Taekwondo targets 1st Pinoy gold

The 25th SEA Games fire off Wednesday with the Philippines favored to win its first gold medal in taekwondo.

After falling to 6th place in overall tally two years ago, the Filipinos are hoping to improve their standing despite the reduced number of sports and events.

From 41 sports in Thailand, this year's games feature 25 sports with the Filipinos seeing action in all but three disciplines.

They are expected to perform well in aquatics, athletics, taekwondo and boxing.

Gold medal forecasts vary with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) eyeing to surpass the 41-gold production two years ago in Thailand.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the government sports agency, sees a modest haul of 20 gold medals.

Despite the much publicized feud between the POC and the PSC, Filipino athletes are largely unaffected and go about their business of preparing for the difficult tasks ahead.

The Philippines has already won a silver medal in water polo and has been assured of two bronzes in sepak takraw.

DepEd-PTA to search for the next ‘Taekwondo Manny Pacquiao’

By Joel Lacsamana TBB 6

How do you solve a problem like getting the first Philippine gold medal in the Olympics?
Nothing to it. Sports leaders, experts, pundits and even old time sports scribes way back in the 1930s — the acknowledged golden age of Philippine sports — have the inside track on how other countries do it and in the process, leave the politics-wracked Philippine sports scene eating their collective dust).

It’s not rocket science: it’s called grassroots sports development. No frills. No shortcuts. Just a lot of hard, nose-to-the-grindstone work. Forget glamor: one rarely lands in the sports pages or game-of-the-week highlights, say, the way PBA players with fat paychecks do.

And it’s simple ( probably a major reason why Philippine sports leaders don’t like it ) : you come up with a program to train trainors who will then teach kids - millions of them - how to learn, play, excel, but most important of all, enjoy sports all over the country.
With a wider pool from which to choose the best of the best athletes, you have a bigger chance to win sports laurels abroad. And those who don’t become sports champions - well, believe it or not, a country gets to be infinitely better with them. They get to build a nation of take-no-names go-getters, disciplined team players, and just plain overall good guys who like to compete - fair and square. Not like highly paid prima donnas who sulk when things don’t go their way, throw games, and/or move on to another team at the drop of the hat.

The Philippine Taekwondo Association, together with several key private sector partners, are poised to embark on such a grassroots program, to make Taekwondo a very accessible sport not only forstudents in the private schools, but in over 46,000 public schools (reaching over 15 million students) as well. This is part of the PTA’s gameplan to leave no stone unturned in its quest for glory in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, and Summer Olympic Games in 2016.
The grassroots program targets primary and secondary students by helping the DepEd select passionate personnel, and train them to teach special ‘Sports Taekwondo’ modules at the regional, division andschool levels. The objective is to build a nationwide cadre of dedicated, tournament-ready, management-oriented, and ethics-driven teachers who will sustain this grassroots initiative.

The PTA is currently working with the Department of Education to put the final touches to the plan to make Taekwondo an official part of the curriculum in all public schools. Taekwondo has been a major part of the annual, DepEd-managed Palarong Pambansa over the past decade. The next logical step would be to offer it through the Department’s Physical Education program. This supports the DepEd’s thrust of ‘Education for All’. With the problem of school drop out rates soaring, and high school National Achievement Tests (NAT) scores plummeting, free Taekwondo lessons at the grassroots level might just help kids stay in school - instead of the streets - and be motivated enough to hit the books a tad harder.

Hopefully, the program, when it kicks off in school-year 2009-2010, will help both the PTA and DepEd to discover, develop, and maximize potential Taekwondo talents from Aparri to Jolo. Bottomline: the next Manny Pacquiao, with the heart of a lion, will emerge from these far-flung country public schools, and crowded, urban centers, but this time, they will be practicing the ancient Korean art of Taekwondo.

And for the millions of kids with lion-sized dreams who don’t get to represent the country abroad, well, the Philippines will be the better for them.

Article from PTA Website

2009 Marikina Open Taekwondo Championships

After a few months of hiatus from actual competitions brought about by various activities at San Sebastian College - Recoletos (SSC-R) immediately after the 2008 National Age-Group Championships held last October 11-12, 2008 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium (NAS), six (6) Grade School jins from Team Recoletos plunged back into action last February 28, 2009 at the 2009 Marikina Open Taekwondo Championships held at the Roosevelt College - Marikina (RCM).

The six (6) select members of Team Recoletos who fought under the tutelage of Coach Jose Regie Madarang of Golden Eagle Taekwondo Chapter were high red-belter Gershom Norman Montes, low red-belters siblings Ma. Beatriz Francesca Paguia and Marion Emmanuel Paguia, high blue-belters Adryl Justine Ordonio, Ivan Andrei Erestain and Randell Jan Evaristo. All six (6) jins were up to the task as they all fought with big heart and determination. Five (5) of the six (6) jins went home with medals, the first time in the illustrious history of Team Recoletos where almost all its participants in a particular tournament of this magnitude brought home a medal.

Ordonio and Evaristo brought home the gold medals in their respective divisions while Emman Paguia won the silver medal in his division and Bianca Paguia and Erestain bagged bronze medals in their divisions. Montes lost to more experienced brown-belter in his first match.

Ordonio beat three (3) opponents on the way to his gold-medal winning performance while Evaristo drew a walkover in his first match then handily beat his opponent in the championship round. Emman Paguia also won his first match by default and gallantly fought his quicker opponent in the finals where he lost by a close 6 – 4 score after identical scores of 3 – 2 in the two (2) round finals match.

Bianca Paguia was on her way to a close victory in her semifinal match but eventually retired from the said match as she injured her right knee during a fierce exchange of heated kicks in the second round. Erestain, on the other hand, won his first match via sudden death after it ended in a 2-all standoff but lost out to fellow Golden Eagle member Sealtiel Madarang in the semifinals who eventually won the gold medal in their division. In fact, all the Madarang siblings won medals in the said tournament with Uriel and Ar-j also winning gold medals in their divisions and Paulina bagging the silver medal after suffering asthma in the finals that forced her to forfeit her match.

Truly a remarkable feat for Team Recoletos (and Team Golden Eagle, for that matter) as they continue to reap the dividends of a rigorous training they are undergoing at Marikina where they get to meet junior taekwondo players from other schools like De La Salle Greenhills, Miriam College and Ateneo de Manila University.

BRAVO BASTE!!!

2008 National Inter-School Taekwondo Championships

San Sebastian College - Recoletos (SSC-R) continued its year-long participation in national taekwondo competitions as it sent two (2) teams to the 2008 National Inter-School Taekwondo Championships held last September 20-21, 2008 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila.

Team Recoletos was entered in the Boys' Novice and Advance categories and were represented by the following jins: Randell Jan Evaristo, Julian Luis Serran, Jon Ehroin Barawid, John Adrian Jacalne and Lean Andre Serran in the boys' novice category while the boys' advance category was composed of Marion Emmanuel O. Paguia, Paul Christian Cabiles, Rannie Stefano Pabilico, Leonardo Bautista III and Billy Marasigan.

In the boys' advance category, as their opening opponents for the said tournament, Team Recoletos received a first round bye and awaited the winner between La Salle Greenhills and Lourdes School of Quezon City (LSQC). La Salle eventually won by walkover over LSQC and earned the right to face Team Recoletos in the next round. However, jins Paguia, Cabiles, Pabilico and Bautista all dropped their matches against their respective La Salle counterparts and it was only Marasigan who posted a win for Team Recoletos as he averted a shut-out loss for SSC-R.

On the other hand, in the boys' novice categories, Team Recoletos came out on fire as their first two (2) jins, Evaristo and Luis Serran, both won their matches over their respective rivals only to see the next three (3) drop their matches in varying fashions as it dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker against La Salle Greenhils.

Nat’l taekwondo tourney lures big field

The San Sebastian Taekwondo Club joins in yet again a history in the making in the field of taekwondo sports when it clashes with the best in the 2008 Smart/Petron National Inter-school Taekwondo Championships which will be held on Sept. 20 to 21 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Close to 1,500 athletes from 600 schools are expected to vie for honors in the said event.

“This event is important because it gives our upcoming athletes the chance to demonstrate the techniques and styles they have learned so far in the sport,” said Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) president Robert Aventajado.

All schools all over the country affiliated with the PTA will see action in eight divisions categorized into seniors, juniors and grade schools. Each division will feature men and women in the novice and advance groups.

Coach Jec Panotes of Team Recoletos fielded in two teams, one team each in the novice and advanced category. Each team will be allowed five players and two alternates in the competition sponsored by Smart Communications, PLDT, Petron, Adidas, Philippine Sports Commission and Milo.

Among the schools and universities participating are De La Salle University-Taft, Araneta, Zobel, Lipa and Dasmariñas, College of St. Benilde, University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo, Far Eastern University, University of the East, San Sebastian College-Manila, San Beda Alabang, Mendiola and Taytay, Letran College, Don Bosco School of Makati and Mandaluyong, St. Theresa’s College, Lourdes School of Mandaluyong and QC, OBMC, University of Batangas, PNPA, Philippine Military Academy, Diliman Preparatory School, School of St. Anthony, St. Vincent School, UPIS and Rizal High School.

Department of Education Undersecretary Ramon Bacani will be guest of honor during the opening ceremony at 1 p.m.

Martial arts enthusiasts and sports addicts, especially children who are interested to learn taekwondo, are invited to watch the action starting at 9 a.m.

Blog Source: The Daily Tribune

Stags eye Final 4 seat

WITH no less than a Final Four berth at stake, San Sebastian College plays San Beda College in today’s make-or-break encounter in the 84 th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Stags will actually gun for a ninth straight win that could change the entire scenario for the teams going into the next crucial phase.

Last Friday, the Stags beat the College of St. Benilde Blazers , 58-51, their eighth straight, to move into a tie with Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers at second spot behind the Lions at 9-4.

The Red Lions, meanwhile, stayed in front at 9-3 following their 91-74 drubbing of the Blazers last Wednesday.

If the Lions prevail over the Stags today, they will be assured of the first twice-to-beat bonus, while relegating San Sebastian to fourth spot.

This, in turn, will give the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers a chance to go for the second twice-to-beat incentive.

But a victory by the Stags will put them closer to a berth in the semis and a possible first finals berth for the first time in 11 years.

“At least, we still have a shot at the Top 2. Our journey does not end here with this win,” said Stags coach Jorge Gallent.

Blog Source: Manila Standard Today

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