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Saturday, August 25, 2018
Johansen Aguilar for Nike
The 48 hours that changed Kiefer Ravena’s life
Exactly a year from today, the Fiba ban on Kiefer Ravena will be over. He sits down with SPIN.ph and looks back at the roller-coaster 48 hours that changed his life - and looks forward to the day he can finally play competitively again
THE long hand of the clock struck six and Kiefer Ravena was up and about. At 6:30 a.m., he was already brushing his teeth and preparing to hit the shower. His normal routine, really, except that he wasn't preparing to go to NLEX practice at FCL Center on Xavierville Ave. He’s at Diversion 21 Hotel in Iloilo for the third leg of the 2018 PBA All-Star Week.
NLEX teammate Emman Monfort rose from the other bed and shared a smile with Ravena. The Blue Eagles turned Road Warriors were both looking forward to the rare chance to put a show before their fellow Ilonggos.
The weekend had started eventfully for Kiefer, who, amid the All-Star fanfare, was able to sneak in a round of golf at fabled Santa Barbara with TNT coach Nash Racela and Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio. “Pangit,” he said of the 96 he scored, but was nonetheless happy to have played in the country's oldest golf course for the first time.
After the round, the group joined the rest of the PBA delegation for lunch at Breakthrough Restaurant, gorging in some delectable lechon, grilled squid and blue fin tuna. It was 2 p.m. when Ravena and Co. returned to the hotel, ready to take on one final task before the game: preparing and practicing the Visayas All-Stars’ performance in the pre-game dance-off.
The short hand struck three and Ravena, slumped in his bed, got the phone call he had long dreaded.
“You can’t play anymore. Go back to Manila,” the voice on the other end of the line said, firm in its urgency. It was SBP president Al Panlilio.
“Yes, sir,” Ravena answered with a sense of resignation, knowing his worst fear has come true.
Unbeknownst to many, the two-time UAAP MVP had been carrying a heavy burden for a while now, one he chose to hide from everyone but his family and a few friends. Just moments after Ravena posted 15 points and six assists in his first PBA All-Star Game in Digos, one email popped out of his inbox when he went through his emails when he got back at the hotel.
“Kahit problemadong problemado ako, kaya kong itago sa sarili ko yung mga probema ko. Some will say it’s wrong to be that way, but ever since I was like that. People have their own problems and I don’t want to add to their problems. That’s how I take it. Kung kaya ko naman na di na ako problemahin ng ibang tao, bakit ko pa siya gagawin,” he said.
He read every word slowly, trying to digest everything from the e-mail. It was the Fiba response to the appeal fired by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) on his failed drug test - an 11-page decision that affirmed, with finality, the finding that he tested positive for higenamine, 1,3-dimethylbutylamine, and 4-methylhexan-2-amine – three substances included in the prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) – which he got from a pre-workout supplement called Dust.
As regret filled his mind, Ravena could only mutter to himself: “I should’ve stayed natural.”
The fact that he didn't stay natural was more because of a desire to get himself in the best shape possible for his PBA debut. The second-generation star felt that he needed another jolt of energy, one which he got from drinking pre-workout drinks, as he prepared to make the jump to the pros.
“I just felt like drinking it cause I could use more energy at iba na ang laro sa pro. Hindi na pwede na ganoon lang, na Milo o Chuckie lang.”
Picking up lessons from his foray into the NBA D-League (now-G-League), Ravena started drinking a pre-workout drink called C4 which he felt helped him maintain his energy in his debut conference in the PBA. He continued doing so even as he played with Gilas Pilipinas in the 2019 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers. But when the Philippines was about to face Japan in the February window, his supplies ran out. On the advice of a friend, he bought Dust which looked and tasted the same as C4.
Ravena said he had no idea that the replacement drink he bought contained the three substances on WADA’s ever-changing prohibited list. Heck, he can’t even pronounce the names of the substances to begin with. If it was sold over the counter in health and wellness stores, how can it contain something banned, he wondered.
Obviously, even high-profile athletes like Ravena aren't too discerning when it comes to the drinks they take, perhaps owing to their rigorous schedules. Kiefer wished he knew then what he knows now about these banned substances. But as they say, hindsight is always 20/20. So regret inevitably creeped in.
“Parang kaya ko naman maglaro on a high-level nung college na di ako umiinom ng ganoon. I took basketball for granted na di ako nagtiwala sa katawan ko, na kaya ko mag-compete without it. Hindi ako nakuntento sa binigay sa akin kung anong meron ako. If I was content, I wouldn’t do that,” he said.
Still, Ravena prayed that Fiba would listen to his story. That everything was an honest mistake.
“I was hoping that it would be that way, an ordinary case na mali lang naman. Hindi ko naman sinasadya and I hoped they’ll give me a pass."
Shock was the first thing he remembered feeling the moment he saw the news article.
“Anong nangyari, bakit may ganito?” he remembered asking himself. He next started tro doubt the few he entrusted the news to. “All I was thinking was kung sino ba sinabihan ko?“ After gathering himself, he could only murmur, "Shucks, here’s wave number one.”
What followed was a tidal wave of calls from mediamen whose duty it is to verify the story. The media-savvy Ravena had to resist the urge to respond. Instead he sat down by his lonesome, thought long and hard, then started typing.
“I made my own statement because I want it to come from the heart. I just wrote an explanation, trying to tell my side of the story,” he said.
That task kept Ravena preoccupied for most of the day until hehad to leave for the press conference. “Honestly, I just wanted it to get over and done with,” he said.
He left the house at about 4 p.m., wearing a black shirt and a white cap. Together with his parents, who just arrived and brought home everything he left in Iloilo, Kiefer got on the car and drove off, bound for Launchpad in Mandaluyong.
He didn’t need a pep talk, but Mozzy gave him the best advice of all: “Keep it true. Keep it real. Keep it factual.”
Mothers know best.
As much as he knew his conscience was clean, the mind has its way of doubting one’s self. He has time and again passed random drug tests in the PBA, although those tests were only for recreational drugs and not the banned substances that got him in trouble with Fiba. Still, Ravena was dying to shout to the world that he wasn't a drug addict and he was by no means a cheat.
“I knew deep in myself na di ako nagda-drugs, na kahit ilang beses mo ako i-test ngayon, di ako magpa-positive. I’m in this situation na people are perceiving me to be someone I’m not, but I know deep in myself na I’m not like that,” he said.
He hoped people will understand his situation, but granted not all will. Nonetheless he was also fully aware that he was responsible for the quandary he was in, “kasi at the end of the day, you are responsible on what you take into your body.” For him, all he could do was to say his peace and embrace the repercussions.
“There were consequences eh,” he said. “It could’ve been avoided, for sure, but it’s all in hindsight. So for me explaining my side in that press con, that’s the only way for everybody to move on as well.”
Ravena arrived at around 5:30 p.m. but was spared a long wait as the SBP officials got there a little less than 15 minutes later. Panlilio was first to arrive, followed by SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan and other top officials. They gathered in a small conference room, preparing to discuss probably one of the toughest challenges the famed guard had to deal with in his already colorful career.
The short hand struck six and Ravena took his seat in the head table, flanked by Panlilio and Pangilinan. The clock read 6 p.m, when he started to talk about the elephant in the room.
“As they say, the art of a sincere and heartfelt apology is one of the greatest skills you'll ever learn in life,” he started his statement as he dissected piece-by-piece what led to this moment. He stuck to the script he himself wrote. “I didn’t want people to think I was taking drugs. That was the main point of everything. And I want to say na di ko sinasadya.”
Throughout the press conference, Ravena stuck to his line: He did not use marijuana or shabu or any other kind of drug. He didn’t take any performance-enhancing drug (PEDs), for that matter. What got him were three substances which were in the pre-workout drink he took for the first time.
“I’m not a bad person who’ll try to cheat and use everything to my advantage para lang makalamang. Hindi ako ganoong player. I know deep in myself na wala akong ginawang masama. That was one thing that was going for me,” he said.
The consequences, of course, were harsh.
“It felt like I lost my love, lost something I really love,” he said of what he felt when the 18-month ban started to sink in. “Pag may nawala na mahal natin, iba yung feeling. Ang hirap isipin na walang basketball ng isa’t kalahating taon. Anong gagawin ko?
"At first, iniisip ko magtatrabaho ako. But it was so hard for me to watch my team suffer, lose, knowing that I can’t do anything. I talk about being hyper-competitive, but ang hirap na araw-araw I can’t play. Lagi kong sinasabing kaya ko ‘to. Pero dito, hirap ako. This is definitely one for the books.”
He braced for waves, but what he got was a tsunami. As reality set in, the former Ateneo star wondered what the hell he would do without basketball.
What will you do after? What are you gonna do now? Those questions hit Kiefer the hardest. Everything he’s worked for since he was a kid are now gone, for the next year and change at least. He can’t play in the PBA, he can’t train with his team, he can’t even watch games in the venue.
Now what?
He didn’t have the answers. Up until now.
All Ravena knew was the moment he left the press conference, he has already said his piece and he can live knowing what the truth is, no matter how divided the public’s opinion was. At the end of the day, he found comfort in the thought that he is surrounded by people who love him unconditionally.
“This is me. This is what people look at me after this, whether they like me or don’t, fans or not, I’m blessed to be surrounded by the people who support me, mga nandyan para sa ‘yo. I can’t thank them enough for soothing a little bit of the pain."
“I’m not a bad person who’ll try to cheat and use everything to my advantage para lang makalamang. Hindi ako ganoong player. I know deep in myself na wala akong ginawang masama. That was one thing that was going for me."
The long hand struck six and he is up and about. The clock read 6:30 a.m., right on time as Ravena got up and did his usual morning routine. He wasn’t headed to the NLEX practice this time. Over the next few days, he wasn’t handing out assists on the basketball court, but rather, was distributing lists of WADA’s prohibited substances to fellow athletes as the new poster boy of Philippine sports’ anti-doping campaign.
The PBA rookie has been hooked to golf for a while, but now he has embraced the sport more than ever as it filled the emptiness in his life. “I play golf because it takes half of my day trying to forget that I’m not playing and I’m not practicing. I take time in the golf course to share stories, with my girlfriend minsan or with my friends. It takes time for me, five to six hours playing golf before washing up, eating merienda, and travelling all the way back home,” he said.
Through all this, Ravena’s faith never wavered. He’s not a saint and never claimed to be one. Rather he's someone who’s simply trying to be a better version of himself day-by-day. Deep inside, he found strength in the belief that God won’t give him a challenge that he can’t hurdle.
Not once has he questioned God’s will. He wasn’t going to start now.
“Wala naman Siyang binibigay na hindi natin kaya,” he said. “That was one of the lowest points of my life, and from there, I have nowhere to go but up.”
“Siguro sabi ni Lord, nawawala na yung gutom ko, na I’m not working as hard as I was working before. But I never questioned na bakit sa akin nangyari. Iba pa rin yung nananalig ka talaga. Kahit paano, masarap sa pakiramdam na di ka Niya iiwan.
"Ano ba naman ito sa pinagdadaanan ng ibang tao? Kung ako ganito lang, people have it worse. People try to live by the day and I still get paid and do the things I love to do. I have no right to complain at all. Of course, I miss the hardcourt and working out with my teammates, grinding it out on the court, trying to win as much games as you can. I miss all of that, but for now, I’m still thankful for everything.”
If there’s something good that came out of his nightmare experience, it was Ravena’s better appreciation of a sport that has been so good to him. The son of former PBA star Bong Ravena has loved basketball since he was a kid; now he loves it more than ever.
“You got to love your craft, just like you put time and effort on it, blood, sweat, and tears for it. Yan na yan eh. Yan ang maglalagay ng pagkain sa hapag-kainan ninyo. Someday, I’ll have my own family and I can’t be in this situation again when you have kids and people to feed tapos ganito. So you have to be careful,” he said.
Though he can’t join his team in any basketball-related activity, he still gets a chance to work out on his own, as well as taking in other endeavors such as hosting a web show centered on the next generation of basketball players.
“This is an issue that should be avoided at all cost," he said firmly. "Di na pwede mangyari ito ulit. If I’m the first, hopefully, I’ll be the last.”
He’s hoping to come out of this experience as an improved version of himself.
“Hopefully, with the experience and time I had with the ban, I’ll be a more mature, selfless, and hungrier Kiefer Ravena na may eight-pack,” he said with a grin.
THE long hand of the clock struck six and Kiefer Ravena was up and about. At 6:30 a.m., he was already brushing his teeth and preparing to hit the shower. His normal routine, really, except that he wasn't preparing to go to NLEX practice at FCL Center on Xavierville Ave. He’s at Diversion 21 Hotel in Iloilo for the third leg of the 2018 PBA All-Star Week.
NLEX teammate Emman Monfort rose from the other bed and shared a smile with Ravena. The Blue Eagles turned Road Warriors were both looking forward to the rare chance to put a show before their fellow Ilonggos.
The weekend had started eventfully for Kiefer, who, amid the All-Star fanfare, was able to sneak in a round of golf at fabled Santa Barbara with TNT coach Nash Racela and Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio. “Pangit,” he said of the 96 he scored, but was nonetheless happy to have played in the country's oldest golf course for the first time.
After the round, the group joined the rest of the PBA delegation for lunch at Breakthrough Restaurant, gorging in some delectable lechon, grilled squid and blue fin tuna. It was 2 p.m. when Ravena and Co. returned to the hotel, ready to take on one final task before the game: preparing and practicing the Visayas All-Stars’ performance in the pre-game dance-off.
The short hand struck three and Ravena, slumped in his bed, got the phone call he had long dreaded.
“You can’t play anymore. Go back to Manila,” the voice on the other end of the line said, firm in its urgency. It was SBP president Al Panlilio.
“Yes, sir,” Ravena answered with a sense of resignation, knowing his worst fear has come true.
Unbeknownst to many, the two-time UAAP MVP had been carrying a heavy burden for a while now, one he chose to hide from everyone but his family and a few friends. Just moments after Ravena posted 15 points and six assists in his first PBA All-Star Game in Digos, one email popped out of his inbox when he went through his emails when he got back at the hotel.
“Kahit problemadong problemado ako, kaya kong itago sa sarili ko yung mga probema ko. Some will say it’s wrong to be that way, but ever since I was like that. People have their own problems and I don’t want to add to their problems. That’s how I take it. Kung kaya ko naman na di na ako problemahin ng ibang tao, bakit ko pa siya gagawin,” he said.
He read every word slowly, trying to digest everything from the e-mail. It was the Fiba response to the appeal fired by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) on his failed drug test - an 11-page decision that affirmed, with finality, the finding that he tested positive for higenamine, 1,3-dimethylbutylamine, and 4-methylhexan-2-amine – three substances included in the prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) – which he got from a pre-workout supplement called Dust.
The fact that he didn't stay natural was more because of a desire to get himself in the best shape possible for his PBA debut. The second-generation star felt that he needed another jolt of energy, one which he got from drinking pre-workout drinks, as he prepared to make the jump to the pros.
“I just felt like drinking it cause I could use more energy at iba na ang laro sa pro. Hindi na pwede na ganoon lang, na Milo o Chuckie lang.”
Picking up lessons from his foray into the NBA D-League (now-G-League), Ravena started drinking a pre-workout drink called C4 which he felt helped him maintain his energy in his debut conference in the PBA. He continued doing so even as he played with Gilas Pilipinas in the 2019 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers. But when the Philippines was about to face Japan in the February window, his supplies ran out. On the advice of a friend, he bought Dust which looked and tasted the same as C4.
Ravena said he had no idea that the replacement drink he bought contained the three substances on WADA’s ever-changing prohibited list. Heck, he can’t even pronounce the names of the substances to begin with. If it was sold over the counter in health and wellness stores, how can it contain something banned, he wondered.
Obviously, even high-profile athletes like Ravena aren't too discerning when it comes to the drinks they take, perhaps owing to their rigorous schedules. Kiefer wished he knew then what he knows now about these banned substances. But as they say, hindsight is always 20/20. So regret inevitably creeped in.
“Parang kaya ko naman maglaro on a high-level nung college na di ako umiinom ng ganoon. I took basketball for granted na di ako nagtiwala sa katawan ko, na kaya ko mag-compete without it. Hindi ako nakuntento sa binigay sa akin kung anong meron ako. If I was content, I wouldn’t do that,” he said.
Still, Ravena prayed that Fiba would listen to his story. That everything was an honest mistake.
“I was hoping that it would be that way, an ordinary case na mali lang naman. Hindi ko naman sinasadya and I hoped they’ll give me a pass."
A reprieve wasn't forthcoming.
The Fiba decision was final and as clear as day: 'A ban covering the period of eighteen (18) month's eligibility, i.e. from 25 February 2018 to 24 August 2019, is imposed on Mr. Kiefer Isaac Ravena...." the decision read.
Officials from the SBP already warned Ravena that he could no longer play in the succeeding games of the PBA All-Star festivities. But with the third leg set in Iloilo, the super-rookie wouldn’t want to miss it for the world. “I have to go to Iloilo. We’ll decide just then kung anong mangyayari: will I play or just be there for the sake of the All-Star Games?” he remembered saying.
Kiefer kept the bad news to his inner circle: his parents Bong and Mozzy, his girlfriend Alyssa Valdez, Gilas skipper Jayson Castro ("because kailangan kong sabihin sa kanya, as our captain") and roommate Monfort ("because I just had to share the load for a bit, knowing na kakayanin ko naman siya.")
The Fiba decision was final and as clear as day: 'A ban covering the period of eighteen (18) month's eligibility, i.e. from 25 February 2018 to 24 August 2019, is imposed on Mr. Kiefer Isaac Ravena...." the decision read.
Officials from the SBP already warned Ravena that he could no longer play in the succeeding games of the PBA All-Star festivities. But with the third leg set in Iloilo, the super-rookie wouldn’t want to miss it for the world. “I have to go to Iloilo. We’ll decide just then kung anong mangyayari: will I play or just be there for the sake of the All-Star Games?” he remembered saying.
Kiefer kept the bad news to his inner circle: his parents Bong and Mozzy, his girlfriend Alyssa Valdez, Gilas skipper Jayson Castro ("because kailangan kong sabihin sa kanya, as our captain") and roommate Monfort ("because I just had to share the load for a bit, knowing na kakayanin ko naman siya.")
Until early Sunday morning, it was still a go for Ravena. He’ll play with his fellow Visayans and give a treat to his fellow Ilonggos. “This is my hometown. I want to play in front of my people,” he said.
Panlilio’s call changed everything.
Reluctantly packing his backpack for the flight back to the capital, Ravena still had the presence of mind to remind Monfort about the dance steps he still hadn’t shared with his teammates. Then, as he left the hotel at about 3 p.m. carrying only a pair of extra clothing, he told his former college teammate, “Man, ikaw na lang magsabi sa kanila. Maiintindihan naman nila ‘yun.”
The flight from Iloilo to Manila was barely an hour. But for Ravena, it was one of the longest trips he’s ever had. From the car that took him to Iloilo International Airport to his flight back to Manila that was scheduled at 5:30 p.m., his mind was racing with anxiety and unanswered questions.
“I was wondering what will happen. This will create a lot of buzz, a lot of speculations, and it did. Ano ba ang nangyari? Bakit biglang umuwi?” he remembered telling himself.
Back at the University of San Agustin, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial broke the news to mediamen, saying a press conference would be held at 6 p.m. in Manila the next day. That no reason was given only served to spark wild speculation. Hasn’t Kiefer learned his lesson after finding himself at the center of controversy before? Was it marijuana? Was it drugs? Ravena’s phone started to blow up.
Believe it or not, Ravena’s foremost concern was how his fellow Ilonggos would take the news.
“Nandoon ako sa sitwasyon na paasa ako,” he said. “Mga kababayan ko sila. They put in the time and effort to vote for me to be part of the starting five, to be the only rookie to be in. Bakit ko sasayangin yun? The opportunity to be with the best players in the league for a week, doon ako nanghihinayang, but more than what I was going through, it’s more of the people, of how their efforts were put to waste. Yung iba bumyahe pa sa ibang bayan papunta sa Iloilo para mapanood kami, mapanood ako tapos wala naman pala ako. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kasi hindi ko na siya kontrolado.”
That worry never left Ravena even when he got on the plane, taking his place at seat 1A. “First man in, first man out,” he told himself, pondering on what awaits him back home. But he didn’t go entirely unnoticed though. An old man seated behind him soon started asking curious questions.
“Uy, tapos na yung laro ninyo?” the man asked, knowing that there was a game happening at that moment.
“Naglalaro pa po sila. Nagkaroon lang po ako ng emergency. Kailangan ko lang pong umuwi,” Ravena answered, giving the best excuse he could come up as of the moment. That was the last conversation the former Ateneo star had with anyone for the day.
Seeking tranquility in the face of crisis, Ravena put his headphones on and tried to calm himself to sleep. He knew that the moment he opened his eyes and set foot in Manila, all hell’s gonna break loose.
And it did the moment he arrived in Manila at around 7 p.m. Messages, calls, tweets came pouring in as soon as he opened his phone moments after the plane touched down. It got to a point that he felt his phone was going to explode before the real news did.
As he got off the plane, he put on his white cap and tried to blend in with the airport crowd before getting picked up. “As soon as I can get myself away from the attention, the more I can avoid a lot of stuff, saying something wrong and explaining myself,” he said.
There was the urge to defend himself from the accusations, to explain everything. As he looked at his phone, a total of 123 messages remained untouched. He didn't answer a single message, not because Kiefer cared less, but rather, “there was a part of me na it’s fresh and I don’t want to talk about it.”
His mind was still in a swirl when he got home. But he knew that in a situation like this, the worst is yet to come.
The long hand struck six and he is up and about. The clock read 6:30 a.m., right on time as Ravena rose and did his usual morning routine. But every hour, every minute was an agonizing wait as questions about his situation continued to persist.
And then, at around 10 a.m., the pin dropped.
Kiefer Ravena failed drug test after Gilas' Fiba World Cup qualifier vs Australia, says source, the headline on SPIN.ph read, the first definite account that shed light on Ravena’s mysterious departure from Iloilo.
Kiefer Ravena failed a drug test in Fiba qualifier vs Australia, says source | By @reubensports https://t.co/xSEwszxLYE via @SpinPh— SPIN.ph (@spinph) May 28, 2018
Shock was the first thing he remembered feeling the moment he saw the news article.
“Anong nangyari, bakit may ganito?” he remembered asking himself. He next started tro doubt the few he entrusted the news to. “All I was thinking was kung sino ba sinabihan ko?“ After gathering himself, he could only murmur, "Shucks, here’s wave number one.”
What followed was a tidal wave of calls from mediamen whose duty it is to verify the story. The media-savvy Ravena had to resist the urge to respond. Instead he sat down by his lonesome, thought long and hard, then started typing.
“I made my own statement because I want it to come from the heart. I just wrote an explanation, trying to tell my side of the story,” he said.
That task kept Ravena preoccupied for most of the day until hehad to leave for the press conference. “Honestly, I just wanted it to get over and done with,” he said.
He left the house at about 4 p.m., wearing a black shirt and a white cap. Together with his parents, who just arrived and brought home everything he left in Iloilo, Kiefer got on the car and drove off, bound for Launchpad in Mandaluyong.
He didn’t need a pep talk, but Mozzy gave him the best advice of all: “Keep it true. Keep it real. Keep it factual.”
Mothers know best.
As much as he knew his conscience was clean, the mind has its way of doubting one’s self. He has time and again passed random drug tests in the PBA, although those tests were only for recreational drugs and not the banned substances that got him in trouble with Fiba. Still, Ravena was dying to shout to the world that he wasn't a drug addict and he was by no means a cheat.
“I knew deep in myself na di ako nagda-drugs, na kahit ilang beses mo ako i-test ngayon, di ako magpa-positive. I’m in this situation na people are perceiving me to be someone I’m not, but I know deep in myself na I’m not like that,” he said.
He hoped people will understand his situation, but granted not all will. Nonetheless he was also fully aware that he was responsible for the quandary he was in, “kasi at the end of the day, you are responsible on what you take into your body.” For him, all he could do was to say his peace and embrace the repercussions.
“There were consequences eh,” he said. “It could’ve been avoided, for sure, but it’s all in hindsight. So for me explaining my side in that press con, that’s the only way for everybody to move on as well.”
Ravena arrived at around 5:30 p.m. but was spared a long wait as the SBP officials got there a little less than 15 minutes later. Panlilio was first to arrive, followed by SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan and other top officials. They gathered in a small conference room, preparing to discuss probably one of the toughest challenges the famed guard had to deal with in his already colorful career.
The short hand struck six and Ravena took his seat in the head table, flanked by Panlilio and Pangilinan. The clock read 6 p.m, when he started to talk about the elephant in the room.
“As they say, the art of a sincere and heartfelt apology is one of the greatest skills you'll ever learn in life,” he started his statement as he dissected piece-by-piece what led to this moment. He stuck to the script he himself wrote. “I didn’t want people to think I was taking drugs. That was the main point of everything. And I want to say na di ko sinasadya.”
Throughout the press conference, Ravena stuck to his line: He did not use marijuana or shabu or any other kind of drug. He didn’t take any performance-enhancing drug (PEDs), for that matter. What got him were three substances which were in the pre-workout drink he took for the first time.
“I’m not a bad person who’ll try to cheat and use everything to my advantage para lang makalamang. Hindi ako ganoong player. I know deep in myself na wala akong ginawang masama. That was one thing that was going for me,” he said.
The consequences, of course, were harsh.
“It felt like I lost my love, lost something I really love,” he said of what he felt when the 18-month ban started to sink in. “Pag may nawala na mahal natin, iba yung feeling. Ang hirap isipin na walang basketball ng isa’t kalahating taon. Anong gagawin ko?
"At first, iniisip ko magtatrabaho ako. But it was so hard for me to watch my team suffer, lose, knowing that I can’t do anything. I talk about being hyper-competitive, but ang hirap na araw-araw I can’t play. Lagi kong sinasabing kaya ko ‘to. Pero dito, hirap ako. This is definitely one for the books.”
He braced for waves, but what he got was a tsunami. As reality set in, the former Ateneo star wondered what the hell he would do without basketball.
What will you do after? What are you gonna do now? Those questions hit Kiefer the hardest. Everything he’s worked for since he was a kid are now gone, for the next year and change at least. He can’t play in the PBA, he can’t train with his team, he can’t even watch games in the venue.
Now what?
He didn’t have the answers. Up until now.
All Ravena knew was the moment he left the press conference, he has already said his piece and he can live knowing what the truth is, no matter how divided the public’s opinion was. At the end of the day, he found comfort in the thought that he is surrounded by people who love him unconditionally.
“This is me. This is what people look at me after this, whether they like me or don’t, fans or not, I’m blessed to be surrounded by the people who support me, mga nandyan para sa ‘yo. I can’t thank them enough for soothing a little bit of the pain."
“I’m not a bad person who’ll try to cheat and use everything to my advantage para lang makalamang. Hindi ako ganoong player. I know deep in myself na wala akong ginawang masama. That was one thing that was going for me."
The long hand struck six and he is up and about. The clock read 6:30 a.m., right on time as Ravena got up and did his usual morning routine. He wasn’t headed to the NLEX practice this time. Over the next few days, he wasn’t handing out assists on the basketball court, but rather, was distributing lists of WADA’s prohibited substances to fellow athletes as the new poster boy of Philippine sports’ anti-doping campaign.
The PBA rookie has been hooked to golf for a while, but now he has embraced the sport more than ever as it filled the emptiness in his life. “I play golf because it takes half of my day trying to forget that I’m not playing and I’m not practicing. I take time in the golf course to share stories, with my girlfriend minsan or with my friends. It takes time for me, five to six hours playing golf before washing up, eating merienda, and travelling all the way back home,” he said.
Through all this, Ravena’s faith never wavered. He’s not a saint and never claimed to be one. Rather he's someone who’s simply trying to be a better version of himself day-by-day. Deep inside, he found strength in the belief that God won’t give him a challenge that he can’t hurdle.
Not once has he questioned God’s will. He wasn’t going to start now.
“Wala naman Siyang binibigay na hindi natin kaya,” he said. “That was one of the lowest points of my life, and from there, I have nowhere to go but up.”
“Siguro sabi ni Lord, nawawala na yung gutom ko, na I’m not working as hard as I was working before. But I never questioned na bakit sa akin nangyari. Iba pa rin yung nananalig ka talaga. Kahit paano, masarap sa pakiramdam na di ka Niya iiwan.
"Ano ba naman ito sa pinagdadaanan ng ibang tao? Kung ako ganito lang, people have it worse. People try to live by the day and I still get paid and do the things I love to do. I have no right to complain at all. Of course, I miss the hardcourt and working out with my teammates, grinding it out on the court, trying to win as much games as you can. I miss all of that, but for now, I’m still thankful for everything.”
If there’s something good that came out of his nightmare experience, it was Ravena’s better appreciation of a sport that has been so good to him. The son of former PBA star Bong Ravena has loved basketball since he was a kid; now he loves it more than ever.
“You got to love your craft, just like you put time and effort on it, blood, sweat, and tears for it. Yan na yan eh. Yan ang maglalagay ng pagkain sa hapag-kainan ninyo. Someday, I’ll have my own family and I can’t be in this situation again when you have kids and people to feed tapos ganito. So you have to be careful,” he said.
Though he can’t join his team in any basketball-related activity, he still gets a chance to work out on his own, as well as taking in other endeavors such as hosting a web show centered on the next generation of basketball players.
“This is an issue that should be avoided at all cost," he said firmly. "Di na pwede mangyari ito ulit. If I’m the first, hopefully, I’ll be the last.”
He’s hoping to come out of this experience as an improved version of himself.
“Hopefully, with the experience and time I had with the ban, I’ll be a more mature, selfless, and hungrier Kiefer Ravena na may eight-pack,” he said with a grin.
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Enchong Dee embarks on extreme adventure in Hong Kong
Filipino actor, model, and swimmer Enchong Dee landed in Hong Kong recently for the filming of Extreme Ends. This new reality TV series, created by action entertainment TV channel KIX, showcases the “extreme” opposite sides of Hong Kong.
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| Enchong Dee has been tapped by KIX, a top regional English general entertainment channel, to explore Hong Kong and take viewers for the ride. |
Enchong is one of four celebrities from Southeast Asia featured in the four-episode reality series. He brings along his good friend and actress, Ria Atayde, to explore the amazing contrasts of Hong Kong. As each other’s favorite adventure buddy, they are ready to push their boundaries in this exciting experience.
Enchong first came to prominence after scoring the lead role in the hit TV drama Katorse in 2009. His great acting in several supporting roles led to his quick rise to fame. In 2014, he started his music career and released his first single, “Chinito Problems.” He has been nominated for several of his performances in TV shows and movies and has already won 13 awards at the age of 29. Currently, he is starring in another hit TV series called The Blood Sisters.
Ria, on the other hand, is a Filipino actress and began her career in 2015. She is the daughter of the actress, Sylvia Sanchez, and the sister of actor, Arjo Atayde. Having grown up in showbiz, it was only natural for Ria to eventually appear on TV shows and movies.
“I’m so excited to join KIX’s Extreme Ends. I have no idea what they have planned, but I’m ready to push my boundaries on this trip. I cannot wait to go on this eye-opening experience and explore the unknown sides of Hong Kong with Ria.” said Enchong.
Extreme Ends is a reality show featuring four celebrities and their special guests experiencing the many diverse sides of Hong Kong. In this original series, viewers get an entertaining glimpse into the relationship between the celebrities and their guests. At the same time, viewers will get to see new sides of Hong Kong they have never seen before. Each episode will feature a theme of extreme opposites, such as “fast vs. slow” or “high vs low”. These themes will showcase the fascinating contrasts, non-stop intensity and distinctively trendy attributes of Hong Kong.
Extreme Ends is produced by KIX’s parent company Celestial Tiger Entertainment, operator of the largest bouquet of pan-Asian channels dedicated to Asian entertainment. The show is supported by Hong Kong Tourism Board and Harbour City. Extreme Ends will air first and exclusively on KIX in October.
In the Philippines, KIX is one of the Top 20 Pay TV channels in the country and the #1 regional English general entertainment channel in 2018-year-to-date.
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Substitute Bill creating Department of Sports approved
The Philippines must act fast to keep its athletes from seeking private and foreign support by creating a Department of Sports, Antipolo City Representative Cristina “Chiqui” Roa-Puno urged on Tuesday.
“Our world-class athletes are a source of pride and unity for us Filipinos. Isn’t it time we provided them with support that goes beyond social media likes and shares?
“Year after year, we have seen budding athletes struggle to gain access to sufficient training, while forever struggling to scrape together funding for competitions here and abroad. It is no surprise that we continue to lose them to private entities or worse, foreign patrons,” Roa-Puno lamented.
Such was the case when the Philippines lost chess grandmaster Wesley So to the United States in 2017.
“We must not forget that while we have great athletes representing our country, we have also lost so many of them due to meager government support for sports,” reminded Roa-Puno.
The substitute bill to House Bill No. 3633 authored by Roa Puno seeks to create a Department of Sports—a single, unified agency which will provide support and funding to Filipino athletes. The proposed measure will also declare a national policy for sports as “an engine for nation building, social progress, and promotion of total human development and provide the leadership, direction, organization and nationwide reach necessary for the promotion of youth participation in sports.”
The Committee on Youth and Sports has just approved the substituted bill this Wednesday morning.
Roa Puno, who currently sits as the Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Youth and Sports, is pushing for the passage of the bill. According to Roa-Puno, the Philippines is the only ASEAN member country without a cabinet-level sports department as its neighbors either have a Ministry of Youth and Sports or a Ministry of Education and Sports or a Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
“While we do have a Philippine Sports Commission, we must admit that it does not have the capability and nationwide reach to oversee all of our efforts to identify, develop, and nurture Filipinos who show potential to become world-class athletes one day.
“When I talk about the development and nurturing of athletes, I am talking about ensuring that government support is available to help them reach Olympic-level potentials—an impossible task if we will continue to ignore the Herculean challenges that Philippine sports continue to face,” Roa-Puno said.
“Sports is not just an instrument to hone champion athletes, it also has the power to teach the youth the values of self-discipline, fair play and teamwork. Our government must therefore act as a catalyst for change so that our local talent, athletes who have so much potential in them, need not look elsewhere for support and funding in order to succeed,” she added.
https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/substitute-bill-creating-department-sports-approved/124419
“Our world-class athletes are a source of pride and unity for us Filipinos. Isn’t it time we provided them with support that goes beyond social media likes and shares?
“Year after year, we have seen budding athletes struggle to gain access to sufficient training, while forever struggling to scrape together funding for competitions here and abroad. It is no surprise that we continue to lose them to private entities or worse, foreign patrons,” Roa-Puno lamented.
Such was the case when the Philippines lost chess grandmaster Wesley So to the United States in 2017.
“We must not forget that while we have great athletes representing our country, we have also lost so many of them due to meager government support for sports,” reminded Roa-Puno.
The substitute bill to House Bill No. 3633 authored by Roa Puno seeks to create a Department of Sports—a single, unified agency which will provide support and funding to Filipino athletes. The proposed measure will also declare a national policy for sports as “an engine for nation building, social progress, and promotion of total human development and provide the leadership, direction, organization and nationwide reach necessary for the promotion of youth participation in sports.”
The Committee on Youth and Sports has just approved the substituted bill this Wednesday morning.
Roa Puno, who currently sits as the Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Youth and Sports, is pushing for the passage of the bill. According to Roa-Puno, the Philippines is the only ASEAN member country without a cabinet-level sports department as its neighbors either have a Ministry of Youth and Sports or a Ministry of Education and Sports or a Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
“While we do have a Philippine Sports Commission, we must admit that it does not have the capability and nationwide reach to oversee all of our efforts to identify, develop, and nurture Filipinos who show potential to become world-class athletes one day.
“When I talk about the development and nurturing of athletes, I am talking about ensuring that government support is available to help them reach Olympic-level potentials—an impossible task if we will continue to ignore the Herculean challenges that Philippine sports continue to face,” Roa-Puno said.
“Sports is not just an instrument to hone champion athletes, it also has the power to teach the youth the values of self-discipline, fair play and teamwork. Our government must therefore act as a catalyst for change so that our local talent, athletes who have so much potential in them, need not look elsewhere for support and funding in order to succeed,” she added.
https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/substitute-bill-creating-department-sports-approved/124419
Enchong Dee joins reality series ‘Extreme Ends’ in Hong Kong
Kapamilya actor Enchong Dee set off for another adventure when he joined the new Hong Kong-based reality show “Extreme Ends.”
He recently flew to Hong Kong to start filming the show which aims to showcase the “extreme” opposite sides of Hong Kong.
Dee will be joined in by his good friend, Kapamilya actress Ria Atayde, in exploring the amazing contrasts of Hong Kong.
“Extreme Ends” is a reality show featuring four celebrities and their special guests out to experience the many sides of Hong Kong. Each episode will feature a theme of extreme contrast such as “fast vs slow” or “high vs low.” These themes will showcase fascinating contrasts, intense experiences, and distinctive trends in the territory.
“I’m so excited to join KIX’s “Extreme Ends.” I have no idea what they have planned, but I’m ready to push my boundaries on this trip. And who better to go on this trip with me than my good friend Ria, who is constantly pushing me to try out new things. I cannot wait to go on this eye-opening experience and explore the unknown sides of Hong Kong with her,” Dee said in an interview.
Dee currently appears in the top-rating Kapamilya afternoon drama “The Blood Sisters” top-billed by Erich Gonzales.
The actor also released the travel book “Basta Trip Mo” just recently. /ee
http://entertainment.inquirer.net/288682/enchong-dee-joins-reality-series-extreme-ends-hong-kong
He recently flew to Hong Kong to start filming the show which aims to showcase the “extreme” opposite sides of Hong Kong.
Dee will be joined in by his good friend, Kapamilya actress Ria Atayde, in exploring the amazing contrasts of Hong Kong.
“Extreme Ends” is a reality show featuring four celebrities and their special guests out to experience the many sides of Hong Kong. Each episode will feature a theme of extreme contrast such as “fast vs slow” or “high vs low.” These themes will showcase fascinating contrasts, intense experiences, and distinctive trends in the territory.
“I’m so excited to join KIX’s “Extreme Ends.” I have no idea what they have planned, but I’m ready to push my boundaries on this trip. And who better to go on this trip with me than my good friend Ria, who is constantly pushing me to try out new things. I cannot wait to go on this eye-opening experience and explore the unknown sides of Hong Kong with her,” Dee said in an interview.
Dee currently appears in the top-rating Kapamilya afternoon drama “The Blood Sisters” top-billed by Erich Gonzales.
The actor also released the travel book “Basta Trip Mo” just recently. /ee
http://entertainment.inquirer.net/288682/enchong-dee-joins-reality-series-extreme-ends-hong-kong
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Monday, August 13, 2018
GBS with Courtney Gibbs Mokarow
The special commentator for the 1993 Miss U.S.A. Pageant, and made into top 10 in the 1988 Miss Universe pageant is Courtney Gibbs, now would like to say with Gian Berino.
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Swimmers list
UP Lady Maroons
- Maria Claire A. Adorna
- Grace Kate Y. Asumbra
- Andrea Lauren Belludo
- Dennice Juliet Cordero
- Judith Eliza Cruz
- Jodie de Leon
- Hadassah Louise Diaz
- Jacqueline T. Gan
- Carla Beatriz A. Grabador
- Christine Grace M. Hipol
- Quinnie Mynette D. Lao
- Klaudine Joyce G. Legaspi
- Aphrodite B. Magbanlac
- Maria Josefina Isabel Meily
- Maria Margaret McRae
- Rory Tapang
Coaches:
- Maria Gabrielle Infantado-Kelly
- Jacklyn Judith B. Junio
- Stephanie C. Relampagos-Gurango
Inquirer Lifestyle Series Fitness Fashion 10th Anniversary: Enchong Dee
Nowadays that this guy from the said fashion show is no other than Enchong Dee, who modeled for Bench with Joey Samson at "Fitness.Fashion," the SRO curtain raiser to the Samsung-sponsored Inquirer Lifestyle Series.
To recall, Mr. Dee would wear Jins MCF-15S-126 Optical Eyeglass, 2009 Adidas DLSU hoodie (green), 2011 Nike exclusive De La Salle Dri- Fit tee (white), the BENCH/ body brief, belt (blue) and OJ pant (black) and DC Men's At-3 Mid Shoe, Royal Blue/Armor would be exhibited at BENCH/ stores nationwide because he was in Bench Uncut 2010 also got wild cheers from the audience and he shows his athletic side with these dance moves, and doing workouts at Bodyworx Spa & Fitness Club instead of Anytime Fitness Dona Hemady before doing a photo shoot at BENCH/ Tower.
He and Johansen Aguilar wears arena AGL-1400 EMBL and ARN-6014 DGRN Half Spats nux-F along with other members of De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Tankers batches 2007-2008 to 2018-2019.
The two former De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Tankers are they doing a video shoot with Milo, inspire from episode 3, part 3 of Your Song Presents "Boystown"
Mr. Dee wears arena AGL-1400 EMBL and ARN-6014 DGRN Half Spats nux-F and competes in men's 50, 100 and 200-meter butterfly, men's 400-meter individual medley, men's 400 and 1,500-meter freestyle.
Aguilar wears speedo Aqua V Silicone Swimming Cap - Black (8-087750001), speedsocket Unisex Goggle - Black (8-705895555) and FASTSKIN FS-PRO Men's Bodysuit (8-008053218) in men's 200-meter backstroke and 400-meter individual medley heats and finals.
Aside from Bench, Bench Body, Jins Eyewear and Nestle Milo, he was with Sun Life Financial as a member of Sun Life Tri Team.
Now, Bench endorser Dee and Folded and Hung endorser Kenzo Gutierrez, they were met together in Pinoy Big Brother: 737, when Dee is a co-host turned houseguest and Gutierrez is a teen housemate, now spotted together at the 10th Anniversary of "Fitness.Fashion," the flagship runway project of Samsung and Inquirer Lifestyle.
It recall that Dee is a member of De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Tankers and Philippine Columbarian Association (PCA) Stingrays swimming teams, while Gutierrez is a football player and student of Ateneo de Manila Grade School and they spending together in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand eleven years ago.
Mr. Dee participated at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games swimming competitions at the Aquatic Center, His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. He was in lane 8 of men’s 100-meter butterfly finals on December 9, 2007 at past 6:29 p.m. local time (7:29 p.m. Manila time) and lane 1 of men’s 200-meter butterfly finals on Tuesday, December 11 at past 6:20 p.m. local time (7:20 p.m. Manila time) due to activists clashed with riot police in Manila, Quezon City, Rodriguez, San Mateo, Marikina, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig, Cainta, Taytay, Angono, Binangonan, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa and San Pedro.
The riots take place near the entrance of Sofitel Philippine Plaza hotel to Star City when several park-goers and the policemen are they dispensed by people.
Another riot was started from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila to One ECom Center in SM Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City that close to more than 500,000 to 1 million people.
Besides next to swimmer Dee and football player Gutierrez in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, while in Manila, the Philippines when Sen. Pia Cayetano, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino general manager Marco Protacio, Rina Go and Paolo Abrera to spend a few more days before the grandest worldwide celebration of Christmas 2007 and new year 2008.
Aside from Sen. Cayetano, Protacio, Go and Abrera are kart racers Matteo Guidicelli, Tyson Sy, Mark Bumgarner and race car driver Enzo Pastor along with Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Jr.
To recall, Mr. Dee would wear Jins MCF-15S-126 Optical Eyeglass, 2009 Adidas DLSU hoodie (green), 2011 Nike exclusive De La Salle Dri- Fit tee (white), the BENCH/ body brief, belt (blue) and OJ pant (black) and DC Men's At-3 Mid Shoe, Royal Blue/Armor would be exhibited at BENCH/ stores nationwide because he was in Bench Uncut 2010 also got wild cheers from the audience and he shows his athletic side with these dance moves, and doing workouts at Bodyworx Spa & Fitness Club instead of Anytime Fitness Dona Hemady before doing a photo shoot at BENCH/ Tower.
He and Johansen Aguilar wears arena AGL-1400 EMBL and ARN-6014 DGRN Half Spats nux-F along with other members of De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Tankers batches 2007-2008 to 2018-2019.
The two former De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Tankers are they doing a video shoot with Milo, inspire from episode 3, part 3 of Your Song Presents "Boystown"
Mr. Dee wears arena AGL-1400 EMBL and ARN-6014 DGRN Half Spats nux-F and competes in men's 50, 100 and 200-meter butterfly, men's 400-meter individual medley, men's 400 and 1,500-meter freestyle.
Aguilar wears speedo Aqua V Silicone Swimming Cap - Black (8-087750001), speedsocket Unisex Goggle - Black (8-705895555) and FASTSKIN FS-PRO Men's Bodysuit (8-008053218) in men's 200-meter backstroke and 400-meter individual medley heats and finals.
Aside from Bench, Bench Body, Jins Eyewear and Nestle Milo, he was with Sun Life Financial as a member of Sun Life Tri Team.
Now, Bench endorser Dee and Folded and Hung endorser Kenzo Gutierrez, they were met together in Pinoy Big Brother: 737, when Dee is a co-host turned houseguest and Gutierrez is a teen housemate, now spotted together at the 10th Anniversary of "Fitness.Fashion," the flagship runway project of Samsung and Inquirer Lifestyle.
It recall that Dee is a member of De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Tankers and Philippine Columbarian Association (PCA) Stingrays swimming teams, while Gutierrez is a football player and student of Ateneo de Manila Grade School and they spending together in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand eleven years ago.
Mr. Dee participated at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games swimming competitions at the Aquatic Center, His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. He was in lane 8 of men’s 100-meter butterfly finals on December 9, 2007 at past 6:29 p.m. local time (7:29 p.m. Manila time) and lane 1 of men’s 200-meter butterfly finals on Tuesday, December 11 at past 6:20 p.m. local time (7:20 p.m. Manila time) due to activists clashed with riot police in Manila, Quezon City, Rodriguez, San Mateo, Marikina, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig, Cainta, Taytay, Angono, Binangonan, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa and San Pedro.
The riots take place near the entrance of Sofitel Philippine Plaza hotel to Star City when several park-goers and the policemen are they dispensed by people.
Another riot was started from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila to One ECom Center in SM Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City that close to more than 500,000 to 1 million people.
Besides next to swimmer Dee and football player Gutierrez in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, while in Manila, the Philippines when Sen. Pia Cayetano, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino general manager Marco Protacio, Rina Go and Paolo Abrera to spend a few more days before the grandest worldwide celebration of Christmas 2007 and new year 2008.
Aside from Sen. Cayetano, Protacio, Go and Abrera are kart racers Matteo Guidicelli, Tyson Sy, Mark Bumgarner and race car driver Enzo Pastor along with Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Jr.
Friday, August 10, 2018
Wednesday, August 08, 2018
LOOK: Kim Chiu triumphant in finishing 21-km Ironman race in Cebu
Kim Chiu was triumphantly happy as she achieved another goal—not an award in show biz, but finishing the Iron Man race in Cebu on Sunday, Aug. 5.
The actress, who was part of Team Kapamilya, was all ready as she saw her name as one of the participants, as seen in one of her Instagram posts. “this is it!! Chiu, Kimberly – “Present!” she wrote in the post.
The actress, who was part of Team Kapamilya, was all ready as she saw her name as one of the participants, as seen in one of her Instagram posts. “this is it!! Chiu, Kimberly – “Present!” she wrote in the post.
After running for a whopping 21 kilometers, she flashed her biggest smile as she showed off her medal. Joining Chiu was entertainment reporter Gretchen Fullido, who is said to have joined the race for the fourth consecutive year.
“WE DID IT!!!” the actress cheerfully wrote after her triumph. And despite finishing that distance in two hours and 30 minutes, she said: “[H]ad so much fun racing today the weather was super perfect!!”
She also shared that her running time this year was another goal she has achieved, beating last year’s record of two hours and 50 minutes. “This experience will surely be one for the books!!!” Chiu added.
Read more: http://entertainment.inquirer.net/287345/look-kim-chiu-triumphant-in-finishing-21-km-ironman-race-in-cebu#ixzz5NbCCf2BB
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Competitor dies in swim leg of Boulder Ironman triathlon
It was the third death in four years of Ironman competitions in Boulder.
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — An athlete died a day after he was pulled from the water during the Boulder Ironman 70.3 triathlon in Colorado. It was the third death in four years of Ironman competitions in Boulder.
A witness, physician Donald Cain from Wisconsin, told the Daily Camera in Boulder that a man was pulled from the water on Saturday, and Ironman officials say the athlete died Sunday. The Boulder County coroner identified the man as 50-year-old Scott Michaelis, of Wichita, Kansas.
A 70.3 triathlon, or half Ironman, involves swimming 1.2 miles (1.9 kilometers), biking 56 miles (90 kilometers) and running 13.1 miles (21 kilometers).
Thirty-four-year-old Michelle Walters, of McCook, Nebraska, died after being struck by a vehicle during the 2016 race, and 40-year-old Brian Godlove of Fairfax, Virginia, died three days after a 2015 race from dehydration and muscle tissue breakdown.
https://www.boston.com/sports/sports-news/2018/08/07/competitor-dies-boulder-ironman-triathlon
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — An athlete died a day after he was pulled from the water during the Boulder Ironman 70.3 triathlon in Colorado. It was the third death in four years of Ironman competitions in Boulder.
A witness, physician Donald Cain from Wisconsin, told the Daily Camera in Boulder that a man was pulled from the water on Saturday, and Ironman officials say the athlete died Sunday. The Boulder County coroner identified the man as 50-year-old Scott Michaelis, of Wichita, Kansas.
A 70.3 triathlon, or half Ironman, involves swimming 1.2 miles (1.9 kilometers), biking 56 miles (90 kilometers) and running 13.1 miles (21 kilometers).
Thirty-four-year-old Michelle Walters, of McCook, Nebraska, died after being struck by a vehicle during the 2016 race, and 40-year-old Brian Godlove of Fairfax, Virginia, died three days after a 2015 race from dehydration and muscle tissue breakdown.
https://www.boston.com/sports/sports-news/2018/08/07/competitor-dies-boulder-ironman-triathlon
LOOK: Enchong Dee survives jellyfish encounter
What do Jennylyn Mercado, Enchong Dee, and Anne Curtis have in common? A close encounter with jellyfish!
Kapamilya talent Enchong Dee was lucky to have survived his jellyfish encounter.
The Chinito hottie recently shared on Instagram Stories that the sea creature penetrated his wetsuit.
It can be recalled that Anne Curtis was also stung by a deadly box jellyfish on a beach in Batangas back in 2014.
Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado was also attacked by this sea creature while shooting for a scene in Rhodora X in a yacht club in Subic.
Kapamilya talent Enchong Dee was lucky to have survived his jellyfish encounter.
The Chinito hottie recently shared on Instagram Stories that the sea creature penetrated his wetsuit.
It can be recalled that Anne Curtis was also stung by a deadly box jellyfish on a beach in Batangas back in 2014.
Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado was also attacked by this sea creature while shooting for a scene in Rhodora X in a yacht club in Subic.
Ironman ipahigayon sa Cebu hangtod 2020
GIPASALIGAN sa mga tigpasiugda sa bag-o lang nahuman nga Ironman 70.3 triathlon event si Gob. Hilario Davide III nga ang Sugbo gihapon maoy ilang gitan-aw nga host o lugar sa susama nilang kalihukan sa sunod tuig.
Ang organizers sa Ironman ug ang event sponsors niini, nagpinirmahay og kasabutan nga magsiguro nga ang Sugbo maoy mo-host sa kompetisyon hangtod sa tuig 2020.
Kini bisan pa man sa nasugatan nga kakulian sa rota sa Ironman karong tuiga diin duha ka mga lokalidad sa Sugbo ang ningbalibad nga maagi-an ang ilang lugar sa lumba.
Human sa malampuson nga pagpahigayon sa kompetisyon niadtong Domingo, gitug-an ni Davide nga nag-istorya sila mismo sa mga organizer.
Unang nibalibad si Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña nga magamit isip kabahin sa rota sa bike leg ang South Road Properties (SRP) tungod sa trapik nga posibleng ibunga niini sa ubang dapit sa dakbayan.
Dihang giplanuhan ang paghimo sa kadalanan sa amihanang Sugbo nga rota, nibalibad usab si Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco sanglit moresulta man kini sa pagkatanggong sa iyang mga konstituwente ug uban pang taga-norte, nunot sa road closure.
Sigun ni Davide, ang mga organizer ug mismo ang mga atleta ang kinahanglang mo-adjust kon ugaling subling mahitabo ang maong kakulian.
Masaligon ang gobernador nga dili na makasugat og mga kakulian ang posibleng pagpahigayon na usab sa Ironman dinhi sa Sugbo sunod tuig ug mas maandam na sa pag-host niini ang mga lokalidad dinhi sa Sugbo.
Naglaum si Davide nga mahuman na ang underpass project sa Mambaling sa dakbayan sa Sugbo aron dunay alternatibong agianan ang mga padulong ug gikan sa habagatang Sugbo, kon ugaling mapagamit na ang SRP sa Ironman. AZDL
Ang organizers sa Ironman ug ang event sponsors niini, nagpinirmahay og kasabutan nga magsiguro nga ang Sugbo maoy mo-host sa kompetisyon hangtod sa tuig 2020.
Kini bisan pa man sa nasugatan nga kakulian sa rota sa Ironman karong tuiga diin duha ka mga lokalidad sa Sugbo ang ningbalibad nga maagi-an ang ilang lugar sa lumba.
Human sa malampuson nga pagpahigayon sa kompetisyon niadtong Domingo, gitug-an ni Davide nga nag-istorya sila mismo sa mga organizer.
Unang nibalibad si Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña nga magamit isip kabahin sa rota sa bike leg ang South Road Properties (SRP) tungod sa trapik nga posibleng ibunga niini sa ubang dapit sa dakbayan.
Dihang giplanuhan ang paghimo sa kadalanan sa amihanang Sugbo nga rota, nibalibad usab si Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco sanglit moresulta man kini sa pagkatanggong sa iyang mga konstituwente ug uban pang taga-norte, nunot sa road closure.
Sigun ni Davide, ang mga organizer ug mismo ang mga atleta ang kinahanglang mo-adjust kon ugaling subling mahitabo ang maong kakulian.
Masaligon ang gobernador nga dili na makasugat og mga kakulian ang posibleng pagpahigayon na usab sa Ironman dinhi sa Sugbo sunod tuig ug mas maandam na sa pag-host niini ang mga lokalidad dinhi sa Sugbo.
Naglaum si Davide nga mahuman na ang underpass project sa Mambaling sa dakbayan sa Sugbo aron dunay alternatibong agianan ang mga padulong ug gikan sa habagatang Sugbo, kon ugaling mapagamit na ang SRP sa Ironman. AZDL
Enchong Dee stung by jellyfish during triathlon event
Actor Enchong Dee was stung by a jellyfish during the swimming leg of a triathlon event he participated in over the weekend, he revealed on Instagram Monday.
Dee, 29, showed the sting marks on the side of his abdomen in an Instagram Stories update, writing, "So apparently jellyfish partyed inside my trisuit yesterday."
The competitive swimmer asked his followers on the site to share with him suggestions on "how I can get rid of all the marks [as soon as possible]."
Dee was one of the participants in the Regent Aguila Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championships, which was held last Sunday in Lapu-Lapu City. Second off the water, Dee beat his personal record of 31:04 with 28:12, he revealed in a separate post.
Dee did not appear seriously hurt from the jellyfish sting. In subsequent updates, he shared behind-the-scenes photos of the primetime series "The Blood Sisters," in which he stars opposite Erich Gonzales, Ejay Falcon and AJ Muhlach.
He went on to thank those who messaged him to give tips on addressing the sting marks from the jellyfish. He said, "I'm using some of your suggestions for a faster recovery."
Dee, whose injury from the jellyfish encounter appeared minor, was fortunate compared to a similar incident involving fellow Kapamilya star Anne Curtis, who experienced "vomiting, extreme pain and delirium" after being stung by the deadly box jellyfish in 2014.
Tuesday, August 07, 2018
Ironman 70.3 athlete dies after incident during swim leg at Boulder Reservoir
An athlete died Sunday after being taken from the Boulder Ironman 70.3 triathlon to the hospital during the race Saturday, Ironman officials said in an emailed statement.
The national Ironman organization is not releasing the name, age or gender of the athlete.
However, a medical doctor who was at the event to watch his girlfriend compete said the athlete was a man.
Donald Cain was visiting from Wisconsin, where he has volunteered in the medical tent at triathlons before, for the Ironman 70.3. He was impressed with how quickly the man was taken out of the water.
"The fact that he made it out of that water and out of that park to the hospital alive is really a testament to the coordinated effort that those folks put forward," he said. "(...) I really don't think that they could have done a better job."
Cain was standing at the water's edge at Boulder Reservoir when he said he saw a "huge commotion" in the water.
Other swimmers began screaming for help, and then someone in a kayak went over to the area and began to wave a flag, Cain said. Quickly, people on two waverunners responded to the scene and got the man to an inflatable dock.
"They were into CPR immediately," Cain said, and it became clear that the situation was grave as they continued to give the man CPR for 10 to 15 minutes.
Spectators who came to watch friends and family started to scream and pray, Cain said.
"There were people saying the Our Father," he said. "It was pretty intense ... . It makes me kind of choke up just trying to remember the whole thing."
The athlete was taken to a local hospital, though the Ironman organization would not say which one.
At the hospital, the athlete continued to receive treatment, but died Sunday evening, according to Ironman.
"Our sincere condolences go out to the athlete's family and friends, whom we will continue to support during this most difficult time," Ironman said in it's statement.
The national Ironman organization is not releasing the name, age or gender of the athlete.
However, a medical doctor who was at the event to watch his girlfriend compete said the athlete was a man.
Donald Cain was visiting from Wisconsin, where he has volunteered in the medical tent at triathlons before, for the Ironman 70.3. He was impressed with how quickly the man was taken out of the water.
"The fact that he made it out of that water and out of that park to the hospital alive is really a testament to the coordinated effort that those folks put forward," he said. "(...) I really don't think that they could have done a better job."
Cain was standing at the water's edge at Boulder Reservoir when he said he saw a "huge commotion" in the water.
Other swimmers began screaming for help, and then someone in a kayak went over to the area and began to wave a flag, Cain said. Quickly, people on two waverunners responded to the scene and got the man to an inflatable dock.
"They were into CPR immediately," Cain said, and it became clear that the situation was grave as they continued to give the man CPR for 10 to 15 minutes.
Spectators who came to watch friends and family started to scream and pray, Cain said.
"There were people saying the Our Father," he said. "It was pretty intense ... . It makes me kind of choke up just trying to remember the whole thing."
The athlete was taken to a local hospital, though the Ironman organization would not say which one.
At the hospital, the athlete continued to receive treatment, but died Sunday evening, according to Ironman.
"Our sincere condolences go out to the athlete's family and friends, whom we will continue to support during this most difficult time," Ironman said in it's statement.
Monday, August 06, 2018
Victory dinner
Missing in action: Luke Jickain, Zanjoe Marudo, David Chua, Miko Raval, Daniella Stranner, Carlo Magdaluyo, Margot Torres, Monch Novales, Mikki Gonzalez, Jaru Albert, Korina Sanchez-Roxas, Johnny Manahan, Mariole Alberto, Eloisa Matias, Enrico Santos, Joel Mercado, Pat-P Daza, Jo Ann Maglipon, Edson Aguiflor, Leo Katigbak, Thelma Sioson-San Juan, Luis Carlo San Juan, Millet Mananquil and husband Robert, Edelweiss Abrenica and Danilyn Nugna.
"Then, it would be assure that he is returned back to Manila from his flight inboard Philippine Airlines, from the airport, he and his group would hear the mass at St. Martha Chapel, Harrison Plaza, then spending a dinner and makapag-tambay at the Century Park Hotel Manila a few meters from his school De La Salle University with his sister Anj, manager Keren Pascual and handler Monch Novales of Star Magic, as well Sun Life Financial Philippines executives and advisors," it stated.
Their gifts are 2009 adidas DLSU jacket (green-white and white-green), 2011 Nike exclusive De La Salle Dri-Fit tee (white-green and green-white), arena AGL-1400-EMBL goggle and ARN-6005M GRN One-Piece Long Spats nux-K Power Strush, ARN-6007M GRN Long Spats nux-K Power Strush, ARN-6008M GRN Half Spats nux-K Power Strush, ARN-6009M GRN rimic nux-K, ARN-6014 DGRN Half Spats nux-f and ARN-6015 DGRN rimic nux-F, speedo speedsocket Mirror goggle - black (8-705893515) and FASTSKIN FS-PRO men's bodyskin (8-008053218), jammer (8-008093218) and legskin (8-008083218). Close to more than 10 to 50 million stocks of their products are available at Titan22, which available soon at Ayala Malls South Park, Robinsons Place Naga, SM City Puerto Princessa, SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown, SM Center Pulilan, SM Center Lemery, Ayala Malls Feliz, Robinsons North Tacloban, SM Center Imus, Robinsons Place Ormoc, SM City Urdaneta Central, SM City Telabastagan, Robinsons Place Tuguegarao, SM City Legazpi and SM Center Ormoc branches.
House Committee approves creation of PUP-Sta. Rosa
The House Committee on Higher and Technical Education chaired by Rep. Ann Hofer (2nd District, Zamboanga Sibugay) this week approved House Bill 7114 which seeks to establish a Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) branch in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna to cater to students from the provinces of Region IV-A or CALABARZON Region.
Principally authored by Rep. Arlene Arcillas (1st District, Laguna), the satellite university shall offer graduate, undergraduate and short-term technical-vocational courses within its area of specialization and capabilities.
It shall be headed by a Branch Administrator who shall render full-time service and whose appointment or designation shall be made by the Board of Regents (BOR).
PUP President Dr. Emmanuel de Guzman interposed no objection to the bill, but stressed that the requirements of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) should all be met, particularly those pertaining to standards and quality of education.
Arcillas sought the inclusion of PUP Sta Rosa's operating budget in the national budget.
With Hofer during the hearing were Reps. Ben Evardone, Renato Unico, Joey Salceda, Romeo Acop, Antonio Tinio, France Castro, Ramon Rocamora and Sarah Elago. / Eddie Galvez
http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=10793
Principally authored by Rep. Arlene Arcillas (1st District, Laguna), the satellite university shall offer graduate, undergraduate and short-term technical-vocational courses within its area of specialization and capabilities.
It shall be headed by a Branch Administrator who shall render full-time service and whose appointment or designation shall be made by the Board of Regents (BOR).
PUP President Dr. Emmanuel de Guzman interposed no objection to the bill, but stressed that the requirements of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) should all be met, particularly those pertaining to standards and quality of education.
Arcillas sought the inclusion of PUP Sta Rosa's operating budget in the national budget.
With Hofer during the hearing were Reps. Ben Evardone, Renato Unico, Joey Salceda, Romeo Acop, Antonio Tinio, France Castro, Ramon Rocamora and Sarah Elago. / Eddie Galvez
http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=10793
Celebrity Sightings at the Ironman Race
THE REGENT Aguila Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championships became more exciting with the presence of Filipino celebrities who joined yesterday’s race.
First to be spotted by Cebu Daily News was Cebuano actor Matteo Guidicelli.
The 28-year-old star was walking along the shores of Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa while holding a camera.
He was taking photos of the swimmers and spectators before his turn for the relay.
In a quick interview, he said he is participating in the 21-kilometer run.
“I have joined all the Ironman (races) in Cebu and this is my first relay,” he said.
“So I’m doing it just for fun. I’m having a good time,” he added.
Organized by Sunrise Events Inc., the Ironman race in Cebu started in 2012.
This year, Guidicelli competed with the Ford Forza Team.
Guidicelli was the first celebrity to arrive at the finish line yesterday.
CDN also met TV Patrol Star Patroller Gretchen Fullido as she walking through the transition area from swim to bike.
“Well it’s another great experience to join Ironman 70.3 here in Cebu. Every year it is a different experience,” she said.
This is Fullido’s fourth year joining the Ironman race and she said hopes to join again next year.
“I can say that this is one of the best races in the world,” she said.
The Star Patroller was part of Team Kapamilya with Cebuana actress Kim Chiu and Leng Nicolas.
Chiu joined the 21-kilometer run.
Cebuano actor/businessman Paul Jake Castillo was also seen early morning at the lobby of Be Resorts Mactan.
He was one of the members of Rider Omega Tri Team and joined the full Ironman category.
Castillo finished the race in 5 hours, 37 minutes, and 58 seconds.
The Cebuano actor was welcomed by his wife, actress Kaye Abad and son Joaquin at the finish line.
Kapamilya actors Enchong Dee and Piolo Pascual, who were part of the Sun Life Financial Philippines team, were the most applauded participants yesterday.
Pascual’s son, Iñigo was present yesterday to cheer for his father.
Dee did the 1.9-kilometer swim while Pascual biked the 90-kilometer course.
For ”It’s Showtime” host Kim Atienza, it was his seventh year joining the race.
In an Instagram post, he said he considers the triathlon as his devotion.
“May I glorify my Lord every day I swim, bike, and run. May every race be a prayer. May every stroke pedal and step be for His glory. May I finish every race strong with HIS strength, my heart screaming Amen, You are a great God,” Atienza posted.
Other personalities who spotted were: Anthony and Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, Raffy Tima, Isabelle Daza, apl.de.ap, Erwan and Solenn Heussaff, Bubbles Paraiso, Ivan Carapiet, Adrien Semblat, David Charlton.
Read more: http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/187885/celebrity-sightings-ironman-race#ixzz5NN0239cL
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Sunday, August 05, 2018
MICHAEL CHRISTIAN MARTINEZ, FIGURE SKATING TRAILBLAZER
2018 WINTER OLYMPICS
2014 WINTER OLYMPICS
When Michael Christian Martinez carried the Philippine flag at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, he was the first Southeast Asian figure skater to qualify for the games.
Quite a feat for someone who comes from a tropical country, but then again, Michael has been described by Illustradolife as a young man “with nerves of steel and the fortitude of pure titanium. He is a trailblazer on ice.”
“My motto is ‘dream high and work hard’,” says Michael. “I believe that nothing is impossible for that as long as you exert your best effort into what you want to become, you will succeed.”
Michael was 8 and a half years old when he saw skaters doing jumps and spins at the SM Ice Skating Rink at SM Southmall in 2005. Fascinated by it, he asked his Mom if he could try it. After his first session, “I fell in love with the sport, and so I took formal lessons.”
This was despite the fact that when he was younger he was “asthmatic, sickly, and always in the hospital”. But somehow, skating suited Michael, who got less asthma attacks when he was in the rink.
During his first few weeks on ice, his coach told him that he had a huge potential, and pushed him to compete at a competition in Singapore in November 2005. Michael won gold medals there, and decided to continue competitive skating with SM supporting him in his pursuits.
Since that time, Michael has shown the Filipino’s fire on ice, winning numerous medals and awards in international competitions. Michael was the first figure skater from Southeast Asia in both the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck Austria, and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi Russia.
Michael says that there are “tons of challenges that can come up in any competition”. Laces snapping, costume defects, sudden injuries, recurring injuries, and many other challenges have taught him to “focus, take everything one at a time, take a breather, and visual what you will be performing will be perfect.” If it’s not as perfect as you wanted it to be, “just take it as it is and keep moving forward to realize your goals and dreams.”
Just last February, Michael competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. When he landed in Manila, he was given a warm homecoming at the SM Mall of Asia, a celebration he will “forever remember”.
“I am very thankful to the SM Management,” he says,” especially for the ones who have been there, believed in me, and helped me reach my dreams faster and further than anyone else could imagine.”
MICHAEL’S SM MOMENTS
“Being at SM brings an endless joy of heartwarming experiences and stories.
There are many things you can do in SM – shopping, ice skating, taking photos and videos, fitness days, movie times, and spending time with your loved ones.
I believe that once you and your whole family are at SM; you will be able to enjoy or find the moments you are looking for.”
TV Patrol Sabado: Arnel Pineda, aawit ng "Lupang Hinirang" sa laban ni P...
It's confirmed.
Arnel Pineda, the Filipino front man of popular American rock band "Journey," will sing the Philippine national anthem in Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s much-awaited fight with Ghanaian Joshua "The Grand Master" Clottey on March 13 (March 14 in Manila) at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
In an exclusive interview with abs-cbnNEWS.com, Pineda confirmed that he was invited by Pacquiao to sing "Lupang Hinirang" in his upcoming fight.
"Pupunta ako sa Dallas to sing sa laban ni Manny [Pacquiao].This Thursday [ang alis ko]. (I am going to Dallas this Thursday to sing in Pacquiao's fight.)," Pineda said.
"I'm really happy kasi matutuloy na. Nahihiya na ako kay Manny kasi pangatlong invitation na ito sa akin. Baka kasi isipin ay iniisnab ko. So finally, matutuloy na. (This is my third invitation from Manny who might think I'm snubbing him. I'm happy this is finally pushing through), " he said.
The crooner said he was not able to sing in Pacquiao's previous fights because of his hectic schedule as Journey's vocalist.
Pineda, who was introduced over the phone to Pacquiao by common friends, was also present during the boxer's birthday party in General Santos last December.
Pineda is currently part of ABS-CBN's weekly variety show "ASAP XV."
Aside from singing in the Pacquiao-Clottey bout, Pineda is also set to fly back to US this coming April to record the latest album of Journey.
Reed guns for third crown in Ironman 70.3
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines — Denied of a third regional crown in 2017, fancied Aussie Tim Reed guns for that elusive No. 3 today as he battles a stellar cast in the Regent Aguila Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championships today at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.
“That (winning a third Aspac crown) would be nice,” said Reed, who previously won it in 2015 and 2016 but settled for runner-up honors to Dan Wilson last year.
Reed faces 18 high-powered rivals who include reigning Ironman Aspac king Braden Currie of New Zealand, three-time full distance IM winner Tim van Berkel, recent Davao Ironman 70.3 champ Mauricio Mendez of Mexico, 2017 IM Aspac boss Josh Amberger of Australia, and five-time world titlist Craig Alexander, also of Australia, and stressed the need to play it smart.
“It’s been a bit of a rocky preparation. I haven’t trained very much but you never say never. I’ve had few races before where I’ve had not much training so I’m hoping things fall into place. I’ll just have to be a lot smarter than other races because fitness isn’t quite there but the drive is as high as it always has been,” said Reed, the 2016 IM 70.3 world champion.
The men’s field is considered the strongest ever in a Philippine IM event with Fred Uytengsu of the organizing Sunrise Events Inc. describing it as “world championship-caliber.”
“You always have your work cut out in races of this caliber because you have to beat the best athletes,” said the legendary Alexander.
Meanwhile, Hauschildt seeks to continue her winning ways and extend her Aspac reign versus 14 tough challengers led by Davao IM 70.3 queen Radka Kahlefeldt of the Czech Republic and four-time IM 70.3 Phl conqueror Caroline Steffen of Switzerland.
“I’ve had a great season so far,” said in-form Hauschildt, who captured the 70.3 European and North American championships early this year.
A two-time half-distance IM world champ , Hauschildt looks forward to strutting her stuff for the first time in Cebu.
“I’ve been wanting to race in Phl for so long now. Usually in this time of the year I’m racing in America but now is the perfect opportunity to finally come over here,” said the Aussie.
Phl regular Steffen looks to stop Hauschildt and pick up her fifth crown on Phl soil.
“I’m definitely giving it my all but there’s a lot of really good girls here so we’ll see what happens. But I love the course and I’ve always had good races in Cebu so I’ll just give my best and see where I end up,” Steffen said.
The competitors start in the beach front of Shangri-La, doing a point to point swim over 1.9K, then tackle a new course for the 90K bike, traversing two cities and tackling the head and cross winds of the area, before running a 21K two-loop course of generally flat terrain of mixed asphalt and concrete roads of Punta Engano lined up by cheering townsfolk.
Read more at https://www.philstar.com/sports/2018/08/05/1839841/reed-guns-third-crown-ironman-703#F7Tu4FWPhlBb3F1j.99
“That (winning a third Aspac crown) would be nice,” said Reed, who previously won it in 2015 and 2016 but settled for runner-up honors to Dan Wilson last year.
Reed faces 18 high-powered rivals who include reigning Ironman Aspac king Braden Currie of New Zealand, three-time full distance IM winner Tim van Berkel, recent Davao Ironman 70.3 champ Mauricio Mendez of Mexico, 2017 IM Aspac boss Josh Amberger of Australia, and five-time world titlist Craig Alexander, also of Australia, and stressed the need to play it smart.
“It’s been a bit of a rocky preparation. I haven’t trained very much but you never say never. I’ve had few races before where I’ve had not much training so I’m hoping things fall into place. I’ll just have to be a lot smarter than other races because fitness isn’t quite there but the drive is as high as it always has been,” said Reed, the 2016 IM 70.3 world champion.
The men’s field is considered the strongest ever in a Philippine IM event with Fred Uytengsu of the organizing Sunrise Events Inc. describing it as “world championship-caliber.”
“You always have your work cut out in races of this caliber because you have to beat the best athletes,” said the legendary Alexander.
Meanwhile, Hauschildt seeks to continue her winning ways and extend her Aspac reign versus 14 tough challengers led by Davao IM 70.3 queen Radka Kahlefeldt of the Czech Republic and four-time IM 70.3 Phl conqueror Caroline Steffen of Switzerland.
“I’ve had a great season so far,” said in-form Hauschildt, who captured the 70.3 European and North American championships early this year.
A two-time half-distance IM world champ , Hauschildt looks forward to strutting her stuff for the first time in Cebu.
“I’ve been wanting to race in Phl for so long now. Usually in this time of the year I’m racing in America but now is the perfect opportunity to finally come over here,” said the Aussie.
Phl regular Steffen looks to stop Hauschildt and pick up her fifth crown on Phl soil.
“I’m definitely giving it my all but there’s a lot of really good girls here so we’ll see what happens. But I love the course and I’ve always had good races in Cebu so I’ll just give my best and see where I end up,” Steffen said.
The competitors start in the beach front of Shangri-La, doing a point to point swim over 1.9K, then tackle a new course for the 90K bike, traversing two cities and tackling the head and cross winds of the area, before running a 21K two-loop course of generally flat terrain of mixed asphalt and concrete roads of Punta Engano lined up by cheering townsfolk.
Read more at https://www.philstar.com/sports/2018/08/05/1839841/reed-guns-third-crown-ironman-703#F7Tu4FWPhlBb3F1j.99
How Piolo Pascual and Enchong Dee make fitness part of their lifestyle
ACTORS Piolo Pascual and Enchong Dee will once again join forces for today’s Regent Aguila Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championships in Cebu.
The two stars together with Toniel Ty will be in one team.
They comprise one of the four teams under the Sun Life Financial Philippines Triathlon Team.
They were introduced during a press conference held last Friday at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.
Dee will do the 1.9-kilometer swim while Pascual will bike the 90-kilometer route. Ty will end the race with a 21-kilometer run.
This is the fifth time Sun Life Financial Philippines Triathlon Team is participating in the Ironman race.
At the press conference, both celebrity endorsers were asked how they keep themselves fit.
Dee said swimming helps him a lot.
“Kasi isa sa mga motivations ko is to really move more than what I eat and I eat a lot, as in,” he said.
Dee started swimming at the age of six but he considered it as a recreational activity only.
“I fell in love with the sport a year after. Pag tinatanong ako ng mga tao ano ba ang secret in finding a sport, look for the one where you really fall in love with,” he said.
Before joining showbiz, Dee already made a name for himself in sports when he became a part of the Philippine swimming team.
He made the country proud when he competed in the Asian Games held in Doha, Qatar in 2006 and Southeast Asian Games at Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand in 2007.
“I feel better, I get healthier, and I inspire people with that sport,” he said.
At present, Dee is part of ABS-CBN’s “The Blood Sisters” headlined by Erich Gonzales, Ejay Falcon and AJ Muhlach.
When asked how did me manage his time for the Ironman race and his showbiz career, he said, “I made my swimming practices my priority and everything adjusted around. I went to Ultra, Greenhills just to train. I adjusted my schedule for work and rehearsals,” he said.
Part of one’s lifestyle
“I started taking care of myself when I joined show business,” Pascual said.
He said he considers getting fit as part of a lifestyle.
”It’s not just about wanting to be fit or wanting to be well. It should be part of your daily routine,” the 41-year-old actor said.
Pascual is one of the lead stars in ABS-CBN’s ”Since I Found You” together with Arci Muñoz, Empoy Marquez, and Alessandra de Rossi.
Despite his hectic schedule, Pascual makes time for his fitness routine.
”It is not really a big deal to wake up earlier for work out. If you make it part of your lifestyle, it’s easy even if you have work. It makes life more balanced I guess,” he added.
In a short speech, Pascual thanked his Cebuano fans who continue to support him in every Ironman race.
He also challenged his 20-year-old son Iñigo, who was present at the press conference as one of the celebrity endorsers.
”Hopefully, next year he could join us. Kaya? Kaya?” Pascual asked his son.
To which the young actor replied: ”Maybe next year, when I’m 21.”
Aside from the three actors, actress Bubbles Paraiso was also present during the press conference as one of the celebrity endorsers.
http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/187743/piolo-pascual-enchong-dee-make-fitness-part-lifestyle
Stellar field expects battle royale
Lapu-lapu City—A stellar field braces for a battle royale for top honors in what has been billed as a world championship-caliber field in the Regent Aguila Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship unfolding at Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa here.
Australian 2016 world champion Tim Reed, three-time world titlist Craig Alexander, 70.3 Davao ruler Mauricio Mendez, and former regional champs Tim Van Berkel, Josh Amberger and Braden Currie headline an elite 19-man roster disputing the men’s pro crown while Mel Hauschildt, the reigning AsPac titlist, headlines the 14 contenders in the women’s side along with Radka Kahlefeldt, winner of IM 70.3 races in Davao and Subic, Caroline Steffen, a four-time champ in the IM races in the country.
“These are the guys I have much respect for and that also brings a different dynamic to the race. You know with these guys, it’s always hard to make a race strategy so I’m gonna go back to the simple strategy which is looking at what I can do and trying to get in the finish line fastest,” said Reed.
The 39 world-class pros graced yesterday’s meet the pros presscon, where they were joined by VIPs led by Sunrise Events, Inc. founder Fred Uytengsu, Ironman Asia Pacific CEO Geoff Meyer, Regent exec Jennifer See, Lapu-Lapu Mayor Paz Radaza, Cebu provincial administration Mark Tolentino, Tourism Sec. Bernadette Romulo Puyat, and acclaimed designer Kenneth Cobunpue, who created an exquisite pearl-studded trophies and medals for the winners.
“I have in front of me, I was about to say an impressive cast but I’ll be understating that, so without a doubt, it’s the absolute best cast of pros we’ve ever had in the country and it’s actually close to a world championship (field),” said Uytengsu, whose SEI is organizing races for the last 10 years.
“It’s something that I’m thrilled really for, to just to watch these guys go out and give it to each other, it’s going to be one hell of a race,” said Myer.
http://thestandard.com.ph/sports/active/272100/stellar-field-expects-battle-royale.html
Australian 2016 world champion Tim Reed, three-time world titlist Craig Alexander, 70.3 Davao ruler Mauricio Mendez, and former regional champs Tim Van Berkel, Josh Amberger and Braden Currie headline an elite 19-man roster disputing the men’s pro crown while Mel Hauschildt, the reigning AsPac titlist, headlines the 14 contenders in the women’s side along with Radka Kahlefeldt, winner of IM 70.3 races in Davao and Subic, Caroline Steffen, a four-time champ in the IM races in the country.
“These are the guys I have much respect for and that also brings a different dynamic to the race. You know with these guys, it’s always hard to make a race strategy so I’m gonna go back to the simple strategy which is looking at what I can do and trying to get in the finish line fastest,” said Reed.
The 39 world-class pros graced yesterday’s meet the pros presscon, where they were joined by VIPs led by Sunrise Events, Inc. founder Fred Uytengsu, Ironman Asia Pacific CEO Geoff Meyer, Regent exec Jennifer See, Lapu-Lapu Mayor Paz Radaza, Cebu provincial administration Mark Tolentino, Tourism Sec. Bernadette Romulo Puyat, and acclaimed designer Kenneth Cobunpue, who created an exquisite pearl-studded trophies and medals for the winners.
“I have in front of me, I was about to say an impressive cast but I’ll be understating that, so without a doubt, it’s the absolute best cast of pros we’ve ever had in the country and it’s actually close to a world championship (field),” said Uytengsu, whose SEI is organizing races for the last 10 years.
“It’s something that I’m thrilled really for, to just to watch these guys go out and give it to each other, it’s going to be one hell of a race,” said Myer.
http://thestandard.com.ph/sports/active/272100/stellar-field-expects-battle-royale.html
Saturday, August 04, 2018
Many personalities who reacted over Ironman 70.3
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| Dennis Antenor, Jr. |
He cannot insult ABS-CBN celebrities Piolo Pascual and Enchong Dee, because the two of them was at Harrison Plaza in Manila for a thanksgiving mass.
He quoted "I have never afraid to die", it said to reporters after the press conference
Celebs in Cebu for Ironman
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| Piolo Pascual, Iñigo Pascual, Enchong Dee and Bubbles Paraiso (Photos /Allan Cuizon & USJ-R Intern Mary Ruth Malinao) |
Enchong Dee and Bubbles Paraiso are also in Cebu as they form part of Sun Life Financial’s team in the athletic event.
Aside from giving financial assistance to its clients, Sun Life Financial also promotes health and wellness, hence, its 5th year of participation in the Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship 2018.
The insurance company presented its athletes in a press conference last Friday at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.
“After all, at Sun Life, our promise is to help our clients achieve brighter life, and that’s not simply about enjoying lifetime financial security, but also living a healthier life,” said Benedict Sison, Sun Life chief executive officer and country head.
Sison said the team is composed of Sun Life executives, employees and brand ambassadors, as well as the team’s flag bearer, Kapamilya actor Pascual.
“As we follow their Ironman journey, I hope they’ll be able to inspire more people to also pursue their health and wellness,” said Sison.
Pascual, who has been with the Sun Life Tri Team for half a decade, motivated his fellow tri-athletes for today’s event. He will take the bike leg.
“I just wanna encourage all the athletes to not give up,” 41-year-old Pascual said.
He also challenged his son, Iñigo, to join the triathlon next year.
Aside from Pascual, Enchong Dee, the newest brand ambassador, is also going to participate in the event as he will kick off the action in the swim stage.
Dee, a former national tanker, encouraged the sports enthusiasts as he shared with them the secret in finding the right sport for them.
“I always say that look for the one that you really fall in love with so that hindi mo lang sya gagawin dahil ito yong uso or ito yong may (you don’t just do it because it’s a fad or because it’s an) endorsement. Parang I wanna do it because I feel better with that sport. I feel healthier with that sport, and I inspire people with that sport,” said Dee.
Having the same goal with Sun Life Financial, Wilfred Uytengsu, Sunrise Events Inc. chief executive officer, shared how he appreciates his partnership with Sun Life since both companies embrace the same ideal of a healthy and active lifestyle.
Sunrise Events Inc. is the organizing team of the Ironman 70.3.
Uytengsu emphasized that the Ironman event is one way of increasing the sports tourism in the Philippines.
“To give Filipinos a chance to raise the Ironman brand. To help the Philippines with sports tourism. To prove that here we can run first class, world-class events,” said Uytengsu.
For his part, Sison said that Ironman has been a great venue for Sun Life to promote its goal in health and wellness.
Mylene Lopa, Sun Life Financial chief marketing officer, enumerated some of the financial products that the company provides to its clients, and introduced its latest product: Sun Fit and Well. This provides health coverage from prevention, diagnosis, treatment until the rehabilitation stage.
“This product, we don’t just give you money to get better, we also give you money to prevent you from getting sick. It has a prevention benefit component that allows the clients in this product to participate in all health classes for free,” Lopa explained.
The Sun Life Triathlon Team is fielding a total of 13 racers. It is one of more than 300 teams competing in this much-anticipated race of the year.
Regent Aguila Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific 2018 starts at 5:30 a.m today.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1756368/Cebu/Entertainment/Celebs-in-Cebu-for-Ironman
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