SOCIAL MEDIA

Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts

Saturday, January 07, 2012

Fastbreak Charity Game for Typhoon Sendong Victims

A very devastating weather phenomenon, tropical storm Sendong destroyed the South of the Philippines last December 2011 that lost crops, houses and lives of our dear countrymen just in the middle of Christmas season. Everyone in the country citizens from in on other country felt downcast seeing bodies of dead people, hungry children, destroyed shelters, flooded lands and grieving parents and children who are suffering from the lost of their loved ones. These scenarios inspired citizens those who are living on Luzon, Visayas and even abroad to offer their helping hands and donate some of what they have in over to help.

As a youth moved by what was going on, Kiefer Ravena, the phenomenal rookie of Ateneo Blue Eagles and a basketball player for our national team shared a suggestion on a status in Facebook regarding a creation of an event, a basketball game which he was expert at to raise funds and donations for the typhoon victims. So it happened, by the help of his father who is also a legend in basketball, Bong Ravena they organized and promoted “Fastbreak: A benefit game for typhoon Sendong victims” which was held in San Juan Arena last January 06, 2011 aiming to donate the proceeds to the calamity areas through Ateneo de Manila University and Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan.

The two teams consist of celebrity players from different fields of media. National and collegiate basketball stars like the charismatic entrepreneur/TV host Chris Tiu, famous and top UAAP/NCAA players like Nico Salva, RR Garcia, Joshua Webb, Kevin Alas, and Justin Chua. Music icons Rico Blanco, Gab Valenciano, and Champ Lui Pio were stunning seeing the rare moment they were dribbling a basketball besides the usual strumming of guitars. Matinee idols also graced the court; some of them were Luis Alandy, Marco Alcaraz and one of the scene stealers of the day, Gerald Anderson. Of course the event would not be as energetic without an amazing dancer Jhong Hilario who exhibited his dance moves while playing and our very well loved comedians who I believe were the main attraction –Tado and Jose. They induced the outpour of blissful hearts as Jose served as a referee and Budoy impersonator on a face off with Gerald Anderson who plays the role and Tado showing off his clownish tactics and acts of getting the ball. Also present in the third quarter for a three-point shootout were PBA legend Allan Caidic, two time MVP/top basketball player James Yap and the eloquent and handsome reporter Mark Zambrano. Mr. Caidic won 5,000PHP which he also donated to the relief drive.



The Smart White Team was lead by Kiefer Ravena and Chris Tiu while the Meralco Red Team was guided by Nico Salva and Geral Anderson. Though the game was not like those serious and contested like the usual basketball games, this play penetrated the cheers and attention of the audience with hilarious acts like no other symbolizing more of friendship and good intentions never minding network rivalries, expertise differences, age gaps and popularity.

Meralco Red Team dominated the early game and earned a 14-point lead mainly from shots courtesy of Salva and Garcia and 11 points by Anderson. When Jose Manalo entered the game as a referee with Tiu and Ravena connecting their shots together with continuous receiving of free throws by Smart White, a final score of 118-107 lead the Smart White boys to a win.



It was indeed one of the most unforgettable basketball games I have ever watched. The joy, entertainment and charity were indeed priceless than the 100PHP cost of our tickets. May these celebrities and famous personalities continue this amazing way of amusing and helping our countrymen at the same time.






-faf

Photo Credits:

Josh Albelda of Ignite Media
Kimberly Ann del Pilar
Karen Feaster




Sunday, May 01, 2011

2011 PBA Commisioner's Cup [Random Experiences/ Supporting Smart Gilas Pilipinas]










I always find it so hard on how to start writing a blog about Basketball, a sport in which I have no trace of interest before and finds it always boring when players struggles their hearts out just to get that ball and shoot it into the ring and make the crowd cheering out loud. Well, this write up is about a PBA Season in which I’m proud to say gave me new experiences and more let’s just say enjoyment about the said sport not just because of Tiunaticism, which I would say the main reason of it all but also supporting our National Basketball Team which is called Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas, sounds mighty isn’t it? I am really proud of team in spite of my close basketball fan friend saying “Bano… Kulang sa Speed… daming kulang…” and my father and brother chuckling “Naku kawawa sila sa Olympics….” Oh well, I think we Filipinos should be supportive behind those negativism of some and criticisms on our sportsmen struggling. How pathetic! Because of that and Chris Tiu’s undying charm magnetism, I grabbed every opportunity of watching a live game, too bad there were hindrances, financial ones tops them all that I didn’t make it to watch all the Elimination games. So ironic that I failed to watch their match against those splendid teams like TNT, Alaska and that B-Meg whom they failed to bag and yes, it’s so boring to watch on TV, I just realized it recently. One of the best parts of live game watching was seeing friends and having new friends whom I comfortably share the cheers with. The team was as I said earlier, mighty because of their visible passion and perseverance to win and do their best, not good in Basketball analyzing though, I admit I’m just a novice but the hell I care? Everything could be learned if you enjoy what you are supposed to be learning. Well, as I’ve said I’m still a novice so I couldn't give more of Basketball Terms and commentaries for now, sorry for that, I just know the basics, poor me. Me and my courtside friends were so excited that they made it on Semis, Jeez, that’s awesome not like last 2010, oh well, haven’t seen those events because I’m in the mountains for hospital work. Aside for Tiuperman, the well love gorgeous and skillful Chris Tiu and other players mainly Jayvee Casio, a fantastic intellectual one in my own viewpoint as well as Mark Barroca for his speed, imports Marcus Douthit and Chris Lutz, all were awesome.


















Semis Playoffs was a bit bitter and sad. Game 1 had close scores with just a point of difference, that’s heartbreak. So glad in a sense that I met one of my favorite Tiunatic friends, Krystine and made her dream of seeing CT happen though so much wasted from door to door measles vaccination campaign. I had an experience with Karen to walk from Cubao to Ortigas and spend the rest of the night chit chatting and that was not a joke, it made me dizzy and limp though we enjoyed each other’s company. Game2, the second heartbreak game was terrible, the difference was so far and it’s really upsetting like “Roaaarrr!” with BGK Fans’ cheer with some sarcasm and insults. The aftermath was an epic fail, so the other unrelated catastrophe, I wouldn’t mention it, that day was the most depressing of all Playoffs game. Game 3 is luck, we all wore blue as a sign of loyal support and even made a tarpaulin banner so huge that a significant person needed to smuggle it out and fought with security guards in order to display them, it’s an epic battle. Seeing BGK fans walk out with scowling faces is amusing. It’s also the day when TIUnatics FB Group Admins were complete and it’s really nice to see to pictures of us four. At last, Easter Sunday, crucial day, I almost failed to watch it live because of being impoverished, thanks to a friend for filling it up and I’m really grateful for that. It’s a super HEARTBREAK. I thought they would be able to maintain the lead till the 4th but BGK is very lethal and it’s like a slow poison eating them up. I hate those BGK players who act very physical and its nerve racking seeing them slowly and slowly beaten up. That’s a major fail! The banner tarpaulin was shown on the screen with me and my mates holding it but I failed to see it because of multi tasking eyes. That depressed us, so much that I felt sad all those minutes of transporting home. I was so emotional but I never cried, will miss watching live and seeing those faces whom I enjoyed company but it’s never a lost after all. The support and love for the team will always remain and for now, we are so much excited for FIBA.

-F.F


Photo Credits:

Karen Feaster
Ann Del Pilar