A native of Tuguegarao, Cagayan, the 31-year-old Romel Adducul found his niche early in life: playing basketball.
"Na-realize ko no'ng high school, in terms of basketball or anumang sports, advantage pag matangkad," Romel recalls. "Kaya, after fourth year ko ng high school, na-appreciate ko 'yong katangkaran ko dahil nga may potential akong makapag-PBA. At kaya madali akong nakuha sa college, dahil sa height ko."
College meant playing for the San Sebastian Stags, and in 1997, he played a major role in his school's win as National Collegiate Athletic Association champion. After that successful NCAA stint, he went on to play for the short-lived Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA), before moving to the Philippine Basketball League (PBL).
Now part of the San Miguel Beer team in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Romel has been active for 10 years in the sport that he loves. Sports journalists have even given him the moniker "The General," because he has often led his teammates to victory.
"Nag-start 'yon no'ng MBA pa," Romel explains. "Kasi, I remember, meron yatang youngest general in Germany, si Rommel."
The reference is to Germany's famed World War II general, Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, also known as "The Desert Fox."
Despite having suffered a few minor setbacks—he had to undergo a major operation early last year to repair a problem with his right foot—Romel still feels blessed by God, especially with all that he has achieved.
"Nagpapasalamat nga ako dahil bini-bless Niya ako," he says. "At the same time, ginagamit Niya ako to bless other people also." Romel, who attends church at the Victory Christian Fellowship, says he has noticed a major change in his personality since he accepted God into his life.
"No'ng MBA days ko, may nag-reach-out sa team namin. Na-amaze ako sa explanation nila na si God namatay dahil sa atin, sa pagmamahal Niya sa atin. E, it's easy to sin. 'Tapos, sometimes pag may temptation, hindi ko siya nare-resist. 'Tapos, sa court masyado akong mainit ang ulo. No'ng naging Kristiyano ako, nag-iba lahat. Nagkaroon ng direksiyon ang life ko."
That direction he's talking about can be seen in the way he is taking care of his family and managing his finances and other investments. Romel is realistic enough to admit that he is not getting any younger and that, at his age, he must think of ventures other than basketball to secure his future.
"Actually, at 35, medyo pababa na 'yong career mo no'n. Kaya dapat siguro prine-prepare mo na 'yong sarili mo. Marami akong naiisip na business. Kaso lang, for the meantime, hindi ko pa kayang gawin, kasi kailangang matutukan. Mahirap 'yan, e.
"At the same time, siguro mas safe 'yong sa province namin bumibili ako ng mga lupa. Marami akong nabili na properties, puro land lang. 'Yong iba, pang-agricultural. Do'n nanggaling 'yong palay. Hindi na nga ako bumibili ng bigas, may supply na ako."
There's one other thing Romel is proud of—his new home in Parañaque. Here, he tried a new role for a change, as interior designer! Keeping in mind what he likes best—wooden furniture, that is—Romel decided to be more hands-on when he furnished his new home. He's even thinking of going back to school just to take up interior design.
"Kaso lang, sabi nila pang-bading daw 'yon! Pambabae!" Romel says with a laugh, adding, "Nagkamali yata ako ng course no'ng college, e. Ewan ko kung bakit mas gusto ko minsan nagdo-drawing. Minsan may idea akong naiisip. Minsan drino-drawing ko na siya."
Romel took up business administration at San Sebastian College and graduated in 2003. But running a business is not the stuff of his dreams right now. Guess what this giant of man wants to do?
"Someday gusto ko talaga mag-build ng bahay ko. Kasi never pa akong gumawa ng bahay na sarili ko. Kasi 'yong mga nabibili ko, house and lot na. Dream ko one day na makapag-build ako ng bahay na talagang dinesayn ko talaga."
It may not be long before this focused and driven General achieves that goal, too.