"on a shoestring"

Filipinos love BBB (Basketball, Boxing & Billiards), only now that we are seeing other games given lots of exposure like Football and Running.

9-Ball Game Giants

This is the reason why today’s opening match has seen a lot of local registrants vying for the championship. What more, it is an opportunity to play with the masters like Efren “Bata” Reyes, Dennis Orcollo, Jeffrey “Jeff Bata” de Luna, Ramil Gallego and Carlos Biado. Names that echo in the world of billiards and is an inspiration to a lot of young people to excel in this ball game.

Amateur billiard players are excited to compete with these giants and even hope that maybe luck with be on their side. Who knows they will be the next Bata Reyes, right?

An 10-year old against the Masters

Yet the organizers were surprised to see lots of local entries, one of them an 10-year old kid wanting to challenge the greats. C’mon! It’s okay to dream but we also should be realistic in our dreams unless we want frustrations after frustration to happen.

For now, the best way for them is to watch the National Games and be inspired to practice on their chosen sports. Time will come, they will be the one breaking the table and their parents proud of their feats.

Efren “Bata” Reyes’ Dilemma

Efren “Bata” Reyes is torn between smiling because these young players are the future of the sports and frowning because it will somehow lessen the prestige of the event. He participated in the opening games and won the race to 9 against Dennis Tugado which pocket the 9-ball five times.

 

 

Carlo Biado wins over a Negrense local

I was able to watch the game between a local Negrense named Sandy Ferrer, who came from Pulupandan, Negros Occidental and Carlo Biado. Biado won over Ferrer with the score 9-5. Carlo enjoyed the game and at times experimented some shots. He adds that the locals has skills in the game so it will not be impossible for them to reach the finals round come May 29, (Sunday).

 

 

Tomorrow, the table will be given to the lady billiards aficionados. It will be another exciting event as they break the 9-ball game at the 2nd floor of Gaisano City Mall.

 

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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 Conception for the opportunity to cover such a big event. Mabuhay po kayo pati narin ang PSC at POC!

 

I was actually excited for the 2nd day because of the beach volleyball event. But when I arrived at La Salle, I was kinda disappointed to see that it was the boys who are playing. So I changed venue and headed to the covered court instead…

 

Enter the covered court…

Loud cheers echo at the covered court as the game between Froilan Trading Mandaue City and La Salle Bacolod was on-going. Although the Cebuanas won the game 3-0, each game sets where neck-to-neck. INTENSE would be the perfect word to describe the game. I must admit that I was cheering Animo! Animo! but this cheer didn’t help as hey are dominated by the powerful aces of the Cebu team.

I was able to interview 3 ladies from the team:

 

Genie Sabas

Genie, the team captain, hails from Cebu and has been playing volleyball since her elementary education. Still panting after the game, she told me that she is not expecting that they will win this game because some of their teammates are sick and can’t come to Bacolod. She was very happy with the 1-0 standing and looks forward for tomorrow’s game against South Western University, also from Cebu.

Karla Marie Garces

Karla is the libero of the team and a junior student at USJR, Cebu City. She was surprised by the 3-0 (best-of-5) win. She is very much excited to play for the whole week as i is her first time to experience a National Game. She said that her team usually joins in Cebu area and this is a big exposure for them. Btw, I think she is the prettiest of them.

Ma. Theresa Iratay

Ma. Theresa actually hails from Manila is a former member of the Philippine Team. When in Manila, she is part of the ARMY team. She was able to join this team because they became friends during one of her visits in Cebu City. Same thoughts came from her mouth, “We are just lucky we won because we are lacking some teammates.”

 

Behind the victory

Behind the victory are stories of people who helped the team compete here at Bacolod City. Genie was thanking Mr. & Mrs. Rene Froilan for sponsoring their airfare and food allowance while here in Bacolod City.

Karla also told me that a good friend, Buyco family let the whole team (10 players) stayed in their house while here in Bacolod. They have sleeping quarters at Bacolod City National Highschool but she said they opt to stay with the Buycos.

I just hope that there will be many Froilan Trading and Buyco Family out there that are willing to support Filipino athletes. Way to go you guys!

 

____ ____ ____

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 Conception for the opportunity to cover such a big event. Mabuhay po kayo pati narin ang PSC at POC!

I feel ignorant when I entered the gymnasium of San Agustin College. It was my first time to watch a gymnastics event other than what I watched on TV during the Olympics. Watching them compete artistically makes me drool over. But yesterday was a different story, I was at the gymnasium to witness the future of Philippine Gymnastics.

doing some floor exercise practice as warm-up

Those 2 hours of watching was swift and I’m glad I chose this event for the day. Not only that it was a joy to see gymnasts bonding together even if they are competing against each other. Hoorays and encouragement are shouted to each athletes before they start their performance. It was a healthy competition.

 

 

Fortunato “Nato” Abad

So I met Fortunato “Nato” Abad, 19, who is ranked #1 in this sports in the senior division. He is on his 2^nd year highschool studies at Carlos P. Garcia in Quezon City. He trains everyday this summer break except on Sundays from 8am-12nn and 3-7pm. I was amazed at his skills on the parallel bars when I was still watching him, later did I know that it was his favorite among the 6 events (floor exercise, pommel horse, rings, vault, high bar, parallel bar). He dreams of competing in the world championship one day.

Coach Janna from Romania

And I think that would not be far from now as Janna, their Romanian coach, said they are ready for the SEA Games next year. Coach Janna also said that gymnastics are for Filipinos because it doesn’t require a height like in basketball or volleyball. She can see development in her almost 2 months of stay in the country as a coach to these young kids.

Caloy Yulo, the next Etheridge?

11-year old Caloy Yulo

I also got to know this young boy Carlos Yulo, 11, who bagged 4 medals in the Palarong Pambansa this year. I can tell you that he is the crowd favorite even at his young age. Would this be the next Neil Etheridge? Me thinks that given timing, support and proper training this kid will bring glory to our country.

 

Monteclaro Brothers, the next Younghusbands?

Let me also tell you of the twin brothers from the US. Christian and John Monteclaro, 20, who came here in the Philippines for the first time and also joined the competition. Man, I tell you they are strong and fit for the games. They are an inspiration to the kids and they were doing high fives after their successful show of talent. Could they be the next Younghusbands?

 

Kudos Ms. Cynthia Carrion and Cong. Manny Pacquiao!

I ended the coverage after an uplifting talk with no other than the president of Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP), Ms. Cynthia Carrion-Norton who shared her passion of improving the condition of gymnastics in the Philippines. She said that some of these kids even came from the streets but with the help of kind-hearted individuals and sponsors they were able to train this pool of talents to be excel in sports. She also added that the Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao supports GAP, so I say kudos to that Congressman Pacquiao!

 

I hope that there will be more sponsors who will are willing to make a difference in the lives of the future of Philippines Sports. I even pray that this sports like that of football and boxing be given more coverage as I can see potential in these kids.

 

Can gymnastics be the next football in the Philippine Sporting community?

Definitely, Yes. If people will be willing to sponsor these talents and if funds are used properly. I’m very much excited for the next 5 to 10 years of the GAP development.

 

____ ____ ____

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 Conception for the opportunity to cover such a big event. Mabuhay po kayo pati narin ang PSC at POC!

So I am here right now in Bacolod City to cover the Philippine National Games 2011 (PNG) organized by the PSC-POC (Philippine Sports Commission – Philippine Olympic Committee). I believe I’m one of the three bloggers in the more than 30 media personnel and I’m kinda lost of what to do as this is my first time to cover such kind of event.

 

Almost Php30-million budget

What excites me the most is that of learning new things and trying to do live blogging. A perfect practice for my travel adventure in Mindanao on June. Anyway, I attended the presscon yesterday and the only thing I remembered is that they have almost Php30million budget for this. Too big or too small for such an event? I don’t know. But one thing I know these would help our national athletes in showcasing their talents. This is a perfect venue to demonstrate the fruit of their hard works in the gym. This also I want to write during this series.

 

Younghusbands joined the Fun Run

 

Just this morning, the PNG was kicked-off with a fun run that started at the New Bacolod City Center. I was planning to join the 5K run but woke up 30 minutes late. My bad! Out of frustration, I did a solo 5K run at the Provincial Capitol grounds. Btw, for the Younghusbands fans out there, they joined the run too! But I want to highlight more the para-athletes who joined and finished the event. Way to go guys! You are an inspiration to many.

 

For the 26th SEA Games

The National Games is attended by more than 3,000 rising athletes. These competitors will give their best as the results of this will affect our delegation to the upcoming 26th SEA Games in Indonesia come November.  Games are in session at Bacolod City, Bago City, Talisay City and Silay City until May 29, 2011. Among the 36 events are Athletics, Gymnastics, Softball, Beach Volleyball, Wind Surfing, Canoe/Kayak, Cycling and Triathlon.

This series will be exciting!!!

 

Following are the stories of the events I covered so far:

Fencing: An Underrated Event

Archery: Small But Terrible Gabby Moreno

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?

 

Official Results:

Philippine National Games Official Results (May 27)

Philippine National Games Official Results (May 26)

Philippine National Games Official Results (May 22-25)

 

 

You can also check the Official PNG website for updates and results.

**Photos of the Younghusbands and the para-athletes are lifted from PSC Facebook Page.

 

____ ____ ____

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 Conception for the opportunity to cover such a big event. Mabuhay po kayo pati narin ang PSC at POC!