Manila, May 22, 2019 - Exactly a day after the UAAP season 81 closing ceremonies at the Mall of Asia Arena, actor Enchong Dee and his manager Keren Pascual told news.ABS-CBN.com, SPIN.PH, newspapers and websites that his second appearance would be push through after nine years.
It insisted that he was not appeared in UAAP magazine days before the 75th UAAP Swimming Championships at Trace College Aquatic Center in Los Banos, Laguna.
However, due to several reasons, he was not able to appear due to scheduling conflict with his project.
As of March 11, 2010, the young actor is no longer as a swimmer for DLSU Green Tankers, and according to his K-Text:
I just want to say that UAAP season is closing today and tomorrow we will have the passing of the flag to the next host of the season which is De La Salle University… Yes tama ang basa nyo… Pupunta ako sa FEU bukas para tumanggap ng award:) and yes host kami next season but I will not participate because of schedule conflict pero I will come back sa 2011 in time for the 100 years of de la salle:)
On September 2010, he was in the comedy flick I Do with Erich Gonzales.
In November 2010, it quoted: "He misses being part of the UAAP, especially, now that is no longer actively training. Dee is now exclusively devoted to his showbiz career. His latest movie, I Do, in which he starred opposite Erich Gonzales, made good at the box office, and he has several projects lined up."
His appearance was not initially set to be tackled by UAAP Season 76.
He could have been his generation’s Jessie Lacuna, who’s currently competing at the Rio Olympics today. But the dream of representing the country in an age-old giant sports event was put to the backburner indefinitely and then to total neglect eventually once Enchong Dee got real with showbiz 10 years ago.
“I have to admit I’ve had a few regrets,” Dee said at the recently held Chalk Campus Tour at Miriam College on August 22, 2016. He was answering a question from a member of the audience if he feels sorry about his Olympics dreams. This followed his talk on how he used to manage to balance school and sports as a college student before.
The actor was, of course, a competitive swimmer before all this. And a multi-decorated one, at that. The Naga City native lived the student-athlete life at the De La Salle University, and was able to lead his Alma Mater to a gold in the men’s swimming event. He, too, nabbed three straight MVP titles during his collegiate career. Outside Taft, he also represented the Philippines in the SEA Games and Asian Games. He was already taking acting stints then, but went full-time with it right after graduation. He signed up for more projects later on and would grow to be a resident matinee idol via hit shows Katorse, Tanging Yaman, Magkaribal, Maria La Del Barrio, Ina, Kapatid, Anak and Muling Buksan ang Puso. He would also join reality show Pinoy Big Brother last year.
More years after, two albums, various movies and TV shows, and three UAAP seasons past, Dee knows that some decisions just had to be made.
“I have to remind myself why I did this 10 years ago. Hindi sa pagmamayabang but I was able to achieve many things by 23. I had my first resto this year, I was able travel to places I’ve never been to in the past. I am able to talk to speak to students like you, and most of all help my parents in the finances,” he said rather proudly.
Dee may have left the poolside to pursue something else, but he still knows a thing or two about rising above the common struggles among student-athletes. Take it from him, as he wasn’t too shy admitting that he would even sleep in class to catch up on his rest time. When another member of the audience asked how he was able to manage juggling school, sports, and screen life, he could only turn in some wise words.
“It’s a difficult task to be focusing on sports and academics, but trust me it’s gonna be worth it!
“It will pay off in the future. Walang bagay na worth it and hindi mahirap makuha.”
The unfinished project containing the photos in defunct multiply website featuring UAAP swimming championships of 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and BENCH/ Uncut: A Bold Look At the Future 2010 Denim and Underwear Show would be uploaded soon as part of commemorative photo exhibit soon.
"Kasi po, may pananagutan ang UAAP magazine editorial staff sa pag-appear ni Enchong Dee", according to Joy Las Pinas.
"Aguilar emerged as the Most Valuable Player (MVP), after sweeping all of his events, which earned him seven gold medals, a rare feat that was also achieved by former Tanker, Enchong Dee, back in 2009."
It was enough to break the old RP record of 25.81 established by Ernest Dee in 2007.
In March 2012, it quoted:
Aguilar, a consistent Dean's Lister, shattered the Philippine men's 50-meter backstroke record (27.52 seconds) and set two UAAP records in the 100- and 200-m backstroke in last September's swimming tournament.
He again broke that record with a 27.29-second swim in the 26th Southeast Asian Games last November.
Enchong Dee, another La Salle swimmer, was the last athlete to win seven gold medals in the 2009 UAAP season.
Aguilar clinched 7 individual gold medals, setting a then new Philippine record in the men’s 50 meters backstroke of 27.52 seconds and two UAAP records—100 and 200 backstroke—in Season 74 action last September.
The last UAAP swimmer to win 7 gold medals was Enchong Dee, also of De La Salle who is now a television personality, in 2009.
Aguilar, a consistent Dean’s Lister, later shattered the national 50 meters backstroke in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Palembang with a time of 27.29 seconds last November. "3 athletes share honor as UAAP's best" (March 9, 2012)
When president Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016, the project was stalled indefinitely.
It claims when he did not appeared in this magazine seven years ago, but it was pulled out last May 2018.
But, according to Gabby Hernandez (Gab Ferreras), Mr. Dee is in possibly of re-appearing in UAAP Magazine by next season.
