three Class ?A? referees, confronted them with the evidence, wrote out a personal check for P50,000 each, gave it to them and said ?this should help you for a couple of months? but cautioned them ?. ?I don?t want to see your face at a PBA game ever again.? Rudy took decisive action when officiating in the PBA was regarded as dubious at times resulting in fans staying away and TV ratings taking a downward swing. His first act as commissioner was to terminate 50 percent of the referees, quite a few of them for incompetence. It pained him for sure but he realized that the public interest demanded that officials be men of unsullied integrity and a level of competence that the teams and the fans, more than anyone else, richly deserved. His love affair with the PBA was driven by his consuming desire to give our people good, wholesome family entertainment at a reasonable price. Talking of family. Rudy would often tell me what a stabilizing influence his charming wife Pampin was and how much she influenced their children. He loved her just as much as he admired her unshakeable catholic faith. Rudy was a good and decent man. A loving husband and father. He was perhaps proudest when he spoke about his sons and daughters, their achievements in life and their success in building wonderful families which he always attributed to the influence of Pampin. At times we had long discussions about his sons in particular. He was so tremendously proud of them. We often shared our individual assessments of the talent and the sometimes indescribable qualities of Ato. When we spoke about Chito, I would always tell him ? sorry partner but I think Chito will be an even better PBA Commissioner than you. He agreed wholeheartedly and told me that was devoutly to be wished and would make him extremely happy. Well, from what we?ve seen so far, Rudy may not be with us but his happiness will soon be real because Chito is well on his way to emulating his eminent father. Dr. Arnold is the quiet one in many respects. But to Rudy, Arnold was the greatest eye specialist in the world. Trouble is, just as he believed in Arnold?s brilliance he actually saddled him I think with the laser treatment of one media friend after another. Either Rudy bore the financial burden ? which to him was never a burden -- or Arnold bore the cost of his beloved father?s generosity. Rudy Salud will be best remembered for his remarkable relationship with the sports media whom he considered partners and friends in bringing PBA entertainment to millions of Filipinos across the nation. He embraced the concept of Leo Prieto that for the PBA to succeed, media would have to play a crucial role. He followed that creed until the end. Rudy would often say that the writings of the sports media gave him the greatest satisfaction. Whether he agreed with the views of a columnist or not was immaterial. He believed that their comments were sincere and they bore malice towards no one. He was kind and generous to the members of media to a fault but Rudy always drove home the point ? in his words ? that if you help somebody when he or she needs help ? that is the Christian way and you never remember or recall what you did, but remind yourself of what you may have failed to do. Rudy was proud of the innate skill and courage of fighters like Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire, Gerry Penalosa, Z ?The Dream? Gorres, AJ ?Bazooka? Banal and others. His heart was filled with pride and joy everytime they fought and won. He believed that the Filipino was second to none and despite all its shortcomings, this beloved land was infinitely better than most people thought it was. Rudy Salud was a man steeped in the values and virtues of a true Filipino. There was a sense of unquestioned nobility about the man who thought me to develop friendships and cast aside anger or bitterness even against those who may have wronged you. His line was friendships should be reinforced ? bitterness should be buried. And as we eventually bury this quintessential Filipino we will never bury the many lessons he taught all of us by the sheer example of how he lived his life. In the twilight of our years we can say with unbridled pride that it was my privilege to know a Filipino of epic dimensions who will ? I am certain ? has walked into the embrace of a loving God in the heavens above. Farewell my beloved friend, my mentor and my brother ? I will remember you and all you have done for me and many others like me ? not just for today, but forever and a day. God bless you Rudy. Top photo: The late Rudy Salud (L) with close friend Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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