Category Archives: Sports

Global Port Philippine Polo Open Finals 2015 Welcomes Summer With Sizzling Cuban Flair

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Kicking off the summer season early this year, Globalport transported their guests to the vintage tropical paradise of Havana, Cuba at the Philippine Polo Open 2015. Heart-stomping percussionists and salsa dancers greeted the guests as they walk onto a tropical backdrop of palm trees and vibrant flowers, paired with delicious Cuban-inspired food and drinks.

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After a successful first Philippine Polo Open in 2014,

Previous entry:  Global Port Philippines Polo Open 2014 March 25, 2014

Globalport’s Mikee and Sheila Romero continued the tradition this year of advocating the elegant sport of kings, as well as promoting the Philippine’s world-class polo fields throughout Asia. This is the fourth Polo Cup that Mikee has spearheaded out of his desire to make it known word wide that the Philippines is very much active in the sport of polo. This year though, Mr. Romero decided to take the tournament to whole new level by holding a 6 team open, an event that has never been done in Philippine Polo History where players from Argentina, Thailand, UK, and China where invited to come and show off their skills.

Global Port Philippine Polo Open Finals 2015 (3)Arriving in their best summery attires, polo enthusiasts were treated to tropical welcome gifts of panama hats and floral hairpieces.

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 Globalport guests were spotted cheering along their favorite riders relaxed and enjoyed the afternoon sipping champagne while watching the games.

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Global Port Philippine Polo Open Finals 2015 (12)IMG_4597Dieter Ocampo and michelle Barrera Global Port Philippines Polo OpenPhilippine global port polo open guestsJun Jun and Czarina ablaza Philippine Global Port Polo open manoling poblador phil global port polo open

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 The event was culminated by the Patron All- Star Game between the Green team led by Mikee Romero with teammates Santi Juban, Manot Montilla, Nino Obregon versus the Red Team led by Iñigo Zobel, Polo Escape Patron Robin Lourvanij along with teammates Antonio Veloso Guillermo Cavanagh which ended with a draw.

For the finals, it was a battle between the Philippines’ Los Tamaraos under the patronage of Bobby Aguirre where his sons Cole and Gus Aguirre along with teammates Max Charlton and Nacho Ithurburu, fought against China’s Tang Polo team led by patron Shilai Liu with players Miguel and Banjamin Urquiza.

This year’s participating teams are as follows with their respective players:

  • Globalport with Mikee Romero, Santi Lujan, Mariano Obregon, and Adrian Garcia
  • Kingpower with Apichet “Tal” Srivaddhanaprabha, Santiago Galland, Antonino Menard and Lucas Lujan
  • Tang Polo with ShiLai Liu, Nan Liu, Miguel Angel Diaz
  • Polo Escape with Robin Lourvanij, Miguel Ayala, Eduardo Venturino, and Glindon Webster
  • Team San Miguel with Iñigo Zobel, Gregorio Gelosi, Guillermo “Junior” Cavanagh, and Alfonso M. Araneta
  • Los Tamaraos with Max Charlton, Cole Aguirre, Ignacio Ithurburu, and Gus Aguirre

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Glindon Webster, Robin Lournvanij, Eduardo Venturino, Miguel Ayala

Global Port Philippine Polo Open Finals 2015

MAX CHARLTON, COLE AGUIRRE, GUS AGUIRRE, NACHO ITHURBURU

Global Port Philippine Polo Open Finals 2015

PPO 2015 CHAMPIONS LOS TAMARAOS COLE AGUIRRE, GUS AGUIRRE, MAX CHARLTON, NACHO ITHURBURU

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KING POWER TEAM LUCAS LUJAN, SANTI GALLAND, TAL SRIVADDHANAPRBABHA, ANTONINO MENARD

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Mikee Romero in action

Global Port Philippine Polo Open Finals 2015

Bonnie Tan, Mian Alentajan, Monica Dela Cruz, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, Tippy Choungrangsee, Sheila Romero, Marlyn Bermud

Global Port Philippine Polo Open Finals 2015

Cris Badiola, Ruby Chua, Aida Cobanquiat, Mikee Romero, Dette Tan

Global Port Philippine Polo Open Finals 2015

FERDIE SALVADOR, CHITO and ANNA SOBREPENA, SHEILA ROMERO and AMB. THOMAS OSSOWSKI

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George and Analaisa Ossowski, German Amb Thomas Ossowski, Consul Tony Rufino

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JJ and Trisha CALMA

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Joanne Gonzaga, Jasmin Ghasemi, Adrian Garcia, Tonytony, Sheila Romero

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Karylle and Greggy Vera Cruz

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Kelly Nabong, Miguel Romero, Mikko Bermudez

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LANA JOHNSON, HERA GEREINE, LEN OLBES, SHEILA ROMERO, MARICAR DE MESA, DETTE TAN,LESLIE PINE

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Mandy Romero, Penn Roque, Alan Vianzon, Monica Ravanera, Ronald Pineda

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MARTIN & ALELI ANDANAR

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MARTINE CAJUCOM, ISABELLE DAZA, JESSICA WILSON

Global Port Philippine Polo Open Finals 2015

MIKEE ROMERO, SOLENN HEUSSAFF, VICHAI SRIVADDHANAPRANHA, TIPPY CHUOPNGRANGSEE, ANTHONY GARCIA

Global Port Philippine Polo Open Finals 2015

Mikee Romero, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, Sheila Romero, Milka Romero, Michelle Barrera, Tonypet Albano

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Napo Bustillo, Brittany Lu, Gerard Garcia

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STUDIO4INC’S ANDREA MARTEL, BUBBLES BERMUDEZ AND MARIELLE YULO WITH MANDY ROMERO

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ROMERO FAMILY WITH ALL THE TEAMS

Global Port Philippine Polo Open Finals 2015

The Global Port Philippine Polo Open was presented by GlobalPort 900. This event was brought to you by Air Asia Airlines and Oracle Hotel & Residences

Global Port Philippine Polo Open 2015

By | Sports | One Comment

In celebration of this year’s Global Port Philippine Polo Open 2015 a dinner was held and hosted by Mikee and Sheila Romero at the Manila Peninsula.  Thank you Mikee for promoting Polo as a sport in our country and for fostering friendship with Polo teams from other countries

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6 Teams has come to the Philippines to play and enjoy poloGlobal Port Philippine Polo Open 2015 (11)

All handsome polo players 🙂Global Port Philippine Polo Open 2015 (13)

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A lovely set up and dinner at the Conservatory of the Manila PeninsulaGlobal Port Philippine Polo Open 2015 (7)

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Erik Santos, the first Grand Champion of the ABS-CBN singing competition Star in a Million Season 1 in 2003

 [embedyt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DxeJNLesKw[/embedyt]

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The very supportive and lovely wife of Mikee, Sheila RomeroGlobal Port Philippine Polo Open 2015 (18)

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Amazing Filipino talent Lani Misalucha

   [embedyt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzPnhucwUxo[/embedyt]

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The SauceGlobal Port Philippine Polo Open 2015 (38)

 

Nissan GTAcademy

By | Sports, Toys for the Big Boys | No Comments

 Antonio “Toti” Zara, President and Managing Director Antonio of Nissan Philippines talks about bringing a Virtual game, Grand Turismo ( by Playstation ) , to Pro Racing through the first GTAcademy in the Philippines.  20 Finalists will be selected and The top 6 performers from these National Finals are then invited to take part in the Final Selection Round – an intense Race Camp competition held at the famous Silverstone Racing Circuit in England. Here, the action jumps from the virtual cars of the PS3™ game to actual Nissan sports cars, as competitors are tested on their strength, stamina, mental agility and driving skills. Judges look for pure talent, drive, passion and dedication to determine who really has what it takes to become a professional racecar driver. Nissan GT Academy (2)

GT Academy is an international virtual-to-reality contest that allows the best Gran Turismo players to compete for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a real-life professional racecar driver. Any player who proves his or her skill in the virtual world has a chance to go wheel-to-wheel in a real racecar on a real circuit to achieve the grand prize – a spot on the Nissan racing team, and all the training and licensing needed to race in international events.

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Created in 2008 by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Polyphony Digital Inc., in collaboration with Nissan Europe, this competition has grown in popularity all over the world, with the launch of a U.S. GT Academy in 2011.

Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) is the newest participant of the virtual-to-pro racing competition, the GT Academy.

GT Academy gained prominence since its inception in 2008. Now on its seventh installment, this globally played competition sees an expansion in the form of the new GT Academy Asia, in which Philippines will be pitting against other Asian countries including Japan in the battle to become the GT Academy Champion.

“With the launch of GT Academy in the Philippines, we at Nissan offer an exciting opportunity for Filipinos to emerge as a breakthrough talent in the racing world,” said Antonio Zara, President and Managing Director of Nissan Philippines, Inc.

With GT Academy, any player who can prove their driving skills in the world of video games can compete in a real racetrack. The GT Academy International Champion 2014 Ricardo Sanchez flew in all the way from UK to attend the launch. After winning last year’s competition, Ricardo’s racing career took off after he joined Nissan’s elite motor sport team, the NISMO, to run the coveted tracks of the prestigious Dubai 24-Hour race in January 2015.

The Shift from Gamer to Racer

GT Academy takes skilled Gran Turismo 6 players and turns them into professional racers in five stages.

First Gear: The Recruitment (April – June)

Thousands of hopefuls will be narrowed down to the top 20 gamers to be determined by time trials taking place behind the wheel of GT pods during live racing events.

Second Gear: National Finals (July)

The National Finals will determine top 6 Filipino players who will go to the next round and go bumper-to-bumper with the best Gran Turismo drivers in Asia.

Third Gear: The Race Camp Week (August)

Players will be tested on their strength, stamina, mental agility and driving skills against Asia’s best at the Silverstone Racing Circuit in UK.

Fourth Gear: Driver Development Program

The emerging GT Academy Champion in Asia will join other GT Academy winners in a rigorous training under the wing of professional coaches and racers at the Silverstone Racing Circuit in UK.

Fifth Gear: Graduation
After passing the Driver Development Program, graduates will receive their International C License, allowing them to compete in a prestigious racing event anywhere in the world.

“We are looking forward to discovering even more new stars in 2015. Anyone in the Philippines who thinks they have what it takes should give GT Academy a go. Not everyone can win, but the experience is hugely rewarding at every stage of the competition.” said GTA Global’s Managing Director Laurence Wiltshire.

Play Station Nissan GT Academy

The top Gran Turismo gamers can qualify through live recruitment events to be held nationwidetime trials using pre-selected Nissan vehicles. Thousands of hopefuls are narrowed down to a selected few, who will then participate in a National Final Event where they battle in special racing pods during a series of live Gran Turismo elimination rounds.

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Ricardo Sanchez ( so handsome!!!! ) from Mexico  just joined this same competition when he went to the mall and today he is The GT Academy International Champion for 2014
He is inside a Simulator Pod where the aspiring gamers will compete for a place in the National Finals. The competition is open to any Filipino that dreams to be a race car driver!

Nissan GT Academy (4)Dubai 24 Hours 2015

The top performers from these National Finals are then invited to take part in the Final Selection Round – an intense Race Camp competition held at the famous Silverstone Racing Circuit in England. Here, the action jumps from the virtual cars of the PS3™ game to actual Nissan sports cars, as competitors are tested on their strength, stamina, mental agility and driving skills. Judges look for pure talent, drive, passion and dedication to determine who really has what it takes to become a professional racecar driver.

Nissan GT Academy (6)A television show documenting the intense competition and training for the final GT Academy competitors in Europe and North America is aired on national television channels. Follow the official GT Academy page on Facebook for the latest updates on the competition and status of all GT Academy Champions.

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Our NissanGTAcademyPH? LIVE events will start next week!
Here are the schedules:
– April 10 and 11, 10AM-10PM at the Glorietta 5 Activity Center
– April 12, 10AM-9PM at Glorietta 5 Activity Center
– April 17-18, 10AM-10PM at Glorietta Activity Center
– April 19, 10AM-9PM at Glorietta Activity Center.

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For the schedule of live events and updates on the GT Academy Philippines, please visit www.facebook.com/NissanPhilippinesInc. ( Click on photo below )

Nissan Philippines Facebook page

IMG Academy

By | Sports | One Comment

We made a side trip to Florida so we could take a look at a school.  We visited IMG Academy IMG Academy (2)

Ches Gibson patiently hosted our visit the whole day!  Thank you Ches!Ches Gibson IMG Academy

The map of the 450 acre campus which has a football field, a golf course, around 50 tennis courts, several soccer fields, baseball fields, dorms and a hotel for visiting guests.  It’s a beautiful campus with good weather all year long.  Perfect for the athletes who need to trainIMG Academy (15)

Its not only Athletics but they have academics as well.  I like this chart which shows the goals for their studentsIMG Academy (4)

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We were here to see the Bollettieri Tennis school.  This was originally just a tennis school and later on added other sports.  Many of the world champions came from here.  Andre Agassi, Bjorn Borg, Jim Courier, Kei Nishikori, Pete Sampras, and many more
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Ladies – Anna Kournikova, Jelena Jankovic, Maria Sharapova, Monica Seles, Serena Williams and moreIMG Academy (7)

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Leading to the tennis courtsIMG Academy (8)

Javier had the opportunity to try and join the training for one day
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 Javier was so lucky to have met Nick Bollettieri himself!!! and was able to train under him that afternoonNick Bolitierri javier de Jesus

Cici Belles was there too!!  IMG Academy (17)

A top Japanese player who we saw playing in one of the courtsIMG Academy (21)

Kei Nishikori studied at IMG AcademyIMG Academy (19)

IMG Academy (3)Gatorade Sports Institute IMG

Each of the students spend at least one hour in the gym/fitness centre each dayIMG Academy weight roomIMG Academy (18)

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We visited the dormsIMG Academy (24)

This is the most practical dorm room I have seen so far to have one side per student which is already their bed and their desk under.  Since this is a new building, each room has its own bathroom already 🙂
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Cafeteria is always important for me 🙂  IMG Academy (13)

Some Sugarpova tummies at the University shop

Sugarpova at IMG Academy

The campus is expanding even more IMG Academy (16)

Love the inspirational signs around campusIMG Academy (20)Click below to go to their websiteSports Academy- Athletic & Sports Performance Training | IMG Academy (20141116)[email_link]

Varsity Volleyball in the Bay Area

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The parents in the Bay Area are so busy always driving their kids to school, picking them up, watching their games.  So one day I decided to join them and watch one of the volleyball games of the kids!  Volleyball is really a popular sport among the young girls now ( Previous entry Bea De Leon August 22, 2014 ) and both daughters of my friends are in varsity!

Mommy June and Thia
Varsity Volleyball in the Bay Area (4)Thia Grade 8 from Abbott   Varsity Volleyball in the Bay Area (2)

 [embedyt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBwS9j4tSr8[/embedyt]Varsity Volleyball in the Bay Area (3)My good friend Triccie with Grace, an aunt of one of the players. Normally volleyball starts at Grade 6, but Grace got the girls together when they were only grade 3 🙂

Varsity Volleyball in the Bay Area (1)  Which explains why Sara, Grade 7 from Bodwitch, is so good together with the rest of the team! Varsity Volleyball in the Bay Area (7)

[embedyt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgDPm742k0c[/embedyt]

Team cheer before the game

[embedyt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoXqvhbANG0[/embedyt] Varsity Volleyball in the Bay Area (5)

The best part of any team sport is the camaraderie and it’s so nice to see how they support each other during the gamesVarsity Volleyball in the Bay Area (6)[email_link]

Bea De Leon

By | Sports, Tributes | 7 Comments

Volleyball is becoming popular nowadays!  When I was in the States last year, my friend Triccie told me that her daughter was into volleyball.  Then here in Manila, my friend Det’s daughter is also a Volleyball player.  And this young and pretty and tall lady, Bea De Leon is making waves already in UAAP volleyball!

Bea is the daughter of my friend, Det!  I am claiming fame as early as now that I know the Mom of Bea De Leon!! 🙂  Det is a proud Mama and she told me that Bea has a following already.  She has fans sending her messages and fan mail and also sending her gifts to show their love for her 🙂 Look how tall Bea is!! I like this photo because it shows how gigantic Bea is!  Det is already tall and Bea is much taller than Mom! 🙂 

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An article written by an Ateneo Professor for the Volleyball coffee table book

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Run with Coach K

By | Sports | One Comment

Meet my batchmate Karen who loves to run! She’s based in Florida.   She has a blog too and focuses on her running.  

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Read about her story 🙂  Go Go Go Karen!! Click below to go to her website

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