So Close Yet So Far

Yesterday I was able to watch the highly anticipated 2007 World Pool Championship finals on Studio 23 Live. Out of 128 participants, two skillful and lucky players, namely Roberto Gomez from our beloved country and Daryl Peach from England, were vying for the 100,000 dollars cash prize and a trophy. The finals started around 2:30 pm and ended about 7:30 pm. It was a race to 17, so I expected it to be a long and tiresome competition.

It was a grueling match between Gomez and Peach. Gomez was slow at the start and committed errors, but he was able to tie up the score. In spite of that, he wasn’t able to maintain his consistency in the latter part of the match. He executed a terrifying mistake in the 15 – 15 round. He gave the Englishman a chance to take the lead by two and thus won the tournament.
Roberto Gomez was so close in winning the tournament if only he focused more and practiced more. He shouldn’t succumb to public pressure and stress.

For me, both Roberto Gomez and Daryl Peach were the true champions of the tournament. They showed us their true skill, passion, and dedication for the game.

For more information, please visit the following sites.
http://www.worldpoolchampionship.com/
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=98845 http://www.insidepoolmag.com/independent-tournaments/world-pool-championship/peach-victorious-at-2007-world-pool-championship-200711115655.html

Precautionary Tips for Men

According to an article in Healthy Options Lifestyle News Digest (July 2006 issue), the top ten indications of a mentally unstable girlfriend are the following.

1. She stalks you.

The predator clandestinely pursuing the prey is definitely a classic tale of despaired relationship.

2. She freaks over the other women.

At first it may imbibe as a courteous compliment to us, but it may turn out she wants you to sip her caring words of insecurity.

3. She snoops around.
Your privacy is her privacy as well. Who wants that?

4. She interrogates you.
If she has a knack for questioning people, be careful.

5. She lies constantly.

Bring a lie detector test in case you have one.

6. She’s unpredictable and moody.
If you like the challenge, don’t hesitate to have one.

7. She argues in public.
Grandstanding…. Maybe she is a politician?

8. She hijacks your family and friends.

Call the cops before it worsens.

9. She’s been in weird relationships.
Check her profile first!

10. She calls you endlessly.
Your phone will be literally in blazing flames.

Manny Pacquiao: Anak ng Maynila or Anak ni Atienza?

Last Wednesday, Manila Mayor Alfredo “Dirty Harry” Lim was extremely disappointed with “Anak ng Maynila” Manny Pacquiao. He was preparing the welcoming parade for Manny Pacquiao when he received a text message from the boxer’s manager explaining that he wouldn’t be able to attend Manila because he had prior engagement with ex Manila mayor turned DENR secretary Lito Atienza.

Pacquiao’s sojourn to Manila was a sort of tradition. Each time Pacquiao wins a fight, he would instantaneously go to Manila to celebrate his victory. But this heavily publicized tradition was shelved this year.

Lito Atienza was ecstatic when the said boxer visited him last Thursday at his new turf. He mentioned in his interviews that Pacquiao was going to his place because they were chums. He also stated that the main reason for Pacquiao visitation to Manila was because of him. Sorry for Mayor Lim.

A Reflection of Manny Pacquiao’s Latest Bout

We all know Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao is a successful pugilist. He had won numerous boxing awards and had earned innumerable millions of pesos. He had countless gung - ho supporters here and abroad. He had himself circumscribed with a handful of full – fledged and “aged-in-oak-barrels” politicians.

Last October 7, our beloved Manny Pacquiao once more showed the world that Filipinos are not to be played around in boxing. He defeated Antonio Barrera with a unanimous decision. He again earned millions of pesos. He surely didn’t forget to utter his “native” language English when interviewed after the fight.

Incidentally, our Vice President was beside him, giving his congratulatory speech when beset by foreign reporters.

After the TV and live broadcast of the bout, our Madame President quickly gave her dignified felicitation to Manny Pacquiao. TV and radio reporters hastily interviewed Pacquiao’s mother and kababayans. Also, police officials furnished their crime reports to the media stating that during the bout, the city was “peaceful” in general.

Memorable Quotes From Our Beloved Newsmakers Part I

But make no mistake. I will not stand idly when anyone gets in the way of the national interest and tries to block the national vision. From where I sit, I can tell you, a President is always as strong as she wants to be.Pagpalain tayo ng Diyos at ang dakilang gawaing hinaharap natin. The state of the nation is strong.... - SONA 2007 President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

I am sorry. - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Ang sinungaling ay kapatid ng magnanakaw!.... - Susan Roces

You are full of empty promises. Obviously, you have no love for your country. The gravest thing that you have done, is you have stolen the presidency, not once, but twice! - Susan Roces

Meron bang sopas sa Comelec (Do we have soup in Comelec? I was feeling bad, I wanted to get soup). - COMELEC Chairman Benjamin Abalos

Sa mga nanggugulo, sa mga lumalabag sa batas sa Maynila, you better cooperate or evaporate because I am home, running after you! - Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim

If Sen. Ralph Recto ended his speech with Honey, Im home, I will end mine by saying: Erap here I come!!! - Former Senator Loi Ejercito Estrada

Galit? Sobra-sobrang galit... sa kawalanghiyaan. Ang taong ingrata walang puwang sa mundong ito. Walang utang na loob! Kailan sila naging consistent? Sa simula't sapul sinungaling na sila! - Department of Justice (DOJ) Senior state Prosecutor Emily Fe delos Santos

My bone is being… durog, broken - DOH Scereatary Francisco Duque

Its cow's milk -- it's for cows. Iyung pig's milk is for pigs, dog’s milk is for tuta.. breastmilk ng nanay is for sanggol - DOH Scereatary Francisco Duque

Nobody can hawak me - Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Generoso Senga

Ayos palakpakan - Angelo Reyes

Shut up!!- Maguindanao Representative Didagen Dilangalen

What's your problem? - former Defense Secreatary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.

Mother's Milk is for Sanggol!

Last Sunday I was able to watch a government advertisement about breastfeeding. The main message of the ad was "mother's milk is best for babies". The whole commercial focused on the analogy that animal's milk should be given to the same animal species. Examples mentioned in the ad were dog's milk is for tuta (puppy), and pig's milk is for biik (piglet). The last comparison was cow's milk is for sanggol (babies). Then, the narrator stated that babies are not hayop (animals). This commercial was quite similar to what DOH Sec. Duque stated in a television interview last month.

I know this advertisement tackles on the importance of breastfeeding to our babies, but I think the main point is not conveyed properly. The ad stresses that we are not animals; thus drinking cow's or goat's milk is not proper for us. The real question is when we get older, can we drink cow's milk? Isn't it bad to us? Well, according to the ad, yes it is not good because we are not animals. In my own humble opinion, the commercial should be done in other way rather than comparing animal's milk to man.

My Top 15 Oscar Best Picture Movies

Here are my My Top 15 Oscar Best Picture Movies

1. The Godfather

2. Casablanca

3. Schindler's List

4. Amadeus

5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

6. The Godfather Part II

7. On the Waterfront

8. Gone with the Wind

9. American Beauty

10. Million Dollar Baby

11. Chicago

12. Annie Hall

13. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

14. All About Eve

15. West Side Story

This list is only tentative for the reason that I haven't been able to watch previous Oscar winning movies.