"on a shoestring"

Philippine National Games: Mission Accomplished! KUDOS!

Click photo to redirect to National Games official page

At the last day of the event, Commissioner Jolly Gomez had a presscon report the things that transpired during the 8-day Philippine National Games (PNG).

He started to share the 3-point objectives of the POC-PSC partnership.

• To have a unified form of competition for all the National Sporting Associations (NSAs)
• To serve as a testing ground for our national team athletes and discover new athletes
• To bring sports to other provinces in the Philippines

me with Com. Jolly Gomez

He then reported that this PNG event saved the PSC money because of the shared costs for all NSAs. Bacolod City and Negros Occidental Government was also supportive. Props to the City Mayors- Hon. Evelio Leonardia (Bacolod), Hon. Eric Saratan (Talisay), Hon. Ramon Torres (Bago) and Hon. Jose Montelibano (Silay). I believe many mayors around the country are envious of your efforts in partaking in this national event.

Commissioner Jolly, also shared that they will be having a joint meeting between PSC, POC and DepEd and try to see how to fit all their games together (Palarong Pambansa, Batang Pinoy and the National Games) so as to save more on the cost.

For the NSAs, these helped them in assessing their athletes. They shared that those whom they are expecting to win, won; those who they think will break the records, broke the record. Now they are given a wealth of athletes that they want to include in the national team. What a great development in the sporting community!

Also, this has given other provinces an idea of hosting the next national sporting events.

The Commission is also trying to look into providing regional training centers so as to reach more individuals. One of the examples is the wall-climbing event. The NSA for Wall-climbing saw that Bago City saw that what they have in Bago City is the best training facility in the country. Now they are planning to bring and train our national athletes in Bago City.

The coach in beach volleyball is also looking into the idea of moving the training camp to Cebu as there are lots of potential in Cebu and the surrounding cities like Dumaguete and Bacolod.

Next year, the POC-PSC National Games is hopeful that it will really provide more exposure in the region where the events will be held. That it will be promoted to the locals in the region and it will create such an environment of competition as well as an opportunity to improve.

VICTORY (Photo credits: PSC)

I have learned a lot while observing and covering events in Bacolod City. I am thankful to the people I met, Commissioner Jose Luis “Jolly” Gomez who is very positive and forward-looking in his plans. Let me also thank Sir Albert Almendralejo and Sir Lito Cinco for the opportunities given. I appreciate it much. I also thank the POC President Peping Cojuanco Jr. and PSC Chairman Richie Garcia for their able leadership together with Hon. Guillan Akiko Guevarra, Hon. Joaquin Loyzaga, Hon. Monico Puentevella, Hon. Steve Hontiveros, Col. Jeff Tamayo and Mr. Michael Barredo.

Amazing Performance (Photo credits: PSC)

I also thank the all the staff from Negros Occidental and Bacolod City Public Information Office, Sir Roger Giganan, Mr. Macky Gallardo, Ms. Zara Jane Chan and Ms. Alaine Borja You guys have a great work ethics! Way to go! Will visit you one of these days.

Finally, thanks to Smart and Procter and Gamble Philippines, presenting sponsors of the Philippine National Games 2011.

JourneyingJames is with all of you in “DISCOVERING THE CHAMPIONS ACROSS THE NATION.”

Until PNG 2012?

Pana-ad Sports Complex

It was cloudy when we continued our events-hopping during the 6^th day of the National Games. Our last destination of the day was Pana-ad Sports Complex where the athletics events are being held. Amped! My heart was pumping because among all the sports I covered, athletics is the closes to my heart because I run too. Well not competitively but I somehow I know the nitty-gritty of most of the athleticsevent.

Mary Grace delos Santos with Team Cebu

Mary Grace delos Santos (from Zamboanga City to Cebu City)

Me with Mary Grace delos Santos

I saw familiar faces in the field. One of them, Mary Grace delos Santos. She was still panting when I congratulated her, she just finished running the 5,000m event and clocked at 18:32 making her get the bronze medal. Earlier she bagged the gold medal during the 3,000m steeple chase for her 12:14 time.

Mary Grace was with her team too, Jade Marie Recto, Mary Joy Tabal, Sheena Gacayan. They placed 3^rd during the 4 x 100 relay.

Mary Grace was originally from Zamboanga City but she represents Cebu LGU here at the Pinoy Games. This particular thing happened to a lot of our athletes. I have talked with the male winner of the 800m who is representing Laguna province but is actually from Marikina City. This got me into thinking of why is that so? Is there no appropriate budget for the development of sports here in our country?

“Lakas ng Loob”

high jump event (photo credits: trisa carlos)

If we talk about potential, we have lots of that. Actually, most of the athletes I saw were just there because of “lakas ng loob.” To tell you honestly, my heart was crying after looking into their situation. Most do not have proper equipments, not even decent running shoes. For some their shoes have been with them since they started running. I cry inside. I started asking myself, “Is this a reflection of the Philippine Sporting Community?

I really don’t know but I think this National Games has been a welcome opportunity for both our national and local athletes to be seen and somehow given chance to represent their events and so somehow open possibilities of sponsorships. I mean, the government (or the PSC) alone cannot afford to provide our athletes all the things that we need because of the lack of budget for sports development.

800m Male winners

Positive thoughts…

At that particular moment, I just tried to think of other things and focused in the positives. For a moment, I thank the major sponsors of the National Games, private companies that have heart to help our athletes. Kudos!

Deep inside, I was hoping that many will continue to support such events and that more LGUs will create budgets to their athletes. Lakas ng loob is not enough, we need proper budget, proper equipments and people who have pure intentions of really helping our people to succeed thru sports.

____ ____ ____

Philippine National Games 2011 Series is a break from my usual running event posts. The series will highlight stories behind every sports represented as well as athletes who display big potential in their own field. My gratitude goes to PSC Commissioner Jolly Gomez, Sir Lito Cinco and Ms. Mylene Concepcion for the opportunity to cover such a big event. Mabuhay po kayo pati narin ang PSC at POC!

Publishing the official results of the just concluded Pinoy National Games 2011.

Congratulations to all who won and gave their best. Hope to see you again next year.

Philippine National Games Official Results (May 29)

You can also read my previous post:

Lawn Tennis: The Patrimonio Sisters Win

Beach Volleyball Photos & Results

Canoe/Kayak: Interview with the Gold Medalists

Billiards: Amateurs meet the Masters

Volleyball Girls: Cebu’s Unexpected Victory Over La Salle Bacolod

Gymnastics: The Next Football?

Philippine National Games 2011 Series in Bacolod City

Tennis aficionados gather together in a small lawn tennis court at the championship games of the Philippine National Games in Bacolod city. I was one of those who want to see action among these two beautiful tennis players- Christine, 19, and Clarisse,17.

Christine and Clarice during the break

Patrimonio vs Patrimonio

Christine Patrimonio

I was actually surprised when Trish (from ABS-CBN) told me that they are the Patrimonio siblings. Well, both of them are pretty but I still can’t believe that these two sisters vie against each other for the singles gold meda

l. It was just the day before they beat Capadocia-Nguyen on the same court, giving them the Women’s Doubles Gold medal.

I observed that they were so focused on the game. Clarice, during the post-game interview said that they were not talking about the game the night before. I can’t imagine the emotions going through them before they sleep and when they woke up preparing for the game.

After the game, I had a chance to interview Clarice (who won against her older sister

Clarice Patrimonio

Christine) on her thoughts about the game. She shared to me that she wasn’t expecting the victory. She was surprised that she won over her sister. She confessed that she was thinking of another opponent during the battle for gold. Her coach told her not to be nervous and be just her, “to play the game the way I am” she said.

More on Clarice & Christine…

I also ask her things they do together, they both love shopping and watching movie.

Clarisse is also training for the US Open Juniors. She looks up to Maria Sharapova and dreams of beating her in a tennis match.

Christine in the other hand admires Serena Williams. Asked her what she feels when being compared to the William sisters. She said it was okay and considers it an honor to be compared with the tennis greats. Christine is also one of the newest model athletes of AKTV channel, sports channel of TV5.

Clarice and me after the interview. She is so simple and approachable

I hope you guys would continue to win together. I’m excited to see you win world championships soon. Stay pretty!

____ ____ ____

Philippine National Games 2011 Series is a break from my usual running event posts. The series will highlight stories behind every sports represented as well as athletes who display big potential in their own field. My gratitude goes to PSC Commissioner Jolly Gomez, Sir Lito Cinco and Ms. Mylene Concepcion for the opportunity to cover such a big event. Mabuhay po kayo pati narin ang PSC at POC!

As promised, I again publish the official results I got today.

The Official Results of Windsurfing, Beach Volleyball, Softball, Indoor Volleyball, Football, Sepak, Takraw, Fencing and Lawn Tennis

Philippine National Games 2010 OFFICIAL RESULTS AS OF MAY 27

My gratitude to the Public Information Office of Negros Occidental for providing me the collated results everyday night. Kudos to each hard-working staff.

You can also read my previous post:

Lawn Tennis: The Patrimonio Sisters Win

Beach Volleyball Photos & Results

Canoe/Kayak: Interview with the Gold Medalists

Billiards: Amateurs meet the Masters

Volleyball Girls: Cebu’s Unexpected Victory Over La Salle Bacolod

Gymnastics: The Next Football?

Philippine National Games 2011 Series in Bacolod City