The Philippines headed for worst-ever Asian Games finish in basketball

After losing their first classification game against China, 78-71, Gilas Pilipinas is now assured of the country’s worst finish ever in the history of the basketball competitions in the Asian Games. 

The loss to China relegated Gilas to a playoff against Mongolia for seventh place, an all-time Asian Games low for this basketball-crazy country. With their confidence-building stint in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Gilas was expected to compete strongly in the quadrennial event even without naturalized NBA player Andray Blatche in their lineup.

They started well with a win over India but suffered three straight setbacks against Iran, Qatar, and South Korea. They also failed to enter the semifinals through the backdoor as they didn’t win big against Kazakhstan.

In 16 previous editions of the Asian Games, the Philippines' worst finish in men's basketball was sixth twice, in 1966 and in 2010.

Led by Carlos Loyzaga, Moro Lorenzo, and Lauro Mumar, the Philippines took home the gold medal in the inaugural Asian Games in 1951. The Philippines dominated the competitions until 1962 but the country's run was finally halted by Israel in the 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok.

From 1966 to 1982, the Philippines finished out of the medal picture as they garnered two fourth-place and three fifth-place finishes in that span.

With greats such as Allan Caidic and Alvin Patrimonio leading the charge, the Philippine team finished with a bronze in 1986 thanks to a stinging loss to host South Korea. In 1990, with FIBA's open basketball policy in effect, the Philippine Basketball Association finally allowed its players to compete in international competitions, and the result was a silver medal behind  host China.

In 1994, the Philippines suffered a painful 79-76 loss to Japan in the bronze medal match but they were able to capture third place in the 1998 Asian Games with the legendary Philippine Centennial Team. This was the last time the country won a medal in the Asiad.

They finished fourth in 2002 as the Korean curse continued with a stinging loss in the semifinals. The Philippines didn’t even compete in the 2006 Asian Games as FIBA suspended the country’s governing body.

In 2010, Smart-Gilas Pilipinas placed sixth with a largely amateur squad supported by Marcus Douthit and some PBA players.

Even if the country has struggled in recent Asian Games, the Philippines still holds the second place with four golds. China leads with seven.

South Korea will be targeting to tie the Philippines' four-gold tally as they attempt to win it all at home in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Iran, Japan, and Kazakhstan, the other three teams in the semifinals, also have their sights set on their first basketball gold.

www.yahoo.com.ph

Ten Ways to Spot Social Climbers Online

Let’s admit it, a lot of people love compliments and social media has been one way to get them for some us.

Thus, photos of food, clothes, faces and even bodies– all things that we can brag about are posted on social networking sites. Now, people has begun pointing fingers who are social climbers and who are not. This even brought attention to a meme that I bet you’ve stumbled upon one time:

Take these few points to spot the people who take advantage of social media in order to promote themselves and fit in a social class that they are trying to climb.

1. Taking photos of clothing lines when malling yet they won’t buy from them.

2. Taking photos while engaged in an expensive hobby, claiming that it is their hobby though they’ve done it only once.

3. Taking photos while using different amenities in expensive places.

4. Taking pictures of expensive food in fine diners before eating (or not).

5. Posing with clothes tried in dressing rooms, yet they didn’t buy.

6. Using accessories that they deem expensive even though they don’t match their overall get up.

7. Having penchant for class A imitations of luxury items like bags, shoes, eye wear and perfumes, then post them as if they’re from somebody abroad to give the hint of authenticity.

8. Taking pictures of houses or condo units that are not even theirs.

9. Putting on as much expensive make up testers as possible, then takes a selfie while plugging the brand.

10. Posing beside cars in a parking area without disclaiming that it isn’t theirs.

The list would go on.

If you will notice, most of these are done also by people who simply want to capture a rare moment such as spotting a house that you would like to own someday, or a racing car that had been your long time dream, or a once in a lifetime chance to gain access in a five-star hotel, or dining in a place where stars would flock, etc. But what makes social climbers different from persons who simply want to document special events in their life?

Social climbers claim it as their life style even if it’s not. And take note that life style isn’t achieved overnight. It is filled with routines, regular occurrences, and common preferences that comprise one’s personal choices on how to live their life. If somebody has this kind of lifestyle, these would be so common to them that they won’t bother documenting; because it occurs often anyway. Social climbers try so hard to fit in a social group they keep on chasing, thinking that they can fool netizens with their ridiculous display of pretense.

Are you a social climber? Do you know one?

source: www.thedailypedia.com

"Mahal ko o Mahal Ako" wins "Himig Handog 2014"

“Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako,” an original Filipino love song written by Edwin Marollano and interpreted by KZ Tandingan emerged grand prize winner at the "Himig Handog Pinoy Pop (P-Pop) Love Songs 2014" held at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, September 28. 

Marollano bested 14 other songwriter-finalists to win the P1-million cash prize and a trophy designed by renowned sculptor Michael Cacnio. KZ, meanwhile, bagged the ABS-CBN.com Favorite Interpreter Award.

Hailed as the 2nd Best Song was “Halik Sa Hangin,” a song written by David Dimaguila and interpreted by Ebe Dancel with Abra. The other winners are "Mahal Kita Pero" (3rd Best Song, composed by Melchora Mabilog and interpreted by Janella Salvador); “Walang Basagan ng Trip” (4th Best Song, composed by Eric De Leon and interpreted by Jugs and Teddy) and "Hindi Wala" (5th Best Song, composed by Nica del Rosario and interpreted by Juris).

Meanwhile, the following special awards were also given away during the finals night of the country's biggest multimedia songwriting competition:

STAR CINEMA’S CHOICE AWARD: “Halik sa Hangin”

MYX’S CHOICE FOR BEST MUSIC VIDEO AWARD: "Mahal Kita Pero" (music video director: San Beda College Alabang)

STAR MUSIC LISTENERS’ CHOICE AWARD: "Bumabalik Ang Nagdaan" (composed by Sarah Jane Gandia and interpreted by Jessa Zaragoza)

MOR 101.9 LISTENERS' CHOICE AWARD and ABS-CBNmobile FAN FAVORITE AWARD: "Simpleng Tulad Mo" (composed by Meljohn Magno and interpreted by Daniel Padilla) 

TFC’S CHOICE AWARD and STARSTUDIO READERS' CHOICE AWARD: “If You Don’t Want to Fall” (composed by Jude Gitamondoc and interpreted by Jed Madela)

The other finalists of this year's "Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs" are “Akin Ka Na Lang” (composed by Francis Louis Salazar and interpreted by Morissette); “Dito” (composed by Raizo Brent Chabeldin and Biv De Vera and interpreted by Jovit Baldivino), “Hanggang Kailan” (composed by Jose Joel Mendoza and interpreted by Angeline Quinto); “Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako” (composed by Jovinor Tan and interpreted by Michael Pangilinan); “Pumapag-ibig” (composed by Jungee Marcelo and interpreted by Marion Aunor featuring Rizza and Seed); “Umiiyak ang Puso” (composed by Rolando Azor and interpreted by Bugoy Drilon); and “Everything Takes Time” (composed and interpreted by Hazel Faith dela Cruz).

"Himig Handog" is the Philippines' first interactive multimedia songwriting tilt launched by ABS-CBN in 2000, originally to pay tribute to the overseas Filipino workers. 

Now on its sixth year, "Himig Handog" continues to search for exceptional amateur and professional Filipino songwriters, and endearing and uniquely "Pinoy" love songs that transcend generations, and which stand out like some of today's OPM classic love songs, which include "Hanggang" interpreted by Wency Cornejo; "Kung Ako Na Lang Sana" by Bituin Escalante; "Kung Ako Ba Siya" by Piolo Pascual; "Bye Bye Na" by Rico Blanco; "This Guy's In Love With You Pare" by Chito Miranda; and two of 2013's biggest hits: Daniel's "Nasa Iyo Na Ang Lahat" and Aiza Seguerra's "Anong Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa."

The "Himig Handog" 2014 album is now available at all record bars nationwide for only P299. Digital tracks can now be downloaded at P25 each via Starmusic.ph, Amazon.com, Mymusicstore.com.ph, and iTunes.

source: www.abs-cbn.com

Coco Martin speaks up about the controversial The Naked Truth fashion show

Sa Aquino and Abunda Tonight,nagsalita si Atty. Lorna Kapunan on behalf of Coco Martin kaugnay pa rin sa pagkondena ng ilang grupo katulad ng Gabriella atPhilippine Commission on Women sa ilang eksena sa The Naked Truth fashion show ngBench. Ang pagrampa ni Coco Martin kung saan may dala siyang babae na naka-leash ang isa sa mga eksena sa fashion show na nakatanggap ng pagtuligsa.

Bago pa man ang interview kay Atty. Kapunan, binasa ng host na si Kris Aquino ang Instagram post ni Ben Chan kung saan muli itong nag-apologize sa mga tao at kay Coco. Ayon sa kanya,“Coco only played the role given to him.”

Binasa rin ni Kris ang isang text message mula kay Coco. Sa mensahe ni Coco, sinabi nito na sobrang siyang nalungkot sa mga nangyari. Inamin din niya ang kanyang pagkukulang dahil diumano “hindi ko nakita ang malalim na kahulugan ng pinagawa sa akin.” Pinangako rin ni Coco na mas magiging sensitibo na siya sa mga issue na may kinalaman sa karapatan ng mga babae. Mahal na mahal daw ni Coco ang kanyang Lola, Nanay at kanyang tatlong kapatid na babae at nirerespeto niya ang kababaihan.

Ayon kay Atty. Kapunan, may kontrata si Coco with Bench kung kaya para kay Coco ay trabaho ang lahat and he was “acting out a role.” Ganunpaman, inaamin diumano ni Coco ang kanyang pagkakamali at isang malaking pagsisisi dahil nahuli ang realization na mali ang kanyang ginawa.

Isang French lady diumano ang nag-direct ng show kung kaya hindi ito familiar sa “sensibilities ng mga pinoy.” Dagdag pa ni Boy Abunda, napag-alaman sa research na may iba’t ibang konsepto ang fashion show. Mayroon diumanong part na ang theme ay “Purity” at meron ding “Animal Within Me.” Doon diumano napunta si Coco sa pangalawang theme.

Sinabi rin ni Atty. Kapunan na ideally dapat kasama si Coco sa conceptualization ng fashion show, ngunit hindi ito nangyari. Isang beses lang din nakapag-rehearse sila Coco dahil sa pagdating ng Typhoon Mario sa bansa.

Payo pa ni Atty. Kapunan, kailangan ng “self-police o self-regulation.” “Let us protect the station, our artists, kasi you can be sued.” 

Isa rin diumanong oversight ang pag-apologize kay Coco at hindi sa babae na nasa dulo ng leash. Dagdag pa ni Atty. Kapunan, tapos na dapat ang paghingi ng paumanhin at simulan na ang pagpakita ng commitment. “You have to walk your talk.”

Ayon kay Boy, “jarring” sa kanila ang nangyari dahil malayo sa imahe ni Ben Chan ang mga pagtuligsa na tinanggap ng Bench. “Ben Chan will never hurt women.” Pagtatapos naman ni Kris, ang mahalaga ay nagpakita ng ownership si Coco at si Ben sa pamamagitan ng pag-amin nila sa kanilang pagkakamali at paghingi ng paumanhin para dito.

source: www.abs-cbn.com