Who was Perry Mariano? Billiards stars mourn passing of sports patron

The Philippine sports community is mourning the passing of Ceferino “Perry” Mariano, 75, who was among those killed in a shooting in Quezon City on April 28.

Mariano was a patron of Philippine billiards, supporting the careers of top players such as Carlo Biado, Johann Chua, and Dennis Orcollo.

His son, Hadley Mariano, attested to his father’s significant role in shaping the lives of many Filipino billiards stars.

“To many, he was a pillar of Philippine billiards. To me, he was simply Dad,” Hadley said in a social media post last Wednesday.

Hadley is the founder of Sharks Billiards Association.

“He gave his whole life to the game and to the people in it. For generations, he stood behind the players—creating opportunities, opening doors, and helping shape the path of so many Pinoy bilyaristas. The game we know today carries so much of him,” he added.

“This loss cuts so deep, but I know it is shared by the community he cared for and helped build.”

Meanwhile, several pool stars took to social media to express their grief and gratitude to Perry.

“Isa ka sa dahilan kung nasan ako ngayon. Humubog sa’kin. Maraming salamat sa lahat, boss, sa paniniwala sa kakayahan ko nung nagsisimula pa lang ako. Hinding-hindi kita makakalimutan, boss,” world champion Biado wrote.

“Sobrang sakit, pero tanging dasal na lang ang maiaalay ko para sa katarungan!”

Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and World Cup of Pool champion Johann Chua also credited Perry for playing a major role in his career.

“Malaking parte ng karera ko sa paglalaro ng bilyar ay mula sa’yo—from trainings, money games, at mga tournament ko dati nung bata pa ako. Ikaw rin ang unang naniwala sa akin na kaya kong manalo sa international tournament. Noong 2008, pinabyahe mo ako sa Indonesia kahit 16 years old pa lang ako dahil naniwala ka sa kakayahan ko,” Chua shared.

“Maraming salamat sa lahat, Boss Perry. Hanggang sa muli!”

Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Dennis Orcollo, meanwhile, described Perry as a father figure.

“Boss, mahal na mahal kita. Ikaw ang tumayong tatay ko. Ikaw ang humubog at naniwala sa kakayahan ko. Hindi ko kaya, boss. Sobrang bait mo sa akin. Ikaw ang nagbigay sa akin ng tahanan sa Maynila. Hindi kita makakalimutan. Bawat uwi ko sa Pilipinas, palagi tayong nagkikita. Mahal na mahal kita, boss,” Orcollo wrote.

Aside from billiards, Perry was also known as a figure among operators and owners of night clubs in Quezon City.

—JKC, GMA News