Kenneth Duremdes and A Fan’s Dream Come True

“When you wish upon a star…”
How many times have we started up at the sky, looked for a star and wished to God for something?

For Tweet Maloto of Iloilo City, well, she did and guess what… her wish come true.
But before anything else, do you think a PBA Superstar like Kenneth Duremdes of Sunkist (now the head coach of Coca-cola Tigers), for instance amidst his busy schedule
Helping his team prepare for the 1997 season, still can have time to spend for one of his most loyal, fan?

To make the story short, the youngest of four children of Mr. Lito and Mrs. Lucy Maloto, had her 18th birthday debut last jan. 11 at the Residence Hotel in downtown Iloilo.

Weeks before her special day, Tweet had wished, written and asked Mr. Mangonon if he could make her truly Happy on her 18th b-day by making her idol, Kenneth Duremdes come to Iloilo for her affair.

As it turned out, Tweet’s and her family’s persistence and proddings were just too much turn down. Besides, there was no problem with the arrangements they made.

But little did Tweet know that her wish, mostly planned by her elder sister, Juvy Zafra, was to happen by surprise. In short, when It all Happened…when Duremdes came at her debut party..and no one knew nothing about it beforehand….Whew! ‘Was everybody surprised. And Tweet was so happy she cried when she saw her wish unfolding right before her very eyes. Everybody was happy for Tweet. Why? Even Tweet’s nanay Lucy was seen at the “presidential table” holding back her tears of joy. As for Tweet’s Dad, Lito well, he looked every inch the very proud father who wanted to buy drinks for everybody in Iloilo that Saturday evening.

Kenneth Duremdes had just one special message for the debutante that night- aside from wishing her the happiest birthday,he said may Tweet do well in school and finish her computer science course for it will be her most special gift for her parents, brothers, sisters for everything they have done for her. Kenneth added that like of his fans , he’ll always be there for Tweet.
Now, who ever said that PBA players rarely have time to for their supporters? As long as the times, schedules and arrangement are right, fans dream can come true. What Duremdes did for Tweet Maloto was the best testament to this.

30 Facts About Kenneth Duremdes

1.Kenneth Duremdes was born on January 31, 1974 in Koronadal, South Cotabato (Horoscope Sign: Aquarius)

2. He is fondly called by Ken by his family and close friends.

3. Kenneth is the second to the eldest among the children of Judith Celera and Nestor Duremdes Sr. He has three brothers namely, Nestor Jr, Gerald Paul and Jojit (who’s also a basketball player strutting his stuff for the UE warriors and is a member of the RP Youth Team)

4. He stands 6 feet and 3 inches and tips the scales at 180 pounds.

5. Sorry, girls. Kenneth has already found the apple of his eye whom he describes as simple and understanding girl from his hometown. A secretive fellow, he only gives the girl’s initials as MGB.

6. He took up his elementary and high school education at Notre Dame of Marbel University where he graduated in 1986 and 1990, respectively.

7. Kenneth has yet to earn his college degree from Adamson University where he enrolled in a Commerce Management course.

8. He has played for the Notre Dame of Marbel Colts, Adamson University Falcons, Burger Machine plus several stints in the RP team. (ABC Youth, Sea Games, etc)

9. Ken was one of only two amateur players were tapped to reinforce the RP Men’s Basketball Team for the Hiroshima Asian Games where it finished fourth.

10. Ken idolizes NBA players Anfernee Hardaway, Scottie Pippen. Among the local hoopers he is impressed with the playing styles of Samboy Lim, Vergel Meneses, and Alvin Patrimonio.

11. In the UAAP, Kenneth has been selected to the mythical five three-times while duplicating the same feat in PBL aside from being chosen as the Rookie of the Year. He was also voted as the MVP during the UAAP invitational on 1993. He was adjudged as the Slam Dunk champion in the 6th Angsapura Cup in Indonesia.

12. Kenneth has been under the tutelage of eleven coaches since he started his basketball career. Some of them are Francis Rodriguez, Perry Ronquillo, Chot Reyes, Norman Black, of course his present mentor at Sunkist, Derreck Pumaren. His favorite NBA coach is Pat Riley.

13. Aside from basketball, Ken also goes swimming and plays billiards, his favorite spectator sports are baseball, tennis and football.

14. Favorite Actor: Mil Gibson. Favorite Actress: Winona Ryder

15. Kenneth goes for adventure, comedy and action flicks. The last movie he saw was Terminal Velocity.

16. When he is free from his obligations as a pro hooper, he just stays at home watching TV.

17. Favorite musical artist: Guns and Roses. He likes the group hit song “November Rain”

18. Kenneth is the buddy-buddy to Mike Mustre, Jeff Cariaso, Boyzie Zamar, Ronnie Gahanding, Danner Fernan, Gerry Hipolito, Toto Agreda, Nonon, his cousins and brothers. Oftentimes, his brothers accompany him during his practice with the Sunkist team at the Reyes Gym.

19. He likes eating sea foods of any kind.

20. If he didn’t become a cager today, he would be probably be working and already finished his college education which he plans to continue in the very near future.

21. His greatest dream is to land and play in the PBA and finish College.

22. Kenneth likes the company of people who are simple, honest, and understanding. And if you want him to get angry, lie to him.

23. If given a chance to live again, Ken says he would like to serve GOD forever.

24. Hopefully, in the near future he wants to let it all hang out and enjoy vacation in Los Angeles, California and Houston, Texas.

25. His most memorable experience as a player: When he was named to the RP team to the Hiroshima Asian Games alongside another amateur player, Marlou Aquino.

26. Frustration in Life: when he failed to make the basketball try out way back during his high school days.

27. Philosophy in Life: Strive hard to gain respect.

28. Ten years from now, he still sees him self as a pro players and probably managing his own business and maybe hell be happily married to the love of his life by then.

29. When he played for the RP San Miguel team in their tune up matches against Pepsi in the last Commissioners Cup, he registered total of 11 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals while managing 19.0 points in four games.

30. And while he is on his way to completing his three-year contract with the Sunkist Orange Juicers. Kenneth hopes to help the tem in its bid to win a championship crown, in his rookie season.

Kenneth Duremdes Profile

Full Name: Kenneth Celera Duremdes
Provincial Address: Gen. Santos Drive, Koronadal, South Cotobato
City Address: 58 Legaspi St. Pro. 4 Quezon City

Birthday: January 31,1974
Height: 188cm
Weight: 180 lbs

Family: Dad, Mom, Nestor, Jojit, Gerald Paul
School: Adamson University
Course: BSC Management

FAVES:
Fave Color: Blue, white, green
Fave Food: Adobo, Batchoy, Bulalo, Mami, Kaldereta, Seafoods, Steaks
Fave Past Time: Watching PBA, NBA, Football, Baseball, Tennis games
Fave Artist: Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, GNR, James Taylor, B II Men, Toto,
Fave Artist Local: Orient Pearl, The Boss, Yano, Side A
Fave NBA Players: Jordan, Olajuwon, K. Johnson, Pippen
Fave PBA Players: M. Fernandez, Vergel Meneses, Jeffrey Cariaso,

INSIDE INFO
Describe Yourself: I’m typically shy, and simple, People often misunderstood me as a snub.

Main Goal in Life: Play professional basketball and thank God I’m already here.
Best Qualities: A very determined, soft-hearted person.
Worst Qualities: Hard question! None that I can think of at this moment.

Message to Fans:
Hi there! I’d like to thank you all for believing in me. Pls. bear with me if I couldn’t respond to your letters immediately. We’ve been so busy and I know you all understand. You can keep in touch with me at my current residence. Keep on supporting! Good Bless!