Let Plueys Take you Places

Now, new reasons to celebrate the rain!

Bright Cloud Inc., the first who brought Plueys here in Manila, recently launched its new array of collections at the Rockwell Bazaar last August 15 to 18. With the first set of designs called Plueys Personalities, new designs tagged as "Plueys Destinations" are set to give Filipinos more reasons to enjoy the rain.

These flashy boots or Wellingtons as known in the UK and in the US, are designed to protect the feet from puddles without compromising class and elegance. Set to give the ladies a new sense of fashion during this rainy season, these new set of collections will surely rock the streets.

TOKYO RAIN

Capture the fun and playful sentiments of Japan's Harajuku girls with Tokyo Rain, a colorful upbeat tahe on a cheery rainy day in Tokyo's most animated district.

ARGYLE CRUSH

Evoke the preppy fashion of a wealthy, privately schooled urbanites with
the iconic, three dimensional diamond pattern in the Argyle Crush, typical of Upper East Side style, and reminiscent of vacations at the Hamptons or spring afternoons watching a game of lacrosse.







OOOH LA LACE

Hold hands and sashay down Paris' fashionable streets in Ohhh La Lace. Let this black and white boot with intricate lace and heart prints do the flirting for you, and fall in love over and over again.








MATCH POINT

With this tennis racket prints and cool blue and green palette that gamely reflect palm beach camaraderie, serve up an ace in Match Point and five off that spirited vibe.








CATSTOOTH

Don't judge a boot by its cover. A closer look at this classic reveals a clever take on the popular houndstooth print, neatly fined felines in place of traditional ckecks - -how cheeky!







Plueys has a new and improved website. Visit them at http://www.plueysmanila.com/

Taekwondo Revolution of Kicks

This is a step-by-step tutorial video on how to properly deliver a roundhouse kick. This video also shows a systematic way in exercising the technique. This video is provided by YouTube uploaded by rayqb

Plueys at the Rockwell Urban Bazaar

Catch up with your friends from Plueys at the Rockwell Urban Bazaar this weekend (Aug 15 to 17)--something new might just be waiting for you! Celebrate the Rain!

Taekwondo Tutorials

Have you ever wondered how knockout kicks are delivered? Well, it encompasses rigorous training and patience. Of course no one can ever learn these things overnight. With the videos below, try and see how these precious kicks are delivered...step by step.

Here are the list of the tutorial videos:

1. Axe kick
2. Jumping back kick
3. Spinning hook kick 1
4. Spinning hook kick 2
5. Back kick
6. Brazilian kick and
7. tornado kick/360 degrees roundhouse

Videos courtesy of kyryllo

Axe Kick Tutorial

Video by kyryllo

It's pretty clear that you need pretty good flexibility to perform the kick it is also important to know the propper technique in order to bring some force into it. It's not only rasing the leg and putting it on the target, if you are doing it that way you then can just leave it.

There are multipple ways to make an axe kick: stiff leg or chambered, inside, outside, front.

Stiff leg version(the leg stays straight while raising)is the more physicaly demanding, but produces more force than the chambered version, which is much faster though.

Upward Movement:
Untill the foot reaches it's highest point the hips should be square to the target the head should be upright and the back curved, the foot of the supporting leg should show forward.

In the stiff leg version the leg should be swung up high in a inside/outside curve or to the front. This should be done with the highest velocity and as high as possible. When the leg reaches it's highest point, the muscles and ligamets are tensed and stop the upward movement, this tension forces the muscles to contract which dramaticaly increases the downward velocity later.

In the chambered version the leg goes up chambered (bent) in an inside/outside curve or the front and is exetended above the target (hint: front kick above the target)

Downward Movement:
The key point in both versions is the hip movement. When the foot reaches it's highest point you push your hip on the kicking leg side towards the target, turn your supporting leg outside, and lean slighty backward with your upper body (physicaly you are not leaning back, your upper body stays in place but your hips are going forward).
This initiates the active! downward movement of the leg, the axis is not!!! the knee but the hip joint and the main muscles are the glutei, supporting muscles are the ischio-curales.

Be sure that the movement is downward and not to the side, if this is the case you are turning your hips and or/leaning back too far.

To learn the correct hip movement you should start with a slow kick hip high, and performing a kind of a pushing motion starting from the supporting leg through the hips, then the inside curved stiff leged version with a full curve (crescent), then place your hand where the highest ballistic point should be and perform the hipmovement as soon the foot touches the hand.

The outside curved kick is the most difficult to bring the hip movement in it, because of the alternating movement directions.

Jumping Back Kick Tutorial

Video by kyryllo

The korean term is apbal joogo twio dwi Chagi. Apbal joogo means front foot feinting skipping motion, twio dwi chagi is jump back kick.

The first step is to bring your rear foot to your front leg creating a skipping motion. As you do this, throw your body into the opponent's safety zone. The second step is execute a jumping back kick with the rear leg, without losing your balance. To do so, align your body in the air so that you don't rotate excessively.

The primary target is the middle section. The secondary is the head which may result in a knockout if done correctly and with sufficient force. In competition, you must do this technique confidently. Once you start, there is no way back. Relax your muscles just before you jump and follow through with firm conviction.

Spinning Hook Kick Tutorial version 1

Video by kyryllo

Step by step, basics:
Turn around 180°
bend the supporting leg a little
stick your butt out
watch over the shoulder
the upper body rotates somewhat in the kick direction

hold your kicking leg loose but straight
throw it in an arcuated motion
stretch the supporting leg
the hip leads the motion not the leg!
bend down your upper body
the angle between supporting leg and body should not be under 110°-120°
the shoulder/scapula point to the target

shortly before the foot reaches the target rotate the upper body in the opposite of the kick direction while flexing the gluteus which give the leg the last bit of acceleration

when hitting the target the leg is straight
after hitting the target you can bend the leg or just swing it out

Practice the kicking motion on the wall like it is shown in the video, while doing it make sure both of your hands are on the wall when you do the kick and release them only as soon as you "hit the target", other wise you could over turn the body which would mess up the whole technique. Don't swing the arms too much. If the basic technique works try to begin the kicking motion while turning around as it is shown around sec. 00:40 into the video, faster.

Spinning Hook Kick Tutorial version 2

Video by kyryllo

The kick works the same way, the steps are the same eccept for the path of the foot. Bend the leg and throw a very chambered roundhouse or a spinning side kick so that the foot lands 15-30 cm lateral from the target. Shortly before the leg fully stretches begin to flex the gluteus a make the countermotion with the upper body. Follow through the target with the straight leg bend it as soon you hit the target.

Back Kick tutorial

Video by kyryllo

Two "versions": Basic and Attacking

Step by Step

Basics:
1.Turn around till your back is facing the target

2.Bend your upper body down and bring your wieght on your supporting leg, while sticking your butt in the direction of the target

(The basic technique also incluedes turning the head and looking at the target over the shoulder on the kicking side at this point, however experienced fighters tend not to look at all or just glance with the corner of the eye. In reality the foot goes so fast that you have no oportunity anymore to correct the kick, so looking and aiming becomes obsolete. You aim before you launch the kick!)

3.Chamber the leg by bending the knee as far as you can, the heel should point at the target, the knee MUST point down

4.Straighten your leg in a pushing motion towards the target

5.Impact happens with the flat foot or (better) with the heel.


Advanced, Attacking back kick:
Bounce forward to bring the weight above the front (later supporting) leg, at the same time perform the steps 1.-3. simultaneously

Points 4.+5. are obviously the same as in the basic technique.

You may slide on the supporting leg while performing it to gain distance but make sure to have a solid stand at the point of impact.

Important points:
knee MUST point down, back MUST face the target

head MAY turn around and look over the shoulder

the upper body SHOULD be bent, it improves the stability by bringing the center of gravity down and stops the rotating motion, it also gives you more power since the center of gravity is closer to the force vector and it is simply easier to raise the leg that way. However you can throw the kick standing upright, I wouldn't recomand it though.

Brazilian Kick Tutorial

Video courtesy of kyryllo

Use the kick if the opponent is backing up or is very defensive, also to end a combination. Don't use it if your opponent is known for rushing, shortening the distance or direct countering.

1. Start with a fake front or roundhouse kick (if trying the roundhouse make sure you don't throw the hips in becouse you won't have enough room for the kick later). The fake kick should be fast enough to cause a defensive reaction.

2. The next three things are important and MUST be performed simultaneously: 1)Snap the lower leg back and continue raising the knee; 2)Turn the hips; 3)Turn the supporting foot so that the heel shows to the target. Once again all these things SIMULTANEOUSLY!

3. If the lower leg and the thigh reach the same level begin to straighten your leg as fast as possible, the kicking action is performed in a somewhat down ward motion, achieved by turning your hips further while performing the last phase of the kick.

This is only a variation and not the only way to perform the kick. It's not an easy kick but very practical.

Tornado kick/360 roundhouse tutorial

Video by kyryllo

1. You kick with your LEAD LEG! and the turning motion is performed with the BACK FORWRAD! Very obvious but there are people who still confuse it.

2. Your kicking leg should be bent, Lead the swinging/suppporting leg as close as possible to the calf of the kicking leg. This initiates the turning motion.

3. Turn around on the ball of your kicking foot untill you clearly see the target again. The looking at the target serves as control if you turned around enough to launch the kick.

4. Jump up from the kicking foot on the supporting foot and perform a round house kick. The supporting foot must be planted at the time when the kick hits the target.

Important notes:
The kick is technicaly simple, though not very easy.

The major aspect of the kick is to transfer the motion force in to the kick, this requires a lot of repetition and adjustments.

Keep your kicking leg bent, it lowers your center of gravity which helps you with the stabilization of the rotating motion and you need a bent leg to actualy jump for launching the kick.

Although it seems that way this is NOT a jumping or flying kick. Try to reduce the time in the air to minimum if you want to bring force into the kick and be sure to stand on your supporting leg when you hit the target. At any split second that you spend in the air you lose force.

If you can't bring the hips into your kick, and hit the target with your knee showing up, you need to turn around much more before you launch the kick. Some people would jump highr to have more time to bring in the hips, it could work but as I said above it costs force.

The swinging leg controls the length of the kick. It should be lead very near to the kicking leg. Leaving it close to the kicking leg within the motion leads to a short kick, poining it towards the target makes the kick long.

Pinoys in high spirits

BEIJING - Everybody is looking good and feeling fine, something that has brought smiles on the faces of Team Philippines officials and coaches on the eve of the 29th Olympic Games coming off the wraps in lavish, expensive rites here.

"All of them (RP athletes) are in high spirits, ready to play," said Chief of Mission Monico Puen-tevella, calling from the 66-hectare Athletes' Village, where 20 officials and 13 players from one of the smallest teams ever to carry the RP tri-color in the Games are staying.

"Walang may sakit. And everyone is being looked after by our doctors, coaches and officials," added Puentevella, who is scheduled to lead Filipino officials in welcoming President Arroyo and her party Friday night.

In a few more days, the number of the RP team staying in the Village, home to more than 10,500 athletes from a record 205 nations, will increase with the arrival of the two taekwondo bets and their two coaches.

Since action in taekwondo will not begin until the second week of the Games, athletes Mari Antoinette Rivero and Tshomlee Go and coaches Raul Samson and Kim Hong Sok will only depart Manila on Aug. 11.

According to Puentevella, the Filipino athletes have all gone through their usual training regimen since checking in at the huge Village, situated on the fringes of the Olympic Green that houses the iconic National Stadium or Bird's Nest and the Water Cube.

"Based on what they've (coaches and officials) told me, the athletes are doing well in their practice," said Puentevella, who headed the main bulk that arrived here Tuesday afternoon after a four-hour trip from Manila.

Blog Credits: Malaya

Rally behind Filipino Olympians, Villar urges nation

MANILA (PNA) -- Senate President Manuel Villar called on the entire nation to rally behind the 15 Filipino athletes who will try to realize the country’s age-old dream of winning its first ever Olympic gold in the forthcoming 2008 Beijing Games.

“Let us throw our all-out support to these 15 magnificent Filipino athletes who will carry our flag in the biggest sporting stage of them all for their victory will surely provide the needed boost in our quest for unity, prosperity and lasting peace,” said Villar in a statement.

Now one of the biggest benefactors of billiards, Villar urged his fellow leaders in government to invest in sports.

“We should look at sports as the best opportunity to bring back the lost confidence and faith of our people amid numerous problems besetting our country,” the Nacionalista Party president said.

“We lost our faith and confidence as an individual, and for that reason, our country continues to lose self-confidence. We should bring it back through sports which unites us as a nation every time somebody steps up in the international arena,” he added.

The man who is known for his “Sipag at Tiyaga” outlook also expressed confidence on each of the 15 Filipino athletes’ chances in the Games despite the overwhelming odds.

“We Filipinos are known for resiliency especially during hard times. So I’m very much confident that they would be able to overcome whatever disadvantage we have and achieve the victory that we’ve been longing for,” Villar said.

The Philippines has not won an Olympic gold since it joined the quadrennial meet in 1924. The best the country has done was winning two silver medals, the last coming in the 1996 edition in Atlanta courtesy of boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco. It also has won a total of seven bronze medals. The 15 Filipino athletes, who will slug it out with the world’s bests in their respective fields, are boxer Harry Tanamor, taekwondo jins Mary Antoinette Rivero and Tshomlee Go, archer Mark Javier, shooter Eric Ang, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, tracksters Marestella Torres and Henry Dagmil, swimmers Miguel Molina, Ryan Arabejo, Daniel Coakley, James Walsh and Christel Simms, and divers Shiela Mae Perez and Rexel Ryan Fabriga. (PNA)

Blog Credits: Positive News Media

New Vios dangled for Olympic silver

MANILA, Philippines—JB Sports and Music and Toyota Balintawak on Monday joined forces to boost the reward package for athletes who will win at least a silver medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

JB executive Jerico Fernandez, a martial arts enthusiast, and Toyota Balintawak’s Cosco Oben announced that they will give a brand new Toyota Vios to the first Filipino silver medalist in this year’s Olympics as well as the gold winners.

“This is our way to inspire our athletes,” Fernando and Oben said during a press conference attended by Philippine Sports Commission chair William “Butch” Ramirez and JB’s Jean Fernando.

The incentive for the Olympic gold medal has reached P15 million after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo added P4.5 million to the pot Friday.

Petron has also committed P1 million for a taekwondo gold, P600,000 for a silver and P300,000 for a bronze.

The silver medalist also stands to win P3 million, including the P2.5 million from the government.

Blog Credits: Cedelf P. Tupas, Philippine Daily Inquirer

The Philippine's Fighting Fifteen

By Marc Anthony Reyes

MANILA, Philippines—Absent from the medal tally of the last two Olympiads in Sydney and Athens, the Philippines tries to break the ice this time with a lean but well-trained 15-member crew to the Beijing Summer Games.

The bulk of Team Philippines leaves on Tuesday for the gleaming Chinese capital in time for the Games’ opening ceremonies on Friday.

In the next fortnight, the country’s Fightingest Fifteen will battle the world’s finest athletes in hopes of landing that elusive target: the gold medal.

Inquirer Sports analyzes the medal chances of each of the 15 athletes in the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Here goes:

HARRY TAÑAMOR
BOXING—Light flyweight class

The 29-year-old world championship silver medalist from Zamboanga faces a treacherous climb to the gold medal.

True, Harry Tañamor has beaten nine of the 27 other Beijing Olympics hopefuls in his class, but he still has to get the better of China’s world champion Zou Shiming and Russia’s world No. 1 David Aryapetyan.

Tañamor bowed to Zou, 17-3, in the Chicago world championships in a lopsided final that betrayed his defensive inadequacies against a highly mobile foe.

INQUIRER SPORTS FORECAST: Very good chance of landing a medal.

ERIC ANG
SHOOTING—Trap

Diminutive for a shotgun marksman, the 5-foot-4, 128-pound Eric Ang could be the Philippines’ hidden ace in these Olympics.

The 37-year-old from Laoag City nailed a wild-card berth in Beijing.

Medal hopes, though faint, spring from Ang’s most recent form in the 2008 World Cup in Suhl, Germany, in June where he shot a new RP record of 121 birds and ended up tied in sixth place with Athens Olympics gold medalist Alexey Alipov of Russia. The meet’s best Asian performer finished just two birds behind Australian world champion Michael Diamond.

INQUIRER SPORTS FORECAST: Longshot to 50-50 chance of landing a medal.

MARK JAVIER
ARCHERY—Men’s Individual (Olympic round-70 meters)

Although ranked a lowly No. 75 in the world, Mark Javier is worth a second look in Beijing.

The 26-year-old from Dumaguete City landed sixth in a field of 122 in the 2008 Meteksan Archery World Cup in Shanghai.

Javier then posted a scintillating victory in the 1st Asian Archery Championships in October last year in Xian, China.

INQUIRER SPORTS FORECAST: Almost nil to longshot chance of landing a medal.

HENRY DAGMIL
ATHLETICS—Men’s Long Jump

Although he trained in the United States for a year, Henry Dagmil is still not ready for his maiden Olympic stint. Unable to meet the Olympic “B Class” criteria of 8.05 meters, the 26-year-old Dagmil made it to the RP team as the country’s mandatory male participant in Beijing.
Indeed, Dagmil’s best of 7.97m will get him nowhere in Beijing. The world record is 8.95m, set by American Mike Powell, which has stood for 17 years.

INQUIRER SPORTS FORECAST: Almost zero chance of landing a medal.

MARESTELLA TORRES
ATHLETICS—Women’s Long Jump

The lithe 27-year-old jumper from San Jose, Negros Oriental, takes pride in being Southeast Asia’s undisputed queen. But Marestella Torres’ medal chances in the Beijing Olympics is nil. She made it to the Olympics as the country’s mandatory female competitor.

Torres never came close this year to surpassing her personal best of 6.63 meters. In an event where Russia’s Galina Chistyakova holds the world record of 7.52m, Torres will be gunning for no more than a personal best.

INQUIRER SPORTS FORECAST: Almost zero chance of landing a medal.

HIDILYN DIAZ
WEIGHTLIFTING—58 kg class

The youngest member of Team Philippines, 16-year-old Hidilyn Diaz will compete as a wild card in her first Olympics.

With personal bests of 105 kg in the clean and jerk and 85 kg in the snatch, Diaz is a virtual pupil in her 12-lifter division. Her models will be China’s Chen Yanqing, who holds the world record snatch of 111 kg and Chen’s compatriot Qiu Hongmei, the record-holder in the clean and jerk with 141 kg.

INQUIRER SPORTS FORECAST: Almost zero chance of landing a medal.

MARIE ANTOINETTE RIVERO
TAEKWONDO—Women’s -67 kg class

This focused young woman from Pasig City is seeking Olympic redemption. The then 16-year-old Toni Rivero fell a win shy of the silver in the 2004 Athens Olympics and eventually missed out on the bronze after absorbing a second loss, in the repechage, at the hands of South Korea’s Hwang Kyung-seon.

The Greek woman who beat her 3-2 for the silver, Elisavet Mystakidou, is now 31, her form ravaged by time. But Hwang—who went on to win the World Championships gold back-to-back in 2005 and 2007—still remains a force.

INQUIRER SPORTS FORECAST: Very good chance of landing a medal.

TSHOMLEE GO
TAEKWONDO— Men’s -58 kg class

The Philippines’ other taekwondo jin deserves a perfect retirement gift: an Olympic medal. Now 27, he clinched his second Olympic appearance by landing the bronze in the world qualifying in Manchester, England, last year.

In Athens, Go failed to progress past the quarterfinals, bowing to Spain’s Juan Antonio Ramos in the repechage.

Go’s biggest rival in Beijing is Chinese Taipei’s Chu Mu-yen, who topped the Manchester meet, and Germany’s Levent Tumcat, who beat him in the fight for the silver.

INQUIRER SPORTS FORECAST: 50-50 to very good chance of landing a medal.

MIGUEL MOLINA
SWIMMING—Men’s 200m individual medley, 200m breaststroke

Miguel Molina, 24, knows his personal bests can’t float on the purified waters of Beijing’s high-tech National Aquatics Center pool.

The SEA Games’ Best Male Athlete last year, Molina owns RP high-water marks that are ancient to the likes of American Michael Phelps and Australian Ian Thorpe.

The Filipino’s time of 2:03.22 in the 200m IM, for instance, is about 8.5 seconds slower than Phelps’ world-record 1:54.80. His RP record of 2:16.62 in the 200m breaststroke, meanwhile, is 9.11 seconds off the world record 2:07.51 of Japan’s Kosuke Kitajima.

INQUIRER SPORTS FORECAST: Almost zero chance of landing a medal.

DANIEL COAKLEY
SWIMMING—Men’s 50m freestyle

If bloodlines are worth anything, then Daniel Coakley can be expected to deliver in Beijing. But that’s outright fiction, and the grandson of the late Teofilo Yldefonso—winner of back-to-back bronze medals in the 1928 Amsterdam and 1932 Los Angeles Olympics—knows where he stands in his favorite event.

Coakley hopes to reset his RP mark of 22.80 seconds in a high-powered event dominated over the last year by Australian world record-holder Eamon Sullivan (21.28).

INQUIRER SPORTS FORECAST: Almost zero chance of landing a medal.

CHRISTEL SIMMS
SWIMMING—50m and 100m freestyle

Filipino-Hawaiian Christel Simms made the Olympic criteria for the 100m freestyle at the USA Junior Nationals at Indianapolis last year.

The 17-year-old high schooler’s RP records of 57.17 in the 100m free and 26.31 in the 50m free are way off the world marks of 53.88 and 23.97 held by Libby Lenton of Australia and Marleen Veldhuis of the Netherlands, respectively.

INQUIRER SPORTS FORECAST: Almost zero chance of landing a medal.

JB WALSH
SWIMMING—Men’s 200m butterfly

Filipino-American James Walsh sealed his Olympic slot last year at the USA Senior Nationals where he clocked an RP record of 2:00.42, easily surpassing the Olympic criteria of 2:01.79. The 21-year-old balik-Olympian from Virginia has shaved more than six seconds off his personal best since winding up 37th (2:06.76) at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Walsh’s fastest time, though, is close to eight seconds off the six-year-old world record of 1:52.09 held by Frenchman Franck Esposito.

INQUIRER SPORTS FORECAST: Almost zero chance of landing a medal.

RYAN ARABEJO
SWIMMING—Men’s 1,500m freestyle

His best time in swimming’s longest event and that of the world record, when compared, will make a Filipino spectator cry.

Ryan Arabejo owns the Philippine record of 15:39.86 minutes in the gruelling 1,500m event, a far cry from the Asian record of 14:55.03 and miles away from the 14:34.56 world record held by Australia’s Grant Hackett.

INQUIRER SPORTS FORECAST: Almost zero chance of landing a medal.

SHEILA MAE PEREZ
DIVING—Women’s 3-meter springboard, 1m springboard
Southeast Asia’s undisputed queen of diving is back in the big leagues again after battling through a back injury last year.

Sheila Mae Perez, the charming 22-year-old from Sasa Parola, Davao City, is seeing action in her second Olympics since 2000, when she ended up 32nd in a field of 56 in the 3m springboard in Sydney.

Fresh off a six-month training in China, Perez hopes to better her 17th-place finish in the 2008 FINA Diving World Cup in Beijing.

INQUIRER SPORTS FORECAST: Almost zero chance of landing a medal.

RYAN REXEL FABRIGA
DIVING—Men’s 10-meter platform

The powerful, 5-foot-5 diver from Davao City clinched his place in Beijing by finishing fourth in the finals of the 2008 Diving World Cup.

Fabriga placed fourth in the synchronized event and 28th in the individual competition at the 2001 FINA Diving Grand Prix.

He will set out to reclaim his status as Southeast Asia’s best diver, the title he lost to a Malaysian in the 2007 Thailand SEA Games.

INQUIRER SPORTS FORECAST: Almost zero chance of landing a medal.

Blog Credits: The Philippine Daily Inquirer

11 medal bidders arrive in Beijing

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

BEIJING – The main bulk of Team Philippines set foot here Tuesday, oozing with confidence and in high spirits three days before the 2008 Beijing Olympics formally comes off the wraps in this country of 2 billion people.

RP chef de mission Monico Puentevella led the Filipino contingent composed of 11 athletes and three top sports officials, who arrived in the bustling Chinese capital at around 11:30 a.m. following a four-hour flight from Manila via Philippine Airlines.

At the airport to meet the delegation was Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) spokesperson Joey Romasanta.

“All are accounted for. It was a smooth trip and the athletes looked fine and in great shape,” he said.

Filipino athletes included in the group were boxer Harry Tañamor, swimmers Miguel Molina, James Walsh, Joan Christel Simms, Ryan Arabejo and Daniel Coakley, divers Sheila Mae Perez and Ryan Rexel Fabriga, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and long jumpers Marestella Torres and Henry Dagmil.

Officials who accompanied them aside from Puentevella were shooting association president Art Macapagal, POC secretary-general Steve Hontiveros and Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) president Manny Lopez.

“The weather is fine here, a little bit hot like in Manila,” said the 30-year-old Tañamor, one of the country’s best bets for a first ever Olympic gold medal.

After a 20-minute ride, the group checked in at the Olympic Village where RP administrative official Moying Martelino welcomed them.

When finally settled in their respective rooms inside the vast complex of high-rise apartments, the Filipinos had their first sample of the sumptuous lunch in the Village before taking their needed afternoon rest.

“All our athletes are in fighting form. It will be tough but these 15 athletes have trained hard and prepared for this Olympics,” said Puentevella.

The arrival of the 11 athletes left taekwondo jins Antoinette Rivero and Tshomlee Go as the only ones unaccounted for in the delegation. The pair of medal hopefuls are set to leave Manila on Aug. 11 since their events will start on Aug. 20.

“We have high hopes in boxing and taekwondo. With a little bit of luck and talent, I think they would deliver,” said Puentevella.

Archer Mark Javier and shooter Eric Ang were included in the second batch of Filipinos to arrive here.

Another party to be led by President Macapagal-Arroyo is leaving Manila tomorrow.

Blog Credits: Rudy Santos, The Philippine Star

Ramirez pushes for sustained Olympic training

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Treat every year as an Olympic year with regards to the training of the country’s finest athletes.
This was the suggestion made by Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez before his scheduled departure for Beijing where 15 of the best Filipino athletes will vie in the 29th Summer Olympics.

These athletes underwent training in countries that excel in their respective sports of boxing, taekwondo, athletics, shooting, archery, swimming, diving and weightlifting.

Over 50 Pinoy athletes from 15 sports have been placed under a special program aimed at winning the elusive gold medal. But only 15 of them made it to Beijing.

“This is the most expensive Olympic preparation in Philippine history,” said Ramirez, adding that the PSC, the government’s funding arm in sports, spent no less than P30 million for this.
Ramirez, however, is hoping that this practice would continue.

“I hope that the Olympic training program continues, including the allotment of the budget. We saw it in the athletes how a good overseas training could help,” said the PSC chief.

Ramirez is scheduled to leave for Beijing tomorrow, along with the bigwigs, including Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco and flag-bearer Manny Pacquiao.

President Arroyo is scheduled to leave with them, being the first Chief Executive to join the athletes in an Olympic opener.

“If our athletes have the adequate foreign training and exposure then we have bigger chances of winning medals. So I hope the P30 million budget is made available every year,” Ramirez said.

“This way, we don’t have to prepare our athletes in the year before or the months leading to the Olympics,” he added.

Ramirez said the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) can set the money aside every year.


Blog Credits: Abac Cordero, The Philippine Star

Ramirez pushes for sustained Olympic training

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Treat every year as an Olympic year with regards to the training of the country’s finest athletes.
This was the suggestion made by Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez before his scheduled departure for Beijing where 15 of the best Filipino athletes will vie in the 29th Summer Olympics.

These athletes underwent training in countries that excel in their respective sports of boxing, taekwondo, athletics, shooting, archery, swimming, diving and weightlifting.

Over 50 Pinoy athletes from 15 sports have been placed under a special program aimed at winning the elusive gold medal. But only 15 of them made it to Beijing.

“This is the most expensive Olympic preparation in Philippine history,” said Ramirez, adding that the PSC, the government’s funding arm in sports, spent no less than P30 million for this.
Ramirez, however, is hoping that this practice would continue.

“I hope that the Olympic training program continues, including the allotment of the budget. We saw it in the athletes how a good overseas training could help,” said the PSC chief.

Ramirez is scheduled to leave for Beijing tomorrow, along with the bigwigs, including Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco and flag-bearer Manny Pacquiao.

President Arroyo is scheduled to leave with them, being the first Chief Executive to join the athletes in an Olympic opener.

“If our athletes have the adequate foreign training and exposure then we have bigger chances of winning medals. So I hope the P30 million budget is made available every year,” Ramirez said.

“This way, we don’t have to prepare our athletes in the year before or the months leading to the Olympics,” he added.

Ramirez said the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) can set the money aside every year.

Blog Credits: Abac Cordero, The Philippine Star

SSC spikers stay clean

by JP Abcede

San Sebastian College outclassed Jose Rizal University to remain undefeated in the NCAA women’s volleyball held over the weekend at the St. Placid Gym in San Beda.

The Lady Stags needed just 32 minutes to dispatch Jose Rizal University, 25-5, 25-4, 25-6 as rookie Elaine Cruz tallied 12 hits.

Reigning MVP Lou Ann Latigay had 10 points, while Melissa Mirasol contributed eight for San Sebastian.

The win was the fourth for the four-peat seeking Lady Stags.

In the other game, College of St. Benilde outlasted University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 25-23, 25-22, 25-17, to close out its first round campaign with a 5-1 card.

Cindy Velasquez led CSB with 13 points, while Girly Quemada added eight points.

The Lady Altas dropped into a share of tie with Letran at 3-2 while JRU Lady Bombers suffered their fourth straight loss.

Blog Credits: The Manila Bulletin

Competition Schedule by Event Taekwondo

Day 12 Wednesday:(20/8)

Session TK01 Start: 09:00 End: 12:56
Location: Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium

09:00-10:56 Women's Under 49kg Preliminaries
11:00-12:56 Men's Under 58kg Preliminaries

Session TK02 Start: 15:00 End: 21:04
Location: Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium

15:00 - 15:56 Women's Under 49kg Quarterfinals
16:00 - 16:56 Men's Under 58kg Quarterfinals

17:00 - 17:26 Women's Under 49kg Semifinals
17:30 - 17:56 Men's Under 58kg Semifinals

18:00 - 18:26 Women's Under 49kg Repechage
18:30 - 18:56 Men's Under 58kg Repechage

19:00 - 19:11 Women's Under 49kg Bronze Medal Contest
19:15 - 19:26 Women's Under 49kg Bronze Medal Contest

19:30 - 19:41 Men's Under 58kg Bronze Medal Contest
19:45 - 19:56 Men's Under 58kg Bronze Medal Contest

20:00 - 20:11 Women's Under 49kg Gold Medal Contest
20:15 - 20:26 Men's Under 58kg Gold Medal Contest

20:41- 20:49 Women's Under 49kg Medal Ceremony

20:56-21:04 Men's Under 58kg Medal Ceremony

Day 13 Thursday:(21/8)

Session TK03 Start: 09:00 End: 12:56
Location: Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium

09:00-10:56 Women's Under 57kg Preliminaries
11:00-12:56 Men's Under 68kg Preliminaries

Session TK04 Start: 15:00 End: 21:04
Location: Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium

15:00-15:56 Women's Under 57kg Quarterfinals
16:00-16:56 Men's Under 68kg Quarterfinals

17:00-17:26 Women's Under 57kg Semifinals
17:30-17:56 Men's Under 68kg Semifinals

18:00-18:26 Women's Under 57kg Repechage
18:30-18:56 Men's Under 68kg Repechage

19:00-19:11 Women's Under 57kg Bronze Medal Contest
19:15-19:26 Women's Under 57kg Bronze Medal Contest

19:30-19:41 Men's Under 68kg Bronze Medal Contest
19:45-19:56 Men's Under 68kg Bronze Medal Contest

20:00-20:11 Women's Under 57kg Gold Medal Contest
20:15-20:26 Men's Under 68kg Gold Medal Contest

20:41-20:49 Women's Under 57kg Medal Ceremony
20:56-21:04 Men's Under 68kg Medal Ceremony

Day 14 Friday:(22/8)

Session TK05 Start: 09:00 End: 12:56
Location: Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium

09:00-10:56 Women's Under 67kg Preliminaries
11:00-12:56 Men's Under 80kg Preliminaries

Session TK06 Start: 15:00 End: 21:04
Locayion: Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium

15:00-15:56 Women's Under 67kg Quarterfinals
16:00-16:56 Men's Under 80kg Quarterfinals

17:00-17:26 Women's Under 67kg Semifinals
17:30-17:56 Men's Under 80kg Semifinals

18:00-18:26 Women's Under 67kg Repechage
18:30-18:56 Men's Under 80kg Repechage

19:00-19:11 Women's Under 67kg Bronze Medal Contest
19:15-19:26 Women's Under 67kg Bronze Medal Contest

19:30-19:41 Men's Under 80kg Bronze Medal Contest
19:45-19:56 Men's Under 80kg Bronze Medal Contest

20:00-20:11 Women's Under 67kg Gold Medal Contest
20:15-20:26 Men's Under 80kg Gold Medal Contest

20:41-20:49 Women's Under 67kg Medal Ceremony
20:56-21:04 Men's Under 80kg Medal Ceremony

Day 15 Saturday:(23/8)

Session TK07 Start: 09:00 End: 12:56
Location: Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium

09:00-10:56 Women's Over 67kg Preliminaries
11:00-12:56 Men's Over 80kg Preliminaries

Session TK08 Start: 15:00 End: 21:04
Location: Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium

15:00-15:56 Women's Over 67kg Quarterfinals
16:00-16:56 Men's Over 80kg Quarterfinals

17:00-17:26 Women's Over 67kg Semifinals
17:30-17:56 Men's Over 80kg Semifinals

18:00-18:26 Women's Over 67kg Repechage
18:30-18:56 Men's Over 80kg Repechage

19:00-19:11 Women's Over 67kg Bronze Medal Contest
19:15-19:26 Women's Over 67kg Bronze Medal Contest

19:30-19:41 Men's Over 80kg Bronze Medal Contest
19:45-19:56 Men's Over 80kg Bronze Medal Contest

20:00-20:11 Women's Over 67kg Gold Medal Contest
20:15-20:26 Men's Over 80kg Gold Medal Contest

20:41-20:49 Women's Over 67kg Medal Ceremony
20:56-21:04 Men's Over 80kg Medal Ceremony

Cebuanos top taekwondo forms competition

FOLLOWING their successful performances in the regional competition of the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) and the Philippine Olympic Festival, the Cebuano jins continue to make their presence felt this time by winning a medal in the Smart/Petron National Poomsae Championships last weekend at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Poomsae is the forms competition in taekwondo. It was introduced to the Cebuano team recently and the team of blackbelts came up with the superior scores to win the team freestyle synchronized poomsae contest, which is the centerpiece event of the competition.

Although they competed with a simpler set of costumes compared to their counterparts, the team stood out for their originality and excellent timing to oust nine other teams from Baguio City, University of the Philippines, Cavite and other clubs from other provinces.

In poomsae, 70 percent of the movements must be taekwondo-based, although it is allowed to add dance and gymnastics routines.

The team is headed by playing coach Glenn Lava, Jon Cabiles, Jhundel Gumpay, Marc Ruz and Iyan Anthony Lim.

These jins are reaping the fruits of their labor as they have prepared long and hard for the competition, training daily for the last six weeks, not to mention shelling out a considerable amount to acquire the services of two trainors, who are members of the RP team.

“We spent a considerable amount for bringing them over to conduct that training but it’s all worth it,” said PTA regional head Tony del Prado.

“This is by far our best showing in national poomsae competitions. The weeklong training of our blackbelts with the RP team members really helped the team,,” he added.

Apart from the team title, William Ylanan also came home with a bronze medal in the individual competition when he placed third in the individual standard poomsae blackbelt category.

A total of 900 participants from all over the country took part in the competition. Del Prado brought nine jins to the competition. This feat came at the heels of Cebu’s multiple gold medal victory in the Philippine Olympic Festival held last weekend in Dumaguete City. (MCB)

Blog Credits: Sun Star

Taekwondo jins RP’s brightest prospects

MARY Antoinette Rivero was sweet 16 when she first made it to the Olympics in 2004, when the games went back to its original birthplace—in Athens. It was an impressive ride all the way to the semi-finals until she found her dreams shattered by a controversial loss to hometown bet Elizabeth Mystakido.

Was she robbed off a chance for the medal? Maybe, but Rivero believes she could have done better.

“This sport has become a part of my family’s life,” said Rivero, whose older brother Mark was also an RP jin and her mom and dad are also into martial arts.

She was only four years old when she became a jin and her rode to success has been impressive, becoming a multiple gold medal winner in the Southeast Asian Games and silver medalist in the Asian Games. She did try to become the best and wanted to exceed her expectations. That’s why she’s determined to bounce back from her previous performance in the quadrennial meet.
“One of the best attitudes instilled in us by our coaches is we should always put up a good fight. When I go up there I will be giving it my best shot.”

In last year’s World Qualifying in Manchester, England, she lost the opportunity of securing a bronze medal against a Croatian foe and missed the chance of securing an outright berth to Beijing. But it made the Ateneo freshman student a better competitor next time around as she overpowered Soheila Sayahi, 6-2, in the semi-finals for the silver medal in the Asian Olympic qualifier, thus securing her second straight Olympic slot.

Now more matured and primed up for the big challenges, the pretty big-eyed Rivero is setting her sights for an Olympic gold medal in the coming Beijing Games. Her confidence are oozing and likes her chances more than before.

“Mas nag-mature na ako ngayon, so I’d say mas maganda ang chance ko ngayon,” she said. ”I want to surpass what I reached in Athens and to do this, it’s important to be positive, determined, focused and patient.”

Like Rivero, Tshomlee Go is going to the Olympic Games twice in a row.
The 27-year-old University of Santo Tomas education degree holder is entered in the 57-kilogram category. He qualified for the Beijing Games through his superb performance in the World Qualifier last year.

And just like Rivero, Go also came from a family of taekwondo jins. His father and two brothers used to be members of the RP taekwondo team and at the age of seven, his interest in the sport began.

But it was in the 1999 SEA Games wherein his brother was competing made Go more determined to participate competitively.

“Importante talaga na mahal mo ’yung sport, pati rin ’yung commitment ng athlete, malaking bagay ’yan,” he said.

Go’s biggest rival in his weight bracket is Chinese Taipei’s Mu Yen Chu, who topped the Olympic qualifying held in Manchester last year, and Levent Tumcat of Germany. Tumcat defeated Go in the fight for the silver medal in the same tournament.

Rivero, meanwhile, has a slightly better chance of snaring a medal since she had already beaten five of the 15 jins in her class. She has beaten fellow Olympic bets Sandra Saric of Croatia, Norkina Lian of Kazakhstan, Verona Sanchez of Argentina, Yuriko Okamoto of Japan and Asuncion Ocasio of Puerto Rico. Her acid test will come against Kyung Seong of Korea, who ousted the Filipina in Manchester.

Philippine Taekwondo Association president Robert Aventajado said both Go and Rivero had an idea on the capability of their potential opponents while they were training in Korea.
A year-long preparation, capped by a three-month training in Korea, made Rivero and Go ready and confident in their second shot at a possible Olympic gold following their respective failed bids in Athens four years ago.

“They train at least six hours a day, but they don’t mind the hard work because they’re determined to achieve their respective goals in Beijing,” said Aventajado.
The jins underwent exclusive training for three months at the Korean Marines where they worked on their physical and mental condition in time for the world’s biggest sports spectacle. The two also went training in several noted taekwondo schools and gyms like the Korea National College of Physical Education, Poomsaeng School, Yong In, Kyung Hee University and Military Varsity team.

“The Korean training serves as the final tuneup for Tshomlee and Toni. We’re banking on them to perform well, and hopefully, end the Philippines’ 84-year quest for an Olympic gold medal,” said Sung Chon Hong, PTA vice president.

Blog Credits: Rey Joble, Manila Standard Today

Unorthodox training for confident Go, Rivero

By Cedelf P. Tupas, Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—Taekwondo-jins Tshomlee Go and Marie Antoinette Rivero Tuesday expressed their readiness to duke it out with the best in the world in the Beijing Olympics, declaring they are in the best shape of their lives.

Go, who snatched an Olympic berth after claiming a bronze in the World Championships in England last year, narrowly lost in the flyweight quarterfinals in the 2004 Athens Games to Spain’s Juan Antonio Ramos, while Rivero fell a win short of the silver after bowing to Greece’s Elisavet Mystakidou in a close and controversial decision in the semifinals.

Rivero, then the youngest athlete in the RP Olympic team at 16 years old, again lost in the repechage to Korean Hwang Kyung-sun.

But the Filipino jins believe they are “better-prepared” this time, after undergoing what Philippine Taekwondo Association chief Robert Aventajado described as an “unorthodox” three-month training in South Korea.

“Training in Korea was very difficult,” Rivero said at the PSA Forum Tuesday at the Shakey’s UN Avenue. We are more prepared.”

“We are in great shape,” Go said.

Aventajado said the training in Korea will improve the “strength, mental toughness, skills and stamina of Rivero and Go.”

“We are not pressuring them but we have prepared them to win,” the taekwondo chief said, noting that Rivero even joined the training of South Korean Navy Seals.

Blog Credits: Philippine Daily Inquirer

Ramirez predicts medal hauls in taekwondo, boxing

By Marc Anthony ReyesPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 04:13:00 08/04/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Finally, a fearless forecast of the Philippines’ Olympic expedition: Medals in taekwondo and boxing; gold in the special sport of wushu.

Philippine Sports Commission chair Butch Ramirez Sunday ended the game of playing safe, daring to predict that the 15-man Filipino contingent to the Beijing Olympics will not come home empty-handed.

“The preparation is completed and based on what I see, we can win medals in taekwondo and boxing,” said Ramirez. “And either gold or silver in wushu.”
He didn’t say what kind of medal is coming from the two combat sports—generally regarded as the country’s best-ever hopes to end a gold drought—but whatever it is, it would be the first medal for the country since the 1996 Atlanta silver snagged by boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco.

Taekwondo and boxing officials later took the prediction farther, saying they are confident their bets can win no less than the gold medals in the Olympics which begin on Friday.

“We have prepared him to last until the finals, so we simulated five fighting days,” said boxing chief Manny Lopez of his lone bet, Harry Tañamor, who will fight in the light flyweight division that host China, through Zou Shiming, has counted as one of its gold medal possibilities.
Tañamor starts fighting Aug. 16.

Taekwondo head and POC chair Robert Aventajado said Tshomlee Go (-58kg) and Mary Antoinette Rivero (-67kg), the country’s bets in the taekwondo competitions that begin Aug. 20, are ready to mix it up with the Koreans and the Chinese.

Unfortunately, the sport that enjoys a lofty billing for the PSC chief doesn’t belong yet to the regular roster.

Led by world champion Willy Wang, Wushu artists battle for gold in a sport that is included in the Olympic calendar only for demonstration purposes.

Blog Credits: Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippine taekwondo bets prepped for Olympic win

MANILA (PNA) -- Tshomlee Go and Toni Rivero, who have great chances of winning medals for the Philippines in the coming Beijing Olympics, are not counting on luck of the draw.

Taekwondo president Robert Aventajado on Tuesday said his athletes are ready to face any eventuality, whether or not they are bracketed with those tipped to win the gold medals.

“We have prepared Tshomlee and Toni to win medals – of any color. They are prepared to win,” said Aventajado in Tuesday's PSA Forum at Shakey’s along UN Ave.

Aventajado also announced during the forum that Petron, their benefactor, has pledged PhP1 million for the gold, PhP600,000 for the silver and PhP300,000 for the bronze.

The offer, however, is only good for taekwondo.

In the case of Rivero, who fell just a little short of a medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics, facing reigning world champion Hwang Kyung-Sun (bronze medalist in Athens) is inevitable.

"Whether it’s in the early part or later on in the day, Toni will have to beat this Korean. She has to demolish her because Toni wants to win the gold,” said Aventajado.

The taekwondo chief, who’s also chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee, admitted that he’s excited about the chances of Go (-57 kgs) and Rivero (-67 kgs).

"I’ve always told them that just to compete in the Olympics is something but to win a medal for the country is something else. They have worked hard for this,” he said.

Aventajado said Go has been practicing taekwondo since he was seven and Rivero since she was four.

And it’s just about time that they reap the dividends of all the hard work.

He added that Go and Rivero have trained so hard not even the possibility of faulty officiating gives them reason to worry.

“We’re not worrying about any problems with the officiating. Whatever the obstacles are we are ready to face,” said Aventajado. (PNA)

Blog Credits: Positive News Media

Team R.P. has more officials than athletes

MANILA — Officials outnumber athletes in the Team Philippines competing in the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing. There are 22 officials, 11 of them coaches, and 15 athletes in the Philippine team, which departs for the Chinese capital in three batches starting on July 29. It’s smaller in size compared to the teams that carried the national colors in the two previous Olympics Games in Sydney, Australia (2000) and Athens, Greece (2004) where the Nationals went home empty-handed in both Summer Games.

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao will be at the head of the team as flag carrier during the parade of nations opening ceremonies on August 8. On the request of President Macapagal Arroyo, Pacquiao’s no. 1 fan and friend, the POC managed to acquire a slot for the boxing superstar whose role as flag-bearer was initially given to swimming hopeful Miguel Molina.

Pacquiao is scheduled to leave on August 5, in the company of chef de mission Monico Puentevella, Olympic attaché Arturo Macapagal, team doctors and a group of athletes headed by the five swimmers. The first to leave are the administrative officials led by Moying Martelino and athletes Eric Ang of shooting and Mark Javier of archery, who will depart on July 29, or five days before the Philippine flag is raised on August 4 inside the vast Games Village, home of the athletes.

Before they leave, the Filipino athletes and officials will pay a courtesy call on President Arroyo, who is one of the heads of state attending the 3-1/2-hour opening spectacle set inside an architectural wonder named Bird’s Nest. Since competitions in their sport will not begin until the third week of the Olympiad, taekwondo jins Mary Antoinette Rivero and Tshomlee Go will only leave on August 11. Along with boxer Harry Tanamor, Go and Rivero are the only Pinoy athletes given a chance to deliver the first ever gold medal since the country started competing in the once-in-every-four-years Games in 1924 in Paris.

The officials – Monico Puentevella, chef de mission; Arturo Macapagal, Olympic attaché; Mauricio Martelino, administrative official; Patricio Gaspi, coach; Martin Camara, doctor; Alejandro Pineda, doctor; Orson Odulio, doctor; Jose Romasanta, press officer; Manny Pacquiao, flag bearer; Eleanor dela Peña. administrative staff; Jennifer Chan, coach; Ricardo Yang, track and field official; Joseph Sy, coach; Juan Tissert, coach; Zhang Dehu, coach; Mark Joseph, swimming official; James Chua, coach; Jason Calanog, coach; Carlos Brosas, coach; Raul Samson, coach; Kim Hing Sik, coach; Ramon Solis, coach.

The athletes – “Mark Javier, archery; Marestella Torres, athletics; Henry Dagmil, athletics ; Harry Tañamor, boxing; Sheila Mae Perez, diving ; Rexel Ryan Fabriga, diving; Eric Ang, swimming; Daniel Coakley, swimming; Ryan Paolo Arabejo, swimming;, Miguel Molina, swimming; James Walsh, swimming; Joan Christel Simms, swimming; Tshomlee Go, taekwondo; Mary Antoinette Rivero, taekwondo and Hidilyn Diaz, weightlifting. — PNS

Blog Credits: Philippine News.com