September 20, 2008 – Gambler Ridge GC, Cream Ridge, NJ – After capturing just a few weeks ago the prestigious golf tournament for Filipino golfers in the tri-state area, the Pilipino Inter-Club Open (PICO) championship, Romy Francisco easily wins the POGI Invitational, POGI's final  major tournament of the year.  With only 35 players showing up to compete, only a handful had a chance to chase the fifty-something Bicolano hotshot who has dropped the moniker , "Viva Viagra," and is now nicknamed (by the POGI press) as "Bicol Express."

Romy “Bicol Express” Francisco rammed his way through the best Filipino golfers the past month or so playing the best golf of his career.  Many thought losing the POGI Open with a disastrous double-par in one of the holes would affect his confidence, but like a true champion and just like the dish, Bicol Express, the heat comes out when you least expect it.

“That’s the beauty of golf, age is not a factor in how good one can be,” stated Romy matter-of-factly.  “I am just like fine wine, I get better with age.”

Although the POGI Invitational had a weaker field than other POGI majors this year, Romy’s 75 was still a stellar performance as he outscored his nephew and current POGI Open champion, Cary Africa, who whimpered with a disappointing 79 along with Ed "Coach" Amisola.  It is safe to say that Cary will be back next year to change things as he tries to wrestle the trophies away from the wily veteran.

With his POGI Invitational win, Romy joins POGI Players Champion Mike Caringal and POGI Open Champion Cary Africa as this year’s major champions.  Next year, the competition for POGI’s majors is expected to be heavily contested as many POGI members improved their handicaps this season namely Mario “Mr. X” Balmater and Cesar Zavalla plus POGI stalwarts Ed “Coach” Amisola, Alden Nacionales, Dennis “Palos” DeLeon, EJ Legarda, and others are on the comeback trail. 

In fact, Mario was brimming with so much confidence that he was persistent in challenging Romy and Cary.  Mario’s effort to challenge the uncle-nephew tandem was not enough though as he finished with a respectable 84 to clinch 2nd runner-up in the class A division.

Cesar Z, on the other hand, was not as fortunate as he finished with a triple digit score of 101, which he hadn’t done in a long time.  Ed, who finished four strokes back with a 79, placed first in the class A division. It was a hollow victory for Ed since he’s been aching to get a piece of Romy.

Whether this year’s POGI Invitational will go down in history as a success or failure, only time will tell, but it will be remembered as the birth of “Bicol Express.”