JOSE 'AMAN' PARICA

Name: Jose “Amang” Parica Jr.
Residence : La, Puente, California USA
Born : April 18, 1946
Date of Birth: Philippines

Jose 'Amang' Parica - Leader of the Filipino Invasion
Jose “Amang” Parica had to pull a stool every time it was his turn to make a shot when he first played billiards at his father’s billiard hall in Blumentritt back in the Philippines. He was just seven years old when he first struck a cue ball with a cue that was much longer than he was, on a billiard table that was just as high as he was. Parica literally grew up with a cue in his hands. Forty-three years and more than 100 championships later, Parica is still literally living in the world of billiards, still slugging it out with the best of them. Less than a week ago, Parica proved once and for all that he is still one of the best players in the world, in a sport he has dominated in the Philippines in decades, and in the world for more than a decade. He won the $40,000 First Western Open 9-Ball Championship at the Crystal Park Casino and Hotel in Compton, beating Francisco Bustamante in a thrilling finals, 15-12.

At 50, Parica should have been playing in the seniors tour, if there is one, but he continues to dominate much younger players from the Philippines, the United States and the world.
Parica sharpened his skills in the billiard halls his father owned in Blumentritt and in Sta. Cruz in Manila. Soon, he was beating much older guys. He had won all the tournaments that had to be won in the Philippines, but he felt he still did not earn the recognition he felt he deserved. Finally, in 1975, he got his break.