Collectible Asian Games 2018 Stamps

Pos Indonesia has issued a special series of stamps  few months ago to commemorate the 18th Asian Games.  This is the second time Indonesia that hosted the event.

“To enliven the 2018 Asian Games held in Palembang and Jakarta from Aug. 18 through Sept. 2,23018 with 40,000 postage stamps to mark the sports event have been released nationwide,” Hasnan, the deputy chief of Pos Indonesia in Palembang, South Sumatra, said on Saturday.

According to Hasnan, the special stamps of the 2018 Asian Games have been issued in limited numbers and will not be reprinted when sold out within the next few days.

Philately enthusiasts are advised to head straight to the nearest post office to get their hands on the limited edition stamps, only 2000 of which have been distributed in Palembang, one of the host cities of the Games.

The special Asian Games stamps bear pictures of athletes in action in sports such as soccer and volleyball.

Stamps serve to commemorate Indonesia’s role of playing host to the 18th Asian Games, thereby preserving the memory of the historic moment in postage form.

As of press time, the limited Asian Games stamps had been sold out in many Indonesian post offices.

Time To Fly Manila : Runnr Brings Hoka One One Innovative Shoes to the Country

 

Time to Fly and Experience the ultimate running shoes that is making waves all over the world.

Runnr – The country’s leading and innovative specialty store marks another milestone with the arrival of Hoka One One , the multi-award winning running shoe brand that is making waves in global market with its maximalist sole design.

Mr. Jeffrey Hidalgo along with several runners, athletes, coaches were on hand to lend support.

Ms. Tessa Prieto Valdes

Ms. Tessa Prieto Valdes (Fashion icon , columnist , event host ) bought 3 pairs of running shoes .

History 

HOKA ONE ONE started in 2009 when Ultra Marathon champion Nico Mermoud realized he needed shoes to help him run downhill faster while reducing the shock that took a toll on his legs. Mermoud then partnered with fellow athlete Jean-Luc Diard in engineering a shoe that had double the shock absorbing material than traditional running shoes and uniquely carved geometry that encouraged an efficient foot strike – thus the revolutionary lightweight running shoe brand was born.

“We are excited to be the official distributor of HOKA ONE ONE in the Philippines. The arrival of this amazing shoe brand in the country has long been anticipated by our local roster of triathletes, ultra-distance runners and marathoners,” said Toby Claudio, President of Quorum International Inc. and Founder of RUNNR. “As the leader in the local sports retail industry, we continue to support the growing Filipino running community by bringing in the best global brands.”

The event started past 5:00pm at the open area near Runnr outlet , The place was jam-packed with eager crowd waiting for their turns to buy the latest running gear. An audio video presentation showcases the different running shoes.

Ms. Bubbles Paraiso 

There were also on-the spot raffles and trivia questions and promo sale during the launch. .

winner of 1 pair hoka one one shoes

Designs

Bondi 5 is designed for running on hard surface and named after a famous beach in Australia

 Clifton is  breathable upper was lauded by many because it allowed air to easily keep their feet ventilated . The curved arch was able to keep the mid-foot area well-supported, and it gave many of the testers the incentive to run farther with sureness and ease.

Challenger ATR 3-A significant number of runners mentioned that they liked the cushioning of the Hoka One One Challenger 3 ATR

Arahi-  This had simple yet eye-catching design, as well as its comfortable cushioning. Neutral runners were happy that it was able to allow them to move naturally without compromising the cushioning. The lightweight nature of this road shoe also received positive recognition.

Hupana-consumers appreciated the lightweight nature of the Hoka One One Hupana, stating that it did not drag their feet down.

Gaviota features superior qushioning

Speed Goat inspired by Karl Meizter, who hold the record for most 100 miles trail and this design is also ideal for outdoor activities like mountain climbing and trek.

Tracer 2 This is built for speed and agility.

Runnr had Branches at the following Malls Nationwide

Runnr Trinoma ,Level 2 SM Trinoma EDSA corner North Avenue , 1105, Quezon City

 Runnr Cebu -Level 2 SM Cebu ,Cebu Business Park ,6000 Cebu CIty 

Runnr Bonifacio High Street , Level 1 B 3 Bonifacio High Street , Taguig City ,1634

Runnr Alabang Town Center -Level 2, Alabang Town Center , The Garden , Muntinlupa City , 1799

 

FEU- UAAP Victory Celebration

Far Eastern University – Nicanor Reyes Sr. Street , Sampaloc, Manila -Philippines

This was the victory celebration that everyone is waiting for. The UAAP senior men’s basketball championship is back again to Morayta aka Nicanor Reyes Sr. street again.

This is a bitter sweet victory after several attempts during the 10-year period.

FEU chapel

The event in the afternoon started with a  thanksgiving mass at the FEU chapel past 4:00pm

group photo

The main campus ground was jam-packed with thousands of students, faculties, employees, alumni  and FEU board of directors led by Dr. Lourdes Reyes-Montinola and Dr. Micheal Alba ( president )  .  I was introduced to them by Mr. Martin Lopez (Chairperson-FEU President Committee on Culture ).

students proudly wearing their FEU T-shirts and Tamaraw cap

FEU-Tech and FEU -IAS students

FEU faculties holding the UAAP championship cup

IABF- students

Institute of Accounts Business and Finance students got an interesting head piece. It serves dual purpose , headband and accessory too.

open air amphitheater

cotton candy operator with smiling students

hygienix

students line-up for the free ice cream

Meal stubs were distributed during the event which participants can used them to buy cotton candy, dirty ice cream, sandwiches and hot dogs.

Oishi booth

Oishi Philippines ( Liwayway Marketing ) booth gave away hundreds of snacks items.

students enjoyed their Oishi snacks

group of students posing for group photo at the Tamaraw Plaza aka Freedom Plaza

The mood is quite festive and almost everyone had to capture them on their mobile phones and cameras.

 Mrs.Daisy Cariño,  Mr. Jorge Cariño ( ABS-CBN channel 2 newscaster and FEU Alumnus ) and Professor Joeven Castro

lechon or roasted pork

Vice Ganda also sponsored 2 lechons with rice meal which were given to all the participants with ticket stubs.  Someone told me that Vice Ganda always supports FEU basketball team and varsity players event before he became famous  .  There was also a hashtag #PaKainNiVice . This was supposed for his twitter account  followers.  I must say that this is a good gesture for him to give back to his followers and to the university .

FEU Employees selling paper mache tamaraws with signature autograph of the winning basketball team

I find the cute tamaraw paper mache as collectible items . But it is quite bulky . It is being sold at Php 200 per item.

There are also FREE face painting session

The street party extends to nearby R. Papa street where the FEU Gymnasium is located . Students who were not able enter the main campus ( gates were closed by 6:00pm) opted to join the free street party at the R. Papa street .

students and alumni that were not able to enter the campus

The campus ground was almost filled to the capacity as there were also some bands like sponge cola that were invited . I also learned that Vice Ganda was able to joined the party a little bit later .

stores along R. Papa street with congratulatory tarpaulin

The event was organized by some FEU alumni who opted a street party style with car show and loud music. This concept seems quite good and fantastic since the campus cannot accommodate all the students and visitors flocking the area. But as usual, it caused some traffic congestion and to some extend loud noises to neighboring schools within the U-Belt zone.

They got a permit from Barangay 395 of Manila to host a street party . Some street vendors were very happy because people are buying foods and they are having brisk sales .

Slogan : Make Love FEUST Not War

There are also rumors that somebody ( FEU alumni) had sponsored a truck of beer and sound system for the street party . I saw some students from nearby campuses also joined the street party.

I stayed near the rear entrance of the gate waiting for the program and countdown to finish . The fireworks display was seen within the U-BELT area and some people are clueless about the celebration. They thought that FEU is having a Christmas lightning ceremony  .

As for the traditional bonfire being lighted within the campus ground , It did not happened . However , the more elaborate fireworks display which illuminate the dark sky.

Note: I wanted to buy a souvenir t-shirt during the celebration, but the long lines of students and buyers prevented me from purchasing the t-shirt.

Far Eastern University clinches the 78th UAAP Men’s Basketball Championship

SM Mall of Arena,  Pasay City -Philippines

 

Far Eastern University ended a decade-long title drought after a tight fight with the University of Santo Tomas, 67-62, in a grueling Game 3 of the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball Finals ( wednesday )  yesterday before a exuberant crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena crowd.

The tightly contested finals were from two universities which were known for their traditional rivalries at the UAAP basketball scenes during its early years until the mid- 1960’s .

photo from Facebook Mobile upload by.  Mr. Christian Iñigo Evasco

There are also reports that some students and alumni from both schools slept at the venue place in order to get a nice seating location. While some waited patiently queuing in line early in the morning just to get this chance to support their respective schools.

The rivalries from both camps also sends social media like Facebook , Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr with hashtag  #HulingSigawTamaraw and #GoUSTe became the top trending topics  in the Philippines and in the world .

For FEU fans , other trending hastags includes : #‎feuchampion2016‬ ‪#‎congrats‬ ‪#‎proudtamaraw‬  ‪#‎BeBrave16‬ ‪#‎FEUvsUST‬

For UST fans- trending hastags includes: ‪#‎USTGrowlingTigers‬  ‪#‎GoUste ‪#‎ferrerrousious ‪#‎ProudThomasian‬

The rivalries also extend at the ticket sales when SM Mall of Arena tickets for the UAAP Season 78 Men’s Basketball Championship this Wednesday, December 2, 3:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena were officially sold out! in a matter of barely 50 minutes !

Some of the avid forumers and netizens even suggested that because of the high interest that the game had generated .  The UAAP officials should change their GAME 3 finals and moved them to Philippine Arena .

It was well fought battle and the raise to the UAAP championship is not easy .

With FEU’s 20th UAAP Senior Men’s Basketball Championship title tuck under its feathers – My Heartfelt Congratulations !!!

 

 

 

 

 

CHINA Outshines Philippines in HOSTING the 2019 FIBA WORLD Championships

Tokyo , Japan

screen grabs from FIBA livestreaming

China edged Philippines as FIBA board members had chosen the sporting and economic powerhouse . Its presentation which showed that the country that hosted several key important events like Summer 2008 Olympic Games , 2010 Asian Games,  2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics among others .  Among its pitch are the 300 million Chinese basketball fans, over 3,000 basketball schools and at least 100,000 hotel rooms available in 8 major cities which are hosting the event. Plus over 1.3 billion Chinese . With that impressive and mammoth presentation. No country can probably match what CHINA host committee can offer.

screen grabs from presentation

The presentation projecting the success of the country in hosting major world events and how professionally it had shown to the entire world that CHINA can make it BIG TIME and it means Business.

They will also host the upcoming 2015 Fiba Asia Championships. “China never, never lets you down,” said Chinese Basketball Association President Yu Zaiging in the 20-minute presentation

China also boasted of holding the Fiba World Cup, which is held every four years, in eight keys cities which are easily connected by several forms of modern transportation.

The Philippines which banked on the Filipinos’ passion for the sports and reach on social media in its bid for the hosting, with a presentation focusing on its strength in infrastructure, hosting experience, and resources. Plus the fact that the country is becoming an economic powerhouse.

The announcement of the hosting was initially scheduled for 5:25 p.m. Manila time but was moved to 6:15 p.m.

Netizens Reaction

The hastag #PUSO2019 became a hot topic among netizens and twitter followers and the live-streaming site of FIBA was teeming with fans from all over the world.

Mr. Tonyo Cruz twitter

Majority of the Filipino netizens were quite dismayed over the FIBA decision but many say that it is like DAVID vs. Goliath scenario .  David = Philippines , Goliath = CHINA , now had the upper hand with the presentation .

Some people thinks that FIBA has already made their decision on giving CHINA hosting rights after the successful hosting of the country of FIBA Asia Championship several times. It wanted a more concrete plans and of course MONEY in hosting the event. Some netizens said that FIBA is looking for MONEY # PERA rather than # PUSO because pure heart does not translate into cold cash .

# SugatanPUSO2019  soon became a trending topic , In the social media conversations that followed, many made references to actual heartbreaking experiences like when someone gives you false hopes or hurts your feelings.  Mr. Emmanuel De Leon a twitter user said in his tweet that FIBA 2019 is

Ang pag-ibig parang #FIBA2019: di pwedeng puro puso, dapat may BUDGET ka rin. #SUGATANGPUSO2019 #PERA2019

The list goes on and on, BUT i think the country had already proved itself capable in hosting BIG time event like FIBA in 1978 and maybe in the near future. As they always say,- “Back in the Drawing Board” .  I personally think that the country must focus on regional events like SEA Games in 2019 or maybe another shot in hosting ASIAN Games before hosting FIBA or any international events. Hosting an event needed money and it does not guarantee a hefty payback .

• Note- I have watched the live-stream from FIBA and some news from Tokyo . I think based on the delays on the decision of FIBA board and its members,It must be more on getting an overwhelming majority votes .
• According to the FIBA website : The FIBA Central Board composed of 21 members voted 14-7 in favor of China Friday, August 7 in Tokyo, Japan for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup hosting, according to a press release from FIBA.
• As a third world country like the Philippines, hosting a BIG event such as FIBA requires MONEY and infrastructure , in which CHINA is capable of upstaging given to the relatively size of their country and people.