Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star) - July 18, 2020 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — NBA legend Dennis Rodman’s father Philander Jr. died of prostate cancer at 79 in Pampanga last Tuesday and was never reconciled with his superstar son whom he abandoned in 1963. Twice, Dennis visited Manila for exhibition games and his father tried to reach out. In 2006, Dennis ignored Philander at the Smart Araneta Coliseum but in 2012, they met up briefly at the Mall of Asia Arena although it failed to cement a relationship that was estranged for over 50 years. It was in 1989 when The STAR found Philander living in Balibago. Boxing referee Bruce McTavish, a long-time Angeles City resident, sought him out and arranged for The STAR interview that turned the retired US Air Force staff sergeant into a self-styled celebrity who authored two booklets “Rodman, Father And Son” (48 pages, P90 cover price) and “The Original Bad Boy” (66 pages, $11.95 cover price).