Ana Guevara responds to a few medals in Tokyo 2020 ‘I didn’t compete’
Anna Guevara. Screenshot / Millennium Ana Guevara confirmed that despite the failure to predict 10 medals in Tokyo 2020, Mexican athletes achieved results Anna Gabriella.....»»
FIBA World Cup experience: Springboard to greater heights
Congratulations are in order for the whole Gilas Pilipinas Team for their monumental win versus China (96-75), ending our FIBA World Cup 2023 campaign on a hopeful note. I have always believed in the capabilities of our athletes who have shown their mettle in international sports competitions. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, I am rallying all Filipinos to support our long-term roadmap to elevate the standing of our athletes in the global arena in all sporting events. Filipinos have excelled in the global stage not just in basketball, billiards, or boxing which are relatively the more popular sports in the country. Take for example Carlos Yulo in gymnastics, EJ Obiena in pole vaulting, Hidilyn Diaz in weightlifting, the late Lydia de Vega in track and field, and, of course, the Filipinas Football team who made us proud during the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup. Our very own Alex Eala is also a rising star in the world of tennis. We have many talented athletes, and we should support them in their quest to give honor to the country. However, success in any sporting event does not come easily. Any athlete will tell you that sports entails discipline, many hours of hard work, and even years of sacrifices. Hence, our efforts to strengthen our chances on the global stage must start at the grassroots level. This is the rationale behind RA 11470 or the National Academy of Sports or NAS law, which I authored and co-sponsored, and signed into law by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2020. The NAS System will provide scholarships to qualified student-athletes from all regions and will allow them to balance academics and sports training by utilizing the state-of-the-art facilities at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. I am also advocating the approval of Senate Bill No. 423 or the Philippine National Games or PNG Act, to institutionalize the conduct of the PNG every two years as this will allow us to discover those with athletic potential at the grassroots level. We have talented athletes, but the government must invest in providing them with opportunities to compete if we want to produce champions on both the national and international stages. I am pushing for SBN 2116, which will amend Section 8 of RA 10699 or the “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.” This will increase the incentives for para-athletes who will win medals in international competitions and make our approach more inclusive to all athletes regardless of their physical limitations. Our efforts to achieve victory in sports must reflect the diversity of our country. The government, together with the private sector and other stakeholders, must consistently provide all the support that our teams need to compete at the global level. Our focus must be on creating opportunities for all aspiring athletes, regardless of geographic or economic background, to excel in their chosen fields. Hence, we should bring our sports development programs closer to those who have the potentials and aspirations to represent our country and bring pride to every Filipino. More importantly, sports is not only a physical game but a means to uplift lives, keep our youth away from vices like illegal drugs, and strengthen camaraderie in our communities. Let us elevate sports as a viable tool in harnessing our citizens into disciplined, productive and patriotic individuals reflective of our Filipino pride. In the same way that we unite to support our athletes, let us also unite to support fellow Filipinos in need. That is why I have continued to engage with various sectors of society to listen to their concerns and help provide solutions to their daily struggles. Filipinos inherently have a “never say die” attitude, especially in sports which is reflective of our resilience as a society. But aside from this commendable trait, our resilience also stems from our inherent compassion for each other. Our “Tapang at Malasakit” must continue so that together, we can uplift the lives of Filipinos. As a Senator and public servant, I remain steadfast in supporting our athletes to reach greater heights while also exerting efforts to help bring government programs and services closer to those in need to provide them with opportunities for a better life. The post FIBA World Cup experience: Springboard to greater heights appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
World wrestling body suspends India after harassment scandal
The Wrestling Federation of India has been suspended by the sports' world body for not holding elections after its chief was charged with sexual misconduct. India's top wrestlers staged weeks of sit-in protests in the capital New Delhi earlier this year demanding the resignation of WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh. The 66-year-old, also a lawmaker for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has since been charged with sexual harassment and stalking but is currently on bail. The federation's leadership was disbanded in the wake of the scandal, with fresh elections scheduled for earlier this month but postponed indefinitely at the last moment. "The absence of a regularly elected president and a board does not comply with the UWW regulations and the conditions for membership," United World Wrestling said in its statement late Thursday. Indian wrestlers will be allowed to compete in the Asian Games next month but not under the Indian flag, the statement added. Singh denies all charges against him and has said he is a victim of a "conspiracy". Wrestling is hugely popular in rural northern India. Images of star athletes being detained by police as they tried to march to parliament in May went viral on social media. Commonwealth Games gold-medal-winning wrestler Anita Sheoran, a witness in a sexual harassment case, has filed her nomination to replace Singh for the top post. But backers of Singh, whose family is prohibited from contesting the elections, had been expected to win any fresh election. Bajrang Punia, one of the wrestlers who led protests against Singh, who won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is in the squad for the Asian Games starting September 23 in Hangzhou. The post World wrestling body suspends India after harassment scandal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippine director puts women at the ‘heart’ of drug war film
Widows and mothers are at the "heart" of a gritty documentary by Philippine filmmaker Sheryl Rose Andes, who turns the camera on women left behind by former president Rodrigo Duterte's deadly drug war. More than 6,000 people were killed in police anti-drug raids during Duterte's six-year term, which ended in June 2022, government data shows. Rights groups estimate the real figure was in the tens of thousands, mostly poor men living in slums who died at the hands of law enforcers, hitmen and vigilantes. Many of the victims had wives or partners and mothers, who have had to deal with the heartbreak and hardship of losing a loved one and often the family's main breadwinner. In her new documentary "Maria", Andes follows two of these women, Mary Ann Domingo and Maria Deparine, as they struggle to survive and find justice. "We have to register that this thing really happened. And now people need to see what has happened to their families," Andes told AFP in an interview. Andes said she was inspired to make the film out of fear that Filipinos could forget, or never learn, about the brutal period in their nation's history. She got a "huge wake-up call" when one of her students in a filmmaking course she teaches at Mapua University in Manila expressed surprise that the drug war was "really happening". That moment in 2020 -- four years into Duterte's drug war, which made headlines around the world and sparked an international investigation into alleged human rights abuses -- left her aghast. Three years later, "Maria" is the first full-length documentary to compete in the country's independent film festival Cinemalaya, which opened August 4. "Maria" -- a common name for women in the Catholic-majority Philippines -- focuses on the harrowing experiences of Domingo and Deparine, which Andes says gives the film "heart and emotion". The documentary shows the women doing menial jobs to support their families and making tearful visits to the tombs of their loved ones. "I zoomed in on the details because it should not just be about numbers," said Andes. "This is a story about women. I don't want this to be remembered as a drug war story." 'It is very difficult' Deparine lost two of her sons within days of each other in September 2016. One was with a local drug dealer when they were abducted by unidentified men. They were both shot in the head and their bodies dumped under a bridge. Six days later, a second son was arrested by police at the home of a drug-dealing couple. He was later found dead under another bridge. Since their deaths, Deparine, who works in a fish cannery and voted for Duterte in 2016, has moved multiple times with her husband and surviving son as they struggle to make enough money to pay the rent. In the same month Deparine lost her sons, Domingo's partner and teenage son were killed in a nighttime police raid while the family slept in their shanty home. Later, she and three of her surviving children had to flee for fear of their safety. Lawyer Kristina Conti, who is helping Domingo seek justice for their deaths, said the four officers who allegedly shot dead her partner and son had been freed on bail and were back in uniform after serving short suspensions. That's despite the men facing a homicide trial. "As a mother who lost her partner, it is very difficult. At times I just wanted to give up, and at times I actually did," Domingo, 49, told AFP in an interview. "This (film) is our chance to show to the world what happened to us." 'Political stand' Catholic priest Flaviano Villanueva, who appears in "Maria", said widows, mothers and grandmothers endured "unimaginable" hardships to keep their remaining family members alive. Villanueva, who runs a support group for the families of the drug war's dead, said there was a "social stigma" that led to discrimination against those left behind. Orphans were "bullied" at school and widows excluded from government assistance because "her husband got killed for being a drug addict", he told AFP. Another woman who features prominently in the film is former Philippines vice president Leni Robredo, a vocal critic of the drug war who is seen consoling Domingo and Deparine. Robredo ran in the 2022 presidential election but lost by a huge margin to the son and namesake of the country's late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who has continued the drug war. Andes, who spent a decade working for a non-government organisation before turning her hand to filmmaking, refuses to shy away from difficult subjects. She said documentaries were a "powerful tool" in retelling history, but she feared that Filipinos preferred "escapism" and were not prepared to face grim reality. Despite Duterte stepping down more than a year ago and Marcos Jr vowing to take the drug war in a new direction, Andes said the killings "never stopped". "A documentary takes a political stand," she said. "We are not fiction and we are not here to titillate." The post Philippine director puts women at the ‘heart’ of drug war film appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go salutes Filipino athletes at Palace concert
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go celebrated the unwavering love and dedication embodied by the “pusong Pilipino” spirit of Filipino athletes during the “Konsyerto sa Palasyo” at the Malacañang’s Kalayaan Grounds last Sunday. With President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in attendance, the event paid tribute to more than 300 Filipino athletes who have represented the Philippines in various sports disciplines, showing to the world the unmistakable heart of the Filipino. In an interview during the event, Go reiterated his commitment to championing the rights and welfare of Filipino athletes. Expressing his gratitude to Marcos for honoring the country’s athletes, he remarked “As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, full support po ako parati sa ating mga atleta.” Among the honored guests were world boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, gymnastics sensation Carlos Yulo, former national fencer Richard Gomez, and the groundbreaking Philippine Women’s Football Team (Filipinas), which made history by becoming the first Filipino team to compete in the FIFA World Cup. Go has been vocal about how engaging in sports can lead to a holistic individual and societal development. He continues to advocate for initiatives fostering an environment that encourages more Filipino athletes to participate in sports and contribute to the nation’s success in international competitions. Go authored and co-sponsored the measure that became Republic Act 11470, which established the National Academy of Sports in 2020. The NAS provides high-quality secondary education with a special sports-oriented curriculum for gifted young Filipinos who wish to enhance their physical and mental sports capacities. The post Go salutes Filipino athletes at Palace concert appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Where art thou, SDF?
Nothing much is heard of the Sugar Development Fund or SDF. Only a few perhaps, among them sugarcane farmers, are aware that there exists a program established to support the sugar industry in the country. Funded through a levy on sugar production with the proceeds used to support various initiatives aimed at improving the competitiveness and sustainability of the sugar industry, SDF was established in 2015 under the Sugarcane Industry Development Act. For all its noble intents and purposes, SIDA aims to promote the growth and development of the sugar industry under the management of the Sugar Regulatory Administration — the agency mandated to oversee the collection and allocation of funds under the SDF. At the height of the controversial Sugar Order 4, SRA directed on 9 August 2022 the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar in the guise of “filling the gap in production.” At that point, bleeding sugarcane farmers were restive. SDF was supposed to support them with a range of initiatives to improve their productivity and competitiveness. It suddenly brought to the fore the lack of research and development, infrastructure development, and support for small-scale farmers. The program, which was intended to provide funding for socialized credit programs for sugarcane farmers and the promotion of alternative crops that could be grown alongside sugarcane, has seemingly gone inutile. In truth, there have been concerns about the collection and allocation of funds under the SDF as some stakeholders called for more transparency in the decision-making process and greater involvement from industry stakeholders. Some have expressed concern that the funds may be used for projects that do not directly benefit the sugar industry or its stakeholders. Senator JV Ejercito, a strong advocate of SIDA and SDF, cannot be emphatic enough about the importance of the sugar industry to the Philippine economy, especially its significant contribution to employment and rural development. For years, the sugar industry has been plagued by several issues, including low productivity, low farmgate prices, high production costs, and stiff competition from cheaper imported sugar. Many of the more or less 62,000 sugar farmers in the country still use antiquated farming methods and lack access to modern technology and equipment, leading to low yields and high production costs, making it difficult for farmers to compete with imported sugar. Data shows that only 422,500 hectares out of the total land area of about 30 million hectares are planted to sugarcane. Despite the high demand for sugar, local farmers have been struggling to make ends meet due to the low prices for their crops, forcing many to abandon sugar farming. The Commission on Audit or CoA, in its 2020 report, found discrepancies in SRA’s utilization of the fund and the lack of supporting documents for some of the expenses charged against the fund. Some of the projects, the report said, were not implemented or completed, while some of the expenditures were not directly related to the development of the sugar industry. All told, the SDF is a crucial tool in addressing these challenges and ensuring a strong and sustainable sugar industry for the economic wellbeing and welfare of local farmers and their communities. With an SDF balance of around P2.5 billion as of February 2021, there is no reason to turn a blind eye to supporting various programs and projects aimed at improving the competitiveness of the sugar industry and the welfare of sugar farmers. The proper management and utilization of the SDF to maximize its potential and promote the consumption of locally produced sugar will make Philippine sugar as sweet as it should be. The post Where art thou, SDF? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Miss Manila 2023 candidates showcased
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna led the sashing of 22 young women who have been chosen as candidates for the search for Miss Manila 2023 held at the Manila City Hall and were organized by the city’s Tourism department headed by Charlie Dungo. According to the mayor, the candidates underwent a face-to-face interview before the board of judges came up with its final, official list of candidates. They were presented and donned with sashes on Monday, 15 May. “All our lovely girls underwent the pre-qualification process and were selected according to their submitted credentials and video footages,” Lacuna said. “We are all excited to see you girls compete.” The pageant is part of the celebration of the city’s forthcoming 452nd founding anniversary on 24 June. “I hope you will enjoy your journey in this pageant. This is your opportunity to hone and shine in your inner and outer character as the woman of the future,” she added. Lacuna thanked all those who joined and helped mount and revive the said project, which was halted due to the 2020 pandemic. The pageant is part of the celebration of the city’s forthcoming 452nd founding anniversary on 24 June and Dungo said the coronation night will be held on 23 June at the Metropolitan Theater and the candidates represent various major areas in the city’s six districts. The candidates will compete in a series of events, including a talent competition, a swimsuit competition, and an evening gown competition. The winner of Miss Manila 2023 will represent the city in the Miss Philippines pageant. The post Miss Manila 2023 candidates showcased appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go visits Cambodia, supports Filipino athletes participating in SEA Games
Senator Bong Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, visited Cambodia and showed his support for the Filipino athletes competing in the Southeast Asian Games, together with his colleagues Senate President Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino, among other officials, this weekend. A known advocate for Philippine sports, Go remarked that the visit to Cambodia was aimed at boosting the morale of Filipino athletes and showing them that they have the full support of the Philippine government. Go also took the opportunity to encourage the athletes to give their best in the competition and to bring home medals for the Philippines. He reminded them that they are not only representing themselves but also the entire nation and that their performance will inspire young Filipinos to pursue their dreams in sports. “Andito po kami ni SP Migz (at) Senator Tolentino, full force po ang Senado to support our athletes. As Chair po ng Committee on Sports, full support po ako palagi sa lahat ng sports. We’re here to support our athletes,” highlighted Go in an ambush interview on Friday, 12 May. “Sana po ay humabol tayo. Kilala naman po ang Pilipino na lumalaban. Pusong Pinoy po yan. Go Philippines! Go, go, go for gold!” encouraged Go. The SEA Games is a multi-sport event that takes place every two years, with athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries participating in various sports competitions. The SEA Games opened last 5 May and it will run until 17 May. During their visit, the senators met with Filipino athletes and coaches and emphasized the importance of sports in promoting unity and understanding among nations. As of 13 May, 11:00 pm, the Philippines has bagged 37 gold, 64 silver, and 77 bronze medals. “Hopefully, makahabol pa rin tayo sa target na gold medals natin. I'm here to support our athletes as Chairman po ng (Senate) Committee on Sports and to boost their morale. Laban lang tayo. Importante (may) pusong Pinoy tayo – talagang lumalaban hanggang dulo. Pakita natin ang kakayahan natin,” expressed Go in an ambush interview during the events on Saturday, 13 May. “Mga atleta, kayo ang inspirasyon ng mga kabataan. Laban lang tayo. Sa mga athletes, goodluck sa inyo (lalo na) yung may mga laban pa sa finals. Goodluck po sa inyong lahat... Dalhin natin ang malaking karangalan para sa ating mga kababayan,” he encouraged. Go then reassured that he will continue working with sports officials and concerned government agencies to strengthen the development of sports in the country and also provide more resources to ensure that Filipino athletes can compete at the highest level. Go added that sports can play a crucial role in promoting health and wellness, fostering unity and camaraderie, and contributing to the economic growth of the nation. He also cited the role of sports in honing the youth and instilling values such as discipline in order to be productive members of society and keeping them away from vices like illegal drugs. For this reason, he sponsored and defended additional funding for the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) during its 2023 budget deliberation, particularly for grassroots sports development and in support of athletes joining international competitions. “Gaya po noon, full support po ako sa ating mga atleta. In fact, ang na-aprubahan po na proposed budget sa PSC noon ay more or less PhP200 million lang. Ako po ang nagsulong na madagdagan po ng PhP1 billion ang (2023) budget po ng PSC para po sa grassroots program at para po suporta sa ating mga atleta nagko-compete po sa SEA Games, Asian Games and even sa Olympics,” Go cited in an ambush interview after his visit to Tondo, Manila on May 10. “Napakaimportante po itong tulong sa ating mga atleta. Kailangan po ng tulong ng gobyerno sa mga atleta at tulong rin po ng pribadong sektor. Kapag nagsama po ‘yang gobyerno at pribadong sektor, malayo po ang ating mararating tulad noong 2019, number 1 po tayo. Nagtulungan po tayo dito, nag-host po tayo dito sa Pilipinas. Number 1 po tayo sa ranking sa SEA Games,” he added. The senator likewise underscored the importance of investing in sports infrastructure and providing more resources for the development of local athletes. He maintained that with proper support, Filipino athletes can compete at the highest level and bring honor to the country. Go earlier authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports in 2020 as part of his vision to ensure promising young athletes can further hone their talents while getting a quality education. The NAS is a government-run academy aimed at developing the country’s future athletes by offering quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who want to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports. The senator also filed Senate Bill No. 423, or the proposed Philippine National Games Act of 2022, to provide a structure for a more comprehensive national sports program, linking grassroots sports promotion to national sports development. The post Bong Go visits Cambodia, supports Filipino athletes participating in SEA Games appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Endings and beginnings
Was it anticlimactic? When the World Health Organization announced recently that Covid-19 “is no longer a public health emergency of international concern”, I expected a more intense reaction from people. From the whole world, actually. Instead, there was nothing. Ho-hum. Moving on. It seems that more than three years after WHO first declared the pandemic in March 2020, people had become immune to the exciting news. Blasé, passive, indifferent. Call it what you may — this is another side of the pandemic, the one where the numbness has set in after years of unprecedented challenges with no end in sight. Yet that is, indeed, just one side. We all know that the health restrictions also caused many people to step up — do something — just to keep earning money. We met over a hundred of them just today (9 May at the Bellevue Manila) during the Daily Tribune’s inaugural Asian Innovation Forum where MSMEs participated in a discussion of various ways the Filipino entrepreneur can compete in a vastly changed world. If the WHO says it is “time to transition” — in their case “to long-term management of Covid-19,” it must be said that many Filipino small business owners had already done just that, over the last three years. And while it may seem like the end is in sight for the pandemic — or, indeed, that the end has come, if the WHO’s pronouncement is the basis — for our entrepreneurs, it is just another beginning. Transitioning into a world in flux is the secret to growth for small businesses aiming for a bigger share of the market. When competitiveness is key, one must innovate to keep ahead of the game. It was heartwarming to see so many business owners joining the DT forum and being really engaged in the short talks delivered by our esteemed speakers and panelists: Atty. Rowel Barba, Director General of the Intellectual Property Office Philippines; George Royeca, founder and CEO of Angkas; PCSO’s Frederick Imson, representing Honorable Mel Robles; UnionDigital’s Dr. David Hardoon; Kim Lato, founder, and CEO of Kimstore; Ida Tiongson, president and CEO of Opal Portfolio Investments Inc., and Rowena San Jose, chief trade-industry development specialist of the Department of Trade and Industry-National Capital Region. Ms Catherine Mary Biazon, head of Gender and Development of Muntinlupa, gave a talk on the city’s innovations and accomplishments toward the cause of women empowerment. I must admit that I was riveted by all their topics. This is unusual as any discussion on tech and finance naturally makes my mind drift off. Yet the stories that were shared on how they persevered through challenging times; how passion carried them through any obstacle simply because they believed in their ideas and dreams; as well as the other side of the coin, where practical steps must be taken to legitimize, grow and strengthen a brand — they resonated with me. The big turnout at the AIF, the perfect mix of speakers, and the resolve we felt when we witnessed the active exchange of ideas during the event inspired us to continue with this advocacy of helping “serve the lifeblood of our economy, the MSMEs, by boosting their confidence and helping open avenues for their growth and development,” as I hoped to say during my welcome remarks. “We take inspiration from our present leaders in urging a Bayanihan mindset — and this is one way that we, as a media organization, have been able to do that — using our platforms and resources, to harness the information, create the opportunity and put together the right people to help build a stronger community… and ultimately for the Filipino entrepreneur to get a foothold in a wider market.” The post Endings and beginnings appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
`Compete with all your heart,’ Go tells SEA Games-bound athletes
On Monday, 24 April, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his full support for Filipino athletes competing in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia as he attended their send-off ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. The event was led by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. who encouraged the Filipino athletes to go for the gold and bring back the Philippines' number one spot in the Games. In an interview during the event, Go, as chair of the Senate Committee on Sports and a sports enthusiast himself, said he understands the value of sports in the lives of young Filipinos. "Nandirito po ako to support. Being a sports enthusiast, noon pa talagang mahilig na po ako sa sports," said Go. "And that’s one way of encouraging the youth to get into sports and stay away from drugs. Isa po ito sa pamamaraan na ilayo po natin ang ating mga kabataan sa iligal na droga. Get into sports, stay away from drugs, and keep them healthy and fit," he added. To help in this cause, Go shared that he sponsored and defended additional funding for the Philippine Sports Commission during its 2023 budget deliberation, particularly for grassroots sports development and in support of athletes joining international competitions. "Gaya noon, full support po ako sa ating mga atleta. Not only sa SEA Games, Asian Games, Olympics, full support po ako," he said. Go continued, "In fact, during the budget deliberation, ang budget po ng PSC less than P200 million. Ako po ‘yung nag-defend at nag-suggest ng dagdag sa pondo nila." "Nagdagdag po tayo ng P1 billion sa budget ng PSC including budget na po para sa Southeast Asian Games, sa iba pang mga grassroots program, not only sa international competition, pati sa local," he added. Particularly, the increase in the PSC's 2023 budget reflected in the General Appropriations Act is intended to support Filipino athletes in the 2022 Asian Games, 2023 Southeast Asian Games, and 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Furthermore, athletes competing in the ASEAN Para Games, Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games, World Combat Games, World Beach Games, Asian Beach Games, and World Beach Games will receive similar support. Portions of the funds were allotted for the country's hosting of the FIBA World Cup in 2023 as well as for several sports programs, such as Batang Pinoy, the Philippine National Games, and the grassroots program under the Sports Development Council. There are also funds allocated for the development of sports infrastructure across the country, as well as for advanced research and development in sports sciences and sports technology. When asked about his message to the athletes, Go echoed Marcos' words of encouragement, "Sinabi na rin po ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos kanina, 'Go, go, go for the gold.' Ibig sabihin sana magtsa-champion po tayo. Ibalik natin ‘yung pagiging No.1 natin." Go reminded the athletes that the important thing is to fight and compete with all their hearts, as Filipinos are known for their passion and perseverance. Around 860 Filipino athletes, 76 reserved players, and 347 sports officials, medical personnel, and support staff will travel to Cambodia to compete in 608 events across 38 sports categories from 5-17 May. With the impressive performance of Filipino athletes in the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam, where they brought home 227 medals, including 52 gold, 70 silver, and 105 bronze, the Philippines is poised to once again make a strong showing in the upcoming games. In the 2019 SEA Games, the Philippines hosted the event and emerged as the overall champion with 149 gold medals, 117 silver medals, and 121 bronze medals. The National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, or Republic Act No. 10699, entitles SEA Games gold medalists to a P300,000 incentive, silver medalists to P150,000, and bronze medalists to P60,000. During the Duterte administration, Go advocated for additional benefits to medalists. An advocate for grassroots sports development, Go earlier authored and co-sponsored RA 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports in 2020 as part of his vision to ensure promising young athletes can further hone their talents while getting quality education. The NAS is a government-run academy aimed at developing the country’s future athletes by offering quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who want to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports. The senator also filed Senate Bill No. 423, or the proposed Philippine National Games Act of 2022, to provide a structure for a more comprehensive national sports program, linking grassroots sports promotion to national sports development The post `Compete with all your heart,’ Go tells SEA Games-bound athletes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CEO of NBCUniversal departs over ‘inappropriate conduct’
The chief executive of NBCUniversal has left the US entertainment giant after acknowledging "an inappropriate relationship" with a colleague, parent company Comcast announced Sunday. Comcast said in a statement that it came to a "mutual decision" with Jeff Shell for him to step down "effective immediately" and "following the company's investigation led by outside counsel into a complaint of inappropriate conduct." NBCUniversal, which was fully acquired by Comcast in 2013, owns a broad portfolio of television news and entertainment networks, as well as a motion picture studio, theme parks and a premium streaming service. "Today is my last day as CEO of NBCUniversal," Shell, 57, said in the Comcast statement. He acknowledged having "had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company." "I'm truly sorry I let my Comcast and NBCUniversal colleagues down, they are the most talented people in the business," he added. Shell had been with the New York-based conglomerate for just under two decades, and had served as CEO since January 2020. Earlier in his career at Universal Films, Shell oversaw some of the studios' biggest franchises such as Fast & Furious and Jurassic World. In an internal memo to employees, shared with AFP, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said: "We built this company on a culture of integrity." "When our principles and policies are violated, we will always move quickly to take appropriate action, as we have done here." The memo did not name an immediate successor but said that senior executives at NBCUniversal would report directly to Comcast President Mike Cavanagh. The website of financial news channel CNBC, a part of NBCUniversal, cited unnamed sources as saying the complaint against Shell "was filed by the woman with who Shell shared the 'inappropriate relationship.'" Shell is the second senior executive to leave the company in the past three years over inappropriate conduct, and as Hollywood continues to clamp down on previously unchecked misbehavior by its moguls. In 2020, the company's vice chairman Ron Meyer left the company after admitting to having an affair and paying the woman a settlement. The issue has not been isolated to NBCUniversal: Jeff Zucker, the former president of CNN, abruptly left his role in February 2022 for not having disclosed a relationship with a colleague. Comcast is due to report its first quarter financial results on Thursday morning. Analysts will be closely watching the results of its streaming platform, Peacock, which has struggled to compete with rivals Netflix and Disney+. In his statement to employees, Roberts said that "NBCUniversal is performing extremely well operationally and financially." Entertainment giants are facing increasing pressure to maintain growth of subscribers for their streaming services. Disney announced layoffs of 7,000 employees in February after the storied company founded by Walt Disney saw its first ever fall in subscribers. For its part, archrival Netflix last week said its number of subscribers hit a record high of 232.5 million in the first quarter of the year, posting a quarterly profit of $1.3 billion. The post CEO of NBCUniversal departs over ‘inappropriate conduct’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Alido, Zaragosa lead chase
After splitting the Visayan leg titles last month, Ira Alido and Rupert Zaragosa track the same route in pursuit of a second crown as action on the Philippine Golf Tour swings to Cavinti, Laguna on Tuesday for the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship at the Caliraya Springs Golf Club in Cavinti, Laguna. They both agree accent would be on iron and wedge game. “For sure, emphasis will be on the approach shots since putting would be a bit tricky on Caliraya greens. If I can manage to hit it closer than I did in the previous events, I would be up there for sure and would have a really good chance of winning,” said Alido, who battled back from five shots down to edge multi-titled Tony Lascuña by one in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic at Marapara. Zaragosa, who dominated the field in scoring a breakthrough in the Iloilo Golf Challenge, is also putting premium on ball control. “Para sa akin, importante yung course management at driving para maka-pwesto sa second shot kasi unpredictable yung greens ng Caliraya,” he said. The P2.5 million event, put up by ICTSI, has drawn 64 players, including defending champion Zanieboy Gialon. Gialon broke away with a third round 68 to lead by five then cruised to a four-stroke victory over former Philippine Open champion Clyde Mondilla to snap a five-year title spell in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. ‘It’s really important for my game because I know that I can really compete in this sport.’ Other notable players in the field are Guido van der Valk, Tony Lascuña, Michael Bibat, Jhonnel Ababa, Joenard Rates, Frankie Miñoza, Albin Engino and Mars Pucay. “It’s really important for my game because I know that I can really compete in this sport,” said Alido, referring to his improbable victory at Marapara. “It’s also a statement that my first win (at Riviera in 2020) wasn’t purely luck and I know that I have what it takes to be successful in my career.” As part of their buildup, Alido and Zaragosa worked on their irons and short game during the break. “It’s more about focusing on my weakness in my game right now which is my iron shots, knowing that is the key for me to stay up there on the leaderboard,” Alido said. “I’m obviously aiming for a win knowing I can play well at Caliraya.” Zaragosa, however, has opted to tone down expectations. “Wala naman akong expectations. Basta ang goal ko lang ay sundin yung game plan,” Zaragosa said. “Nagbabad ako sa short game at nag-practice ng mga clubs na magagamit ko sa Caliraya.” The post Alido, Zaragosa lead chase appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ana Guevara responds to a few medals in Tokyo 2020 ‘I didn’t compete’
Anna Guevara. Screenshot / Millennium Ana Guevara confirmed that despite the failure to predict 10 medals in Tokyo 2020, Mexican athletes achieved results Anna Gabriella.....»»
Laurel Hubbard is the first transgender lifter to compete for New Zealand at Tokyo 2020
MEXICO CITY (apro).- Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, 43, became the first transgender New Zealand athlete selected by the New Zealand Olympic Committee to compete at the.....»»
Rabiya& rsquo;s goal: Bring home the Miss Universe crown& nbsp;
Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo flew to the United States to compete at the pandemic-postponed 69th Miss Universe pageant, exuding confidence wearing a pearl-barong outfit made by designer Chino Christopherson, on Friday morning......»»
NBA eyes December start, 72-game season, Olympics
The NBA is looking at starting a 72-game 2020-21 season in December and finishing in time for players to compete at the Tokyo Olympics according to multiple reports Friday......»»
NBA eyes December start, 72-game season, Olympics: reports
NEW YORK (AFP) – The NBA is looking at starting a 72-game 2020-21 season in December and finishing in time for players to compete at the Tokyo Olympics according to multiple reports Friday. The Athletic and ESPN, citing unnamed sources, said the league told team owners in a Friday conference call about the plans, which […].....»»
Kapamilya leads PH winners at Asian Academy Creative Awards
ABS-CBN brings honor to the country with 14 national winners at the prestigious Asian Academy Creative Awards (AAAs) 2020 that will represent the Philippines and compete against the best of Asian countries in the regional awards night happening in December......»»
Alex Eala to compete in French Open
The 2020 Australian Open girls' doubles champ will be headed to her second Grand Slam tournament this season, after the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forced her into a hiatus......»»
Built by Bo, bonded for Bo, believe in Bo
This is not the first time that Bo Perasol has had a recruiting haul this huge. Now heading into his fifth season in the University of the Philippines, he has brought in blue-chip recruits such as Gerry Abadiano and Carl Tamayo and talented transferees like Joel Cagulangan, CJ Cansino, and Malick Diouf to a team that already has Bright Akhuetie, Kobe Paras, and Ricci Rivero. And don't forget that Gomez de Liano brothers Javi and Juan are only sitting out the next season - and what lies beyond for them is yet to be determined. This is not that different from his time in Ateneo de Manila University when he scored UAAP Jrs. Season MVP Jerie Pingoy, UAAP Jrs. Finals MVP Hubert Cani, NCAA Mythical selection CJ Perez, and NCAA Jrs. standout Arvin Tolentino in his first few years. Those promising prospects then joined forces with Blue Eagle stalwarts Kiefer Ravena and Von Pessumal Unfortunately, all of Pingoy, Cani, Perez, and Tolentino - along with the rest of the so-called "Magnificent 7" - found themselves with academic deficiencies and, therefore, ineligible by the blue and white's standards. Not long after, they transferred to different schools and squads and then had varying degrees of success. Will Coach Bo's tale get a different ending this time with the Fighting Maroons? Perasol is making sure of that. "From my experience in Ateneo, natuto ako. Ngayon, meron kaming grupo sa programa na nagha-handle lang ng academics ng players," he shared. He then continued, "Sinasamahan sila sa mga klase, pinapakilala sa mga propesor, ine-explain na player natin yan, pag merong problema, coordinate lang po tayo." Apparently, this academic assistance team is made up of former student-managers who have graduated. Now, their first job is all about seeing to it that State U would not have to go through the same sort of headache Ateneo had with its "Magnificent 7." With that, you could be sure that UP's pillars of honor and excellence still stand strong even as all these new faces join Men's Basketball Team. "Walang special consideration. Pumapasok sila, bumabagsak sila. Binibigyan sila ng extra work, humihingi sila ng extra work," Coach Bo said. He then continued, "Ang ine-explain ko lagi sa players at sa professors, ang mahalaga, basta masipag pumasok at nagpapakita ng intensyong matuto." STARRING AND STRIKING At present, just about everybody is still getting used to blue-chip recruits and talented transferees going for UP. That is why there are more questions than answers each and every time they announce a new player. And along with the question of whether or not all these new faces would be up to par in terms of the honor and excellence the Philippines' prime public university prides itself in, there is a question of just how the Fighting Maroons got here in the first place. How could State U, not that far removed from its self-proclaimed "dark days," get all of these players? And not just players, at that, but many big name players. The categorical answer? The program could now afford it. "Meron nang pondo salamat sa sponsors," head coach Bo Perasol explained. "For example, kung makikita mo lang yung patches sa harap ng jersey, malaking pera yun. Nag-aagawan ang marami para dun." At present, the shot-caller said that UP has eight corporate sponsors all getting together for the funds for the program. And unlike Ateneo which has Manny V. Pangilinan or National University which has Hans Sy as primary backers, the Fighting Maroons' system is quite different. "Ang source ng funds ng UP, halos lahat galing sa alumni. Tapos lahat yun, mina-manage ng nowheretogobutUP," coach Bo said. According to its website, nowheretogobutUP (NTGBUP) is "a volunteer group of UP alumni that aims to help, assist, and support the development, improvement, and advancement of the varsity program of UP." All of the finances it manages, however, are not necessarily donations. As Perasol put it, "Yung model ng UP is unique kasi yung support nila, kailangan may balik din from us." For example, the tactician said that many of their players have made appearances, online in this continuing COVID-19 crisis and in person prior to the pandemic, to cheer up employees of Palawan Pera Padala, one of the team's sponsors. More importantly, Coach Bo reminded yet again that the only reason they have all these new faces is because they have to. He pointed out how Abadiano and Filipino-American Sam Dowd would make up for the losses of Jun Manzo and Juan GDL as well as how Diouf and Cansino are already waiting in the wings once Bright Akhuetie and Ricci Rivero graduate. "We're also recruiting for the impending need," Perasol said. "Hindi naman ito biglaan. Since nagsimula kami rito, we all did this nang dahan-dahan lang. Kaya rin yung support from alumni for funding, hindi na rin naging mahirap." DREAMING Still, the mere fact that UP is now a big-time player on and off the court in collegiate basketball seemed so farfetched just five years ago. Before Bo Perasol, the Fighting Maroons were stuck in a vicious cycle. Now, though, they have back-to-back playoff appearances and have traded blows with traditional powerhouses for recruits and transferees. All of this made possible because the very moment he came in, Coach Bo already knew the secret to success. "You cannot build a program without funds," he said. Perasol furthered that his biggest takeaway from his time in Ateneo was that competing with the traditional powerhouses on the court entailed competing with them as well off of it. "Alam ko yung kakayanan ng Ateneo and siyempre, kakumpetensya ko rin nun yung La Salle so alam ko rin yung kanila. Ganun na rin ang kakayanan ng NU and yung iba pa, kakayanin din nila kung gustuhin nila," he said. He then continued, "Kaya kung ang objective ng programa is to be in the top four, your program should be levelled din sa capacity ng top four." The General Santos native then went on to point out how training in the country or abroad, recruitment local and overseas, housing, and food and nutrition all have costs. "To sum it up, everything you're going to do would entail financing. Hindi ito kakayanin ng UP as a public school dahil wala namang pondo ang gobyerno para dyan," he said. He then continued, "Ang pinakasagot nalang ng school is yung scholarship. And siyempre, yung nag-aaral ka sa UP." That doesn't mean, however, that their hands were tied. In fact, the answer to the questions had always been there. "The good thing about UP is there's millions of alumni all over the world and a lot are successful people and businessmen who are willing to help," Perasol said. BELIEVING Indeed, having educated Filipinos for over 112 years now, UP has, without a doubt, more than a few successful alumni. It was all a matter of uniting - and then unleashing - them. Even before Bo Perasol came home to Diliman, NTGBUP was already organized. They were not necessarily thrilled with the Fighting Maroons, though. "Nung una, dahan-dahan lang, ambag-ambag lang para merong kakainin, pambayad sa dorm. Merong nag-donate ng shoes," Coach Bo said. He then continued, "Pero siyempre, they want first and foremost a program with improvements and direction." NTGBUP and the UP community got just that from Perasol as a 3-11, seventh-place finish in 2015 became a 5-9, sixth-place finish in 2016 in Coach Bo's first year. In his second year, the squad improved to a 6-8, fifth-place finish. From there, the Fighting Maroons have been in the Final Four for back-to-back years now - and even made the Finals in 2018. "Nagsimula maging excited ang alumni nung nagsimula ring manalo," he shared. "When we started winning, nagkaroon hindi lang ng physical support, but financial support as well. We were ascending eh." In his third year at the helm, State U, finally, officially had corporate sponsors. And you know how that year went? That was when they ended a 21-year Final Four drought and then a 32-year Finals absence. Safe to say, the sleeping giant was awoken. "Yes, sleeping giant talaga tayo and when we say nagising, ang pinaka-catalyst was the winning," its fearless leader said. Now, UP MBT has a mean machine of financial support on its back, paving the path for its big-time recruiting haul in 2020. Even better, they now have a loud and proud fanbase that is making up for all the lost time they stayed away during the "dark days." "Actually, sa pitches ko sa recruitment, kasama sa presentation ko yung machi-cheer sila nang ganung klaseng crowd," Coach Bo said. SURVIVING At the same time, though, that loud and proud fanbase expects much, much more from this brand new power. For each and every one of them, Bo Perasol has but one reminder. "What we have done in the past years is to level up lang. We have a new gym, we have all these players, we can train abroad," he said. He then continued, "Pero yung mga Ateneo, La Salle, 20 to 30 years na nilang ginagawa yan. What we did was just to level up alongside them." Again and again, Coach Bo has said that what he has been doing is, put simply, putting UP in the best position to win. Still, with a roster as overflowing with talent as this, he could only acknowledge that just about everybody sees them as having gone championship or bust. Credit to him, however, Perasol was blunt with his assessment that he would also be disappointed if they would not be able to taste their first championship since 1986 sooner than later. "Yes, it will be a failed plan kung hindi tayo makakakuha ng championship in the next three to five years," he said. He then continued, "Yan naman talaga ang plano and ang ginagawa natin ngayon is all going towards that objective." And again and again, he is putting all those great expectations on his shoulders - and on his shoulders alone. "Ako naman, hindi ko rin pwedeng hindi gawin itong ganitong recruitment kasi hindi rin naman ako magkakaroon ng chance kung ganun. I have to be in the best position to succeed so that we are in the best position to succeed," he said. Only time would tell if all the seeds he has sown would bear fruit. But Coach Bo is already guaranteeing that whatever happens then, he would have no regrets. "In the end, alam ko namang babalik ang lahat sa akin. Alam na alam ko namang ako ang leader ng team," he said. He then continued, "Ang mahalaga is we gave ourselves a chance. Anuman ang outcome, basta nabigyan natin ang sarili natin ng pagkakataon." After years and years and years as the laughingstock of men's basketball, it looks like it's now UP's turn to smile and wave. Whether or not that ultimately turns into jumps for joy for their first title in three decades remains to be seen. But maybe, just maybe, Coach Bo is right - this is all worth it just to have a chance to compete. Just remember that in the "dark days," that chance to compete wasn't there at all. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
Eduard Folayang: When an underdog finally became a world champion
In the five years that I was with the ABS-CBN Sports website, I was fortunate enough to have covered quite a number of memorable sports moments, so when I was asked to write about which was the most memorable for me, it was tough to narrow it down to just one single coverage. I could have written about Letran’s momentous upset of a dynasty-seeking San Beda in the NCAA Season 91 Finals, or I could have written about the Philippine Azkals making history by clinching a spot in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Being an MMA fan, I could have written about getting to be Octagon-side for the UFC’s first and only trip to Manila, which was indeed a dream come true for me. When I think about it however, the coverage that sticks with me to this day, even four years later, was being cage-side, just inches away from Eduard “Landslide” Folayang as he pummeled Shinya Aoki to become the ONE Lightweight World Champion in Singapore back in 2016. I tell people about that night all the time, and I believe I’ll continue to do so for the rest of my life. A Fan First As I mentioned earlier, I’m an MMA fan. In fact, being a fan was actually how I eventually got into sports writing. During my first year or so with ABS-CBN, I got wind of a show on Balls Channel entitled “The Takedown” which was, you guessed it, about the UFC. Immediately, I knew that I wanted to be a part of that show, in any capacity. I even offered to research or write for free, LOL. While I never did get to work on the show (because unfortunately, it lasted only a few episodes), I did get to make some connections (shoutout to Sir Lori, Ms. Jo, and Ms. Anna!) which eventually landed me a gig as a UFC writer for the Balls Channel Website. During that time, I got to meet and interview stars like BJ Penn, Alexander Gustafsson, Urijah Faber, Cung Le, and even Arianny Celeste. For an MMA fan like me, it was like working a dream job. It was a pretty sweet gig. Eventually, that job with the Balls Channel Website would lead me to a spot on the ABS-CBN Sports Website which was launched in 2015. By 2016, I had started covering Asia-based MMA promotion ONE Championship quite a bit because ABS-CBN had signed a broadcast deal with them, and because ONE had a ton of homegrown Pinoy fighters on their roster, most notably Folayang and the Team Lakay guys. Folayang, whose contract with ONE expired in March of 2016, re-signed with the promotion and returned to action in August, defeating Adrian Pang by Unanimous Decision in Macau. That win over Pang earned Folayang the biggest bout of his career at that point: a title shot against reigning champion Aoki. When I learned of that title fight, I was very excited for Folayang, but had little expectations for his chances, being that Aoki was a legend in the sport. Best Seat in the House Eduard Folayang finally getting to fight for a world championship was a huge deal for Filipino MMA fans, especially those that had followed the Baguio-based star’s career since his days in the URCC. The Pinoy star was on ONE’s first ever event, but could never seem to gain enough momentum to compete for a world title, until that point. That November night in Singapore, all the years of work sacrifice that Folayang had put in during his nine-year MMA career would finally pay off. This was only my second time to cover a ONE event overseas, so apart from having to write stories, I also had to take pictures. Learning from my past mistakes, I asked if I could have a spot cage-side so that I could take some at least decent photos. Thankfully, the ONE people agreed and gave me a spot just beside one of the judges’ tables. I had the best seat in the house. Now, as I said, I had tapered my expectations for the fight. I had seen what Aoki could do in the cage. I’ve seen the guy break peoples’ bones before, so honestly, I was just hoping that he wouldn’t injure Folayang. Our guy was the underdog heading into this fight, no doubt about it. Of course, as a Filipino and as a fan I was hoping for a massive upset. The beautiful thing about MMA is anything can happen. Shock The World This was legitimately the first time that I felt nervous covering a fight. It’s like that feeling you have when your favorite basketball team is in a close game with just seconds left. That first round was a frigging whirlwind of emotions if you’re a Pinoy MMA fan. It looked like Aoki was within moments of being able to submit Folayang on multiple occasions. The second round was a little bit more relaxed for Folayang, especially since he had been able to survive Aoki’s opening round grappling blitz. It looked like he was a bit more confident and he started to throw some of his trademark spinning kicks and elbows. A miscalculated flying knee attempt led to another Aoki takedown, but this time around, Folayang appeared a little more calm and relaxed under the pressure. Late in the round, Folayang began to attack Aoki’s torso with punches and kicks, and it looked like it had the Japanese legend a bit winded. The tide had shifted. Heading into the third round, there was a different feeling in the air. It felt like Aoki was done, and it felt like Folayang knew it. In the opening seconds of that fateful third frame, Folayang knew exactly what Aoki was going to do and had an answer for it. Aoki shot in for a takedown, and Folayang countered it with a jumping knee to the jaw. For a brief second, Folayang was on his behind, but managed to outmuscle Aoki and deliver another vicious knee. “Oh sh*t!” I yelled internally while scrambling to take photos of the ensuing beatdown. Folayang turned Aoki over and began to connect with punch after unanswered punch. Without taking my eye away from my camera’s viewfinder, I started yelling for Folayang to finish it. Folayang continued to punish Aoki with piston-like punches as the Singapore Indoor Stadium began to erupt. For what felt like an eternity, referee Yuji Shimada watched as Folayang unloaded nine years worth of heartbreak and frustration into a ground-and-pound sequence. And then, it was over. There was a new lightweight king. AND NEW! EDUARD FOLAYANG STOPS SHINYA AOKI IN ROUND 3! — Santino Honasan???? (@honasantino) November 11, 2016 The Landslide Reigns As much as I would have wanted to keep it cool, I started to freak out. I looked to my right and saw my fellow Pinoy journalists doing the same, one was even standing on the table, cheering the new world champion on. At that point, I had watched UAAP championships, NCAA championships, even some boxing world championships, but this one was different. I knew what Folayang had gone through. I knew that the odds were stacked against him. As the confetti began to rain down and the celebration inside the ring continued, I recomposed myself and started to take pictures again. I wanted to be able to capture this moment. After the official decision and the post-fight interview, I remember calling out to Folayang so that I could take a photo of him with his shiny new toy. I’ve gotten to witness other members of Team Lakay become champions since then. I’ve been blessed enough to see Geje Eustaquio, Kevin Belingon and Joshua Pacio all become titleholders within a single year. While getting to see Team Lakay draped in gold to end 2018 was definitely a sight to behold, being there cage side as ‘Manong Ed’ realized a life-long dream was definitely an experience that I won’t soon forget. Folayang's title win wasn't Team Lakay's first world champmionship, and it isn't the last. For me however, I think it's the most important, because it showed that no matter how many times you fall, you can still find your way to the top. Everyone loves a good underdog story. -- Santino Honasan has served as a sub-section editor for ABS-CBN Sports' website since 2015. He is among thousands of ABS-CBN employees who will be retrenched on August 31, 2020. .....»»