Good Fight!
Ito ay isang blog ng mga pinoy kung saan andito ang mga gusto niyong pankalahatan at mga bali-balita.
Martes, Marso 13, 2012
NBA
NBA: Rose lifts Bulls over struggling Knicks
Derrick Rose scored 32 points to power the Chicago Bulls past the New York Knicks 104-99, giving the host Bulls an NBA-best 35-9 record with the 10th victory in their past 11 games.
Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson each scored 15 points for the Bulls while Joakim Noah added 12 points and 10 rebounds and Gibson grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds for Chicago.
The Knicks suffered their sixth loss in a row and the seventh in their past eight games in falling to 18-24, level with Milwaukee for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
New York was led by 21 points from Carmelo Anthony, 20 points from Amare Stoudemire and 13 points and 10 rebounds from Tyson Chandler.
Jeremy Lin, the Asian-American sensation who erupted on the NBA scene last month in leading the Knicks on a seven-game win streak, scored 15 points, passed off eight assists, blocked three shots and made three steals.
But the Knicks have struggled since Anthony returned from an injury, unable to match the magic Lin mustered when he lineup was injury depleted.
Rose, last season's NBA Most Valuable Player, helped spark the Bulls when the Knicks stayed close at the finish.
Lin sank two free throws to pull the Knicks within 91-88 with 4:33 to play but the Bulls scored eight of the next 10 points, Rose hitting a layup and a slam dunk, to seize the biggest lead of the game at 99-90 with 1:37 to play.
A Chandler layup and Anthony 3-pointer kept the Knicks close into the final seconds, but Kyle Korver sank three late free throws and Gibson slammed in a dunk with seven seconds remaining to seal New York's fate.
Summer Madness
Enjoy island hopping at Caramoan this summer
CARAMOAN, CAMARINES SUR—If there’s one thing that makes island-hopping in Caramoan unique and interesting, it would be the lesson or two you learn at every stop.
Caramoan is famous for its countless islands and white sand bars enveloped by the clearest turquoise waters and protected by towering limestone formations.
No wonder different productions of Survivor from Europe have been coming back to Caramoan, which is at the heart of the Caramoan Peninsula.
It is also for its remoteness and untouched beauty that Caramoan islands gained the title “Secret Paradise.” Thanks to tour packages offered by local operators, guests can now enjoy the island at cheaper rates.
The town can be reached via a two-hour ride on a local outrigger boat (or banca) from either Sabang or San Jose port from the mainland. Most of these boats are so small you have to yank yourself to get out.
So look out for M/V Harry trips as these are the biggest and thus, offer more comfort and a smoother ride for seasick travelers.
As the common route of typhoons, patrolling coast guards would occasionally cancel trips and when they do lift their travel alerts, the boat ride usually extends to at least three to four hours more, depending on the strength of the currents and the number of passengers aboard.
Porters anxiously await arriving guests at the Guijalo Port, the gateway to central Caramoan. To avoid delay, have your tour guide arrange a tricycle ride to take you to your hotel. To better appreciate local culture, we opted for home stay accommodation.
Typically, island tours in Caramoan start as early as 7a.m. Our tour guide Genaro Galang laid out for us a day tour to five islands: Matukad, Lahus, Cagbalinad, Minalahus and Sabitang-Laya.
From the town’s center, we took a ten-minute tricycle ride to the port of the seaweed-rich Barangay Bical. It took another 20-minute boat ride from the port to our first stop but the waters were calm and the view we saw after that was worth the long trip.
So what can you expect to see on these islands? Here's a quick summary of the tour.
Matukad Island. Pray that your visit to this island does not coincide with Survivor tapings (there was word that Survivor will be back for tapings in 2012). During tapings, swimming will be prohibited and your stay will be cut short. This would be unfortunate given you are there to experience the powdery white sand, the clearest and bluest water in its beautiful lagoon.
Lahus Island. This one is the most unique for its natural structure. Lahus means “passing through,” which exactly describes how the body of sand is sandwiched by two giant rock formations. This allows swimming in both sides of the island. Props made by locals and used for Survivor challenges are also added attractions.
Cagbalinad Island. This is a favorite among researchers and geologists for its biodiversity. It is also rich in corals and has the most intricate limestone formations of the five islands. Look out for the huge limestone boulder perched right at its middle.
Minalahus Island. Again, referring to local meaning of its root word lahus, this island has a direct access point to neighboring islands without having to ride a boat. It has clear waters but due to frequent aya-ay (low tide), visits to this island are limited.
Sabitang-Laya. It is common for island hopping tours to end here. It is a V-shaped island with wide stretches of sand of both sides that offer a scenic place where visitors can eat lunch before heading home. Unfortunately, due to Survivor tapings when we visited, we were unable to check out the other side of the island.
With or without restrictions, it is simply impossible not to make another visit to Caramoan. It is best to visit the islands sooner since its starting to attract more tourists and property developers.
Hopefully, the local government and visitors can help keep Caramoan and its islands as beautiful and as enchanting as they are now.
Yahoo News March 13,2012
Entire Arena Football team cut during pregame meal at Olive Garden
The owner of the Pittsburgh Power fired all 24 members of his team during a pregame meal at an Orlando-area Olive Garden.
With AFL players set to strike before the 2012 season opener, owner Matt Shaner reacted first, cutting his entire team hours before kickoff of a game against the Orlando Predators.
"Mid-statement, all the players got up and left," former Power center Beau Elliott told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "Every player got up and left while he was still talking. There were 15 to 20 angry, large individuals."
The AFL Player's Association was calling for an increase in the $400 game checks paid to most players on each team. The union demanded a 300 percent increase in the minimum salary. AFL owners countered with a $100 raise.
Shaner told the newspaper that some players split from the union and returned to the team in time for Saturday night's game. Those who didn't were stuck in Orlando and forced to return to Pittsburgh on their own.
Members of the Predators were also released.
The game was still played, with unfilled roster spots being taken by replacement players, some of whom arrived to the arena minutes before kickoff. One backup quarterback switched teams before the game after getting "drafted" during a pregame selection. As a result, the season opener had the feeling of a pick-up game down by the local high school field.
The NFL Network broadcast the game live. Announcers reportedly couldn't identify a number of players.
Pittsburgh won 40-26, in front of more than 13,000 fans.
Other AFL teams played the same day with complete rosters.
Halinat simulan na ang Fliptopan!
Fliptop lines
http://www.fhm.com.ph/entertainment/interviews/article/3376
Fliptop is a rap battle league that puts two people in a match to have them insult each other with the cleverest punch lines and sharpest rhymes.
You can say it's one of the biggest youtube sensations of 2010 because it has gone viral with several of their videos hitting a million views in just a couple months.
Last July 17, they had a gig at Freedom Bar in Anonas, QC. FHM checked it out, and put the man behind the league, Anygma, on the hot seat.
Be sure to check out the gallery below as well, for a photo-by-photo account of what happened that night. You can also check out their Youtube page by clicking here.
How did Fliptop start?
It was as simple as applying some format from America to the Philippines. We’ve had battling ever since also in the Philippines, but when Grind Time was shown—the American league, probably the biggest in the world too—and when their format, the concept of it was introduced to the greater public, I picked up on it. I applied it here.
How did you put it all together, from inspiration to execution?
Grind Time they have the exact same format, in the sense that, it’s free battles on Youtube. In a sense, you cut out the middle man, you don’t even have to look for someone to air this or think about making a DVD and selling it. Profit is really not the priority.
I’m aware of the talent here in the Philippines. I just put two and two together, like “So, if we have this kind of talent, what would it take for it to work?”
Would it be wiser to divide the Filipino and English conferences? Would it be wiser to have these many divisions all around Manila? Like, would it be wiser to go with this or that? We just went with whatever works in the Philippines.
It’s an entirely different paradigm. I don’t even market anything, and that’s not to be cocky or anything. All we have is one Facebook, one Youtube, and one Formspring. I just go online, and answer questions, or post a poster if there’s an event coming up.
When did this start?
Our first event was in February, if I am not mistaken.
Are you the sole organizer of Fliptop?
Well, I guess, with the logistics and everything, and the actual organizing, yeah, I do majority of the work. I have some partners too, the cameraman, Kev, and DJ Umph from Miscellaneous, who is like my second-in-command. He takes the footage and edits it.
Of course, I get a lot of moral support, and brainstorming help from my camp from my homeboys and everything.
It was as simple as applying some format from America to the Philippines. We’ve had battling ever since also in the Philippines, but when Grind Time was shown—the American league, probably the biggest in the world too—and when their format, the concept of it was introduced to the greater public, I picked up on it. I applied it here.
How did you put it all together, from inspiration to execution?
Grind Time they have the exact same format, in the sense that, it’s free battles on Youtube. In a sense, you cut out the middle man, you don’t even have to look for someone to air this or think about making a DVD and selling it. Profit is really not the priority.
I’m aware of the talent here in the Philippines. I just put two and two together, like “So, if we have this kind of talent, what would it take for it to work?”
Would it be wiser to divide the Filipino and English conferences? Would it be wiser to have these many divisions all around Manila? Like, would it be wiser to go with this or that? We just went with whatever works in the Philippines.
It’s an entirely different paradigm. I don’t even market anything, and that’s not to be cocky or anything. All we have is one Facebook, one Youtube, and one Formspring. I just go online, and answer questions, or post a poster if there’s an event coming up.
When did this start?
Our first event was in February, if I am not mistaken.
Are you the sole organizer of Fliptop?
Well, I guess, with the logistics and everything, and the actual organizing, yeah, I do majority of the work. I have some partners too, the cameraman, Kev, and DJ Umph from Miscellaneous, who is like my second-in-command. He takes the footage and edits it.
Of course, I get a lot of moral support, and brainstorming help from my camp from my homeboys and everything.
Linggo, Marso 11, 2012
Phil’s brace gives Azkals crucial win over India
Phil Younghusband scored a goal in each half to power the Philippines to a 2-nil victory over India in the AFC Challenge Cup in Kathmandu, Nepal and keep alive the country's hopes of advancing to the semifinals. The Loyola Meralco Sparks striker first found the back of the net in the 10th minute, gathering a header from brother James off a long throw-in from Jason Sabio and then turning for a left-footed shot that was just beyond the reach of Indian keeper Karanjit Singh. The goal gave the Azkals the early lead and helped set the tone for the rest of the match as the Philippines successfully rebounded from a 2-nil loss to North Korea.
The Blue Tigers, winners of this event in 2008, actually had the first meaningful chance of the match just five minutes in when Reisangmi Vashum's solid effort from the right flank flew just inches above the crossbar. India wouldn't get another quality attempt for the rest of the half, as the Azkals' back four, which now included Rob Gier, held firm. Meanwhile, Younghusband had another good chance in the 43rd after gathering a through ball from Chieffy Caligdong and getting a clear shot from within 10 yards. But the ball whizzed past the sidebar by inches and hit the side netting.
In the second half, the Blue Tigers stepped up their offense in search of the equalizer, knowing that a loss would officially eliminate them. They came close in the 68th minute, when Syed Nabi's free kick from the left flank found Raju Gaikwad in the penalty box, but the latter's header failed to find its mark.
The Azkals virtually sealed the win in the 73rd with a brilliant 1-2 by the Younghusbands that led to Phil's second goal. The play started with Misagh Bahadoran, who had come in for Caligdong in the 56th minute, finding Phil, who passed it to his right to James. James one-touched the ball back to his brother, who was already slipping past his defender. Phil controlled the pass and only had Singh to beat, and he easily slotted the ball into the right side of the net for his 20th international goal for the Philippines.
The Blue Tigers nearly pulled one back in the 87th minute when the Azkals defense uncharacteristically left Nirmal Chetri unmarked with Neil Etheridge out of position. But his shot veered to the left and out, preserving a much-needed two-goal advantage for the Philippines.
The Azkals played more possession ball and less long ball against India, patiently building up their attack through short passing, only going for long passes once in a while. And although Phil was the man of the match with his brace, the rest of the team deserved praise for their solid play all throughout.
The victory was a major milestone for the Philippines, this being the first time the country has beaten India in international football. But although the 2-0 scoreline was impressive, a third goal would have given the Azkals more breathing room as they head into a knockout match against Tajikistan on Tuesday, with the winner joining North Korea in the semifinals.
As things stand, the Philippines and Tajikistan both have three points on one win and one loss each, and are also identical in goal differential, that is both have scored two goals and conceded two goals. A third goal against India would have given the Azkals a one-goal advantage, meaning they could have advanced with a draw against Tajikistan. Now, if the two sides play to a draw on Tuesday, the winner will be decided via a penalty shootout.
Tajikistan won the inaugural Challenge Cup in 2006 and are currently ranked 145th in the world, 11 notches higher than the Philippines.
In the other bracket, host Nepal crashed out after absorbing a shock 1-nil loss to Maldives. Palestine and Turkmenistan lead the group with four points each and are both favored to advance.
Coach Hans Michael Weiss made two changes in his starting eleven, with Caligdong getting the nod in place of Bahadoran and Gier replacing Marwin Angeles. He also made Paul Mulders more of an attacking midfielder, and to give way to Gier in the back line, placed Juan Guirado in a defending midfield position. Angeles later came in for Angel Guirado in the 80th minute.
Weiss, quoted by goalnepal.com, said after the match that he was happy with the result, but felt his team could have played a little better.
"There are some players who are adjusting with altitude problem and jet lagged," he told the website. "The team played much better in the second half. I was not happy at half time because the boys hadn't played good game."
Corona’s latest offer: I’ll resign but I keep everything I have
By Ellen Tordesillas
I find the revelations of Chief Justice Renato Corona of the meetings
that he had with President Aquino and other administration stalwarts
very interesting. I just wish that he tells the complete story and not
just be selective in his sharing with the public.I also expect the same from Malacañang.
Corona disclosed the proposal of administration ally Sen. Teofisto Guingona for a term sharing with Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, which Guingona denies.
He should also disclose his counter-offers especially the latest ,made through a retired associate justice , that he was willing to resign on condition that he would keep everything that he owns now.
What Corona has only disclosed were his meetings with President Aquino and the Guingonas, father and son.
The Aquino-Corona meeting has been confirmed by Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. It took place in July 2010, a few weeks after the latter was sworn into office by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, in the house of the President's sister, Pinky Abellada.
It's only now that we are learning that despite the inaugural snub, Aquino met with Corona in private. Corona said Aquino was not friendly with him during the meeting which was arranged by former Associate Justice Antonio Nachura, a member of the Liberal Party, the administration party.
Corona said Aquino talked to him about the Truth Commission that he was creating to investigate "some personalities." Gloria Arroyo. He said he advised Aquino that the Commission should not target specific personalities which Aquino didn't heed because it specified in his Executive Order graft and corruption under the Arroyo administration.
As expected, the Corona Court declared the Truth Commission unconstitutional.
Lacierda disputed Corona's version of the lunch meeting saying that the President just asked Corona if they can expect fairness from him. Corona, according to Lacierda, assured them, "We will render decisions based on fairness and legal precepts."
The meeting with the Guingonas took place late last year before the House of Representatives impeached the Chief Justice in December. It was held in the older Guingona's residence in New Manila, Quezon City.
Corona was Sen. TG's professor in Ateneo law School while the chief justice former senator Teofisto Guingona, Jr were both members of the Ramos cabinet.
Corona, who is retiring on Oct. 14, 2018, says Sen. TG raised the idea of his term-sharing with Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who is retiring on Oct. 25, 2019.
Corona said he rejected the idea right away because it was not "legally possible" as he was appointed to a specific term.
He said the younger Guingona immediately dropped the subject.
Sen. TG denies ever having raised the idea of term sharing and said the conversation was just, "a hi, hello, how are you."
At the start of the impeachment trial, Corona said he will not give Aquino the pleasure of his resignation.
That was before Enriqueta Vidal, the SC clerk of court, turned over to the impeachment court the chief justice's Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth.
That was before documents of his bank deposits submitted as evidence in the impeachment court showed huge amounts that were not reported in his SALN.
Reliable sources said even as Corona was going on an offensive, he has asked another retired SC justice (not Nachura)to relay a message to Malacañang that we might consider resigning if he would be allowed to name his successor. Malacañang, we were told, said "No way."
Corona's latest offer, our source said, was he is willing to resign on condition that he keeps everything that he has now.
It's still "No way" from Malacañang.
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