PHILSTAR: The race for next world champ

SPORTING CHANCE
By Joaquin Henson │The Philippine Star

Newly crowned IBF lightflyweight champion Johnriel Casimero of Ormoc City is the latest Filipino fighter to join Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire, Brian Viloria, Donnie Nietes and Ana Julaton as world titlists. There are at least 13 Filipino contenders in line for cracks at the throne this year and it’s a mad race to the top. First in the queue is Sonny Boy Jaro who takes on WBC flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam of Thailand in Chaburi on March 2. Jaro, 29, is up against an experienced veteran with a record of 83-3-2, including 44 KOs. Pongsaklek, 34, is on his second reign as WBC titleholder. Jaro was previously thwarted in two attempts to win a world title by Edgar Sosa and Giovani Segura so a third strike may mean it’s over and out. Like the Thai, Jaro is an “oldtimer” with a record of 33-10-5, with 23 KOs, but it’s his first try to capture a flyweight crown. A few weeks ago, Jaro looked scary in mowing down Samuel Apuya in a single round in Caloocan. He’s ready for the biggest challenge of his career. If Pongsaklek isn’t careful, he might be steamrolled by the rugged Jaro.

Next is former WBC lightflyweight champion Rodel Mayol who’s gunning for his second title in as many divisions. Mayol, 30, battles WBA flyweight king Hernan (Tyson) Marquez whose only career loses were to Filipinos Nonito Donaire (KO8) and Richie Mepranum (W10), both inflicted in 2010. Mayol takes on Marquez in Mexico on March 24. Mayol is unbeaten in his last four outings since losing the WBC 108-pound title to Omar Niño Romero on a unanimous decision two years ago. Mayol was deducted two points in the loss to Romero but even without the twin penalties, he would’ve lost the decision anyway as the judges showed margins of three, four and eight points. Marquez, 23, has a 32-2 record, with 25 KOs, compared to Mayol’s 30-5-2, with 22 KOs. Marquez has won his last five bouts, all inside the distance, with Filipino Edrin Dapudong one of the victims.

WBC No. 1 superflyweight Silvester Lopez has an appointment with Japanese Yuki Fujimoto in Laoag on Feb. 25 and is expected to dispose of the visitor easily. Lopez, 24, has been cleared by WBC president Jose Sulaiman as the mandatory challenger of the winner of the title fight between defending champion Suriyan Sor Rungvisai of Thailand and Yota Sato of Japan in Toko on March 27. If Lopez takes care of Fujimoto, it will be his fifth win in a row looking ahead to his title shot.

WBC No. 2 minimumweight Denver Cuello, 25, is nearing a title shot, too. He faces Indonesia’s Kid Suryana in Iloilo on March 10 in a tune-up for his title eliminator against Mexico’s Ganigan Lopez here in late April or early May. Cuello’s manager Aljoe Jaro won the purse bid to stage the eliminator here. Jaro said the eliminator may be a fight for the vacant title as WBC champion Kazuto Ioka of Japan has indicated he will relinquish the throne and move up to superflyweight rather than risk his unblemished record against Cuello.

Others in the list are flyweight Milan Melindo, superflyweight Drian Francisco, bantamweight A. J. Banal, bantamweight Malcolm Tunacao, bantamweight Rolly Lunas, flyweight Rocky Fuentes, flyweight Froilan Saludar, featherweight Lorenzo Villanueva and lightweight Mercito Gesta.

Melindo, 23, has a 26-0 record, with 10 KOs, and is fresh from a seventh round demolition of Mexico’s Juan Esquer. Melindo is ranked No. 1 by the WBO whose champion is Viloria. In fact, Saludar is No. 2 and Fuentes No. 3. Melindo would rather challenge a titlist who isn’t a Filipino so he could try the WBC’s Pongsaklek, the WBAs Marquez or the IBF’s Moruti Mthalane. Pongsaklek and Marquez are tied up with defenses against Filipinos, leaving Donaire victim Mthalane who’ll probably insist on fighting in South Africa where the chances of an invader winning are slim or none.

Francisco, 29, was once the interim WBA superflyweight titleholder. He lost the crown to Thailand’s Tepparith Singwancha who’s now the regular champion. The loss to Tepparith remains the only stain in Francisco’s record. Tepparith is due to stake the title against Tomonobu Shimizu in Yokohama on April 4. If the Thai retains, he might be persuaded to face Francisco in a rematch. Since losing to Tepparith, Francisco has beaten highly regarded Michael Domingo on points. Francisco’s record is 21-1-1, with 16 KOs.

Banal, 23, has rebounded from his shock loss to Rafael Concepcion four years ago to win nine in a row, the latest a decision over Mario Briones. Banal’s record is 26-1-1, with 19 KOs. He’s rated No. 1 by the WBO and if bantamweight champion Jorge Arce abdicates to challenge Donaire, the way is clear for a shot at the vacant throne. The No. 2 contender is Pungluang Sor Singyu of Thailand. Banal is also rated No. 3 by the IBF, No. 5 by the WBC and No. 5 by the WBA. More on future Filipino world champions in Sunday’s column.

M&M means business

SPORTING CHANCE 
By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)

They’re the Johnnys-come-lately in the business of managing athletes but Matthew Manotoc and Marvin Espiritu believe they’ve got what it takes to make a dent in the competitive field of sports agency.

For M&M, it’s all about being professional in their work and sincerely caring about the athletes they represent. Not that other sports agents aren’t professional or indifferent. Espiritu’s father Danny is considered the pioneer in the industry with a slew of marquee players under his wing, like Arwind Santos, Gary David, Jayson Castro, Mark Caguioa, Mac-Mac Cardona, Alex Cabagnot and Cyrus Baguio. Charlie Dy takes care of Jimmy Alapag, Kelly Williams and Ranidel de Ocampo, among others. Loy Allado, Ed Ponceja, Sheryl Reyes, Chris Tan, Lawrence Chongson and Mark Chan are also agents with big-name clients. What M&M tries to provide is a comprehensive approach leading to a secure future. “How to convince a player to join us is the first step,” said Manotoc, a 23-year-old former golf prodigy whose father Tommy was once a PBA deputy commissioner and mother Imee Marcos is Ilocos Norte governor. “We’re a full-service basketball agency where each of our athletes receives special attention in endorsements, financial planning, sports psychology, PR and marketing plans and off-season training. We want to set a standard of excellence and professionalism to become the country’s premier sports agency. The key is to build trust between athlete and agent. Because of my Western orientation, I feel I have a distinct advantage in dealing with Fil-Ams. On the other hand, Marvin has a distinct advantage with the locals because of his father’s extensive network and his familiarity with Philippine conditions. It’s the best of both worlds. We want our athletes to be our close friends. We play pick-up games with them and just like them, we live and breathe sports.”

In return, M&M is paid five percent of the value of a contract it negotiates for an athlete. For endorsements, the fee is between 20 to 30 percent. Is the five percent commission paid up front regardless of the term of the contract? Espiritu said the timing of the payment of fees is negotiable and depends on many factors, including preserving the viability of the sports agency.

“We approach every athlete professionally but with a personal touch,” said Manotoc. “We want to maximize an athlete’s earning potential in his sports career. Our dream is to bring back the glory days of PBA players as mainstream celebrities like when Sen. (Robert) Jaworski, Jerry Codiñera and Alvin Patrimonio were household names, even getting offers for movies and TV shows.” Manotoc blamed the Fil-Shams for diminishing the PBA’s popularity. “The fans turned to other sports leagues like the UAAP,” he said. “Ad agencies seemed to prefer putting spots in the UAAP than the PBA. We hope to change that attitude. The PBA is clearly back on track and fans are filling up the stadium again. We’re talking to ad agencies and explaining what players like Arwind and Alex can do as endorsers. We don’t want to transform athletes into artistas but we feel they’ve got earning potential as celebrities in their own right.”

M&M recently signed a contract with Viva Entertainment to enhance the image of athletes in the media landscape. “We want our clients to be seen as celebrities similar to Kobe Bryant and LeBron James with the ability to endorse mainstream product,” said Espiritu who linked his father’s client The Spiderman to Viva. “My father has given us a free hand to look for commercial opportunities for his athletes. We can package athletes together and use different marketing angles to guarantee maximum positive mileage.”

For starters, M&M picked Cabagnot, Santos, Japeth Aguilar, Chris Lutz, Marcio Lassiter, Caguioa, Castro, David, Cardona, Baguio, Julius Pasculado, Bobby Ray Parks, Yousef Taha and Jason Deutchman as the iconic candidates for commercial opportunities.

“The advantages of a celebrity athlete endorser are many,” noted Manotoc. “He can enhance brand equity, contribute, freshen and add a new dimension to a brand, build brand credibility, enhance message recall, influence the consumer’s purchase intention, increase media coverage, breathe new life into a brand, build consumer trust, target the health-conscious and active lifestyle consumers and deliver mass appeal.”

Both Manotoc and Espiritu are well-schooled for the job. Manotoc finished at Clarement McKenna College, an exclusive liberal arts private institution in Los Angeles and has been involved in investments for years. Espiritu attended the College of St. Benilde and is a successful entrepreneur with business interests in ice, wines and liquor. They’re engaged in sports agency on a full-time basis because it’s a commitment to their clients.

Postscript. Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau has edged out Miami’s Erik Spoelstra for the job to call the shots for the East in the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 26 in Orlando. The Bulls are 24-7 and Miami, 23-7 at the cut-off to determine the conference leader. Despite playing without reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose, the Bulls beat Sacramento, 121-115, yesterday to clinch it for Thibodeau even as the Heat downed Indiana, 105-90, on the road. If Chicago lost to the Kings, Spoelstra would be going to Orlando instead. Chicago displayed depth as six players scored in twin digits, including Kyle Korver who drained 4-of-5 treys … Barangay Ginebra consultant Alfrancis Chua’s father David Sr. passed away in San Francisco recently. Condolences to the Chua family … Harvard economics graduate Jeremy Lin sizzled with 27 points and 11 assists to lead New York over Toronto, 90-87, yesterday for the Knicks’ sixth win in a row. New York came back from 17 down and Lin shot the Knicks’ last six points, including the clinching triple with 0.5 of a second left. Amare Stoudemire was back from a week’s leave to mourn his brother’s death and hit 21 points in 33:36 minutes. Lin played 43:10 minutes and buried 2-of-2 triples. A sore point was his eight turnovers but who cares? The Dragon is breathing fire and the Knicks are suddenly the toast of the league.

PHILSTAR: Toroman faces new challenge

-By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Toroman, 57, returned to Manila from Belgrade last Saturday.  He has agreed on a two-year contract to work as a consultant with Petron, Barangay Ginebra and B-Meg in the PBA and San Miguel Beer in the ABL.

“My priority is the three PBA teams,” said Toroman. “It’s a lot of work.  I will be attending the practice of all the teams and watching all the games in the PBA.  I will serve as an adviser.  I will not sit on the bench during games.  Before, my responsibility was for one team – Smart Gilas.  Now, I will be working with several teams.”

Toroman said he is excited to work closely with Petron coach Ato Agustin, Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen and B-Meg coach Tim Cone.  “Of course, I know all of them but I know Tim more closely than Ato or Siot,” he said.  “I’m excited to work with them.  I’ve spoken with Tim before.  I respect his work and I think he respects mine.”  Toroman will also be a consultant for San Miguel’s ABL squad coached by Bobby Parks.

Toroman said when his Smart Gilas contract expired, his priority was to find a job in the country.  “I love the Philippines,” he said.  “My wife (Tanya) loves the Philippines, too.  Right now, she is attending to obligations in Belgrade and will join me in Manila after a month.  I had an offer in Serbia to coach a club but I wanted to wait for an option in the Philippines.  I spent three wonderful years in the Philippines.  I’m very proud of what we accomplished with Smart Gilas.  I’m very grateful to the Filipino fans who came out to ask me to stay in internet forums, twitter and other message platforms. I think they showed their appreciation for what we achieved.  I don’t even know them but they messaged very nice things about me.”

Toroman said it is gratifying that several of his former Smart Gilas players are major contributors in the PBA today.  “I’m happy that they’re doing well, that they’re improving,” he said.  “Jvee (Casio), Marcio (Lassiter), Chris (Lutz), Dylan (Ababou), Mark (Barroca), Mac (Baracael) and Japeth (Aguilar) are some of our players now in the PBA.  I’m excited to be able to see them play closely again even if my work will be with coaches.”

Toroman said he won’t find it difficult adjusting to PBA rules despite his FIBA background.  “With Smart Gilas, we played in the PBA before so I’m familiar with the rules,” he said.  “There won’t be a problem in understanding the PBA game.  I don’t know if my opinion will be asked on possible player trades. As a consultant, my role is to advise, to share insights and suggest inputs.  Then the coaches will decide what to do when the game begins.”

Toroman said he will do his best in facing up to the new challenge.  “I’m a professional,” he said.  “I received an offer from the San Miguel group.  It was an exciting offer to be involved with the San Miguel teams.  When my Smart Gilas contract expired, I went back to Serbia and waited for 3 1/2 months.  Then, I returned to Manila to gather my belongings.  I’m happy that I can continue to be involved with basketball in the Philippines.  I’ve worked in several countries all over the world and I don’t think there’s any other country where people have a greater love and passion for the game.”

Toroman previously coached in Iran, China, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzogovina, Cyprus, Holland, Belgium, Poland, Greece and Yugoslavia.  He piloted Iran to the FIBA-Asia title in 2007, earning a slot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the process.  Last year, Toroman took the Philippines to fourth place in the FIBA-Asia Championships, the country’s best finish in 27 years resulting in an eight-rung upgrade in the FIBA rankings to No. 45.  The Philippines’ rise was the third highest behind No. 33 Macedonia with +14 and No. 43 England with +13.  The Olympic host country is ranked only two above the Philippines despite the presence of naturalized player Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls.

Toroman isn’t the only Serbian coach in the country. Zoran Djordjevic, 60, was recently named head coach of the Philippine under-21 and under-23 football teams. Djordjevic previously coached in Sudan, Yemen, Bangladesh and India.

Will coach Spo make it?

-SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)-

Who will coach the East in the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 26 in Orlando? Oklahoma City’s Scott Brooks will call the shots for the West as the Thunder is clearly on top of the conference with a 21-6 record but the race in the East is a dogfight.

At the moment, Chicago is slightly ahead of Miami with a 23-7 record in the East. The Heat is 22-7. Both teams play separate opponents this morning (Manila time). The Bulls host the Sacramento Kings while the Heat is on the road against Indiana. If Chicago and Miami win, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau gets the All-Star job only because of a quirk in the shortened season schedule – the Heat plays one game less before the Feb. 15 cut-off to determine conference leaders. Twin wins would improve the Bulls’ record to 24-7 and the Heat’s mark to 23-7. If the teams were tied, Miami would prevail in a tiebreak for beating Chicago, 97-93, last Jan. 29.

If the Bulls lose to the Kings and Miami beats the Pacers, then Heat coach Erik Spoelstra goes to Orlando. That would mean the Bulls falling to 23-8 and Miami improving to 23-7. A Miami loss to Indiana will send Thibodeau instead even if the Bulls bow to Sacramento.

For the record, Chicago is 9-1 at home so far this season and Miami is 10-5 on the road. The Heat kept Spoelstra’s All-Star hopes alive with a 114-96 road victory over Milwaukee yesterday. That was Miami’s third win in a row.

Thibodeau, 54, was with the coaching staff of Boston, Minnesota, San Antonio, Philadelphia, New York, Houston and Seattle before moving to Chicago last season. He was named Coach of the Year for steering the Bulls to a 62-20 record but Chicago lost to Miami, 4-1, in the Eastern Conference playoff finals. Spoelstra was on the opposite bench when the Bulls made their exit.

It’s not certain if reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose will play for Chicago against Sacramento as he is day-to-day with a back muscle ailment. The Kings, however, shouldn’t be much of a problem. They’re 10-17 and in last place in the Pacific Division.

Spoelstra, 41, is on his fourth year with the Heat. Unlike Thibodeau, he has not worked with any other NBA team and started his career at Miami as a video coordinator in 1995. The Heat has progressed with Spoelstra every year under his watch. He took over a 15-67 squad from Pat Riley and turned it into a 43-39 contender as a rookie head coach in 2008-09. Then, Spoelstra improved the slate to 47-35 to 58-24. Last season Spoelstra brought Miami to the NBA finals but the Heat lost to Dallas in six games. The only Heat coach to call the shots in an NBA All-Star Game was Stan Van Gundy in 2005.

Under NBA rules governing the All-Star Game, a player replacement due to injury will be made by Commissioner David Stern but a starter replacement, also due to injury, is up to the coach.

In the fans poll, voted to make up the East first five were LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Rose, Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony. Coaches in the East voted for the reserves – they were not allowed to vote for their own players. The limitation was to vote for two guards, two forwards, a center and two players of any position. Chosen as the East reserves were Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Andre Iguodala, Deron Williams, Roy Hibbert, Chris Bosh and Luol Deng. The All-Star Game first-timers are Deng, Iguodala and Hibbert.

Rose may or may not play, the same with Anthony who has a right groin injury. If both are replaced or even if one of them is, Stern will name the replacement. Waiting in the wings are Brandon Jennings, Amare Stoudemire, Rajan Rondo, Tyson Chandler, Kevin Garnett and Josh Smith. If a starter is replaced, the coach can choose from anyone in the roster to open the game. That means if Spoelstra makes it, he could start with the Heat’s Big Three of James, Wade and Bosh – assuming Rose or Anthony or both won’t play.

In the West, the fans voted Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant and Andrew Bynum to start. Coaches picked Russell Westbrook, Steve Nash, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Marc Gasol, Tony Parker and Dirk Nowitzki as reserves. Missing in the cast are Tim Duncan, Monta Ellis, Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap. The All-Star Game first-timers are Bynum, Aldridge and Gasol.

For Filpino fans, the sentimental choice to coach the East is Spoelstra who has been a consistent Manila visitor the last three summers.  Spoelstra, a Fil-Am whose mother Elisa Celino is from San Pablo, is the NBA’s ambassador for its Fit Program. But for Spoelstra to become the first-ever All-Star Game coach with Filipino roots, Chicago must lose to Sacramento and Miami must win its fourth in a row over Indiana on the road today – the odds are against it but nothing is impossible.

PHILSTAR: Enter the Dragon

SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)

The Year of the Dragon has unveiled a player of Chinese descent to breathe fire into the NBA this season. Jeremy Lin, 23, was born in Los Angeles to Chinese parents with roots to Taipei and now plays for the New York Knicks. Last campaign, Lin averaged 2.6 points in 26 games for the Golden State Warriors and was more of a promotional attraction for the Bay Area’s large Asian community than a serious contributor on the hardcourt. In fact, he was cut by the Warriors and the Houston Rockets before the Knicks gave him a chance. Displaying fiery form, Lin shot 28 against Utah, 23 against Washington and 38 against the Los Angeles Lakers to score the most points by an NBA cager in his first three career starts since 1976-77. His eruption in the Lakers game overshadowed Kobe Bryant’s 34-point explosion.

At the moment, Lin is averaging 11.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 14 outings. He’s shooting .496 from the field, .770 from the line and a dismal .167 from three-point distance. Slowly, the opposition is starting to take notice and clamping down defensively on Lin. What makes Lin special is his ability to create. He makes no-look blind passes to wide open teammates for easy baskets, penetrates with an eye to dish and doesn’t hesitate to take tough shots on strong moves to the hole. His basketball IQ is exemplary. He’s got a point guard mentality with a wing’s shooting ability.

Obviously, Lin is smart. He earned an economics degree at Harvard University which as is the rule among Ivy League schools, doesn’t award athletic scholarships. Lin finished with a grade point average of 3.1. Aside from excelling in the classroom, Lin was outstanding on the court, ending his four-year varsity career as the first Ivy Leaguer to compile at least 1,450 points, 450 rebounds, 400 assists and 200 steals.

In his last three years at Harvard, Lin’s coach was former Duke guard Tommy Amaker who previously called the shots at Seton Hall and Michigan. Amaker is known to Filipino fans as a member of coach Gene Keady’s US collegiate all-star squad that lost to Ron Jacobs’ Philippine team in overtime in the 1985 Jones Cup finals. As a Harvard rookie, Lin averaged 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds as coach Frank Sullivan took the varsity to a 12-16 record in his 16th year at the helm. Amaker took over the next year and piloted the varsity to an 8-22 mark to 14-14 and finally, to 21-8 in Lin’s senior season. Lin averaged 12.6 points as a sophomore, 17.8 points as a junior and 16.4 points as a senior.

“Jeremy’s a throwback, a complete player with a great deal of energy and competitiveness,” said Amaker quoted by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook. “It’s no longer good enough to drive himself. Now, it’s time to bring others along with him.” And that’s his situation in New York. With his numbers, Lin is in a position to make better players out of his teammates. Surely, the Knicks – now on a five-game winning streak but only in third place in the Atlantic Division with a 13-15 record – can only get better when Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire rejoin the club.

Lin won’t ever become a Michael Jordan or even a Kobe. It’s not his style to shine individually. He’ll thrive in pick-and-rolls, dribble-drives and kick-outs. Coach Mike D’Antoni must realize Lin can’t be thrust into a situation where he puts the Knicks on his shoulders. He’s far from being a LeBron James or a Dwyane Wade. But it’s clear that the Warriors and Rockets made a big mistake in letting him go. Lin has a role to play with the Knicks and in the NBA. He brings hope to Asians who dream of someday breaking into the majors. Before Lin, there were only five players of Asian descent to make it to the NBA. Wat Misaka, born in Utah to Japanese parents, played three games for the Knicks in 1947-48. Raymond Townsend of UCLA saw action for the Warriors and Indiana Pacers in 1978-82. His mother Virginia Marella is from Balayan, Batangas. Rex Walters, Corey Gaines and Robert Swift had Japanese lineage.

Among the Ivy Leaguers who saw action in the NBA were Dartmouth’s George Munroe (later chairman of Phelps-Dodge) and Rudy LaRusso, Columbia’s Jim McMillian (with the Los Angeles Lakers) and Jack Molinas and Princeton’s Bill Bradley (later a senator), Geoff Petrie, Brian Taylor and Bud Palmer. An Ivy Leaguer who played in the PBA as an import was Cornell’s Philippine-born Alex Compton, now assistant coach with Powerade.

Who will coach the East in the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 26 in Orlando? The West coach has been determined to be Oklahoma City’s Scott Brooks with the Thunder showing the way in the conference. But in the East, it’s a dogfight between Chicago’s Tom Thibodeau and Miami’s Fil-Am coach Erik Spoelstra. Cut-off date is Feb. 15 so the team that is on top of the East by then will anoint the All-Star coach.

Right now, Chicago is 23-7 with a game against lowly Sacramento left before the cut-off. Miami is 21-7 with games against Milwaukee and Indiana to go. The East squad is made up of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony as starters with Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Andre Igoudala, Deron Williams, Roy Hibbert, Chris Bosh and Luol Deng as reserves. The West is composed of Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant and Andrew Bynum as starters with Russell Westrbook, Steve Nash, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Marc Gasol, Tony Parker and Dirk Nowitzki as reserves.

Fans voted the starters. Coaches voted for the reserves in their conference. They weren’t allowed to vote for their own players. The limitation for the reserves was to fill in two guards, two forwards, a center and two others of any position for each team. In the East, Rajan Rondo should’ve been named, maybe instead of Williams. In the West, Monta Ellis deserved a spot.

PHILSTAR: Experts on Pacman-M'weather: Great but too late

THE GAME OF MY LIFE By Bill Velasco (The Philippine Star)
Miguel Cotto is no Manny Pacquiao, and Timothy Bradley is not Floyd Mayweather. Once again, boxing fans are disappointed that the only megabuck fight they’re anticipating isn’t taking place. Now the question is, will it ever happen at all?

The Star contacted various boxing experts in the Philippines and in the US for their opinions on whether or not a Pacquiao-Mayweather match-up would stll happen, and if fans would still appreciate it.

“There is just too much money to be made for this fight not to happen,” declares Atty. Ed Tolentino, ABS-CBN Sports commentator for “Top Rank Boxing”. “We are talking here of enough dollars that would make Bill Gates wet his pants in envy. Both fighters are nearing the end of their careers and for sure both of them are looking for a hell of a retirement gratuity. Long after their careers have ended, people will not be talking about the eight world titles Pacquiao won or how Mayweather won titles from light welterweight to super welterweight, but how they dodged each other.”

Meanwhile, others feel the matter has been talked out too much to make the same impact it would have previously.

“The truth is, a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight isn’t as big as it would have been two years ago because the fight has been overcooked in the eyes of many,” believes Ryan Songalia, a Filipino-American writer for RingTV. “Pacquiao’s stock has dipped since the close Marquez fight and Mayweather himself hasn’t been breaking new ground. The momentum of both men has really been stagnated. Both men have engaged in other bouts that people weren’t exactly clamoring to see them in, and the reason why is because they can still make money without taking the ultimate risk, which is fighting each other.”

Others believe it may be time to move past this blockbuster and look at new talent on the horizon. The shadows that Pacman and Pretty Boy Floyd cast are so large and, as the saying goes, nothing grows in the shade.

“Pacquiao and Mayweather may currently be the top dogs in the game, but it would be unfair for the sport to cast a shadow on the potential great match-ups that can be made,” adds “fight doctor” JV Tuazon, a Filipino-American boxer, boxing writer and physical therapist based in New Jersey. “How can a sport grow if we don’t cultivate new talent and bring them into the public’s eye? If we let this continue, we will need Pacquiao-Mayweather even more because the unrecognizable names will remain in obscurity.”

“I believe it has to happen! Manny and Mayweather will never be able to call themselves the best of their time if they don’t,” affirms Talk N Text center Ali Peek, a devout boxing fan for decades. “There has to be a fight to determine the best! It will haunt them the rest of their careers and even after. When the critics, you and me, the people worldwide that are diehard boxing fans, people in barber shops, particularly in the inner cities of the United States will have continuous arguments and debates. We will all wonder what could have been.”

There are so many side issues and distractions keeping both fighters from signing on the dotted line. There’s the animosity between Mayweather and Arum, his former promoter who is now Pacquiao’s. There’s the greed that causes each camp to ask for the bigger share of the purse. And of course, there’s the fear that each may actually lose the fight.

“Regarding the negotiations, it’s not as clear as black and white as to who is at fault for the fight not happening,” Songalia continues. “I feel that Pacquiao has always wanted the fight, and Mayweather as well. But both men want it on their own terms and neither is willing to back down on principle. The only losers there are the fans.”

Tolentino adds a humorous analogy to how crazy things have gotten.

“Imagine collapsing from hunger amid the abundance of food on the table. The food is on the table but nobody wants to touch it because Pacquiao, Mayweather and Arum all want the biggest slice of the pie!” Tolentino exclaims. “On the other hand, Mayweather’s paranoia – the thought of placing his unbeaten mark at serious risk – will also keep the fight from happening. Mayweather’s demands have ranged from strange to downright ridiculous. Next thing you know, he’ll demand that Pacquiao shave his moustache for the fight to happen – in the belief that it is the source of Pacman’s power.”

And if the fight never happens, it just may be the death of boxing as we know it. The increasing popularity of other contact sports such as mixed martial arts, the lack of commercially viable champions and confusion over boxing organizations has left fans confused and disillusioned. Boxing is taking too many hits and is barely on its feet.

“Honestly, I was a major fight fan in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, but boxing is dead without these two. There are so many belts and so many champions,” says an exasperated Peek. “It’s gotten to the point that no one knows or cares who holds belts! When I was growing up, Tyson had three belts: IBF, WBC, WBA. Now there’s IBO, WBO, I can’t even follow it anymore!”

Then again, there may be other, more diabolical reasons why the fight isn’t pushing through, and they point to Mayweather taking advantage of the march of time and manipulating public opinion against the naturally smaller Filipino champion.

“The only other negotiation I can think of that was this difficult was the one that preceded the Hagler-Leonard fight in 1987,” recalls Songalia. “That is of note because Leonard eventually faced Hagler after seeing signs of slippage in the highly favored Hagler. I think Pacquiao is entering that territory now.”

“I am worried that Pacquiao, whose native tongue is obviously not English, will be vilified in the eyes of Westerners because Mayweather speaks good, albeit not proper, English,” worries Tuazon, who works in the boxing community in the East Coast. “We all know what happened to the late, great Joe Frazier who, although he was a great man and a phenomenal fighter, was vilified in the eyes of the masses due to the oratory prowess of Ali. With Mayweather taking his comments, tweets, video posts etc., to the public, he is attempting to swing the popular vote towards him. History is not necessarily about the truth but who is believed.”

In the end, the consensus is the fight is already too late, but fans would watch it to settle all the issues between the two giants of the ring.

Coke to bare what's up tomorrow

SPORTING CHANCE 
Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)

PBA commissioner Chito Salud and Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines chairman/CEO William Schultz are meeting 2 p.m. tomorrow at the PBA office in Libis to discuss the status of the Tigers franchise in the pro league. Salud deferred action on the proposed trade of Powerade’s Marcio Lassiter to Petron for Rey Guevarra and Noy Baclao until he finds out what’s up with the Coca-Cola franchise, reacting to still unconfirmed media reports that it’s been sold.

A letter signed by Schultz has surfaced in the internet, indicating Coca-Cola wants out of

 the PBA. The Nov. 11, 2011 letter was highlighted “Strictly Privileged and Confidential.” In the letter, Schultz said Coca-Cola was giving San Miguel Corp. 60 days from receipt to exercise right of first refusal on buying back the PBA franchise for a price of P100 Million. The right of first refusal was negotiated in February 2007 with Coca-Cola’s purchase of the franchise from San Miguel. Schultz said if San Miguel doesn’t exercise the right, Coca-Cola would offer the franchise to other parties at the same price.

There are many issues to be clarified by Salud in his meeting with Schultz. First, is the franchise still for sale or has it been sold? The letter was dated Nov. 11, 2011 – way before Powerade mesmerized PBA fans by surviving two do-or-die games to eliminate No. 1 seed B-Meg and later advancing to the Philippine Cup finals. Surely, the Tigers’ performance had a measurable positive effect on Powerade sales – that kind of marketing mileage is worth much more than what you would pay for a slew of advertisements. Second, was the letter actually sent and subsequently received by San Miguel? And if so, what was the cut-off for the 60-day deadline? Third, has Powerade governor and PBA vice chairman J. B. Baylon been relieved of his duties in the PBA Board? Even assuming the right of first refusal was exercised, surely Coca-Cola would still be represented in the Board during the transition period. Fourth, is Coca-Cola aware that it will require a 2/3 confirmation from the Board or seven votes to welcome the new owner assuming the sale? Fifth, if the franchise has been sold, was the Lassiter deal proposed before or after the sale?

PBA operations and technical director Rickie Santos said yesterday a 3/4 vote is required from the Board for a party to enter the league by buying a new franchise. That means eight of 10 votes. A 2/3 vote is required for a party to buy an existing franchise or seven votes. Santos said he checked with PBA lawyer Melvin Mendoza who confirmed that the Board had amended a provision in the Constitution limiting a common owner to two teams.

“In the past, a common owner could own only up to two teams but the provision was amended to allow more than two teams but without voting rights for a team or teams beyond two,” explained Santos. “Later, that, too, was amended to allow voting rights for a team or teams over the limit of two but not on game-related issues, meaning voting rights for only league or policy issues. In this particular issue of sale, all 10 members will be allowed to vote.”

The Board would’ve been convened in a special meeting last Friday but only five members showed up. The meeting was postponed due to lack of quorum. Powerade had sent word the night before that Coca-Cola group director for commercial operations Manny Dizon would attend. But in the morning of the meeting, Dizon phoned to say he would not come.

A governor who couldn’t attend said he had previously asked for a postponement. “We requested for a postponement until Tuesday (Feb. 14) but the Chairman (Mamerto Mondragon) texted to say he would go on with the meeting because anyway, he was assured of a quorum,” he said. “Now, the meeting has been reset to Feb. 20. We had requested if the meeting could be set Feb. 14. We understand the nature of a special meeting but we should’ve at least been given formal notice, not by text, and an agenda. In the interest of fairness, maybe the Chairman should’ve also refrained from issuing statements to media that he found the developments to be disturbing.”

Salud said to this day, there has been no formal communication from Coca-Cola to the PBA regarding an intention to sell its franchise.

“Any kind of transfer of ownership particularly of an existing franchise has to have the approval of 2/3 of our Board before it becomes effective,” said Salud. “No formal communication has been sent by Coca-Cola to my office regarding any intention on their part to sell. It just so happens that in the last two weeks, to the detriment of the league, media reports have been persistently coming out saying that Coca-Cola has already sold its franchise, so in the spirit of transparency, in the spirit of full disclosure and in the spirit of serving our fans interest, I am writing Coca-Cola to seek clarification on these media reports. It is hard to comment on what I consider at the moment, at this time to be mere speculations and reports that may not have any basis. Now after getting official clarification or certification from the party involved, then I can make my own comment.”

Salud said the public interest generated by the reported sale is a positive sign. “The special interest that our fans are taking especially in this reported sale of Powerade, a team that has suddenly catapulted itself to the top and has garnered many many fans during one conference alone is a tell-tale sign that the PBA is on the right track,” he went on. “Time and again, there are always entities that send their inquiries as to how to join the PBA but nothing has really fanned out but it will be welcome because it’s a sign that this league is indeed healthy, that this league is on the right track, that this league is in the consciousness of our fans.”

Salud said his role is to get to the bottom of this issue. “To find out what is the truth,” he said. “And in the spirit of full disclosure and transparency, in the higher interest of our fans, we will find out the truth. Because of these reports on print and on TV and in social networks, I can imagine these (Powerade) players are feeling pins and needles so the more urgent this matter is for Coca-Cola to make a clear and an equivocal statement as to their intention with respect to the franchise and their stay in the PBA before Feb. 20.”

Pangasinan's golf course controversy

The Game Of My Life │ By Bill Velasco (The Philippine Star)

There is an ongoing political controversy regarding an eco-tourism development in Pangasinan. It centers around a golf course and resort area being developed in barangays Sabangan, Estanza, Malimpuec and Capandanan, just a few kilometers outside the provincial capitol of Lingayen. The 300-hectare beachfront property was idle land sitting along Lingayen Gulf across the breadth of the four barangays.
In 1998, Pres. Fidel Ramos issued Presidential Proclamation 1258, ordering the development of the property into an eco-tourism zone. The plan included resorts, an amusement park, an aqua sports center, hotels, bars and restaurants, high-end residences and an 18-hole golf course. After Ramos stepped down, from 1998 to 2007 the project did not progress, and the land sat idle once again. The development was revived when former congressman and police general Amado Espino Jr. was elected governor of Pangasinan. A ground-breaking ceremony was held, with Ramos teeing off at the site where the golf course would start. It would be the first and only first-class facility of its kind in the history of the province, and would hopefully attract first-time foreign investors and tourists.

It is only natural for golf course designers to move hundreds of tons of earth to optimize existing conditions and make them more appealing to golfers. In this case, it was made even more necessary to discover why plants and trees were hardly growing on the large tract of land. Only very small isolated patches of coconut trees and crabgrass dotted the property. It was curious, since the surrounding areas were rich in trees, grasses and plants.

The answer came upon digging for the bunkers and six lagoons which will serve not just as hazards for the golf course, but as catchbasins for the water used on the greens fairways. It was black sand.

“It turned out that the unwanted material found – aside from lahar, which was also found in this area – are deposits of magnetite sand,” Alvin Bigay, one of Pangasinan’s provincial engineers, told The STAR at the site.

Magnetite is a form of magnetized iron oxide, and is the most magnetic naturally occurring mineral on the planet. It is usually found in beach sand, carried there by erosion. Large deposits are common in California and New Zealand, as well as Chile, Uruguay and Australia. It is also called iron sand. Magnetite also has commercial value, selling anywhere from $50 to $170 or higher per metric ton, depending on the composition of the sand. The magnetite found in Pangasinan had to be removed and replaced with varieties of soil to make a suitable environment for grass, plants and trees to grow.

“Since we have no technical expertise in removing that magnetite sand, the recommendation was for us to get the services of a mining firm,” Engr. Bigay explains. “So what happened was, a mining firm volunteered, small-scale mining was effected, then we found out that there was a moratorium on the issuance of environmental clearance certificates.”

This is where the controversy started. The political opposition accused Espino of illegal mining. But the provincial government did stop digging after the moratorium was discovered, and procured the necessary clearances from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to conform with government regulations and proceed with the preliminary development of the property. According to Bigay, the sand removal was classified as ordinary quarrying, and the Pangasinan Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board not only approved the sand removal, but endorsed the project, as well. In the meantime, several local and foreign developers had already been bidding for the project.

Now, the accusation is that the provincial government will make money off the black sand. But there are government regulations on these types of situations, and a portion of whatever revenues may be generated by the sale of the magnetite will go back to the communities it came from. So the issues are not so controversial, after all.

To begin with, the project was a vision of former Pres. Ramos, not initiated by the current provincial administration. Secondly, even now the surrounding properties are already being benefited, since a road network has been added and will be improved upon. Third, property values in the area are sure to go up, as they usually do when golf courses, resorts and other sports facilities are built. For certain, resorts will sprout up around the eco-tourism zone, for those who cannot be accommodated or cannot afford it. Fourth, the project will spur development throughout the province, turning unused land into a destination for foreign and local tourists and businessmen. Considering Pangasinan’s history and its massive size, it is ironic that there are no five-star hotels and upscale resorts in the entire province.

Also, it takes a sportsman to see the value of a catalyst centerpiece sports facility. In the capitol Lingayen, Espino has refurbished resorts, put up a driving range, renovated the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (which he built in 1995) and acquired the rights to host the Palarong Pambansa, for which he is also building a new swimming pool. The governor is also rebuilding the airport in Lingayen to facilitate tourist arrivals. He is using sports to take the province to the next level of development by creating a place to go and an easy way to get there. In the past, people would just cross Pangasinan on their way to Baguio or Ilocos as they would a busy intersection. The difference will be apparent when the eco-tourism development is finished. The golf course is just a part of it, and is being misinterpreted and used as petty political ammunition against him.

PHILSTAR: Tears of Joy

SPORTING CHANCE 
By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)

If you ask Don Allado is he’s a Mama’s boy, he probably won’t hesitate to say yes and he’ll say it proudly. That’s because his mother Joy Crisostomo Allado, a former Maryknoll (now Miriam College) varsity basketball player, is his biggest fan. From when he was a little kid, Joy and husband Caloy (another former varsity cager with UP) doted on Don. Now that Don has a life of his own with wife Maricar de Mesa, his parents continue to shower him with love and affection. Not that Caloy and Joy play favorites with their children who happen to be three boys. They’re just as caring with Brian, 35, and Drew, 23. It’s just that Don is in the public spotlight as a two-time UAAP MVP and a PBA veteran. Brian, by the way, is a biology major and works in Los Angeles with a company that specializes in customizing wheelchairs. Drew is enrolling in law school, also in Los Angeles, this schoolyear.

Last Sunday, Don stood head and shoulders above everyone in leading La Salle to a 117-104 victory over Ateneo in a charity game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. At 34, he was the most senior player on the court but didn’t show his age in compiling 23 points and seven rebounds. Coincidentally, his PBA career single-game high is 23 points which he scored with Alaska in 2003. Don was almost unstoppable and once, after hitting a basket, did a Tim Tebow impersonation by genuflecting on his right knee with his left hand on his forehead like The Thinker.

The game featured PBA players from both schools so the lineups were star-studded. The Archers, coached by Franz Pumaren, listed Allado, Mac-Mac Cardona, Jvee Casio, Joseph Yeo, Ryan Arana, Rico Maierhofer, Ren-Ren Ritualo, Mike Cortez, J. R. Aquino, Carlo Sharma and Jerwin Gaco. T. Y. Tang and Willy Wilson were suited up but didn’t play because of injuries. Coach Norman Black’s Eagles were L. A. Tenorio, Rico Villanueva, Japeth Aguilar, Larry Fonacier, J. C. Intal, Doug Kramer, Eric Salamat, Noy Baclao, Magnum Membrere, Rich Alvarez and Paolo Bugia.

Since entering the PBA with Alaska in 1999, Don has moved to Talk ‘N’ Text, Purefoods, Air 21, back to Talk ‘N’ Text, back to Purefoods/B-Meg and finally, to Barako Bull. Last season, he averaged 4.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 16.8 minutes in 37 games, with eight starts, for the Llamadoes. This past conference in his 13th season, Don hit at a 6.6 clip for the Bulls, scoring at least nine points in eight of his 15 outings.

“Don dominated,” said his father Caloy, referring to La Salle’s victory. “It was a redeeming factor for him. He showed that at his age, he can still get the job done. There’s no doubt in my mind that he can play in the PBA for three or four more years. He’s disciplined, he’s a hard worker and he’s a warrior.”

Caloy said Don’s contract with Barako expires in August. “He’s happy where he is,” said Caloy. “He’d like to continue playing for Barako. But of course, he’s open to other options that will benefit his future and career.”

Caloy and Joy were in the stands cheering for their son last Sunday. “I was just thrilled beyond words,” said Joy. “It took me down memory lane again to watch my son play for his school. He was the oldest of all the players but my son prevailed over the other younger guys. Truly, they called him the King Archer of La Salle. Alam mo naman ako, mababaw lang ang luha ko and when the La Salle crowd called him King Archer, tulo talaga ang luha ko. Tears of Joy, literally and figuratively.”

Joy jokingly said as Don’s mother, she’s entitled to bragging rights. “You could just hear me cheering ‘That’s my boy,’” she said. And as she cheered her lungs out, Don must have looked her way as if to say, “That’s my Mom.”

Smart Gilas assistant coach Jude Roque was a co-emcee with Calvin Millado and Alex Gonzaga in the rousing program that highlighted the San Beda College homecoming last Feb. 4, the school’s “red-letter” day, at the Mendiola campus. Could it be the start of a second career for Jude?

The homecoming hosts were the silver jubilarian high school class of ’87 with Jude as member and the golden jubilarian high school class of ’62 with no less than PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan as batch member.

According to Jude, the program started with an opening number by Rico Blanco and his band followed by the introduction of the silver and golden jubilarians then came performers Elmo and Arkin Magalona (sons of late Bedan Francis M) with the Manueovers, Tuesday Vargas, Rachelle Ann Go, Meg Imperial, Lovi Poe, K Brosas, Wendy Valdez and Iwa Moto. The climax featured Jet Pangan and the Dawn belting out the theme song “Pagbabalik (Sa San Beda).” Rowell Santiago directed the show with DJ Boyet Almazan.

Among those who attended the homecoming were MVP, Jude’s batchmate Palawan Gov. Baham Mitra, Sports Hall of Famer and Olympic basketball player Tony Genato, Batangas Rep. Tom Apacible, former Bulacan Rep. Boji Cabochan, former President Estrada’s oldest son Jojo Ejercito, former Department of Health Secretary Jimmy Galvez-Tan, former NSO Administrator Tomas Africa, Red Lion legend Dave Brodett, former SGV head Manny Reyes and City of Manila Administrator Jay Marzan.

Prepare or party for doomsday

-By James Soriano (www.mb.com.ph)

There are many possible scenarios for the end of the world this coming December 21, 2012.
After this date, a mere fraction of a percentage of humanity is expected to survive. That is a mere 327 days from now, and yet our own government still insists on paying attention to issues such as overpopulation and reproductive health when there is a more pressing issue — namely, the extinction of the human race — at stake.

Unfortunately, this is but a small part of a 2012ologyglobal conspiracy by governments, big businessmen and other elites around the world to keep it a secret. Therefore, it is necessary for us to be proactive in our preparations to prevent our own demise.

However, there are certain obstacles which severely hamper our chances of success. I suspect that almost all of us do not have the necessary 100 billion euros necessary to secure a ticket to any of the six state-of-the-art arks covertly being constructed in the Himalayas, not to mention the additional hundred billion per additional family member we wish to bring along. Even if we did, it is notoriously difficult to get across the border without our own personal planes, sports cars, friends from a nearby Tibetan village and, barring all of these, a special dispensation from Beijing.

Thus, if we want to secure the best possible chances of survival for ourselves, our loved ones and our bloodlines, it is best to be prepared for anything and, given limited resources, to be as creative and resourceful as possible in these efforts. Thankfully, these qualities are to be found in abundance among our people.

Nevertheless, it is useful to note the possible scenarios in which doomsday will play out, and to list down certain tips or to-dos to ensure we are well-prepared. Fortunately, the leading authorities of our time in pseudoscience, entertainment, and business have proposed a few major theories on the apocalypse event; these theories should be as much a part of the academic curriculum of students as the Big Bang is, given their significance and implications for the fate of mankind.

But first, let us review some basic tips in preparing for the apocalypse event and life in the post-apocalyptic world.

• Start stocking up on essential goods such as food, water, oxygen, gas masks, and magazines for entertainment. (It is likely that there will be a blackout after Dec. 21.) As early as three years ago, serving the needs of 2012ologists has become a lucrative industry. If you have not yet started stockpiling canned goods, dehydrated foods, and gallons of mineral water, it is not yet too late.

• It is also advisable to take out as many loans as possible to invest in the building of underground shelters, which should keep you safe in most doomsday scenarios. Do not worry about your ability to pay later on. By the time Dec. 21 finishes, there will be no more banks to pay.

• In case you have a car, it is recommended that it be parked in an underground parking facility on the night of the 20th. This way, you are self-sufficient in transportation in most post-apocalyptic scenarios save the great flood. This is important considering that public transportation is likely to be extremely unreliable after the apocalypse event. If one relies on public transportation to get to places every day, it is best to invest in a bicycle (sidecars optional), or to start walking to more places to build stamina. This has the double effect of being friendly to the environment.

• Lastly, make sure to stock up on all sorts of weapons and tools: guns, ammunition, screwdrivers, lock picks. When the stockpile of essential goods runs out, these will be useful for raiding abandoned warehouses and 7Elevens; hopefully it will not be necessary to raid the shelters of your neighbors.

Great flood scenario

Arguably the most well-known scenario, given the blockbuster success of Roland Emmerich’s historic film, is the great flood. Most of the world’s landmass is likely to be submerged under several feet of ocean when this happens.

• It is necessary to secure sufficient supplies of oxygen and water bottles; water will be in abundance in this scenario. Make sure to waterproof all electronics and appliances.

• It is also necessary to invest in a wet suit and basic lessons in swimming and snorkeling.

• Building a crude submarine out of the car and other scrap metals (to lessen costs) is also advisable. Otherwise, start making friends with people who have yachts or Badjao relatives, if not Badjaos themselves.

• For an enjoyable apocalypse, one might also want to buy an inflatable raft, set it up at the desired location on the morning of the 21st, and ride it when the tide comes in.

Earth will get hit by a meteor

• It is best to stock up on sunglasses, jackets, hooded coats, umbrellas, wool socks, boots, swimming trunks and bathing suits so as to be prepared for any kind of weather.

• For some of us it might be best to start losing weight. As the fall of the dinosaurs demonstrated, any organism weighing 60 kg or greater will surely be obliterated.

• It might help to pray that the meteor does not fall where you live.

Zombie outbreak

For a comprehensive guide on survival in a post-apocalyptic zombie world, read the “Zombie Survival Guide” by Max Brooks, available at any National Bookstore, Fully Booked, or PowerBooks near you. Collision with another planet

This scenario is advanced by many online proponents, most notably Nancy Lieder who was telepathically told by aliens from the star Zeta Reticuli that a planet named Nibiru will collide with the Earth that day, causing the geomagnetic poles of the earth to shift and wiping out mankind in the process. According to Lieder, Nibiru is at least four times as large as the earth, and is inhabited by sentient beings identified with Sumerian deities called the Annunaki.

It is therefore best to learn about Nibiru and its inhabitants: their language, culture and customs. Vacation tips around the planet should be organized with the unique weather and seasons of the planet in mind.

Consulting with intergalactic travel agents is highly recommended. This way, we might be able to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of this strange new world.

At the end of the day, it is necessary first and foremost to accept the reality that our chances of survival are very slim. Should this disillusion you and cloud your vision with hopeless despair, it is best to stop sulking and suppress thoughts of committing suicide.

Instead you must, as countless have said, party like it’s the end of the world.

Sweet Binibini memories

The first Bb. Pilipinas pageant was held in 1964, won by Myrna Panlilio-Borromeo (center, deceased) with Milagros Cataag (left) as Bb. Waling-Waling and Elvira Gonzalez (right) as Bb. Ilang-Ilang
FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo The Philippine Star

More than 100 wannabes met last week’s deadline for the submission of application forms to this year’s search for the three Bb. Pilipinas who will represent the country in the Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Tourism pageants. The final screening, led by Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) chair Stella Marquez de Araneta, will be held today and the list of the official candidates will be announced on Thursday, Feb. 9.

The big question is: Will any of the aspirants equal, if not surpass, the record of Venus Raj (2010) who placed fourth and Shamcey Supsup (2011) who placed third in the Miss Universe Pageant? Again, we keep our collective fingers crossed.

Aside from Venus and Shamcey, present during the launch last Feb. 2 were 2011 Bb. Pilipinas International Dianne Elaine Necio and 2011 Bb. Pilipinas Tourism Isabella Angela Manjon. Necio was a semi-finalist and Miss Web Popularity winner in the Miss International 2011 and Manjon won as Miss Charity in the Miss Tourism Queen International 2011.

Madame Stella announced that there will be surprise changes in this year’s search, with the coronation night set for April 15 which will be telecast live over ABS-CBN.

The launch brought back fond memories of the first Bb. Pilipinas search in 1964 to Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas who covered the event. The first winner was Myrna Panlilio-Borromeo who died three years ago.

Recalled Celso, “The first search attracted 30 hopefuls. Fifteen finalists were chosen as official candidates, namely Marilou Alberto, Lilia Alvarez, Milagros Cataag, Marita Dimayuga, Aida Gaerlan, Elvira Gonzalez (mother of 1994 Bb. Pilipinas Universe Charlene Gonzalez), Elizabeth Gutierrez, Edna Rosanna Keyes, Carmelita Larrabaster, Sonia Orendain, Maria Myrna Panlilio, Thelma Shaw, Chiqui Somes, Milagros Sumayao (a.k.a. Mila Ocampo, Miss Philippine Press Photography 1959 winner, the late mother of Snooky Serna) and Josefina Zaldua (a.k.a. Nina Zaldua, mother of Rannie and Lance Raymundo). Panlilio, a 1964 Maid of Cotton candidate, was crowned Bb. Pilipinas and competed in Miss Universe 1964 in Miami, Florida, USA. Cataag was Bb. Waling-Waling and Gonzalez was Bb. Ilang-Ilang. Gonzalez, also one of Philippines’ Fairest Ten in 1964 and 1965 Miss Philippine Press Photography winner, joined again in the 1965 Bb. Pilipinas pageant and emerged fourth runner-up to Louise Vail Aurelio. Somes was the country’s first representative in the 1967 Queen of Pacific held in Melbourne.”

Celso noted that several Binibinis have ventured into showbiz, among them Misses Universe Gloria Diaz (1969) and Margie Moran (1973), Pilar Pilapil, Lotis Key (a finalist), Cynthia Ugalde, Melanie Marquez, Josephine Estrada, Joyce Ann Burton, Maria Isabel Lopez, Pebbles Asis, Miriam Quiambao, Lalaine Bennett, Charlene, Ruffa Gutierrez, Dindi Gallardo, Jean Saburit, Jennifer Cortez, Precious Lara Quigaman, Bianca Manalo and Patricia Fernandez.

Pinoy hunk competes in Mr. Gay World-USA

From Funfare’s New York-based “beauty expert” Felix Manuel, this report:

The contestants of the 2012 Mr. Gay World-USA are currently here in New York taping for the finale of the pageant. One of them is Pinoy hunk Bernabe “Burnz” Fernandez. The pageant was made into a reality TV format and will be shown a few weeks from now.

Burnz, 34, represents San Diego, California and he’s hoping to win the title to be able to represent the US in the upcoming Mr. Gay World International to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Born and raised in Subic, he works as a surgeon’s assistant and is currently a professor in San Diego. He has been working in the medical field for over 10 years. He and his partner Steve Price adopted a baby girl named Olivia, who’s turning two years old. The partners own two of the busiest coffee shops in San Diego called Filter Coffee House.

Burnz was a former Ginoong Pilipinas-USA finalist and hopes to be the first Filipino-American to win Mr. Gay World-USA.

NY’s Fil-Am classical artists in concert for Sendong victims

As residents of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro begin to rebuild their lives from massive death and destruction wrought by Typhoon Sendong (Washi) last December, various groups from across the globe continue to raise funds and gather help for the survivors, thousands of whom have lost their homes and livelihood.

Among the latest to give support to the cause were some of New York City’s Filipino-American classical artists who performed in a benefit concert titled Pag-Ahon last Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Church of St. Joseph on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan.

Among them were music maestro Michael Dadap, coloratura soprano Lani Misenas, pianist Lloyd Arriola, tenor pianist Saunder Choi, soprano Jett Galindo, baritone Enrico Lagasca, tenor Leo Leal, soprano Vilma Lince, soprano Wilma Manuel, soprano Antoni Mendezona, baritone/pianist Chris Ong, the BNP Choir, and the San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir.

Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre said that the performance was presented by the Assumption Alumnae Association Abroad (Northeast Chapter), the College of the Holy Spirit North America Foundation, the Catholic Fellowship of Young Filipino Professionals, the De La Salle Alumni Association Metro New York, Inc., and the San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir of NY, Inc. Proceeds were channeled through the Philippine Jesuit Foundation, Inc. in NY, in support of its Sendong rehabilitation and reconstruction initiatives.

“Pag-Ahon is about pausing for a moment from our busy schedules and taking the time to reach out to our kababayan, the unfortunate victims of Typhoon Sendong,” said one of the show’s promoters, Vivian Talambiras Cruz, co-chairperson of the Coalition of Philippine Alumni Association and the United Nations Philippine Cultural Society.

Kvitova, Sharapova set up Wimbledon re-run

By Andrew Dent (AFP News, www.afp.com)
Burgeoning superstar Petra Kvitova and glamorous Russian Maria Sharapova set up a hotly anticipated rematch of last year's Wimbledon decider in the Australian Open quarter-finals Wednesday.
Kvitova, who enjoyed a breakthrough victory over Sharapova at Wimbledon in July, beat Italy's Sara Errani 6-4, 6-4, before Sharapova ended the fairytale run of 56th-ranked Ekaterina Makarova 6-2, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals.
Kvitova needed to call on all her resources to see off the tricky Errani, who troubled the world number two with her guile and deception.
The 21-year-old Kvitova was always favoured to win against Errani, but the Italian fought all the way in the first set, using a variety of shots to disrupt the world number two.
Kvitova broke Errani three times in the first set but lost her serve twice herself as the Italian made up for a lack of power with superb court coverage and clever shot-making.
The Czech won a tight first set in 53 minutes, but allowed Errani to skip away to a 4-1 lead before recovering to win the next five games in a row.
"In the beginning I was a little nervous because I knew that everybody expected it will be an easy match," Kvitova said. "Probably I had in my head that it's a good draw, but Sara played very well.
"I played like I wanted to have many winners in a short time and I made mistakes."
Kvitova is the first Czech woman to reach the Australian Open semis since Jana Novotna in 1991, and is now in the box seat to be the next women's number one, although Sharapova can also hit the top ranking if she lifts the trophy.
And 2008 winner Sharapova was impressive in her win against Makarova, who shocked five-time champion Serena Williams in the previous round and earlier upset seventh seed Vera Zvonareva.
Sharapova easily handled her fellow Russian's left-handed serves and overpowered her in the baseline rallies in an impressive display.
It is the first time Sharapova has reached the final four in Melbourne since 2008, when she claimed the most recent of her three major trophies.
The photogenic blonde has since suffered injury problems and she said her return to contention for grand slam titles vindicated her hard work in recovery and training.
"It's been a long road back to this big stage, but after hitting the winning shot you look back and think everything was worth it, no matter how tough it was," she said.
Sharapova started brilliantly against Makarova and had her under pressure from the very beginning, holding her own serve with ease and pressuring her opponent's.
The pressure told for Makarova when she cracked in the fourth game and again in the eighth to hand Sharapova the first set in 43 minutes.
She had a glimmer of hope when she broke Sharapova early in the second set, only to give it straight back with a poor service game. Sharapova needed no second invitation and raced away to a 5-2 lead.
She had her first match point on Makarova's serve, and then two more on her own before clinching the quarter-final on her fourth opportunity when a Makarova forehand sailed long over the baseline.

Roman Romulo and Shalani Soledad 'Love, finally'

-By Erwin Romulo (The Philippine Star, www.philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines - "You may now take over.” With those words, spoken by Guadencio Cardinal
Rosales, the ceremony was concluded. And with that, my brother Roman was married to Shalani Soledad at the St. Benedict Church in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. At that moment, the flashes from all the cameras lit the newlywed couple.

Roman looked very happy. In fact, he hasn’t looked this happy in a very long time. In fact, the only time that I recall that he was this happy would be the time he scored a goal during a penalty shootout back in high school. I can’t remember the exact circumstances but he really looked happy at that moment, the moment right after the ball sailed past the goalie and hit the net. That was a long time ago.

When he won his first and second terms as Pasig congressman, he also looked very happy but he looked exhausted as well. He showed no signs of exhaustion now.

The subject of his age was a recurring gag throughout the night. Bishop Mylo Hubert C. Vergara mentioned it during his homily. My fellow groomsmen, George Lorenzana, Congressmen Anton Lagdameo and Rudy Fariñas all seated beside me, couldn’t help but chuckle at the little joke made at the groom’s expense. It made even the taciturn-looking Cardinal Rosales smile for the very first time that evening. (He smiled several times after.) For our family and a lot of his friends — most especially Gang Badoy, groomsman Dan Soliven (who introduced Roman to Shalani), and best man Jun Cabangon — that joke’s been going on for far longer. Too long it seems, so that the punch-line, if it ever came, one wondered, would any of us be around or have any energy left to even recognize it enough to even cackle? The mother of the bride, Evelyn, joined in and reminded Roman during her speech at the reception that “You’re already 44.”

She related how Roman asked for Shalani’s hand in marriage. He was shaking, she said, but was firm when he told her that he had found his true love. She told him that she required three things: “One, that he must love my daughter. Two, he must pray in a chapel in Bicol. Three, he must meet my daughter’s many friends because she’s a councilor.”

Throughout all these years, if there’s anything I know about Roman, he’s no slouch and he doesn’t shy away from a challenge. Like when he worked for the reversal of the death sentence of an inmate who many considered a lost cause. He hadn’t passed the bar exams yet but was already doing some work at a law firm. He went to visit his “client” almost every day, did the paper work, and eventually got the sentence reversed in the Supreme Court.

My brother always has been the quiet and determined type, the one who clearly knows what he wants, and can narrow his focus to that thing until he gets it. He’s kind of boring that way. Maybe that’s why he’s remained single all these years.

Shalani doesn’t strike me as being a slouch either. What many don’t see is that she’s got an acute intelligence and intense interest in subjects she’s passionate about. If she doesn’t seem to be the excitable type to a lot of people, then I guess it’s just because they haven’t engaged her in any topic that demands that kind of attention.

I had never met her before and only learned of their engagement because Gang sent me a text message telling me that I was going to have a sister-in-law. A few weeks earlier, I got a text message from Shawn Yao, a close friend of mine who works as a news anchor at TV5, that Roman was at the station in Novaliches and apparently there for Shalani. To be honest, it didn’t interest me enough to spend a peso for me to send a message back. I didn’t think it was a big deal. The only time it became clear it was going to be was when it hit the news. Jonty Cruz, the web editor at the magazine I work at, Esquire Philippines, rushed to my desk when our features editor, Audrey Carpio, told him about it. She had read it on Spot.ph.

“I had nothing to do with it,” I said.

It was actually Roman’s baptismal godfather (now also for his wedding), Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, that first mentioned to Roman that he should “meet Shalani.” To quote my dad, Roman “took the advice to heart and didn’t stop until he had achieved his goal.” Stubborn and obstinate as he is at times, Roman is smart. He knows and recognizes the wisdom of others, especially that of his godfather’s. (All of us siblings wanted to ask Sec. del Rosario to stand as godfather to our weddings and were always rebuffed by Roman, who claimed him as “reserved” for his own.)

I liked her immediately the moment I met her. Of course, I already knew she was gorgeous. But like many who only watch her on the show she co-hosts with Willie Revillame, I didn’t know if she was anything more than just a pretty face.

Yet Shalani is a serious-minded person but not a ponderous and tiring one. In conversation, she has the knack of being able to discuss weighty matters like her initiatives for her hometown of Valenzuela (which is coincidentally named after my mom’s grandfather, Dr. Pio Valenzuela) as well as national and international issues especially those that involve the country without the rehearsed intonation of a traditional politician. She looks you in the eye when she talks and one cannot help noting that they are not mirrors of feigned interest but pools of knowledge.

She engages all of us in the family, most especially my dad, in discussion. “She’s a really warm person,” my dad once told me. “You can feel that she’s listening and thinking about what you’re saying.” My dad had been warned early on in his career by his uncle and mentor, General Carlos P. Romulo, that it’s important not only to say something but also to have something, really, to say. “Lolo Carlos used to tell me never to be afraid to speak but to make sure that I had something up here,” he’d tell us, gesturing towards his head. “When Shalani talks, even if it be only sparingly, she really has something to say.”

When Roman and Shalani’s engagement was first announced, I sent her a St. Jude novena booklet and a note that said that I was praying that they be given enough silence for their love to flourish. The next time she came for dinner at my parents’ house she sat beside me and thanked me. She told me that was also a devotee of St. Jude and thanked me for the gift. It was then we talked about a number of things but not the wedding itself: the news, politics and music (she had gone to school with Nathan Azarcon, who was the bassist of Rivermaya, Bamboo, and now Hijo albeit a few batches lower). I didn’t ask about her and Roman, or the particulars of their relationship. That’s theirs and, true to my prayer, I wouldn’t trespass on that aspect of their lives.

Her mother became emotional during her speech. “I have to accept that you must have your own life,” she said to Shalani during a particularly poignant moment. during a particularly poignant moment.

“You need a husband. Besides, you’re already 31.”

“It’s difficult to let go of the princess of the family.”

During the reception, her uncle, Ramon Soledad, told me personally to take care of Shalani. He had walked her down the aisle to Roman and my father, and I could see it was not an easy task for him to do. He said that they have looked after her all these years and that she’s meant so much to all of them but it was time for them to let go.

I assured him then that we would. I wish I told him that it wasn’t so much Shalani joining our family but rather our two families joining together. I wasn’t able to then, so I’m taking the opportunity here.

As we ate the dinner prepared by Florabel Yatco-Co, to the peculiar strains of an orchestral medley of Eraserheads’ songs, the best man offered a toast to those who couldn’t be with us that night, referring to Roman’s best friend and our brother-in-law, Dave Puyat, who passed away in 2010. My brother had confided that it was the only dark spot in the otherwise clear, bright joy of the day. “Dave would have really enjoyed this.” He was right and I agree with Jun that, wherever Dave was, he was clearly enjoying seeing Roman finally settled.

To expound on a part of my dad’s speech that he didn’t say (he thought it was already too long and people were hungry), this was an occasion celebrating love and family, and those things are what essentially gives life its meaning and value.

Fireworks shot up and lit up the night sky. Everyone watched and I can imagine they all smiled. It was the eve of the Chinese New Year after all. Yet the fireworks were exploding with the color of something more than the New Year. They may seem fleeting in the context of the sky but their lights illuminate an eternity for those who seek and find more than night. In Shalani, Roman has finally found that out for himself.

PHILSTAR: NAIA horror stories emerge

Sporting Chance
Joaquin Henson │ The Philippine Star

Now that the cat’s out of the bag, more and more readers are messaging to share their own horror experiences at NAIA I. To be fair, Manila International Airport Authority general manager Gen. Jose Angel Honrado has ordered an investigation on the incident reported in this column about a camera that was apparently stolen from a checked-in piece of luggage bound for Hong Kong last week.

“I am investigating this complaint,” said Gen. Honrado in a text addressed to Philippine Olympic Committee spokesman Joey Romasanta. “In general, it is airline ground handlers who have access to cargo. Most of cargo pilferages are those passing Hong Kong. Will see how the investigation comes out.”

The column about the theft has triggered an avalanche of messages on facebook, twitter and other forms of interactive communication about other sordid experiences. Here are some:

“I was warned that balikbayan boxes are being stolen and sold for P4,000 – no questions asked” – Bobby Rius.

“Next time, instead of packing tapes or padlocks to secure your boxes and bags, I suggest using welded chains that only an oxy-acetylene blowtorch could break. But then again, Pinoys are famed for being resourceful. Welded chains might not also work, for crying out loud. Same thing happened to my friend months ago. It was a brand-new boxed Ipad2-’happy birthday’ wrapped and several boxed MP3 players. The funny thing was the items were stolen in a balikbayan box which looked untampered until a close look at the packing tape. The tampered tape was overlapped with a new one and the name tag or ‘sign’ that was written on top was perfectly re-written” – Kelvin Laguardia.

“Bigyan ng tuwid na daan ang NAIA, hindi ka nag-iisa sa experience na ‘yan, nangyari na rin ‘yan sa amin, hay puro pulitika kasi, they don’t walk the talk, puro lip service” – Ferdie Manaloto.

“The worst airport service” – Rod Vincent Yabes.

“No tourist would ever come if ang kapwa Pinoy ay ganyan ang ginagawa ng airport personnel, it’s no fun!” – Mat Piamonte.

“Paging NAIA officials, may lumihis na daan, paki diretso nga!” – Jun Mendoza.

“Sa katunayan, palengke ang NAIA nagpapanggap lang na airport” – Eleazar Caspillo.

“Airport at its worst state – thumbs down!” – Jaypee Tuazon.

“Only in the Philippines! They really need to replace all personnel at the NAIA from top to bottom. There’s no doubt it was an inside job. NAIA I x-rays the baggage before check-in. Seeing that there was a camera inside, the luggage most likely got marked and was opened on its way to the plane” – Edgar Bartolome.

“The first thing the government should do is to change the name of our airport. It should bear the name of the country, the Philippines. Or bring back its old name which is Manila International Airport. Second, ownership and management should be transferred to the private sector. We all know that government is a bad employer and business manager. Third, it should undergo a major facelift and that is a major renovation and enhancement in terms of facilities and employees” – Zim Ri.

“You went out on a limb to publicly accuse NAIA. Hope it bears fruit as it would not only be a personal victory but also benefit a lot of Pinoys, especially hard-working OFWs, our so-called heroes but helpless against crooks in our own airport” – Vic Ongasis.

“I’m glad you wrote about this. This has been going on for ages. I have never been victimized because I have been advised not to put in my check-in baggage stuff like camera, laptop, Ipad, etc. However, I heard from relatives that even boxes are being pilfered and inexpensive things like lotion, perfume, etc. are also being stolen. I mean, surely, this has got to stop already” – Rhea Navarro.

“Same thing happened to my niece going to Washington last December. Her luggage was opened and they stole the fake jewelry that she was going to give as pasalubong worth about P5,000-P8,000. Same M.O. as your experience as her flight was also delayed” – Henry Atayde.

“I sympathize with you, what a terrible experience, upon departure and arrival at that. I agree with you that our immigration staff can compare with the grumpiest I’ve seen in the world. They don’t even give a little nod of acknowledgment when you say thank you” – Anonymous.

“Sorry to learn what happened at the airport. It’s disgusting. About time you wrote about it and hope they find out who did it and put him behind bars. Am sure you’re not the only victim. It’s very irritating. Hope and pray you recover the memory card” – Tony Aldeguer.

“Kung ang NAIA I ang siyang magsasalamin ng aasahan ng mga dayuhan sa P’inas, ang slogan ng DOT ay dapat, There’s Less Fun in the Philippines!” – Martin Gregorio.

“I agree 100 percent NAIA is a toilet (and) its officials, unsinkable crap” – Johnny Valdes.  

“If the robbery was done here, my friend made an investigation about five years ago when she lost her laptop inside her suitcase, it seems, Hong Kong has its own problems” – Marissa Altamirano

PHILSTAR: Malacañang Palace 'Tax returns needed on CJ Corona's wealth'

By Aurea Calica │ The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - The income tax returns (ITR) of Chief Justice Renato Corona will “connect the dots” on his alleged unexplained wealth, a Malacañang official said yesterday.

It is not yet clear if President Aquino will allow the release or presentation of the ITRs to the Senate impeachment court by Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) chief Kim Henares.

Corona’s camp said the ITRs are irrelevant and that they can only be released upon the approval of Aquino, who makes no secret of his disdain for the Chief Justice.

Supporters of the Chief Justice said they were saddened by the prosecution’s move to link the issue of Corona’s alleged illegally acquired wealth to the non-disclosure of his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) as discussed in Article 2 of the eight Articles of Impeachment. Defense lawyer Tranquil Salvador III argued that the issue of the release of Corona’s tax records is not within the ambit of Article 2.

But presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the ITRs were needed considering the discrepancies between the SALN of Corona and his actual list of registered properties.

“We have uncovered, for instance, the titles. Contrary to the statement by Chief Justice Corona that there were only five titles, there were in fact more than five titles that were uncovered by the prosecution team,” Lacierda said.

“What else have we discovered? We have also discovered the SALN. It was produced. The SALN showed... the properties, the time of acquisition, the source of the acquisition...the amount of acquisition as stated in the SALN (was) a lot lower than the actual purchase price, the actual acquisition price,” he said.

For instance, Lacierda said Corona only declared the value of his unit at the Bellagio Towers in Taguig City at P6 million when “in truth and in fact,” the deed of absolute sale showed it was P14.5 million.

“And so, we also know for a fact that Chief Justice Corona has been working in government for 20 years and, therefore, his only source of income should be his salary as a government official,” Lacierda said.

“And so, we need the ITRs. If the President should allow the release of the ITRs, we need the ITRs to connect the dots. There is this unexplained wealth. His source of income is limited and how was he able to acquire so much property in a span of so many years? And that should be explained and that would be revealed in the impeachment trial. So the prosecution is merely connecting the dots,” Lacierda said. He said he has not spoken with the President yet on the release of the ITRs. “But let’s wait until the impeachment trial comes, and if there is an authorization, it would be presented in court,” Lacierda said.

He said the acquisition of properties, the SALNs during Corona’s time in the judiciary would be analyzed vis-a-vis the ITRs “if they are so authorized by the President.”

Lacierda stressed it would be “self-serving” to say if Corona should already be convicted based on the wealth issue alone. “That’s why we would like the public to see all the evidences at hand. But what we have seen uncovered so far, clearly would suggest that there has been a misrepresentation on the part of the Chief Justice,” Lacierda said.

“So what do we need to prove? What we need to see is how much is (Corona’s) capacity (to pay?) Does Mr. Corona have the capacity to acquire the properties that he bought? And the ITRs will prove the financial capacity of Mr. Corona,” Lacierda said.

“And we saw in the (SALNs) of Mr. Corona that he does not have other businesses. So what we know is his only source of income is his salary as a justice of the Supreme Court and, therefore, that should be presented – the ITR of Mr. Corona should be presented,” Lacierda reiterated.

“What do his ITRs contain? Like we said...we are connecting the dots here. That’s the logic of the case – that’s the logic of the prosecution: to connect the dots and to see if these are wealth that is ill-gotten and… if he cannot explain it then that is considered unexplained wealth,” he pointed out.

Asked if the ITRs and the SALN would be enough to convict Corona, Lacierda said “it would not be proper for me to make a judgment at this point.”

‘Very relevant’

For House lead prosecutor Rep. Niel Tupas, Corona’s ITRs are “very relevant” to pinning him down for amassing ill-gotten wealth.

The documents will “prove that the Chief Justice and his family have no capacity to purchase their properties, except through graft and illegitimate sources,” Tupas said.

He said Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has already ordered the presentation of the ITRs of Corona and his family and has directed BIR chief Henares to submit them to the impeachment court.

Henares attended the impeachment tribunal’s hearing last Thursday but without the subpoenaed documents since she was still awaiting permission from President Aquino to bring them.

“She was directed to return tomorrow, when the trial resumes,” Tupas said. He lamented that while Corona has been professing that he is ready to face the charges against him, his lawyers appear bent on suppressing the truth.

“Is the Chief Justice afraid that if we show the ITRs, these will prove that his properties are ill-gotten wealth? Is the defense afraid for the truth to come out?” he asked.

During the first week of trial, the registrars of deeds of Quezon City, Taguig and Marikina presented to the impeachment court records of several of the Coronas’ properties in their respective jurisdictions.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., who heads the team prosecuting the charge dealing with Corona’s alleged failure to disclose his SALN, said the Chief Justice should have nothing to fear if he is regularly declaring his income.

“If he has been religiously declaring all his income that he used for the acquisition of expensive properties such as high-end condominium units, there is no basis to be afraid,” he said. “They are saying that the Chief Justice has nothing to hide. Why are they now opposing the presentation of ITRs? We should let the truth prevail and their opposition is baseless,” he said.

Prosecution panel spokesman Rep. Miro Quimbo of Marikina said he understands why Corona’s lawyers “are fighting to their last breath” for the suppression of the tax documents.

“They completely know that revealing the tax returns will destroy all their defenses and unmask what the prosecution has been saying: that the Chief Justice amassed wealth that cannot be supported by his legitimate income. It is a practical deathblow to all of Mr. Corona’s defenses,” he told a news conference. Thus, he said, defense lawyers would “use every technicality to prevent the documents from being disclosed.”

“Time and again, not only did he undervalue but he failed to report some of his properties for several years if only to evade the prying eyes of the public and to hide his ill-gotten wealth,” Quimbo said. “But the truth cannot be made secondary to technical and baseless objections,” he said. “The Chief Justice could be very nervous about what will happen once Commissioner (Kim) Henares reveals his tax records and that of his immediate family members,” Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada said.

Another prosecution spokesman, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, said the tax returns of Corona and members of his family “are to be produced as evidence of ill-gotten wealth.”

“Perhaps they are afraid that the ITRs will show that their legally declared income is insufficient to purchase all their assets. Otherwise they would not have anything to fear,” he said.

To Drilon’s defense

Prosecutors also defended Sen. Franklin Drilon, whom the Corona camp wants banned from participating in the trial for reportedly helping them convince SC clerk of court Enriqueta Vidal to release the Chief Justice’s SALN.

“No basis at all to prohibit senators from asking questions. That is their right under the Senate impeachment rules,” Tupas said. Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said the move to inhibit Drilon “is a delaying tactic meant to put a chilling effect on the senators.”

“It may be a dangerous trap to pave the way for Corona’s filing of a petition for a temporary restraining order with the Supreme Court to stop his impeachment after his SALN was exposed and found questionable,” he said.

Another member of the prosecution panel, Rep. Sherwin Tugna of the party-list group Citizens Battle Against Corruption, said senator-judges “have the right and the duty to ferret out the truth, regardless of who gets hurt.”

“When Sen. Drilon voted with the majority to reject the subpoenas requested by the prosecution for the Chief Justice and his family, they were happy,” he said.

He also told reporters that the prosecution hopes the impeachment court would not exclude the ill-gotten wealth charge in the impeachment complaint’s Article 2, which deals largely with Corona’s non-disclosure of his SALN.

“But even if the ill-gotten wealth charge is excluded, we have already established that the Chief Justice did not disclose his SALN and in fact did not declare his assets until he filed his SALN for 2010 in April this year, when he was already feeling the heat,” he said.

Tugna and Quimbo believe the testimonies of the witnesses last week and this week as well as the various documentary evidence available would be conclusive enough to prove Corona’s ill-gotten wealth.

The prosecution panel earlier announced that it has at least 13 witnesses for the second charge, including Henares, local tax assessors, and land registration officials.

“You know the link between the properties that he has amassed and the income as indicated in the ITRs that we will present and it would be conclusive that no income or salary as Chief Justice can you buy these properties,” Tugna said. “So we will do some matching, cross-matching where if there is nothing in the ITR that would indicate that capacity (to acquire properties), under the forfeiture law, the burden now shifts to them (defense lawyers) to prove how he was able to buy all those properties with that income,” he told The STAR.

The documents presented by registrars Randy Rutaquio, Carlo Alcantara and Sedfrey Garcia of Taguig, Quezon and Marikina cities showed that Corona had not accurately declared in his SALNs several properties belonging to him and his family.

Prosecutors said that based on Vidal’s testimony, Corona’s declared net worth mysteriously jumped from P14 million in 2002 to P22 million in 2010.

Quimbo expressed suspicion that Corona only bared his acquisitions in his 2010 SALN – filed in April 2011– when talk of his possible impeachment was rife.

He said Corona’s SALN was prepared after the impeachment of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and when the House was hearing the impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo.

“This leads us to believe that the 2010 SALN was an attempt at a cover up or to correct or an afterthought,” Quimbo told The STAR. “Why did he suddenly execute that SALN? Maybe it was out of fear.” With Jess Diaz, Paolo Romero, Christina Mendez, Marvin Sy

PHILSTAR: Manny Pacquiao cited in homily

Sporting Chance
Joaquin Henson │ The Philippine Star

Irish priest Fr. Eamon Anthony Sheridan cited the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Manny Pacquiao in his homily during the 12:30 p.m. Mass at the Holy Rosary Church on Chatham Road, Hong Kong, last Sunday. And it wasn’t because most of the church-goers were Filipinos.

Fr. Sheridan spoke about how God touches our lives in different ways, how we are called to serve as His disciples or followers. He mentioned Pacquiao as an example of a changed man who encountered God in a dream after his recent fight against Juan Manuel Marquez. Of course, everybody knows Pacquiao’s inspiring rags-to-riches story and there isn’t anyone who doesn’t admire his ascent to the top as a global sports icon. That’s why Fr. Sheridan used Pacquiao as an example. If Pacquiao is an inspiration in the ring, Fr. Sheridan figured he could be an inspiration out of the ring, too.

Fr. Sheridan said he came across a recent story about Pacquiao in the Catholic news website. He shared the good news with the congregation that packed the church. Fr. Sheridan started his homily by acknowledging the presence of the church-goers who came despite pouring rain. Then, he spoke about God tending His flock, calling back sheep that go astray and told Pacquiao’s story.

“Manny had a dream one night and in that dream, he was in a beautiful forest when he heard a voice asking, Why are you going away from Me?” said Fr. Sheridan. “It was the Lord calling Manny back to Him. Manny woke up crying and his pillow was wet with his tears. Right there and then, Manny resolved to walk with God, to change his life.”

I was touched by the story and after Mass, I checked the report on Pacquiao in the Catholic news website the first chance I got. I found the story in the Union for Catholic Asian News or UCANews.com. The story has been carried in other Catholic Asian websites, including one in India, proving Pacquiao’s enormous influence as an international figure.

The report quoted Pacquiao relating to ABS-CBN how he has reformed after his encounter with God in a dream. “If I had died last year or in the last two years, I’m sure I would have gone straight to hell,” Pacquiao was quoted as saying. “My faith in Him was there 100 percent but behind it, after prayers, I would still do evil things.” In the website, Pacquiao said he has stopped gambling, drinking and womanizing after dream of God. “He now immerses himself in Bible study and spends more time with his wife and children,” said the website. “He also gave away his favorite fighting cocks.”

Pacquiao said, “I woke up crying, I remember I was crying in my dream and when I touched my pillow, it was wet. In the past, God talked to people through their dreams. So I told myself ‘this dream is real and I have to change my life.’ Being a Christian means accepting Christ as your Savior, your God. That is why you’re called a Christian. If you remove ‘Christ,’ there’s only ‘ian’ and that means ‘I am nothing.’”

It’s no secret that before engaging Marquez in Las Vegas last November, Pacquiao wasn’t his usual self. But being the warrior that he is, Pacquiao shrugged off the distractions and beat Marquez by a majority decision. Now that he’s 33, Pacquiao is four fights away from hanging up his gloves late next year or so Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said. Pacquiao is at the peak of his boxing career and can surely dominate in the ring beyond 2013 but a calling to be more involved in serving his countrymen as a politician may bring him to another direction.

Arum is arranging Pacquiao’s next fight and he’d like it to be in late May or June 9 whether the opponent is Floyd Mayweather Jr. or not. Mayweather wants to battle on May 5, a date he has booked at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, but neither he nor Pacquiao is Mexican and Cinco de Mayo is a perfect date for a Mexican fighter to headline a boxing show.

Arum said it’s a wasted opportunity if a Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown is staged at the MGM facility which has a seating capacity of 16,500. Arum would rather take the fight to an outdoor arena which can accommodate 45,000 on the Strip at Las Vegas. But Arum said May 5 is too soon for the arena to be built.

If the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight doesn’t materialize in May or June, Arum will find another opponent for the Filipino icon. Lamont Peterson has been ordered by the WBA to take on Amir Khan in a rematch and will likely be scratched as an option. A fourth meeting with Marquez may not be a pay-per-view attraction and a rematch with Miguel Cotto won’t mean anything in Pacquiao’s resume.

That could leave unbeaten WBO lightwelterweight champion Timothy Bradley as the last alternative. Bradley’s manager is Cameron Dunkin who also handles Nonito Donaire Jr. and the fighter is promoted by Arum, too. So getting Bradley to step up to the plate won’t be a problem. Selling the fight would be the next step and nobody does it better than Arum.