In case you haven’t heard yet, Asian Games is over. And for Team Philippines, it was a nightmare – but not as horrible as the Pilipinas Kay Ganda, which for me is a total disaster. It is so funny that we are just eyeing for four (!) medals – but in a struck of bad fortune – we only got 3 gold medals (no typo-error there, it is really t-h-r-e-e) while the Great Wall of China got 199. Schucks! We also got four silver and nine bronze medals which placed us at 19/45. It is our worst performance since 1998.
Add to my dismay, there was no media coverage of the event. Holy crap! It’s such a shame that even NBN didn’t cover the grandest sporting event in the continent. Isn’t that government-owned station have automatic rights to cover these kinds of spectacles? I’m not just sure though.
I’m not discounting the efforts of PSC and various NSAs but I believe that sports program in the country is so half-assessed. I know that our athletes can do much much better, given with proper support and training.
Here is my two-cent worth of (sensible) suggestions:
# 1. Why not build a sports academy? A world-class sports facility that will train potential medal earners. Where to get the fund, you may ask. Congressmen have P200M worth of pork each – why not share some of it to the athletes? Greed is a mortal sin, remember?
#2. I watched last Monday’s I-Witness episode and I learned that the monthly training allowance of our athletes is just between P5,000-P10,000. I think it’s very small. Is it possible if our national athletes would be paid with salaries rather than allowances? Then make them members of Philhealth, Pag-Ibig and SSS/GSIS, be entitled to 13th month pay, paid vacation and sick leave and a monthly pension after retirement.
#3. Let us concentrate on other sports aside from boxing, billiards and basketball. I’m thinking of archery. What you think? Archery doesn’t require the height of a basketball player or the power of a boxer. It only require skills and mental power, lots of it. Filipinos have all that.
#4. Let us send more athletes. We send more free-rider officials and their spouses than athletes. It’s an official trip, meaning taxpayers are footing their expenses, so perhaps we need to keep eye on this. Those officials are just after the free tour, anyway. We all know that so don’t argue.
#5. Pirate Chinese coaches. Or if not, train our athletes in China. Why not? They are world champs in almost everything. In the 2010 Asiad alone, they got 199 gold, 119 silver and 98 bronze medals, yeah, believe it or not.
And oh, before I forget… Let us put the rebels to good use. They are good in shooting, right? Why not get a medal for it? Lol, just kidding.
During the olden days, way before I was born, the Asiad is something that Filipinos look forward to. But now, it seems that most of us are losing interest. It made me sad that we, supposedly the savviest techie in this part of the world (I am thinking that if there’s an Asiad event for netsurfing, Filipinos would bag the gold, silver and bronze altogether. It’s a no brainer.) doesn’t capitalized on our internet prowess to significantly boost the confidence of our athletes. And it’s kinda disappointing.
Anyway, congratulations to Rey Saludar (boxing), Biboy Rivera (bowling), Dennis Orcollo (cue sports) and the rest of Team Philippines, regardless if they brought home a medal or not, for putting up a good fight in Guangzhou. My hugs, kisses and salutations!
This shameless mudslinging and bickering of review centers against each other is getting on my nerves.It’s kinda pathetic and deeply insults the intellect of the students. They’re pandering to us like we’re bunch of morons. The hell!
They need money and this is a competition – yes, I know that for a fact. So, why I making such a big deal out of it? Of course, it is only appropriate that they must uphold at all times civility, discipline and respect for one another. They must always give the highest regard to the students, to appeal not to our emotions but to our intellect. We’re not after the drama; we are after the good results.
If we want to eradicate this BS practice, we must not tolerate it on the first place. We must start choosing a review center that believes in our innate potential to make it no matter what and therefore, recognize their sole responsibility to prepare us for the grand battle – that is the board exam.
But this “BS-mudslinging-thing” taught me that no review center will ever be free from error- not even one. So my task is to determine which errors I cannot live with and which one I can allow. It taught me that I must appraise every review center equitably for everything they have to offer, for what they have done, for what they have failed to do and most importantly, for the way they treat us.
So, I will take this opportunity to quantify in words my decision to choose SULTAN REVIEW GROUP.
One of the things I really admire about SRG is the way they maintain positivity amidst all the accusations being thrown at them. They never gave in to pressure and sling the mud back. They just clear the issues out and it’s up to us if we will believe it or not. There are very few that are capable of this.
I also cannot help but admire Prof. JP Jacomille, one of SRG’s topnotch reviewers respond to criticisms. He has no gimmicks/no fanfare/no entertainment in his lecture, something that may render the class weary and disinterested. But for me, that’s not an issue. His focus was to share in the best of his ability his knowledge, techniques and expertise and make sure that everyone has fully understood it. For this, he earned my salutations!
I cannot impose my will to you. I don’t write this to sway you in my thinking. I am not asking you to agree with me nor enroll in SRG even if you don’t want to because that would be a grave insult to your intellect. What I’m asking you is that you must weigh down your decision as objectively and as intelligently as possible and not just base it on malicious and misleading hate propaganda. You must be staunch enough to stand by your decisions without others butting in. Don’t let others make up your mind. Remember this is our future and this will only be up to us. Jubert John R. Marzan Reviewee, SRG Legazpi
Oh my gawd! The first thing that came into my mind after seeing this photo is “I NEED TO FNCKING POST THIS”. I’ve seen a number of proposed logos for the proposed Manila Olympic bid but this one is so oooh-some. It blew me away.
& the kicker is: IMAGINE IT OURS. :)))Anong sinabi ng logo ng London or Beijing?
I also posted this on my other blog. Please put your responses there as well.
For weeks (or was it months, I can’t tell), I was thinking of nothing but her. It was really kinda odd to me that a girl like her, who I wasn’t very close with, is starting to be a mainstay in my dreams.
Meet Jessa, my ultimate crush. She describes herself as “an average teenage girl but with enormous dreams”. Now, she’s in Bicol University – we’re schoolmates – and presumptuously, a smart ass. She calls me Kuya Hoobert. (She’s the only one to called me as such) Eww diba? But that name is starting to grow on me.
I met her last year through a common friend. It was your typical boy-meets-girl-girl-meets-boy scenario. It was really nothing special. I find her cute and her personality is, well, a towering fortress. She became kinda my crush that’s why I instantly added her as a Facebook contact. And that is how it all started. We slooowly became friends. Almost every night, we’re talking on Facebook. I love talking to her ‘cos she always makes me giggle. She must be the “Sixth Joyful Mystery” of the rosary.
While having our talk during one of those random Facebook nights, I learned that she’s also a blogger. Wow naman! Is this just mere coincidence or what? :)))
To be quite honest, I really don’t know why I’m writing this. And why I’m beginning to be more thoughtful to a girl I only have a crush with. I wasn’t like this before. I think I’m evolving. Sheeze!
But lemme clear things out. No, I’m not doing this ‘cos I’m hoping that my revelation will lead to something deeper, like love, maybe. I just need to get the feeling out of my chest. And yes, we’re friends and we’ll always be FRIENDS.
Oh gawd, this blog post is totally crap. It’s pulsing with cheese and corn. I must stop!
To find out about the girl that calls me Kuya Hoobert, check out Jessa’s personal blog - http://jettmbb18.tumblr.com/.
This is certainly one of the best batch of Binibinis in years. I have a great feeling that the Philippines will emerge once more in the international battle of beauties and brains.
THE BEAUTIES
Czarina Gatbonton. Honestly, I was pissed when this unknown girl was crowned. No, I don't dislike her. It's just that I want another girl for the title. But the Czarina that arrived in China was a different woman altogether. Based on the pictures alone, she is a class above the rest. The other girls look so ordinary when she's a around. She will not be denied of a semifinal spot but she will certainly struggle to win the crown. [follow Czarina's MW journey here]
Anyone calling Czarina "plain jane" can eat my shorts.
Krista Kleiner. A beauty what every Filipino will call beautiful. She's a diva, a scene stealer. She knows how to sell herself onstage. Her obvious waterloo is her body - she needs to tone it down a bit. For now, she has established herself as a front-runner. She might eventually win the crown for the Philippines. [follow Krista's MI journey here]
Psyche Resus. I have a mixed feelings about this girl. She looks so likable and she outshines everyone in the Q&A. But Miss Earth 2010 is full of stunners and she will certainly struggle to be on the semifinals - I have already reserved the crown for Italy. But still, I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.
Who will give us our 8th international crown?
You want a fearless prediction?
None of them. Two of them would place as semifinalists but only one will be a finalist. That's it.
No crown for us this year!
THE BEST
VENUS RAJ.I have no doubt in my mind that Venus will end our 10 year drought in MU. It was very obvious that the organizers wanted her to win. So, the easiest personal question was asked. I was disappointed with her answer, too. But grabbing the 4th RU after ten years of nothingness is a brave feat. Whatta come back for the Philippines! I'm already done with the should-haves and could-haves and just salute her.
Folks, it’s been almost five months since the May Elections. Oh, I miss it. Not that it’s the only election I’ve been involved to but my president Gibo Teodoro stayed in my memory lane.
“I think it’s time that the Filipinos will be able to judge a person more objectively than mere association. After all, life is not a basketball team all the time.”
When I first learned through the news about Gibo’s candidacy many many months back, I asked myself: Who the hell is Gilberto Teodoro Jr? I haven’t heard of him. And how he suddenly joins the wagon? Because Gibo was a little known name to me at first so I did some research. I found out that he has a quite pretty resume, wow! If my memory serves me right, the first time I heard him speak was during an ANC Forum. His answers were impressive; it was delivered with so much eloquence, sincerity and honesty. Right there and then, I became a supporter, no, a fan. Yeah, he’s worthy of being idolized. That’s when I started to follow him, read articles about him, liked his page on Facebook, splattered his face in my blog, wore a green baller band and anything and everything a fan would do. I would oftentimes engage some of my friends to a debate on why Gibo would make a good president. And most of the time, I win.
During Typhoon Ondoy, the Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro was asked by people around him to ride a rubberboat to be visibly seen for media mileage. He politely declined and said: “If I will ride a rubberboat followed by many, it will defeat the purpose of saving lives… How can we save lives when there is no more room on the rubber boats?”
I’ve also been a supporter of Green Team 2010. I’ve been wanting to actively volunteer in the campaign but honestly between acads work and summer affiliation, there was just no time. But I was really proud to be part of that. I’ve never seen a volunteer group as passionate, well informed and dedicated as Green Team. Such enthusiasm is inspiring and contagious. What’s astonishing is this – volunteers pooled their own monies just to go on with the campaign. Green Team volunteers exhibited volunteerism in its truest sense. And yeah, we were never paid.
“Every Filipino given the chance, given the right environment will outperform everybody else.”
During his campaign tour in Tabaco City (04.05.10), I found myself in the center of a sea of supporters shouting his name and flashing upon him a don’t-worry-i’ll-vote-for-you-‘cos-you-rock smile. I was so close to him- an arm’s reach. And to tell you, his mere presence commands attention. This is something I haven’t seen in a long time.
“I don’t want to run a campaign based on negativity. What sets me apart from the rest is that I run on a platform aimed towards healing past wounds.”
I also attended Gibo Rocks 2010 (05.01.10) even if it means being grounded for two weeks in the hotel for not informing my matron of my whereabouts and for going home late. But still, I am proud to say that “the juice is worth the squeeze”. There, I volunteered myself to give away flyers to folks in Baywalk. It was fun!
Mike Enriquez: Ikaw ba ang mananalo kahit mababa ang rating mo sa survey? GIBO: Ako naman ang number one sa puso ng tao. Mike Enriquez: Hindi naman puso ang bibilangin ngayong election. GIBO: AT HINDI RIN SURVEY.
But few days before Election, I was becoming more hopeless that I can be able to vote. My schedule was full except on May 10 and I was so filthy poor that time. Besides I’m still grounded on the first place. So, my chance of practicing my right to suffrage is next to nil. But in an unexpected turn of events – struck of good fortune! Our matron allowed me to go home and my Tita provided me with a roundtrip bus ticket. Yahoo!
Gibo in Dumaguete: A man who introduced himself as a pastor asked: “How will you eliminate corruption?” Gibo answered: “…It’s just like asking how you can assure us that there will be no sinners in this world.”
I recall waking up very early on the morning of May 10 feeling very positive. I went to the voting precint ahead of my family, excited to vote. The moment I stepped out of the voting precint, feeling of hope and pride that I never thought I had swelled inside me. Maybe ‘cos deep inside, I know I have done the right thing. I stood for what I think is right.
“I am not the President. I am not Senator X. I am not Senator Y. I am not defense secretary this. I am Gilbert Teodoro. I am myself.”
For the next days, I am glued in front of the television impatiently waiting for the result. Days passed and it became clearer to me that I and my candidate had lost the battle. To add insult to the injury, Mr. Mediocrity Noynoy won and surprisingly, an indicted ex-president comes second. What’s wrong with you people? Here’s a candidate offering platforms instead of black propaganda, peace instead of mudslinging, intelligence and competency instead of just plain sympathy and still, you turned him down. You allowed a good thing slip through your fingers again and by doing so you damned us to another six years of shame, blame and dirty politics.
“My campaign will remain to be positive because we need to inspire people, we need to encourage people. We need to help each other and lend a helping hand. It has to be positive because our battle cry is ‘Forward Philippines.”
While hearing him concede, I got teary eyed. It is very rare to see a defeated presidentiable with utmost sincerity and openness while conceding, no traces of hate nor anger. Instead of sourgraping, he accepted his defeat and conceded. He is such a gentleman. It was due to this that he received support and love from me and over 3.5 million Filipinos across the world. And with the way I felt right then, it’s time to concede and move on.
“Corruption is merely A function of what you have to do, and not THE function. If you focus your campaign solely on corruption, then you will just be a crime fighter or graft buster, and that is not what a president is. There was minimal corruption in my department during my time…You’ve done it in your own home and you can export it. Hopefully.”
It was simply astonishing to see and hear fellow Greenies stand up for Gibo and said that they are proud that they have voted for him. I, too, share the same sentiment. Gibo’s fan base increased after his defeat. His most active fan page just reached 515, 843 likes. And then, there were sites that have sprouted for him – two of which are Gibo for Senator 2013 and Gibo 2016 Movement. If I were Gibo, I would feel so much love.
“If I were to be running just to be a lapdog or a paid hack, I can very well be that with less risk. I will not risk a carefully guarded reputation and a legacy that I want our son to be proud of.”
Gilberto Teodoro was, without the doubt, the most competent, most intelligent and best suited presidential candidate to come out of the Philippines in memory. He was in our eyes, a president we could be proud of. Gibo, the man who introduced a new breed of politics in the political arena tarnished by traditional politicians. Gibo, the man who diverged from the commonly used campaign strategy that capitalizes on entertainment, black propagandas and personal human tragedy to gain sympathy from the public. Gibo, the man who gave the highest regard to the Filipino people. Gibo, the man who recognized our potential to make the best decisions for ourselves and for the country. Gibo, the man who treated us with respect. Gibo, the man who gave us hope. Despite of his defeat, this man had changed the political landscape. And this is his legacy to leave – FOREVER.
“A hero takes extraordinary steps, with total disregard for personal safety and security, for the benefit of others.”
As for me, I will always be proud of what I did on the morning of May 10. Now and forever I can say with a lot of conviction, “I think therefore I chose, supported and voted Gibo”.
“Whatever decision you make, I know it will be for the better because you’re voting for your future, much more than ours. And so I leave our fate, our future in your hands. We believe, we trust in your capacity to bring our country to a better state.”
Jubert John Requillas Marzan 19 years old, Proud Gibo supporter
