Coming off the heels of Pacquiao's convincing win in Las Vegas, another Pinoy athlete is set to make a name for himself in the international stage. Ilonggo golfer Juvic Pagunsan is all set to play in a PGA Tour event, the Sony Open in Hawaii January next year. Pagunsan, a former caddy from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, came out of nowhere to bag the Asian Tour’s "Rookie of the Year" award after finishing second in the UBS Hong Kong Open last week. His runner-up prize lifted him to seventh in the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit with earnings of $288,794, aside from giving him an automatic slot at the Sony Open. Only 28 years old, Juvic has a long, promising golfing career ahead of him. (read more here)
Monday, November 27, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
And The Hits Just Keep on Coming... for Petron
SunStar, a newspaper based in Southern Philippines, reports that the barge contracted by Petron to transport the oil sludge from Guimaras to the Holcim Plant in Lugait, Misamis Oriental SANK last Monday somewhere off the coast of neighboring Misamis Occidental province (read more here). After Guimaras Governor Rahman Nava, it is now Misamis Occidental Governor Loreto "Leo" Ocampos' s turn to agonize over a "mini-oil spill" in his province.
Incidentally, Leo Ocampos is an old friend. I first met him when he was just a faculty (and later Dean) of the College of Engineering at Misamis University, Ozamis City and we became fast friends. He is a jolly and very funny fellow and his laugh is infectious. And since he is quite tall, I used to kid him and called him "The Richard Gomez of Ozamis." He was very popular with his students. When he first ran for Board Member, he instantly became a hit (especially with the youth) and garnered the highest number of votes among the Board Members. When you are the Number 1 Bokal, people egg you to run for Vice Governor and that's what exactly Leo did, again winning handily against his opponent. Hardly had he warmed his seat as Vice Governor when his Governor suddenly died of illness, thereby making him the Main Man of Misamis. His reelection was a cinch and I think he is already on his third and last term as Governor of Misamis Occidental right now. I consider Leo a model local-level politician - someone who has both brains and charisma, dynamism and drive, and the most important, a sense of humor. You have to have a sense of humor in order to last in politics and you must not take yourself too seriously (masyado pa-importante) in order not to lose your old friends.
Anyway, back to the sinking. The incident occured last Monday and it is now Wednesday but our National Disaster officials have yet to issue a report on what oil spill mitigation measures they are doing or are planning to do in Misamis Occidental. Although Petron was quick to downplay the incident claiming that the environmental effects would not be as calamitious as the oil spill in Guimaras, the fact is that that damned Petron Oil Sludge is like a roving Black Plague spreading and contaminating different areas in the country. I myself have no rage left; when I read about the incident all I can do is sigh in exasperation. I don't know whether the Petron people (who chose and contracted the barge) are idiots or just plain malas. They should probably have their offices feng shui-ed or something to ward off the "evil spirits" because "PR calamities" like this just keep on hitting Petron.
Incidentally, Leo Ocampos is an old friend. I first met him when he was just a faculty (and later Dean) of the College of Engineering at Misamis University, Ozamis City and we became fast friends. He is a jolly and very funny fellow and his laugh is infectious. And since he is quite tall, I used to kid him and called him "The Richard Gomez of Ozamis." He was very popular with his students. When he first ran for Board Member, he instantly became a hit (especially with the youth) and garnered the highest number of votes among the Board Members. When you are the Number 1 Bokal, people egg you to run for Vice Governor and that's what exactly Leo did, again winning handily against his opponent. Hardly had he warmed his seat as Vice Governor when his Governor suddenly died of illness, thereby making him the Main Man of Misamis. His reelection was a cinch and I think he is already on his third and last term as Governor of Misamis Occidental right now. I consider Leo a model local-level politician - someone who has both brains and charisma, dynamism and drive, and the most important, a sense of humor. You have to have a sense of humor in order to last in politics and you must not take yourself too seriously (masyado pa-importante) in order not to lose your old friends.
Anyway, back to the sinking. The incident occured last Monday and it is now Wednesday but our National Disaster officials have yet to issue a report on what oil spill mitigation measures they are doing or are planning to do in Misamis Occidental. Although Petron was quick to downplay the incident claiming that the environmental effects would not be as calamitious as the oil spill in Guimaras, the fact is that that damned Petron Oil Sludge is like a roving Black Plague spreading and contaminating different areas in the country. I myself have no rage left; when I read about the incident all I can do is sigh in exasperation. I don't know whether the Petron people (who chose and contracted the barge) are idiots or just plain malas. They should probably have their offices feng shui-ed or something to ward off the "evil spirits" because "PR calamities" like this just keep on hitting Petron.
Monday, November 20, 2006
He Who Is More Committed Wins
I watched the delayed telecast of the Pacquiao-Morales fight over at ABS-CBN yesterday and I was completely impressed by Manny's performance. There is no other way of describing the fight: he totally out-classed and demolished Morales. (It's good Pacquiao ended the fight in the 4th Round though because if it lasted 12 Rounds I think the people's patience would have been really tested because of all those commercials).
You have to hand it to Pacquiao: he is not only a talented but more importantly, a disciplined fighter. During the pre-fight broadcasts, Manny's rippling muscles and lean physique was a clear indication that he really trained hard and sacrificed a lot to attain top form. In contrast, Morales looked weaker and not as "well-chiseled" as during their second match in Las Vegas. A news photo I saw also showed that Morales gained a lot of weight after their 2nd fight, which may expain partly why it was harder for him to regain his old form. Without a doubt, si Pacquiao "ang mas ara sa condisyon" between the two.
Both fighters are naturally-gifted boxers and are about evenly-matched in terms of skills and ring experience: Pacquiao is a powerful, knock-out puncher while Morales is a wily fighter and an excellent counter-puncher. And in a game where both are evenly matched, it is training and preparation, committment and perseverance that will ultimately make a difference. The Pacquiao-Morales Fight Part III to me proved that "He Who Is More Committed Wins."
Hopefully, this latest victory will silence his detractors who have been claiming that success had gone to Manny's head. I, for one, initially thought that financial success will make Pacquiao "soft." On the contrary, Pacquiao remains committed to his craft and (as his latest fight bore out) even improved as a boxer. We should therefore not begrudge him for savoring the fruits of his labor (such as when he bought a Porsche and built a mansion) because he works hard for it. And far from making him "mellow down," success has in fact made Pacquiao more committed as ever to improving his skills in boxing.
You have to hand it to Pacquiao: he is not only a talented but more importantly, a disciplined fighter. During the pre-fight broadcasts, Manny's rippling muscles and lean physique was a clear indication that he really trained hard and sacrificed a lot to attain top form. In contrast, Morales looked weaker and not as "well-chiseled" as during their second match in Las Vegas. A news photo I saw also showed that Morales gained a lot of weight after their 2nd fight, which may expain partly why it was harder for him to regain his old form. Without a doubt, si Pacquiao "ang mas ara sa condisyon" between the two.
Both fighters are naturally-gifted boxers and are about evenly-matched in terms of skills and ring experience: Pacquiao is a powerful, knock-out puncher while Morales is a wily fighter and an excellent counter-puncher. And in a game where both are evenly matched, it is training and preparation, committment and perseverance that will ultimately make a difference. The Pacquiao-Morales Fight Part III to me proved that "He Who Is More Committed Wins."
Hopefully, this latest victory will silence his detractors who have been claiming that success had gone to Manny's head. I, for one, initially thought that financial success will make Pacquiao "soft." On the contrary, Pacquiao remains committed to his craft and (as his latest fight bore out) even improved as a boxer. We should therefore not begrudge him for savoring the fruits of his labor (such as when he bought a Porsche and built a mansion) because he works hard for it. And far from making him "mellow down," success has in fact made Pacquiao more committed as ever to improving his skills in boxing.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Si Lolo Eddie Pa Golf-Golf Na Lang
After (seemingly) giving up on Charter Change, Former President Fidel Ramos is seen taking it easy and "pa-golf golf" lang sa Iloilo. Ramos was here last Thursday (November 16) to do the ceremonial tee-off at the 9th Bamboo Tee Ceremonial Tournament of the Iloilo Golf and Country Club. As an aside, legend has it that golfers in IGCC used to use tees made of bamboo - I don't know if they still do today - hence the tournament name. (I really think we should promote the use of bamboo instead of plastic tees because it is more environment-friendly). The News Today has this photo of the signature Ramos swing complete with jubilant, jumping golf buddies in the background. One look at the photo and I know it was "staged" - I don't think Mr. Ramos typically grins when hitting his drive. Irregardless, it makes for a good photo op and I would like to thank FVR for generating publicity for IGCC.More commonly known as Sta. Barbara to locals, the Iloilo Golf and Country Club will be celebrating its 100th anniversary next year, which makes it the oldest existing golf course in the Philippines and one of the oldest in Asia. The Club is now a certified member of the prestigious Society of 1907, which is comprised of golf courses established in 1907. This means that IGCC members can now play golf at all Society of 1907 member-clubs in the UK for free (I don't think even tony clubs like Manila Golf and Wack Wack can boast of reciprocal playing rights like this). To celebrate its centenary, the Club has lined up a series of activities (see its website for more details).
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