July 5, 2009
Announcements, Corporate, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Soccksargen, Society, Socsksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Videos
Mindanaoan Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao will again star in a major Nike commercial — but this time, he will be joined by two other sports giants – NBA star Kobe Bryant and golf sensation Tiger Woods. I may be wrong…but I think that while this isn’t Pacquiao’s first time to do a Nike commercial, this is the first time that he will film a commercial with Woods and Bryant.
As expected, this will be one very explosive commercial…one that Pinoys, most especially Mindanaoans, will look forward to.
This much-awaited Nike commercial featuring Manny Pacquiao, Kobe Bryant and Tiger Woods will reportedly be shot in Los Angeles on July 8, 2009.
Meanwhile, check out this cool Nike superstars commercial featuring Pacman, Kobe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Maria Sharapova and others: (this one’s for Nike Hongkong)
LikeFebruary 8, 2009
Arts, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Sports, northern mindanao
The Philippine Senate recently formally commended Mindanaoan Francis Casey “Niño” Alcantara, the first Filipino Australian Open champ, via a resolution. Just this week, the senators unanimously adopted Senate Resolution Number 860 authored by Senator Pia Cayetano commending the country’s newest sports phenomenon. Alcantara recently nabbed the Junior Boys Doubles crown of the Australian Open Tennis Championships. Alcantara played alongside partner Cheng-Peng Hsiehtoi of Taiwan.
Alcantara, 17 years old, is a student of Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan University) in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao.
The son of a Bukidnon native (his mother Sarah is from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Mindanao), this young Mindanaoan is the very first Filipino to win a “Grand Slam” tennis tournament. * Nino, by the way, lost his father 6 years ago to cardiac arrest. *
“Niño’s hard work, dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship sets a good example and is an inspiration for the Filipino people,” Sen. Pia Cayetano said in her resolution.
“The distinction that Alcantara brings home is a source of national pride and inspiration for our people and our nation, especially the youth.”
Because of his recent Australian Open victory, Nino has raised his International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior rankings from No. 29 to No. 18. Plus what’s really very commendable is the fact that this Mindanaoan achieved this victory even while being a full-time senior high school student in Xavier University.
Nino is the only junior player in the world’s top 30 still in school. Amazing feat indeed!
CONGRATULATIONS NINO!
Below is the full text of Sen. Cayetano’s resolution, which she read before the chambers last February 3, 2009:
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )
S E N A T E
P.S. RES NO. 860
Introduced by SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO
A RESOLUTION
COMMENDING FRANCIS CASEY “NIÑO” ALCANTARA FOR BEING THE FIRST FILIPINO TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT (JUNIORS BOYS DOUBLES)
WHEREAS, Francis Casey “Niño” Alcantara, 17 years old, from Cagayan de Oro City, competed in the Australian Open Tennis Championships (Junior Boys Doubles) held last January 19 to February 1, 2009;
WHEREAS, the Australian Open is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments held every January in Melbourne, Australia, attracting the top tennis players all over the world;
WHEREAS, Alcantara made the country proud when he became the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam tennis tournament when he won the title for the Junior Boys Doubles in said Australian Open;
WHEREAS, Alcantara paired with 17-year-old Cheng-Peng Hsieh of Taiwan and together, they demolished Mikhal Biryukov of Russia and Yasutaka Uchiyama of Japan, 6-4, 6-2 to win the above-mentioned championship;
WHEREAS, Alcantara is the Philippines’ top-ranked junior player and is now No. 20 in the world in the 18-and-under circuit;
WHEREAS, Alcantara achieved this status even while being a full-time senior high school student in Xavier University, thus being the only junior player in the world’s top 30 still in school;
WHEREAS, his hard work, dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship sets a good example and is an inspiration for the Filipino people, especially the youth;
WHEREAS, this distinction that Alcantara brings home is a source of national pride and inspiration for our people and our nation, especially the youth.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that that the Senate of the Philippines commend Francis Casey “Niño” Alcantara for being the first Filipino to win the championship of the Australian Open Tennis Tournament (Junior Boys Doubles).
Adopted,
(signed)
PIA S. CAYETANO
Senator
All photos in this post were sent to Mindanaoan and are courtesy of the Office of Sen. Pia Cayetano
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I absolutely agree with Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s statement that Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s win over Oscar “Golden Boy” De La Hoya recently should not mask the real, true state of Philippine sports. While we’re all happy and proud of Pacquiao’s win in the recently concluded “Dream Match,” (congratulations, Manny!) we should not forget that there’s still so much to be done in order to really make the Filipino truly excel in different sporting fronts (and not just in boxing).
It’s true that Pacquiao, a certified Mindanaoan by the way (he was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon and grew up in General Santos City, Mindanao), is a genuine sports hero not only among Filipinos but among boxing aficionados all over the world. What he displayed last weekend was exemplary sportsmanship, skill and dedication. (And because of his hard work, he’s now apparently a certified billionaire and two big names in the boxing arena are after him – Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather, Jr.)
Still, Manny’s win should not and does not represent the overall state of Philippine sports.
Just take the case of the most recent Olympics held in Beijing, China. Haven’t we heard of our Philippine Olympic delegation’s sentiments regarding the lack of funding, the lack of equipment, the lack of proper training venues, the lack of allowances? Didn’t we hear our very own Mindanaoan diver Sheila Mae Perez say that their monthly allowance could barely support her family and yet she still strives to do her best during training and in every meet? Haven’t we heard of the still unresolved problem between the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on the issue of the latter’s alleged dwindling remittance of the supposedly 5 percent share of PSC? (PAGCOR says that they give 5% of their sales to support PSC but PSC alleges that the remittances have been dwindling and that they don’t even receive the money in full) It’s also interesting to note that the Philippine government could only extend…what…P10…P15 Million as incentive for every Olympic gold medalist? That’s not even 1% of Pacquiao’s earnings! Plus could you just imagine if we also gave our Filipino Olympians the same “welcome home” treatment as we gave the Pacman?
Of course, I also cannot help but comment on all those politicians who really tried to squeeze in their faces in every possible photo op. I wonder if they’ll use their pictures with Pacquiao come 2010 elections like one Mindanaoan politician I know (he used his “handshake with the Pacman” photo in his campaign paraphernalia) I wish these politicians would just concentrate on crafting better laws that could really (and I mean REALLY) support the Philippine sports community. Fine, join in the celebration today, but tomorrow, please craft better legislative measures. Help raise funds for our athletes. Help boost their morale. You’ll see, we’ll have better athletes not only in the next Olympics but in all other sports competitions…and yes, there’ll be more photo ops for you.
Manny Pacquiao does deserve all the accolades, yes. No doubt about that. However, I only wish that the same accolades could be bestowed upon the many other Filipino athletes – both amateur and professional – who strive just as hard to bring glory and pride for the Philippines.
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NBA Superstar Kobe Bryant in Mindanao
July 5, 2009
Advocacy, Commentary, Events, General Santos City, Humor, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Soccksargen, Socsksargen, South Cotabato, Sports
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NBA MVP and Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant is coming back to Manila! Nike has made an official announcement that NBA superstar Kobe Bryant will be in Manila, Philippines on July 21, 2009 (this actually falls on a Tuesday so I’m guessing there will be many students who will cut classes so that they can keep up with the Kobe Bryant in Manila schedule).
Kobe’s much-awaited Asia Tour 2009 will kick off in Manila then the LA Lakers player will be off to Singapore, Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Cheng Du. During this Asia Tour, Kobe Bryant will also promote the new Nike Dream Season sneakers exclusively released for Asia.
I’m sure Kobe will be a busy bee while he’s here in the Philippines. Actually, by the time he comes over, he has most probably finished filming a Nike commercial with our very own Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.
That much-awaited Nike commercial will also reportedly feature golf master Tiger Woods.
Which brings me to the title of my post…can you guys imagine if Kobe Bryant visits us here in Mindanao?
I mean, just think of the possibility…what if Manny Pacquiao invites Kobe Bryant over and let the NBA superstar see firsthand just how safe Mindanao is? Manny can also prove to Kobe that there are so many basketball aficionados here in Mindanao, too, who would definitely get a kick out of seeing him in the flesh!
And yeah, a Kobe Bryant in Mindanao invitation made possible by Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao will really do wonders for his PR.
Remember…Manny’s gunning for a congressional seat in Sarangani!