Heartbraker for June Mar
In a documentary produced by TV 5 about Gilas players, June Mar Fajardo’s mother, Marites was a prominent figure. She showed how the family managed the 6-foot-11 Cebuano giant’s finances. It was also revealed in the said documentary that June Mar gifted his mother a sports utility vehicle for Mother’s Day. For June Mar, the gift was a way for him to thank his mother who reared him during the times the Cebuano giant struggled in life especially when his basketball career was still in its infancy.
It is sad to read a number of reports confirming the passing away of Marites, June Mar’s mother on Thursday, August 12, 2021. A known “mama’s boy” just lost his mother and surely the giant is broken, following the demise of his mother.
The 6-time PBA Most Valuable Player (PBA) dedicated each of his awards to his parents as they played a huge part in his formation and literal growth as a person and as a basketball player.
Probably, June Mar will be leaving a legacy as the greatest Filipino basketball player of all time and with his achievements in tow, I know he would have chosen to trade fame and fortune in favor of the opportunity to be with his mother longer. Alas, life has an ending and we feel sorry for June Mar who loved his mother dearly. Just like what Manny Pangilinan said before, after God, one’s parents are the most important people in anyone’s life.
During the ceremony last March 2020, June Mar received his 6th MVP awards riding a scooter because he can’t walk on his own due to an injury, and while he moved towards the stage, June Mar’s mother was by his side providing support.
As he thanked God for the blessings, June Mar thanked his parents for the support and guidance that made him perhaps the best Filipino basketball player that ever lived.
June Mar said his parents provide him the inspiration to work hard and keep on winning championships and bagging MVP awards. His mother gave him a kiss as the Cebuano giant continued with his acceptance speech.
The San Miguel Beermen center would never shy away from saying he is s mama’s boy and even had a custom t-shirt proudly announcing that he is indeed a mama’s boy.
There were times that June Mar say he wanted to bring his family to Manila while he plays so that he would not get homesick. In fact, June Mar often post photos of his having a grand vacation with his family in Pinamungahan, Cebu. He was seen fishing and even tried some coconut water while enjoying a quiet countryside life away from the hustle and bustle of Manila during the off season of the PBA.
June Mar said he is never ashamed of being tagged as a mama’s boy because he is grateful to his mother who sacrificed a lot for him. June Mar said he appreciates his mother because carrying a baby like him was no joke—June Mar turned out reaching a height of 6-foot-11 inches and weighing 250 pounds give and take.
June Mar said his mother was not materialistic but he just wanted to give something his mother never had in her life—a new car.
Back in 2018, Gilas figured in a brawl against Australian players and June Mar refused to join in the melee because he thought of his mother. He said his mother would scold him if he would get into trouble.
There was a time June Mar colored his hair blond but had to get rid of the hair color because his mother protested. It seems the most feared baskeball player in the Philippines, is afraid of his own mother.
June Mar said everytime he gets into trouble or gets injured, he worries not about himself but worried about what his mother would say.
The Cebuano giant always asked his mother’s advise when making a decision, it is sad that he would no longer be able to consult his mother now that Marites passed away.
All of these things only show how June Mar treasured, honored and respected his mother.
Currently, it is unknown whether Marites’ remains are in Cebu as June Mar is with the team waiting for the resumption of the PBA Philippine Cup. The difficulty lies if Marites’ body is in Cebu and June Mar is in Manila and the travel restrictions due to the quarantine classifications in Manila and in Cebu.
The take away we can get from this story is that no man can become a great person without the guidance of a mother. As they say, mother knows best.
This corner expresses deepest condolences to the family of June Mar Fajardo for the passing away of his mother-Marites.