Sports Events

China stamped its class yet again in another spectacular show of power in the recently concluded Asian Games held in Guangzhou, one of China’s progressive western-style metropolises. Sports powerhouse China dominated the games with ease and hauled medals more than twice the medals won by second placer South Korea.
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Japan used to be great in sports but now trails South Korea and China in every sporting event. It seems that Japan is losing its luster and power of who’s who in Asia, economically, militarily and in sports.
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The Philippine Team placed 19th in the medal standing because sports officials do not have a clear sports program. Sports officials always fight for millions of funds. Athletes do not get much financial support. Sports development is limited to select discipline like basketball. The country spent millions for the team that placed 8th behind perennial Champion China.
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The Philippine basketball team is small in size by standard and yet basketball remain as the number one sport that get full support from the sporting,education and business sectors, private institutions and the government. Obviously, the stakeholders are concentrated on the game of basketball even though the team gets smother by the towering players from China, South Korea, Japan and other Middle Eastern teams like Iran
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Foreign hoopsters are regular fixture in the Philippine basketball especially African-Americans, half Filipino-half foreigners and some Africans that match the towering figure of the Chinese and other teams that parades 7 footers.
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Professional basketball in the Philippines is business and business is basketball. Teams are made up of big business entities that produce products with big market followers. Unlike in the NBA where States are represented as teams, the Philippines professional basketball dons jersey with the elaborate products’ name of respective teams.
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Boxing, soccer or football, baseball and other sports that do not needs height are often left with little support from the concerned sectors and the national government itself. Sports development in these disciplines does not get needed endorsement from the education sectors and industry leaders which has been in the forefront of enticing would be players in basketball.
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In the NBA, the Miami Heat All-Star trio of Lebron James, Chris Bosh and Dwane Wade is pathetically off to their worst collaboration in joining forces to win the NBA championship from Kobe and other would be championship caliber teams. James left Cleveland hoping to win big in Miami but it looks like James and co. are not prepared to hold the NBA trophy high above their All-Star status.
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Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar should be given a rematch against his conqueror Cain Velasquez. Lesnar was badly beaten by Velasquez in one of the exciting match in the UFC 121 battles of champions. The rematch would be exciting and hopefully Brock Lesnar will come up impressive and devastating like he used to be.

Lotto Fever

It started when the jackpot prize begins to pile-up high after every draw of which no bettors have won the pot money of 500 million pesos. The prize, which is a record in the Philippine Lotto, continue to bring excitement to the millions of bettors considering that the latest record-breaking jackpot prize is believed to reach 700 million pesos comes the next draw which will be held Monday night, 29th November 2010.

The big lotto jackpot has gained wide media coverage which eventually changed the people’s perception towards the game of chance. Bettors started to grow in numbers, creating greed among the least expected bettors from the rich politicians, movie stars, known media personalities, recognized sports personalities and affluent individuals who are not content with their overflowing wealth.

The new bettors from these sectors, however, did not escaped rebuke from no less than the man of the cloth, retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz. Although, there is no law that prohibit the wealthy politicians and known personalities from betting in the lottery, still the old man of the cloth reminded them of how greed play into their minds. The mind boggling pot money made them so.
And no one could ever stop them from being greed, not even Archbishop Oscar Cruz could change their minds from drooling to hit the biggest lotto jackpot prize in the history of Philippine lotto, because for these people wealth is a clear statement of power, influence and of course greed. The desire to fully and continuously satisfy one self is what makes the greedy to crave for more.
The Holy Bible is clear on this, and here are some of the verses enough to tick away the hearts and minds of the greedy bunch.
Isaiah 56:11 - “Yeah, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they look on their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.”
Psalm 17:12 – “Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.”
Psalm 10:3 – “He boasts about the cravings of his heart, he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.”
And yes, I admit that these verses won’t suffice to nail a statement hard enough to moderate greed amongst us because nobody cares about whom. Lotto fever…let’s draw it on.

The Code of Omerta

According to Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia in the internet, Omertà implies “the categorical prohibition of cooperation with state authorities or reliance on its services, even when one has been victim of a crime.”[2] Even if somebody is convicted for a crime he has not committed, he is supposed to serve the sentence without giving the police any information about the real criminal, even if that criminal has nothing to do with the Mafia himself. Within Mafia culture, breaking omertà is punishable by death.
To insiders and outsiders, the code of omerta is also known as the code of silence. This mafia code, however, has evolved since it was adopted by crime syndicates in Europe particularly in Sicily and other parts of Italy during the 16th century. Because the code has benefited much of the mafia bosses and the criminal organizations they belong, it became the epitome for others to follow the code through which the authorities themselves adopted it as part of their strict implementations of certain rules.

The code of omerta, however, did not only made inroad in the inner structure but it influenced governments, military organizations, school fraternities and street gangs and the corporate or business community especially the shipping industry. Governments anywhere in the world had perfected the code of omerta, giving rise to the many anomalies and killings committed by despots and rogue states.

The military organizations, known for their strict discipline and code of honor, have easily adopted and honed the code of omerta. Soldiers are required to adhere and strictly follow the code. The one that “what you hear, what you see, leave it here,” kind of dictum, or the explicit “see no evil, hear no evil” explanation. Clearly, the principle and philosophical aspect of omerta is what bind the military to the code of silence.

Fraternities, gangs and the shipping industry were equally in good rankings among the followers of the Mafia code. They have the same thinking and inclination towards the code of omerta which protects their interests and standings in a place they called theirs. To glean on the background of fraternities and gangs make us understand that their version of the code of omerta is for stronger brotherhood but sometimes fatalistic in nature.

On the other hand, the shipping industry is more than a follower of the Mafia code. For those who may not know, the shipping industry is the Taliban version of the business sector. They do not only strictly adhere to the dictum of the code of omerta but they are enforcing the more severe form of gag order to all seafarers particularly on ratings and junior officers.

In other words, the shipping industry mostly in tanker, bulk, cargo and other vessels with the same operations usually do not conform to the United Nations Human Rights Convention of protecting the basic human rights of all citizens of the world. According to a local TV report which was aired months ago, most of the time, seafarers were experiencing gag orders from the higher ups.

Just like in any government, military and other sectors, shenanigans are prevalent in the shipping industry. Nobody is allowed to bring up issues that concern the operations of the vessel, more so on LPG Tanker vessel. Anyone found guilty of breaking the code of omerta is dealt with severely, either by suspension or revocation of contract. There’s no Ifs or Buts. The “see no evil, hear no evil” is the standard rule and applies to all ratings and some officers.

I, myself have suffered the fate of rudeness after I posted articles regarding my experience in my short stint as a crew of an LPG Tanker based in Singapore. I was ordered by the shipping agency to delete 4 of my articles to which I complied. I took it as a mere gesture of propriety. But most of seafarers actually fear of losing employment that is why they too had become the accidental followers of the code of omerta. Obviously, bigots and oppressive people are really hard to crack.

Showbiz Dominates Mass Media

The Philippine mass media has completely gobbled-up by showbiz from “gutter-talk shows” to the very lowest showbiz news/gossips, which is best describe as “bovine ordure” in the highest degree. From radio, TV and print media, showbiz mania has almost become the center of everything. Showbiz shares headlines along with political issues and police reports which are often the content of newspapers, radios and TVs.

Showbiz has turned mass media into a cumbersome part of society where the people are feed with the daily dose of insignificant and below standard news reporting. The consequence therefore is enormous because people of all walks of life just couldn’t resist patronizing showbiz, made possible by too many bastardized tabloids and broadsheets and the mass media as a whole.

Instead of quality, high standard, excellent and responsible reporting, the country’s mass media has gone haywire. They made issues out of everything, from the life of showbiz personalities down to the least nonsensical issues or gossips like taking a shower, of having a party, of showing extravagance, of asking what the actor/actress likes about their body, about sex scandal videos and other “bovine ordure” issues that do not merit attention from the public.

This trend of media bias towards showbiz is slowly turning moral and nation building a backseat. Rather than providing the public the necessary information about education, new discovery, featured stories of great importance, economy, environment, empowerment, success stories of individuals for inspirations and other issues that delves on progress and development, the mass media, however, continue to focus on the nauseating world of showbiz.

Decades ago only tabloids and some broadsheets has extensive coverage on showbiz news/gossips but over the years showbiz popularity has widen its scope in mass media including TV stations which are now hiring glib talkers among showbiz reporters & columnists to attract great number of credulous followers or viewers and to bring high ratings to their shows and stations.

Not to be outdone, big companies, corporation, politicians and identified groups or entities have joined the bandwagon of showbiz mania purposely for promotional activities. For these people, showbiz is money and money is wealth and power and so the showbiz delusion continues.

I have nothing against showbiz per se but the way it is being run by the industry and corporate leaders and the mass media is too much. Instead of educational shows, the big three TV stations in the country is competing against each other by having too many showbiz talk shows without any purpose whatsoever but to feed garbage news to the public.

Unlike in some ASEAN countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, showbiz news/gossips do not given much attention as headlines. The mass media in Malaysia give much relevance to their progress and development as a nation. Their broadsheets are full of knowledge-based information. Their TV stations do not have showbiz talk shows that poison and twist the logical sense of the public.

Vietnam is more than conscientious towards progress and development that is why they have a mass media - although quite restricted for some political reason – that prioritize news and programs that have social significance. The country’s TV stations continuously airs their heroes exploits particularly Ho Chi Mihn, Vietnam’s revolutionary hero. Showbiz gossip is a non factor in the country’s fast developing economy.

Mass media has a significant role in nation building but only then it could happen if that role will be taken seriously with utmost diligence and responsibility to help the nation realized progress and development. The mass media shouldn’t let showbiz rule over them and to prevent the public of acquiring “delusional infection” instead feed the public the antidote of knowledge-based information relevant to total progress and development.

Elections Promises

After the May 10, 2010 Presidential elections the Filipino masses will again troop to the voting precincts this coming 25th of October 2010 to participate in Barangay or community elections. The voters will elect their community and youth leaders to continue of what the local government code of the Philippines’ coherent decree allowing local communities to conscientiously participate in nation building.

This political exercise, however, over the years has become the training ground for graft & corruption, malfeasance, fraud, abuse of authority and bad governance by select individuals with questionable characters. Candidates vying for community and youth leadership, both first timers and old timers, are often engage in killings and dirty politicking just to show who’s who in their community.

There are compelling reasons why select and known individuals run for Barangay/community positions because the perks or benefits are quite attractive and they say it is foolish to refuse a position in the community. Add to that is the support of personalities holding power and influence. That is why this election is very much important to certain individuals with sinister motives because it gives them clout in everything they do in the community as well as in the national level.

The purpose of this election as provided for by the local government code is totally good and well defined but only on papers. Because in reality the people involved in this political exercise are no different from the past and present leaders who shaped the rotten political system of the country.

And the fact that the Philippines has so many religious sects proclaiming the word of God, the people will still vote candidates confirmed as baddies because everybody else were eroded and eaten by the system of things that had been prevailing for a very long period of time. And the way I look at it, this October election is predictable because old faces and the relatives of known & crook personalities will emerge as winners and that as usual ELECTION PROMISES will surely end in the heap of “broken promises.”

P-Noy’s First 100 Days Burst the Opening Mark

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has quickly moved fast in his first 100 days in office last October 08, 2010, and yet the fact that he is still in the early months of his first starring role as president, he has already taken the nod of the vast majority who believe in his ability to lead the nation to progress and development.

But the action is not complete without the villains out to stymie and shame the leading character of P-Noy. The opposition (rabid supporters of the past administration of GMA) as villains, hit the 100 days of President Benigno Aquino for being weak in the face of the August 23, 2010 hostage drama and other nonsensical issues.

Others, like the poor peasants, marginalized since the time of P-Noy’s parents, grandparents and close relatives were calling for P-Noy to finally release to them their share of the Hacienda Luisita, the controversial land property of the family of the President. Another issue that grabbed attention in his first 100 days was the never ending issue of jueteng, the illegal numbers game which was raised by no less than the man of the cloth, retired Bishop Oscar Cruz, one of the leading advocates against illegal gambling.

Because P-Noy is the leading figure in this archipelagic country of the Philippines which was almost written-off for the past 9 years, he did not stopped believing in his resolve to eked-out a better performance as shown by the latest economic figures of the country, by leading its ASEAN neighbors in GDP statistics.

Although, P-Noy has met some flack in his decision making following the IIRC report that investigated the hostage drama and the illegal numbers game brouhaha which accuses his close and trusted officials and for defending them in public, the President fairly fended off criticisms. Add to that when P-Noy signed Amnesty Proclamation No. 50 granting amnesty to all soldiers who mutinied against the then President Gloria Arroyo.

The oppositions were dismayed over the amnesty program of the government but various sectors sided with the decision of the President claiming that the mutineers are principled soldiers who fought abuse of authority and massive corruption in the military and the civilian government of the previous administration.

This time, President Benigno Aquino III looked serious and steadfast in his first starring role as the leader of the Philippines. Only that he is still beholden to patronage politics that gives protection to controversial government officials. If this policy continues in his term, this could be a big setback and might hinder competence and long lasting good governance. But perhaps P-Noy wouldn’t let this to happen again because he knows that the country has been in the doldrums of complete worthlessness. The Filipino nation is keeping their hope alive for the next 6 years and President Noy must do it slowly but surely or bust.

Team Pacquiao Aims Boxing Record

Team Pacquiao is aiming for a boxing record this coming 13th of November 2010 in Dallas Texas where cowboys and cowgirls are in their usual get-up of 10 gallon Stetson hats, boots, cool jeans, corduroys and belt buckles which normally gives an added attraction to visitors especially those who loves the place for its colorful history and country music.

Team Pacquiao is now in intense training in Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines where fans and bystanders alike watched Pacquiao with glee and in star-struck mode. The boxer has big followers in the country and he is mobbed every time he’s exposed to the crowd, the one that admires and follow Pacquiao’s successful career as “people’s champ.”

Many, including Freddie Roach are hoping for Pacquiao to dispatch the bigger Margarito comes fight night. But could it be a walk-in-the-park for Pacquiao? Maybe the answer is on the hands of Pacquiao, known for having sledgehammer-like hands that knocks opponent in total submission.

Manny Pacquiao who is a midget by size according to lil’ Floyd Mayweather Jr., will be hard-pressed to defeat Antonio Margarito who stands at 5’11’’ compared to Pacquiao’s height of 5’6’’ with a body frame slightly smaller than the Mexican fighter. Nonetheless, Team Pacquiao is confident to knock-out Margarito who was once accused of using illegal hand-wraps in his previous fight against Mosley.

Hopefully Pacquiao will still deliver his mastery of the game to show to the world that he is still the boxer people loves to see inside the ring and not as a politician who rubs elbow with fellow lawmakers who have done nothing to improve the lot of the majority of poor Filipino people despite of the billions of pork barrel funds being given to all members of congress.

Congressman Pacquiao is aiming for the number “eight.” Eight championship belts in eight different weight divisions. Incidentally, congressman Pacquiao had just got his extra other 8 when he won a congressional seat last May 10, 2010 election. The number 8 is the official car plate of congressmen in the Philippines. Let’s see if Pacquiao get his record 8 via Antonio Margarito in Dallas, Texas.