Now doing his share to guide the next generation of Filipino tennis players, Col. Demetrio "Demy" R. Andrada, PHILTA Regional Vice President for the Cordillera Administrative Region, remains fiercely competitive and prepares to defend his crown in December. He may be reached at No. 8 Motor Pool, Camp Allen, Baguio City or at the Baguio Tennis Club, Burnham Athletic Bowl, also in Baguio City. His landlines are (074) 442 5162 and (074) 445 0653. He may also be contacted at mobile no. (0907) 448 1195 or through e-mail at demy08andrada@yahoo.com.

PhilTennis (PT): We noticed that you carry the rank of Colonel. Which branch of the Armed Forces are/were you part of?

Demy Andrada (DA): I was with the Philippine Army. I retired from the service on 08 October 2000; compulsory retirement after serving the government for 30 years.

PT: What was your last assignment?

DA: My last assignment was with the Special Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, at GHQ, Camp Aguinaldo, as the Chief Personnel Officer.

PT: Are you by any chance related to Colonel Buddy Andrada?

DA: He is my bayaw, married to my cousin Atty. Mila Andrada.

PT: When did you assume the position of Regional Vice President for PHILTA?

DA: January 2000.

PT: How long have you been serving as RVP?

DA: This is my second term as RVP, 8 years na.

PT: How much longer are you required to serve in this capacity?

DA: For as long as we will be elected.

PT: Are RVPs usually extended, or is there a probable "reelection" or "re-appointment" waiting for RVPs after their usual term of office?

DA: Per our constitution and by-laws of PHILTA, all RVPs shall be elected every four years, for as long as he can serve the region, properly.

PT: Before you became RVP for CAR, were you already involved in PHILTA?

DA: Not really.

PT: In what capacity then was your earlier involvement in tennis?

DA: When I was in the active service, I was indirectly involved in tennis as part of my duties with the Special Services of the AFP.

PT: Which cities and provinces fall under your jurisdiction as PHILTA RVP?

DA: My area covers the following: Baguio City, my home base; Benguet; Mt Province; Kalinga; Apayao; Bontoc; Abra; Kapangan; to include the province of Pangasinan.

PT: Which of these are the most active in tennis?

DA: Baguio City is most active.

PT: Which city or province has produced the most winners?

DA: Baguio City.

PT: What are your functions and responsibilities as RVP?

DA: Primarily to promote tennis in the region.

PT: Do you have a support group to carry out your job, or is it mainly a one-man show?

DA: I carry the burden of spearheading the promotion of tennis; my co-partners are the members of the affiliated clubs of PHILTA, and the club officers.

PT: Do you have a tennis development program for your region?

DA: Yes we have, based on the guidance of PHILTA, particularly the development of the youth.

PT: What percentage of this program do you consider completed so far?

DA: So far, we are making headway.

PT: To date, what would you consider your overall accomplishments as RVP?

DA: We have inculcated among the youth the values of engaging in tennis at an early stage with proper training and direction.

PT: What remains to be accomplished during the remainder of your term?

DA: To at least produce someone ranked among the top ten in national ranking, in men's and women's categories, and also in the age group category.

PT: Besides your involvement in tennis, are you active in a profession or business?

DA: I am totally focused on tennis.

PT: Do you have children who are interested in tennis?

DA: I have five children. Three of them were varsity players, scholars at St Louis University, Baguio City. They were able to finish their courses because of tennis scholarships.

My two sons, Jerry, now an engineer in California, and John, the first Filipino to graduate at the Officers' Candidate School at New Zealand, were all alumni of the Mitsubishi Lancer Age Group in 1991. John is now a Captain in the active service, assigned with the Training Command of the Philippine Army.

PT: Did you also start as a player?

DA: Oh yes, as a player, a coach too.

PT: Did you engage in competitive tennis or was your game simply for leisure and exercise?

DA: I was an instructor of PE, Tactical Officer at the Philippine Military Academy for 16 years. I played competitive tennis when I was in the active service. I represented as member the Philippine Army Officers Category in the Little Olympics, and likewise perennial member of the Phil Army in the PMAAA, the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Annual Sports Competition. You see, I am an Associate Member of PMAAAI, adopted by PMA Class 78.

PT: If you did engage in competitive tennis, during which years were you active?

DA: I was very active in playing real tennis 1982-2000.

PT: What do you consider the victories or accomplishments that you are most proud of?

DA: I am always proud to say that my three kids were able to finish college because of tennis. Thank you, tennis.

PT: So tennis is an Andrada family sport.

DA: It is a family sport.

PT: Does you wife play tennis too?

DA: She does, at age 63, a public school teacher, she is still competing and very active in club level. Oh yes.

PT: Do you compete with each other on-court?

DA: We are always partners and we always win the Senior Category, Husband and Wife team.

By the way, I will be defending my crown in Age 65 Years and Above Category in singles next month. I personally invite you to see me play at the Baguio Tennis Club. See you!

PT: What is your assessment of the current Philippine tennis situation?

DA: Well, we have the know-how, the expertise to really go for the best, but somehow, as always the case, PHILTA could not do it all alone. Government support should be tripled, in terms of funding. A five year sustained support is much needed. The private sector should likewise double their efforts to supplement the government side. Regional efforts should likewise be enhanced, through funding, down to provincial level.

PT: What is your forecast, or where do you see Philippine tennis 5 years from now? What do you see 10 years from now?

DA: There is always a better way of doing things. Unless, we will have an enough fund for five to ten years program, we will mark time, while other countries will be marching forward. Kailangan natin talaga ang pundo, sustained pundo, to move forward.

PT: To be able to achieve these, what do we need to do for Philippine tennis?

DA: A united sincere effort for ten years planning, strategic planning and proper execution. We can do it.

PT: Do you see other junior players in the Philippines who will most likely represent the Philippines beyond their teens?

DA: In my region, CAR, Mark Contreras can easily be in the top three, senior category, This guy is a U.S.-trained tennis player. I am proud to include and recommend him in the training pool. Mark resides In Baguio. He is a college graduate from one of the universities in the USA. From among the younger tennis players, Dandan, Alcantara, Barte are commendable.

PT: What can you say about the current leadership of PHILTA?

DA: They are all doing their best; their patience might be exhausted in due time.

PT: How do you find our website, philtennis.com? Can you share some suggestions for improvements, if any?

DA: The website is a contributory factor towards the attainment of the goals of PHILTA, in particular, and for tennis, in general-very informative, educational etc. Ang daming magagandang ginawa nitong website natin. Hurrahhh! Even my son Jerry is properly updated on PHILTA.

- By Resty M. Maglalang, PhilTENNIS Editor-in-Chief