1938-2008, His Legacy

November 22, 1938 was the date Marciano Bautista and Amelia Alejo Bautista bore their first of 5 children. Francisco "Paquito" Bautista II was the oldest among 5 other siblings. Tito Junior, Tito Manuel, Tita Menchit, and Tito Butch.

When Tito Butch was little, he could not pronounce kuya Paquito's name, with countless efforts, they resorted to just calling him TOTO; a name that caused a stir in the golfing history.

Francisco "Toto" Bautista was known today as the Tiger Woods of his era. Back in the 50's, 60's, 70's and even the 80's, Toto Bautsta won countless awards and numerous recognitions for his love of the game, GOLF. The rest of the family followed suit and became masters of the game (in their own right, of course) but no one could beet Toto.

Back in the 90's 3 Filipino golfers were the first 3 Filipinos to be certified USGA (United States Golf Association) Golf Trainers. Believe it or not, he was the one who trained the other 2.

Golf was his passion. The Golfer's Rule Book was his bible. Every waking moment would be spent reading magazines, books, watching matches.ALL in the name of Golf.

I'm writing this blog to let you all know that he is dying soon. Unless God performs yet another miracle and gives him his life back.

Almost 6 years ago, he was diagnozed with Multiple Myloma; Cancer of the Bone Marrow. He was sent home from the States to literally die because he was given 3 months to live. That was then. God gave my dad back to us and extended his life for 5-6 more years. With that, we can never be thankful enough that God extended his life to give us the best experience we will never forget.

For the last 3 days, I've seen people walk in and out of the hospital telling us and acknowledging how our dad has touched their lives in one way or another. This remarkable man, with his temper, rudeness, and often weird sense of humor could still touch so many lives the way only Toto Bautista can.

As of this writing, we are just waiting for him to go home to our Lord. The doctors say that he has barely 24 hours to live.

Go home, dad... we'll be fine... Wait for us in heaven... We'll follow soon.

I love you.