Paalam hopes to inspire; 3 boxers to get house and lot from POC chief
Carlo Paalam, who fell short of winning the Philippines’ first Olympic boxing gold medal last Saturday, hopes that his struggles and journey for greatness will serve as an inspiration to a younger generation athletes, who are seeking to overcome difficult situations......»»
Belle Mariano wins Listeners Choice at 1st Billboard Philippines Women in Music
Belle Mariano said she hopes to inspire little girls to be singers, composers, or anything they would want to be as she received the fan-voted Listeners' Choice Award at last Friday's inaugural Billboard Philipines Women in Music......»»
Final bell rings for boxing chief Ed Picson
Philippine sports lost a pillar -- both inside and outside the boxing ring. Edgar “Ed” Picson passed away following a long battle with liver cancer, his friend and longtime colleague Joaquin Henson announced. He was 69. A Letran College alumnus, Picson started his television career as a semi-regular in "John N Marsha" -- a highly-successful sitcom featuring comedy king Dolphy and Nida Blanca in the 1980s -- while doing boardwork as a radio DJ. He made it into sports the following decade as he served as commentator for “Blow By Blow,” the weekly boxing program that launched Manny Pacquiao’s professional career. He also served as color commentator for the Philippine Basketball Association and wrote a regular column at the Manila Bulletin. In 2009, his biggest break came. With the group of industrialist Manny Pangilinan taking over the leadership of the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines from Manny Lopez, Picson was appointed as executive director who will man the day-to-day operations of the organization. A few years later, he was tapped as Vargas’ secretary general replacing Patrick Gregorio. Under Picson, Philippine boxing flourished as he retained the services of longtime coaches like Pat Gaspi, Ronald Chavez and Roel and Boy Velasco while expanding its talent identification program in major provinces like Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. To make the program more holistic, he hired a foreign mentor in Donn Abnett of Australia and provided the boxers with deep knowledge in strength and conditioning, psychology, nutrition and other sport sciences. The result was truly impressive as his leadership inspired Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam to win a silver medal while Eumir Marcial took home a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. His achievement was greatly rewarded when Vargas passed him the Abap leadership in November of 2021. To make up for his lingering battle with cancer, he tapped a young sport leader in Marcus Manalo to assist him as his secretary general. The boxers were preparing for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at the Teachers Camp in Baguio City when news of Picson’s demise broke out at high noon on Wednesday. “It is with deep sadness that I confirm that ABAP president Ed Picson passed away this morning due to complications from cancer of the liver,” Manalo said in a statement. “ABAP will have a special board meeting tomorrow and will come up with an official statement.” Henson said branded Picson as a sports broadcasting “legend.” “ABAP president and dear friend Ed Picson passed away at 11 this morning due to complications from liver cancer,” Henson said in a social media post. “Ed was a legend in sports broadcasting and when Senator Manny revived ‘Blow By Blow’ late last year, he was invited to cover the fights but he declined. He will be missed.” Another broadcasting colleague in Bill Velasco said he will definitely miss Picson, whom he worked with in the PBA panel in the 1990s. “Lost another old friend today. Farewell, Ed Picson, my colleague from Vintage Enterprises in the early 1990’s,” Velasco said. “You were always articulate, level-headed, and spoke your mind. A great sportscaster, voice talent, and boxing official. God bless you, kind sir.” The post Final bell rings for boxing chief Ed Picson appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippine sports chief vows to support boxers through 2024 Olympics
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Noli Eala has committed to support the national boxing team in its quest for 2024 Paris Olympics......»»
Triumphant boxers, POC chief fly home today
Boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial, along with the rest of the Philippine delegation, will fly home today and will be accorded a hero’s welcome following their feats in the Tokyo Olympics......»»
Paalam hopes to inspire; 3 boxers to get house and lot from POC chief
Carlo Paalam, who fell short of winning the Philippines’ first Olympic boxing gold medal last Saturday, hopes that his struggles and journey for greatness will serve as an inspiration to a younger generation athletes, who are seeking to overcome difficult situations......»»
ARQ Boxing to unveil explosive Engkwentro Dos card on Sept. 18
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The ARQ Boxing Promotions revealed the second installment of their boxing series “Engkwentro Dos,” slated on September 18, 2021, in Mandaue City. ARQ Boxing Gym’s chief trainer Eldo Cortes told CDN Digital that his boxers have already started training last week after taking a short break following the successful staging of […] The post ARQ Boxing to unveil explosive Engkwentro Dos card on Sept. 18 appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
ARQ boxers ready for battle, says trainer
CEBU CITY, Philippines—If there’s one person out there who can assure that the ARQ Boxing Stable’s pugilists are in tip-top shape, it is their chief trainer Eldo Cortes. Many questions arise regarding the condition of ARQ Boxing Stables’ boxers after their much-awaited maiden fight card was rescheduled three times this year. Now that they finally […] The post ARQ boxers ready for battle, says trainer appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Congress promises PSC funding for Tokyo Olympics
Lawmakers promised to heed the Philippine Sports Commission’s call for financial support for the Tokyo Olympics next year. Congressmen who are members of the Committee on Youth and Sports Development gave a positive response when the government’s sports arm lobbied for Tokyo 2021 budget in the House of Representatives. "Rest assured that we will do our part to get the funding for this Olympics. All hands are in. Dapat lahat tayo dito. This is the best chance we have," said committee head Rep. Eric Martinez. He added that they would discuss the matter with the Department of Budget and Management and schedule it the soonest time possible because the athletes "need that budget for the Olympics." PSC Chairman William 'Butch' Ramirez during the regular committee meeting on Wednesday bared the sports agency's need for its slashed funds to continue supporting the training and competitions of Tokyo Olympic Games qualifiers and hopefuls vying for slots. "We were one of those government offices who also contributed to the Bayanihan Act. The DBM deducted from us. Para sa amin malaking bagay 'yun kasi kasama doon 'yung Olympic budget namin. Hanggang ngayon po bakante 'yan. It's an opportunity for us to ask, we need your help," expressed Ramirez. After presenting the Olympic budget request of more than P182 Million for Tokyo-bound athletes and hopefuls made by Chef de Mission (CDM) Mariano Araneta to the PSC, the sports agency chief highlighted the push Congress can give to the country's Olympic dream. "Rep. Bambol Tolentino has initially supported ‘yung P180 million na allowances ng atleta which was approved by the bicam, and to be approved by the President. Thank you sa lahat ng congressman na sumuporta. Pero 'yung Olympic budget namin, we are hoping again for your support," said Ramirez. The PSC chief informed the body that "the Philippine Sports Commission is operating on the savings coming from PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation)" and that "when we talk about the elite athletes of the national team, the budget being used is the NSDF (National Sports Development Fund)” prompting PSC to lessen grassroots sports program related to local government units. "Dito kami naka-focus sa elite athletes. We still have some budget just enough for us to reach December," admitted Ramirez in his response to Committee Vice-Chair Jericho Nograles' inquiry on the PSC's funds. To aid in the government’s effort to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, P596 million from the National Sports Development Fund and another P773 million from the General Appropriations Act by the DBM was slashed from the PSC’s budget. Gymnast Caloy Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena and boxers Irish Magno and Eumir Marcial already qualified for the Summer Games. Eighty-two more hopefuls are training to earn spots in the Tokyo Olympics. .....»»
ABAP head hopes pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics to push through
The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) is keeping its fingers crossed that the Tokyo Olympics will push through in July next year. “I’m just hoping that the Olympics will push through because this is our best chance,” ABAP president Ricky Vargas told Tuesday’s online version of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum. Vargas was reacting to wire reports saying that over half of Tokyo residents that took part in a recent survey are not comfortable with the staging of the Olympics in 2021. They either backed a “further delay or an outright cancellation” of the Tokyo Olympics. The Philippines has qualified two boxers in Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno to the Tokyo Games, and had hoped for a few more to make the grade, including Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Rogen Ladon, and Ian Clark Bautista. “When I look at our boxers, we were ready (for Tokyo 2020),” said Vargas, who was joined by ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson in the forum and presented by San Miguel Corporation, Go For Gold PH, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and powered by Smart. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, everything came to a halt, including the rest of the qualifying tournaments. “We lost steam,” said Vargas. Picson said the Filipino boxers remain steadfast in their training even if there’s no definite schedule on hand. He said training is done mostly with the coaches’ online supervision. “But it’s not the same. Training online is not the same. We need to be able to go back to the gym and spar and box. Not only here but overseas as well,” said Vargas. “Given the situation, that is the next best thing,” Picson added. Vargas said it’s difficult to pin their hopes on a vaccine for things to be even close to what they used to be. “Mahirap hintayin ‘yung vaccine. They may have the vaccine but normally it takes years before we’d like to risk ourselves in getting the vaccine,” he added. “It’s very sad if the Olympics will not push through at least next year. Or we wait for the next Olympics (in Paris in 2024),” Vargas said. “It’s a very tough decision. The IOC (International Olympic Committee), I’ve been reading, is having a very difficult time because of all the investment put in by the Japanese government,” he added. The ABAP chief had high hopes that the country could win the elusive gold in the Tokyo Olympics – through boxing. But the pandemic, somehow, had turned things around......»»
Tokyo Games is golden chance for Pinoy boxers
By NICK GIONGCO Boxing chief Ricky Vargas said he might end up with a broken heart if the Tokyo Olympics gets scrapped altogether. “Masyadong malungkot if hindi matuloy,” said Vargas, who heads the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum webcast on Tuesday. “This […].....»»
Church visits are allowed only until 10 p.m. – Police chief
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Church visits on Maundy Thursday will only be allowed until 10 p.m. the chief of the Cebu City police announced on Thursday, March 28. Police Colonel Ireneo B. Dalogdog, City Director of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said that the public is not allowed inside religious places past 10:00 p.m......»»
Pentagon chief reaffirms support after latest China aggression in WPS
Austin emphasized US support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in a phone call with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Wednesday. .....»»
New DCPO chief pledges technology-driven approach
THE new director of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) underscored the utilization of technology to streamline their operations......»»
House leaves Quiboloy’s fate to Senate
The House of Representatives will no longer pursue and implement the warrant of arrest it issued against pastor Apollo Quiboloy after it approved on final reading the bill revoking the franchise of the evangelist’s alleged TV network......»»
Victims of Baltimore bridge collapse include those from Mexico, Guatemala
Maryland [US], March 27 (ANI): Among those reported missing following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in the US are Mexican nationals, CNN reported, citing Rafael Laveaga, Chief of the Consular Section of Mexico's Embassy in Washington. Laveaga refrained from specifying the exact number of missing Mexican nationals when he addressed reporters near the scene on Tuesday. A reporter asked Laveaga: ".....»»
Ministry helping improve BARMM’s business climate names 10 new officials
The Bangsamoro chief minister has filled out ten regional positions in one of the ministries under him to boost its operation as requested by business blocs enticing foreign investors to venture into viable businesses in the region......»»
Russian Spy Chief Makes Bizarre Claim of US, UK, and Ukraine Involvement in Moscow Attack
In a recent development, the director of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has made startling accusations against Ukraine, the US, and the UK, claiming they.....»»
Live your faith
‘Tis the season to be holy, to contemplate matters of the spirit and repent for one’s sins in hopes of redemption......»»
Van Sickle, Petro Gazz pummel Capital1
Petro Gazz used hammer, Brooke Van Sickle and sword as it overpowered Capital1 Solar Energy, 25-11, 25-19, 25-14, Tuesday to revive its semifinal hopes in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.....»»
New DCPO chief to focus on personnel morale, asset optimization
THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) bid farewell to PCol. Alberto Lupaz and welcomed its new City Director, PCol. Richard Bad-ang, in a turn-over ceremony at the Camp Captain Domingo E. Leonor on March 22......»»