Obviously, Pacquiao learned his lesson well and was smart enough to find the winning formula to start his career in politics. Unlike the majority of pretenders in politics, he attended various trainings and educational programs to widen his knowledge.
2. Manny Pacquiao has exhibited a class never before seen in professional boxing.
He never engages any opponents in unnecessary and bad-for-the-kids hype. After almost every fight, he befriends his opponents. In the ring, he constantly shows compassion for a fallen foe, acknowledges his opponents' success in scoring against him, and never resorts to dirty tactics.
Here are recent examples (There are too many I can site but I will limit these to the most compelling):
a. Instead of celebrating right away, he first tried to help the badly hurt David Diaz to get up realizing that his opponent was in danger. He moved on only after seeing that somebody else was there to attend to Diaz.
b. He was going to do the same to Ricky Hatton until somebody pulled him away.
c. In 3 occasions against Antonio Margarito, he pleaded for the referee to stop the fight because he didn't want to "kill" his opponent. Some people didn't realize that he did the same in at least one occasion when fighting Miguel Cotto.
d. Despite being taunted and belittled by Margarito's team before their fight, he never said anything negative about the guy. He instead appealed to the boxing world to give Margarito a second chance.
e. He personally went to Margarito's dressing room after their fight to make sure his foe was doing okay.
f. In professing his Catholic faith, he constantly displays to the world virtues that what all true Catholics should be.
All these and more are becoming great examples for boxers to follow and emulate. Recent events have proven this to be the case. Boxers are becoming more respectful of their opponents and exchanging praises and love after fights. Juan Marquez and Michael Katsaidis showed it after their encounter.
In contrast (I do not want to mention about Ali until later but it is important to point out here a dark cloud in his career), Muhammad Ali was totally polarizing. As the undisputed heavyweight champion, Ali was the King of the Kings of the Ring. He had the chance to be an example to other fighters and the young kids who look after him. But he, too, championed the fights before the fight drama. And he was attributed for the best parts ever. Ali made it a habit to humiliate almost every opponent (especially the highly rated ones) that he faced in the ring. It might be unfair to say that Ali contributed much to the arrogance and insanity of Floyd Mayweather (Jr. & Sr.) and Mike Tyson but he surely did not help prevent or subdue it either.
In his attempt to apologize to Joe Frazier right after their Thrilla in Manila fight, Ali sent a messenger to Frazier's dressing room to get a representative from his opponent's team to go to his own dressing room where he expressed his apologies. Frazier, who still holds a grudge against Ali, later said: "Why can't he say it to me personally like a real man?"
To be continued...
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Why is Manny Pacquiao Greater than Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson?
I owe Manny Pacquiao at least another post. Although I did not believe he was using steroids, I did express my suspicions in my earlier posts. His latest victory against Margarito proved beyond any doubt (to me, anyway) that Manny is clean. I apologize to you, champ!
Before I continue with the argument for Manny Pacquiao as the new G.O.A.T., let me first differentiate the two superlative words "greatest" and "best". Is there any difference? I see these two words quite often being used interchangeably by journalists and speakers alike to describe a person who is on top of his field. I totally disagree.
Let's go golfing for a moment to allow me to illustrate my point.
Tiger Woods is described by many commentators as the greatest golfer of all time. Manifest nonsense! There is no doubt that he is the best player the game has ever seen, but there is a huge gap between the ‘greatest’ and the ‘best’. Woods' prodigious talent has been severely besmirched by his petulance, arrogance, and glowering bad temper. His contempt for the fans and his utter disregard for the spirit of the game is disgraceful. Add to that his horizontal off-course activities... he is now a figure of ridicule.
Even if he does overhaul Jack Nicklaus’ total of 18 Majors, he will still not hold the crown of the greatest golfer. That title will still be held by Nicklaus. His determination to win many titles was matched by his graciousness in defeat... Who can ever forget Nicklaus conceding a three-and-a half-foot putt to Tony Jacklin at Royal Birkdale during the 1969 Ryder Cup. It is still one of the greatest act of sportsmanship a competitor could have ever done in a game of golf. Jack’s comment later was, “We were not just talking about a putt. We were talking about a man’s life.” That... is the difference between the ‘greatest’ and the ‘best.’
The Case For Manny Pacquiao:
1. There is no other boxer in history who performs public service as an elected government official "while still very much active fighting" in the ring as a professional.
In the Philippines, voters normally choose the candidate who hands them the most cash or who is simply the most famous. I could not disagree more with the general notion that if one has money and fame, he can be elected to any position in government not only as Congressman. But is this true in the case of Congressman-elect Pacquiao?
Pacquiao was soundly beaten in his first attempt at a congressional seat. At that time, he was already the most popular Filipino on earth and had amassed millions of dollars just from his earnings as a professional boxer. What happened to his money and fame?
In his next attempt, he was up against a wealthy family who can match if not better his net worth. In terms of popularity, the Chiongbian family was well known among business circles and the common Filipino who follows the sport of cockfighting. What happened to the family's money and fame? Despite ruling Saranggani for years, the incumbent lost to a neophyte.
It's so amazing to me how people generalize when specifics are called for. Such is the state of the Philippine politics. A true hard worker and sincere politician is never recognized. People who belittle the little Filipino's achievements in the political arena have no idea about the efforts, perseverance, hard-work, determination, and sincerity the man displayed for the people he wanted to serve. The only thing I can say to that is: "Give the Honarable Congressman and our very own Manny Pacquiao a break, if not full credit, for his victories in and out of the ring."
To be continued...
Before I continue with the argument for Manny Pacquiao as the new G.O.A.T., let me first differentiate the two superlative words "greatest" and "best". Is there any difference? I see these two words quite often being used interchangeably by journalists and speakers alike to describe a person who is on top of his field. I totally disagree.
Let's go golfing for a moment to allow me to illustrate my point.
Tiger Woods is described by many commentators as the greatest golfer of all time. Manifest nonsense! There is no doubt that he is the best player the game has ever seen, but there is a huge gap between the ‘greatest’ and the ‘best’. Woods' prodigious talent has been severely besmirched by his petulance, arrogance, and glowering bad temper. His contempt for the fans and his utter disregard for the spirit of the game is disgraceful. Add to that his horizontal off-course activities... he is now a figure of ridicule.
Even if he does overhaul Jack Nicklaus’ total of 18 Majors, he will still not hold the crown of the greatest golfer. That title will still be held by Nicklaus. His determination to win many titles was matched by his graciousness in defeat... Who can ever forget Nicklaus conceding a three-and-a half-foot putt to Tony Jacklin at Royal Birkdale during the 1969 Ryder Cup. It is still one of the greatest act of sportsmanship a competitor could have ever done in a game of golf. Jack’s comment later was, “We were not just talking about a putt. We were talking about a man’s life.” That... is the difference between the ‘greatest’ and the ‘best.’
The Case For Manny Pacquiao:
1. There is no other boxer in history who performs public service as an elected government official "while still very much active fighting" in the ring as a professional.
In the Philippines, voters normally choose the candidate who hands them the most cash or who is simply the most famous. I could not disagree more with the general notion that if one has money and fame, he can be elected to any position in government not only as Congressman. But is this true in the case of Congressman-elect Pacquiao?
Pacquiao was soundly beaten in his first attempt at a congressional seat. At that time, he was already the most popular Filipino on earth and had amassed millions of dollars just from his earnings as a professional boxer. What happened to his money and fame?
In his next attempt, he was up against a wealthy family who can match if not better his net worth. In terms of popularity, the Chiongbian family was well known among business circles and the common Filipino who follows the sport of cockfighting. What happened to the family's money and fame? Despite ruling Saranggani for years, the incumbent lost to a neophyte.
It's so amazing to me how people generalize when specifics are called for. Such is the state of the Philippine politics. A true hard worker and sincere politician is never recognized. People who belittle the little Filipino's achievements in the political arena have no idea about the efforts, perseverance, hard-work, determination, and sincerity the man displayed for the people he wanted to serve. The only thing I can say to that is: "Give the Honarable Congressman and our very own Manny Pacquiao a break, if not full credit, for his victories in and out of the ring."
To be continued...
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Pacquiao or Margarito: Cheaters or Redeemers
Here is an emergency article hours before an important fight in the boxing world.
Pound for Pound
In all his fights following a contested win over Juan Manuel Marquez at junior lightweight, Manny Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach have been revolutionizing the conditioning techniques in big time professional boxing. His weight management is focused on staying with or close to his fighting weight up to the day of the fight. In contrast, the old school trainers dehydrate their fighters on scale time then rehydrate them to as much as 10 to 20 pounds heavier at fight time to gain the advantage in that department.
Steroids aside and starting from the fight with David Diaz, Pac's strategy has proven to be more successful. As he wins convincingly against taller, biggger, and perceived to be stronger opponents, Manny Pacquiao truly deserves to be called Pound-for-Pound the best fighter in the world today. His recent achievements literally come closest to the accolade.
The Motivation
Pac, in a recent interview, said that he has already accomplished his dreams in boxing and that he now wants to be successful (a champion) in serving his people. This is not the kind of declaration you would want to say going to a fight which would give you 8 world titles in 8 different divisions breaking your own record in the process. A 5 to 1 favorite on the eve of the fight, Pac would gain nothing else in beating a disgraced Antonio Margarito. He would be introduced as the Honarable Congressman from the Philippines, the only boxer in history to be named such. What would that do to his ego?
Conversely, Margarito gains the world with a victory, redeems himself, and likely gains a new counter in defense of the hand-wrap controversy. All aside from getting the all important $$$.
The Training
I for one didn't see much of Pac's training and sparring sessions this time. Only insiders would really know for sure what happened in his camp. But I did see and hear for the first time that even the insiders including Roach and Alex Ariza were worried. We all know about the distractions in the past and how they did not bother him. This time, however, might be a little too much as he had his job at congress in mind while training in a fight as a boxer.
On the other hand, Margarito states that he is in the best condition of his life. He certainly looks that way to me. We can also see from videos of his camp that his training preparations try to emulate those of Pac and Roach. The results are clear. He is definitely ready.
Just like the Americans in basketball, although still vastly superior, were beaten a few times in international competitions. The world has caught-up with them and, armed with sound preparations and teamwork, had challenged and beat them in their own game.
The Styles and the Skills
Style-wise, Margarito is much like Oscar Dela Hoya. Pac should be able to pound his immobile target at will. "Death by a thousand left hands" all-over again. Margarito, though, has a solid and powerful right hand, something Dela Hoya was not known for. Another Margarito weapon is the upper cut, a kind of punch which contantly found Pac's head when both Joshua Clottey and Miguel Cotto threw them. If they were smart, Margarito and his trainer Robert Garcia, would plan for a lethal follow-up like a hard straight right hand to a left upper cut.
In fairness to Pac, he allowed Clottey and Cotto to throw punches so he could either counter or test their power. He did the same in one or two occasions againt Dela Hoya but he should never be over-confident to do that again this time. He should fight the Dela Hoya fight without those two instances.
If Pac found his range early, he would win handily by decision or late round KO. If Margarito is able to keep pressure all through-out, he would win by KO. Margarito cannot win by decision even if he outpoints Pac.
How would training, motivation, and focus affect this analysis? We should find out tonight.
Steroids and Hand-wraps
We should expect to see a fair fight tonight. Fair in the sense that no outside factors (except those already accepted and necessary like the referee, judges, fans, etc.) shall be involved in affecting the result. Margarito's weight, height, and reach against Pac's speed and skill. Did Pac train without the benefits of steroids which help an athlete in training beyond his natural physical limits? Yes. Did he use steroids in other fights before while training? I still do not know for sure.
Would Margarito use illegal substance in his hand-wraps for this fight? Definitely no. Did he know that his former trainer was hardening his hand wraps in his fight against Shane Mosley? Probably yes. Nobody would admit it but one cannot be so stupid not to know or even suspect. Did he and his trainer cheat against Cotto and Kermit Cintron? I do not know for sure. Only time will tell if somebody spits the truth out.
The Dubvious Titles
Forget about the organizations as they make the titles more questionable. Let's concentrate on the most recent. Junior Welterweight (140-lb limit): Pac won it against Ricky Hatton, his first and only fight in that class. He was not even rated in the division prior to the fight. Welerweight (147-lb limit): Pac won it by defeating Cotto at a catchweight of 145 - only his second fight in that class (The first was against Dela Hoya). Again, he wasn't even rated as welterweight prior to both fights. Lightweight (135-lb limit): Pac won it by knocking-out Diaz - Again, his first and only fight as a lightweight.
Now comes the most dubvious of all. And, in my mind, will make all the other accomlishments even more discreditable. Pac's victory will give him another title in another weight division - the 154-lb limit. He is fighting there for the first time, not even rated at all, and the weight limit was brought down to 150 lbs.
Pac fans and fellow Filipinos, I am not questioning Pac's accomplishments and warrior-like courage. The Mayweathers would not even dare think of doing a tenth of what Pac has done recently. What I am questioning is the legitimacy of the titles. This fight could have gone on without a title on the line and it would be better for Pac's 7 in 7 accomplishment. Adding one like this as the 8 in 8 makes people question the rest. But who cares, we are just here for a temporary Pac joy ride. Might as well aim to touch the sky even if it is simply a few inches above earth.
A few hours from now, only the presidential seat shall remain in the table for Manny Pacquiao, THE GREATEST BOXER THAT EVER LIVED!
Pound for Pound
In all his fights following a contested win over Juan Manuel Marquez at junior lightweight, Manny Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach have been revolutionizing the conditioning techniques in big time professional boxing. His weight management is focused on staying with or close to his fighting weight up to the day of the fight. In contrast, the old school trainers dehydrate their fighters on scale time then rehydrate them to as much as 10 to 20 pounds heavier at fight time to gain the advantage in that department.
Steroids aside and starting from the fight with David Diaz, Pac's strategy has proven to be more successful. As he wins convincingly against taller, biggger, and perceived to be stronger opponents, Manny Pacquiao truly deserves to be called Pound-for-Pound the best fighter in the world today. His recent achievements literally come closest to the accolade.
The Motivation
Pac, in a recent interview, said that he has already accomplished his dreams in boxing and that he now wants to be successful (a champion) in serving his people. This is not the kind of declaration you would want to say going to a fight which would give you 8 world titles in 8 different divisions breaking your own record in the process. A 5 to 1 favorite on the eve of the fight, Pac would gain nothing else in beating a disgraced Antonio Margarito. He would be introduced as the Honarable Congressman from the Philippines, the only boxer in history to be named such. What would that do to his ego?
Conversely, Margarito gains the world with a victory, redeems himself, and likely gains a new counter in defense of the hand-wrap controversy. All aside from getting the all important $$$.
The Training
I for one didn't see much of Pac's training and sparring sessions this time. Only insiders would really know for sure what happened in his camp. But I did see and hear for the first time that even the insiders including Roach and Alex Ariza were worried. We all know about the distractions in the past and how they did not bother him. This time, however, might be a little too much as he had his job at congress in mind while training in a fight as a boxer.
On the other hand, Margarito states that he is in the best condition of his life. He certainly looks that way to me. We can also see from videos of his camp that his training preparations try to emulate those of Pac and Roach. The results are clear. He is definitely ready.
Just like the Americans in basketball, although still vastly superior, were beaten a few times in international competitions. The world has caught-up with them and, armed with sound preparations and teamwork, had challenged and beat them in their own game.
The Styles and the Skills
Style-wise, Margarito is much like Oscar Dela Hoya. Pac should be able to pound his immobile target at will. "Death by a thousand left hands" all-over again. Margarito, though, has a solid and powerful right hand, something Dela Hoya was not known for. Another Margarito weapon is the upper cut, a kind of punch which contantly found Pac's head when both Joshua Clottey and Miguel Cotto threw them. If they were smart, Margarito and his trainer Robert Garcia, would plan for a lethal follow-up like a hard straight right hand to a left upper cut.
In fairness to Pac, he allowed Clottey and Cotto to throw punches so he could either counter or test their power. He did the same in one or two occasions againt Dela Hoya but he should never be over-confident to do that again this time. He should fight the Dela Hoya fight without those two instances.
If Pac found his range early, he would win handily by decision or late round KO. If Margarito is able to keep pressure all through-out, he would win by KO. Margarito cannot win by decision even if he outpoints Pac.
How would training, motivation, and focus affect this analysis? We should find out tonight.
Steroids and Hand-wraps
We should expect to see a fair fight tonight. Fair in the sense that no outside factors (except those already accepted and necessary like the referee, judges, fans, etc.) shall be involved in affecting the result. Margarito's weight, height, and reach against Pac's speed and skill. Did Pac train without the benefits of steroids which help an athlete in training beyond his natural physical limits? Yes. Did he use steroids in other fights before while training? I still do not know for sure.
Would Margarito use illegal substance in his hand-wraps for this fight? Definitely no. Did he know that his former trainer was hardening his hand wraps in his fight against Shane Mosley? Probably yes. Nobody would admit it but one cannot be so stupid not to know or even suspect. Did he and his trainer cheat against Cotto and Kermit Cintron? I do not know for sure. Only time will tell if somebody spits the truth out.
The Dubvious Titles
Forget about the organizations as they make the titles more questionable. Let's concentrate on the most recent. Junior Welterweight (140-lb limit): Pac won it against Ricky Hatton, his first and only fight in that class. He was not even rated in the division prior to the fight. Welerweight (147-lb limit): Pac won it by defeating Cotto at a catchweight of 145 - only his second fight in that class (The first was against Dela Hoya). Again, he wasn't even rated as welterweight prior to both fights. Lightweight (135-lb limit): Pac won it by knocking-out Diaz - Again, his first and only fight as a lightweight.
Now comes the most dubvious of all. And, in my mind, will make all the other accomlishments even more discreditable. Pac's victory will give him another title in another weight division - the 154-lb limit. He is fighting there for the first time, not even rated at all, and the weight limit was brought down to 150 lbs.
Pac fans and fellow Filipinos, I am not questioning Pac's accomplishments and warrior-like courage. The Mayweathers would not even dare think of doing a tenth of what Pac has done recently. What I am questioning is the legitimacy of the titles. This fight could have gone on without a title on the line and it would be better for Pac's 7 in 7 accomplishment. Adding one like this as the 8 in 8 makes people question the rest. But who cares, we are just here for a temporary Pac joy ride. Might as well aim to touch the sky even if it is simply a few inches above earth.
A few hours from now, only the presidential seat shall remain in the table for Manny Pacquiao, THE GREATEST BOXER THAT EVER LIVED!
Friday, October 29, 2010
BASKETBALL VS HOCKEY: PUCK THAT BALL
Some Comparisons
There is a fundamental difference in the kind of players the leagues have. The NBA is a largely inner city urban American crowd. These players often grew up in the "concrete jungle" and learned that they have to do whatever they can to get as much money for themselves as they can.
The NHL is largely composed of Canadians, Europeans and people from northern US states (the ones that voted for John Kerry and Sarah Palin). Hockey is a relatively expensive sport to play (compared to basketball). One must be able to afford much more equipment plus ice time to develop. Hockey is a middle class game. Hockey is established in the more socialist parts of the world where central bargaining unions are commonplace. Many NHL players have parents who were in unions and directly saw the benefits they brought to their families. Hockey players are sticking together.
A racial issue is raised when basketball players, made up mostly of African Americans, are called "thugs" and yet hockey players, more than 90% caucassians, are not despite their game being more physicall and violent.
The Oblivious
If you live in New Orleans, San Antonio, Salt Lake City, Orlando or Cleveland, you are blissfully unaware of how unlucky you are. You have the NBA and you never have had the NHL, and so you live under the impression that you're seeing something urgent and dramatic.
You have no idea that the hockey playoffs are to the basketball playoffs what the William Tell Overture is to Chopsticks.
It's not that the basketball games lack juice. It's just that the hockey games overflow with it. Short of war or a home invasion, nothing seems more imperative.
Injuries
Over the course of winning 16 games, players leave little chunks of themselves on the ice and basically get filleted in every game, and the most telling day is the one after elimination or total victory, when you find out that half the team is getting surgery. And quickly — the offseason is not that long. Shaquille O'Neal waited until training camp to get his toe fixed one year. That would be frowned upon, somewhat, in hockey.
Playoff Excitement
The other difference is when it gets to be 3-1. When Dallas trailed New Orleans, 3-1, Dirk Nowitzki said, "We didn't have a great offensive series, I guess," he said. Problem is, there was one game left. Guess who lost it?
The Dallas hockey team knows what time it is. The Stars led San Jose, 3-0, a juncture in which the typical NBA player starts calling hotels in Vegas. The Sharks skated right into the cannon of inevitability, won Game 4 in Dallas, won Game 5 at home after they trailed 2-0 after two periods, and took Game 6 into a fourth overtime before Brenden Morrow won it for Dallas.
Five times in this decade, and 20 times overall, a team has trailed a Stanley Cup series 1-3 and won it. It happens almost once every 10 times. But not in basketball. When Phoenix ousted the Lakers two years ago, it was only the eighth time an NBA team had been down 1-3 and won.
Then there's noise. Again, the difference is degree. At Mavericks games, the yahoo with the microphone actually yells "Defense" while play is going on. The sound of a disembodied voice while players are skating would bring angry glares from American hockey crowds and perhaps an armed rebellion in Canada, where the buildings throb with people power. Edmonton's crowd in the 2006 playoffs could have lit every lamp in the whole business district, thanks to lung-channeled energy.
Entertainment
In basketball, the game often gives way to the shtick. Between the first and second quarter — not even pre-game — of Game 2 of the New Orleans-San Antonio series, the Hornets' mascot leaped through a ring of fire for a dunk. He survived, unfortunately, but firemen had to use foam-belching extinguishers to put out the flames. It caused a 19-minute delay.
But then Will Smith and what seemed like a hundred dancers performed on the San Antonio court before Game 1 of the 2005 NBA Finals, and Spurs and Pistons were tripping on the cables as they attempted to loosen up for the actual game.
These were produced by something called "NBA Entertainment." The NHL has an entertainment division, too. It's called hockey.
A Filipino-Canadian Perspective
And then, in a flash AI (as in Andre Igoudala) took off from beyond the free throw line and threw down one of the most thunderous dunks that I've seen since the days of the "human highlight" Dominique Wilkins. I saw the two guys stared at the TV with both their eyes and mouth wide open and seemingly embarassed to look at each other. There was a few minutes of silence. They probably have not seen anything like it before. As for me, it came as something unimpressive. Nate Robinson could have been more flashy.
From then on, I probably watched all NBA Finals games. From Dr. J to Bird and Magic, Olajuwon and the Jordan era, The rise of the Spurs, the Pistons of Larry Brown, Shaq and Kobe and the latest stars & champions, I've seen and liked them all. But I now find the games so boring and unable to amplify my heart bit the way it used to. The slam dunk competition in the All Star weekend used to be a real treat. Now, it's not even worth watching at all. I just wait for the news.
In contrast, hockey games lack any room for the boring stuff. When I began to learn the rudiments of the game, I became even more hooked. Add to the fact that I am now able to watch a live game ten (10) minutes away from my house here in Edmonton, and the transformation becomes natural.
Other distinctions:
•A basketball player who is unselfish is singled out, because it's so unusual to see one. So is a hockey player who's selfish.
•Basketball awards are announced during the playoffs, like Bryant's MVP. Hockey awards are given out at a ceremony in Toronto after the playoffs, in Academy Award fashion. That's the time to recognize the individual stuff, not when a Cup is in play.
•The hockey playoffs have sudden-death overtime. The basketball playoffs don't. Nobody else does. It's like the last shot in a basketball game, except it can happen at any second. If it goes the full 20 minutes without resolution, they play another one. The crowd, having darted so quickly from launching pad to precipice, needs an intermission as desperately as the players.
•And, when it's all over, the hockey players line up for handshakes and a few appropriate words.
Next: EVENTS, UNTOLD STORIES BEFORE THE PROCLAMATION OF MARTIAL LAW
There is a fundamental difference in the kind of players the leagues have. The NBA is a largely inner city urban American crowd. These players often grew up in the "concrete jungle" and learned that they have to do whatever they can to get as much money for themselves as they can.
The NHL is largely composed of Canadians, Europeans and people from northern US states (the ones that voted for John Kerry and Sarah Palin). Hockey is a relatively expensive sport to play (compared to basketball). One must be able to afford much more equipment plus ice time to develop. Hockey is a middle class game. Hockey is established in the more socialist parts of the world where central bargaining unions are commonplace. Many NHL players have parents who were in unions and directly saw the benefits they brought to their families. Hockey players are sticking together.
A racial issue is raised when basketball players, made up mostly of African Americans, are called "thugs" and yet hockey players, more than 90% caucassians, are not despite their game being more physicall and violent.
The Oblivious
If you live in New Orleans, San Antonio, Salt Lake City, Orlando or Cleveland, you are blissfully unaware of how unlucky you are. You have the NBA and you never have had the NHL, and so you live under the impression that you're seeing something urgent and dramatic.
You have no idea that the hockey playoffs are to the basketball playoffs what the William Tell Overture is to Chopsticks.
It's not that the basketball games lack juice. It's just that the hockey games overflow with it. Short of war or a home invasion, nothing seems more imperative.
Injuries
Over the course of winning 16 games, players leave little chunks of themselves on the ice and basically get filleted in every game, and the most telling day is the one after elimination or total victory, when you find out that half the team is getting surgery. And quickly — the offseason is not that long. Shaquille O'Neal waited until training camp to get his toe fixed one year. That would be frowned upon, somewhat, in hockey.
Playoff Excitement
The other difference is when it gets to be 3-1. When Dallas trailed New Orleans, 3-1, Dirk Nowitzki said, "We didn't have a great offensive series, I guess," he said. Problem is, there was one game left. Guess who lost it?
The Dallas hockey team knows what time it is. The Stars led San Jose, 3-0, a juncture in which the typical NBA player starts calling hotels in Vegas. The Sharks skated right into the cannon of inevitability, won Game 4 in Dallas, won Game 5 at home after they trailed 2-0 after two periods, and took Game 6 into a fourth overtime before Brenden Morrow won it for Dallas.
Five times in this decade, and 20 times overall, a team has trailed a Stanley Cup series 1-3 and won it. It happens almost once every 10 times. But not in basketball. When Phoenix ousted the Lakers two years ago, it was only the eighth time an NBA team had been down 1-3 and won.
Then there's noise. Again, the difference is degree. At Mavericks games, the yahoo with the microphone actually yells "Defense" while play is going on. The sound of a disembodied voice while players are skating would bring angry glares from American hockey crowds and perhaps an armed rebellion in Canada, where the buildings throb with people power. Edmonton's crowd in the 2006 playoffs could have lit every lamp in the whole business district, thanks to lung-channeled energy.
Entertainment
In basketball, the game often gives way to the shtick. Between the first and second quarter — not even pre-game — of Game 2 of the New Orleans-San Antonio series, the Hornets' mascot leaped through a ring of fire for a dunk. He survived, unfortunately, but firemen had to use foam-belching extinguishers to put out the flames. It caused a 19-minute delay.
But then Will Smith and what seemed like a hundred dancers performed on the San Antonio court before Game 1 of the 2005 NBA Finals, and Spurs and Pistons were tripping on the cables as they attempted to loosen up for the actual game.
These were produced by something called "NBA Entertainment." The NHL has an entertainment division, too. It's called hockey.
A Filipino-Canadian Perspective
A couple of Caucassian guys who frequented a Filipino bar here in Edmonton were having a drink there. They probably wanted to watch an NHL game while drinking, a favorite past time among Canadians. Unfortunately for them, there was a Filipino hosted party and the TV was hooked on a Sixers' game. I was watching them and couldn't help but listen to their conversation. "Why do they like to watch basketball?", asked the first guy. "I don't know. Probably because they like to see a lot of scoring", the other guy responded.
And then, in a flash AI (as in Andre Igoudala) took off from beyond the free throw line and threw down one of the most thunderous dunks that I've seen since the days of the "human highlight" Dominique Wilkins. I saw the two guys stared at the TV with both their eyes and mouth wide open and seemingly embarassed to look at each other. There was a few minutes of silence. They probably have not seen anything like it before. As for me, it came as something unimpressive. Nate Robinson could have been more flashy.
As a teenager, my only acquaintance with hockey was in television. You remember the Far East Network (FEN) UHF channel 17 (I think) back in the Philippines? My wiz kid brother, with some help from myself, put up a special UHF antenna receiver at home back in the early '80s. In my love for basketball, I always find a way to skip some much needed sleep to watch Dr. J and the Sixers beat the hell out of Kareem and Magic of LA. Unfortunately, they did it only once (in '83) with Moses, Mo, Toney, and Bobby.
Anyway, while I was waiting around for NBA games one early morning or midnight, I chanced upon this game being played on ice. I was hooked for a while because Philadelphia had a team and they also played at the Spectrum. I particularly liked Ron Hextall, the Flyers' goalie. I watched this team breezed by everybody in the playoffs (I believe this was 1984). Then came the finals. They met the Edmonton Oilers for the Stanley Cup. I asked myself then, "Why do they call themselves Oilers?", Where is Edmonton? There was no internet at that time and I did not have the appetite to investigate and I didn't care. All I wanted was for the Flyers to beat them. I was bitterly disappointed. Ron did not disappoint though but the Oilers just had too much fire power and they won in 7 games just because he did not allow them to win easily. That was the last hockey game I watched while in the Philippines. Little did I know that I will be re-acquainted with the Edmonton Oilers.
From then on, I probably watched all NBA Finals games. From Dr. J to Bird and Magic, Olajuwon and the Jordan era, The rise of the Spurs, the Pistons of Larry Brown, Shaq and Kobe and the latest stars & champions, I've seen and liked them all. But I now find the games so boring and unable to amplify my heart bit the way it used to. The slam dunk competition in the All Star weekend used to be a real treat. Now, it's not even worth watching at all. I just wait for the news.
In contrast, hockey games lack any room for the boring stuff. When I began to learn the rudiments of the game, I became even more hooked. Add to the fact that I am now able to watch a live game ten (10) minutes away from my house here in Edmonton, and the transformation becomes natural.
Other distinctions:
•A basketball player who is unselfish is singled out, because it's so unusual to see one. So is a hockey player who's selfish.
•Basketball awards are announced during the playoffs, like Bryant's MVP. Hockey awards are given out at a ceremony in Toronto after the playoffs, in Academy Award fashion. That's the time to recognize the individual stuff, not when a Cup is in play.
•The hockey playoffs have sudden-death overtime. The basketball playoffs don't. Nobody else does. It's like the last shot in a basketball game, except it can happen at any second. If it goes the full 20 minutes without resolution, they play another one. The crowd, having darted so quickly from launching pad to precipice, needs an intermission as desperately as the players.
•In basketball they talk bad about each other but rarely do anything about it. In hockey they say nice things, then try to staple each other to the boards and knock each other out.
Next: EVENTS, UNTOLD STORIES BEFORE THE PROCLAMATION OF MARTIAL LAW
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Searching For The Next Blas Ople
His role on the Erap Impeachment Trial notwithstanding, Blas Ople can be considered one of the most respected and accomplished politicians in the history of the Philippines. He championed the rights of the common man - the Filipino worker. Ople's most enduring role was his nineteen years as Secretary (later Minister) of Labor and Employment during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, when Philippine labor laws were overhauled through the enactment of the Labor Code of the Philippines that he had helped author.In 1953, he joined the Magsaysay-for-President Movement, a volunteer group supporting the presidential campaign of Ramon Magsaysay, heading its Executive Planning Committee and working as a speechwriter for candidates of the Nacionalista Party. After Magsaysay's election, he joined the government as special assistant to the Secretary of Labor and technical assistant on labor and agrarian affairs.
In 1965, Ople was appointed as Social Security Commissioner by Marcos. He was later appointed Secretary of Labor and Employment (this position was later renamed Minister of Labor and Employment). He resigned briefly in 1971 to run an unsuccessful campaign for election to the Philippine Senate, but was re-appointed to his post in 1972, retaining the position until 1986.
As Labor Secretary, Ople was instrumental in the framing of the Labor Code of the Philippines, which codified the labor laws of the country and introduced innovations such as prohibiting the termination of workers without legal cause. Ople instituted labor policies institutionalizing the technical education of workers. In 1976, Ople initiated a program for the overseas employment of Filipino workers. It was during his tenure at Labor that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration were created. Ople obtained recognition from the International Labor Organization during his stint as Labor Minister. In 1975, he was elected president of the 60th general assembly of the ILO, the first Filipino to hold that post. In 1983, that organization awarded Ople a Gold Medal of Appreciation. He was a close adviser of President Marcos, though he was not later to be associated with the corruption of Marcos's government and was perceived as "not corrupt".
In today's Philippines, Filipino workers have practically no chance to advance in the corporate world. In most shopping malls, for instance, contractual workers are hired for a maximum of five or six months and then let go. In effect, a big majority of them will have 3 pages of resume in less than 3 years if they are lucky enough to find replacement jobs in no time.
Originally meant to lure foreign investors and although already in place for quite some time, this contractual system started to gain acceptance about 18 to 20 years ago (Ople no longer held his popular position). However, most of the international manufacturing companies value their employees and were simply happy with paying lower than average wages. Shopping malls and grocery stores, big and small, and other local companies like PLDT, MERALCO (now part of PLDT), San Miguel Corporation, etc. were the ones taking advantage.
The long term effects are not so encouraging for the common Filipino. It only resonates the evil of Capitalism: The poor becoming poorer and the rich, richer. Short sited businessmen, having little regard for the workforce, sit on their laurels with their billions. Like horses with blinders on, they only see one way. The irony is that the comman man makes them rich for what really drives the Philippine economy, Agriculture? Manufacturing? Oil? Overseas Workers? or the Filipino consumers, themselves? The answer is obvious. If only the businessmen can understand the Cycle of Life, they will bring more power to the common men. And the Philippines should be a much better place to live in. With no hope of that happening, the search is on for the new man for the common man.
Next: Basketball VS Hockey
Find my fish and feed them by clicking on the aquarium down to the right. Thanks.
Friday, October 15, 2010
One-Child Policy Spices Up Cannibalism in China
Dr. Mark Miravalle possesses a doctorate degree in Theology at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. An author of numerous books, he has been teaching at the Franciscan University of Steubenville since 1986. As President of the international Catholic movement, Vox Populi Mariae Mediatrici (Voice of the People for Mary Mediatrix), he has served members of the episcopal hierarchy with preliminary investigations for reported apparitions. This guy rubs shoulders with The Pope (Kaututang Dila ni Santo Papa). One cannot have any more credibility than that.
In his sobering book, The Seven Sorrows of China, Dr. Miravalle gives, in heart-wrenching detail, accounts of the brutality of the one-child policy and its effects on the Chinese people.The following is an excerpt from Part III of Dr. Miravalle's book, entitled The Third Sorrow: Abortion Without Conscience: The Indoctrination of a Nation: "The most alarming," he writes, "the most depressing, the most Copernican revelation of all that I have been exposed to (including the yet more grisly examples to follow), is the repeated refrain that the great majority of the people in China have lost any concept that there is anything at all wrong with having an abortion. It is considered less significant than a flu shot, a minor procedure like going to the dentist, a simple solution to a simple problem that doesn't merit any soul searching for any alternative plans.
New macabre manifestations of this conscienceless abortion mentality include the recent opening of five restaurants, which began serving "fetal soup" at the price of 300Yuan (approximately $40) a bowl. Recent medical publications have praised the exceptional health benefits for the consuming of "fetal remains". Therefore, local entrepreneurs jumped on the opportunity to distribute this health breakthrough to the chosen few who could afford the price. So evil and scandalous is this fetal soup trade that the Government shutdown the Web sites advertising the restaurants, in fear that they would scandalize the reputation of the People's Republic to outside countries and businesses.
Feed my fish by clicking on the square to the right and down.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Baby Soup in China: The Shocking Truth
Since then, however, it kept on creeping up my mind. And recently, I had a chance to ask a Chinese co-worker about the veracity of this horrifying report. Without blinking an eye, he confirmed it to me. That prompted me to dig deeper and the following is what I found to be credible investigative report which originally appeared in the Hongkong Eastern Express on April 12, 1995. Please read on...
No one could accuse The Chinese of being squeamish about the things they eat - monkeys' brains, owls' eyes, bears' paws and deep fried scorpions are all items on The menu. But most dishes revered as national favorites sound as harmless as boiled rice when compared to the latest pint de jour allegedly gaining favor in Shenzhen - human fetus.
Rumors that dead embryos were being used as dietary supplements started to spread early last year with reports that some doctors in Shenzhen hospitals were eating dead fetuses after carrying out abortions. The doctors allegedly defended their actions by saying the embryos were good for their skin and general health.
The next day the reporter returned at lunch time. The doctor eventually emerged from the operating theatre holding a fist size glass bottle stuffed with thumbsized fetuses.
She said: "There are 10 fetuses here, all aborted this morning. You can take them. We are a state hospital and don't charge anything. "Normally, we doctors take them home to eat - all free. Since you don't look well, you can take them."
Not every state hospital is as generous with its dead embryos as the Health Center for Women and Children. At the Shenzhen People's Hospital, for example, the reporter was in for a surprise. When a Ms. Yang, the head nurse, was asked for fetuses, she looked anxious and asked other staff to leave. After closing the door, she asked the undercover buyer in a low voice: "Where did you (get to) know that we sell fetuses?"
The reporter answered: "A doctor friend in Hong Kong told me."
"Who? What is his/her name?"
The reporter was not prepared for this line of questioning and could not come up with a name. Yang told him that fetuses were only for sale within the hospital, and were not for public purchase. She added that some staff would, however, sell the fetuses on to Hong Kong buyers.
The reporter learned that the going rate for a fetus was $10 but when the merchandise was in short supply, the price could go up to $20. But these prices are pin money compared to those set by private clinics, which are said to make a fortune selling fetuses. One chap on Bong Men Lao Street charges $300 for one fetus. The person in charge of the clinic is a man in his 60's. When he saw the ailing reporter, he offered to take an order for fetuses that had reached full-term and which, it is claimed, contain the best healing properties. When a female doctor named Yang - no relation - of Sin Hua clinic was asked whether fetuses were edible, she said emphatically: "Of course they are. They are even better than placentas. "They can make your skin smoother, your body stronger and are good for kidneys. When I was in an army hospital in Jiangti province, I often brought fetuses home. They were pink, like little mice, with hands and feet. Normally, I buy some pork to make soup (with the fetuses added). I know they are human beings, and (eating them) feels disgusting. But at that time, it was already very popular."
A Mr. Cheng from Hong Kong claims he has been eating fetus soup for more than six months. To begin, the man, in his 40's, would make the trip to Shenzhen frequently for business and was introduced to fetuses by friends. He says he met a number of professors and doctors in government hospitals who helped him buy the fetuses. "At first, I felt uncomfortable, but doctors said the substances in fetuses could help cure my asthma. I started taking them and gradually, the asthma disappeared," Cheng said.
Now, Cheng only eats fetuses occasionally to top up his treatment, but there was a time when he made regular cross border trips with the gruesome merchandise. "Everytime [I made the trip], I carried a Thermos flask to Shenzhen and brought the fetuses back to Hong Kong to make soup. If they gave me 20 or 30 at a time, I put them in the refrigerator. I didn't have the soup every day - it depended on the supply. "Usually, I washed the fetuses clean, and added ginger, orange peel and pork to make soup. After taking it for a while, I felt a lot better and my asthma disappeared. I used to take placenta, but it was not so helpful." When asked if he was concerned about the fetuses containing diseases, Cheng was dismissive. "I bought them from government hospitals. They would check the pregnant women before doing the operations and only sell them to me if there was no problem. Also, I always boil them over high heat which kills any bacteria." Although Cheng has overcome any squeamishness over eating fetus soup, he says he draw the line at consuming whole dead embryos. He also refrains from telling people of his grisly dietary habits.
Zou Qin, 32, a woman from Hubei with the fine skin of a someone several years younger, attributes her well preserved looks to a diet of fetuses. As a doctor at the Lun Hu Clinic, Zou has carried out abortions on several hundred patients. She believes fetuses are highly nutritious and claims to have eaten more than 100 in the past six months. She pulls out a fetus specimen before a reporter and explains the selection criteria. "People normally prefer (fetuses of) young women, and even better, the first baby and a male." She adds: "They are wasted if we don't eat them. The women who receive abortions here don't want the fetuses. Also, the fetuses are already dead [when we eat them]. We don't carry out abortions just to eat the fetuses.
"Before, my sister's children were very weak. I heard that fetuses were good for your health and started taking some to my nephews," Zou says, without remorse. "I wash them with clear water until they look transparent white and then stew them. Making soup is best." But she admits there are drawbacks to this dubious delicacy. "Fetuses are very smelly and not everybody can take the stink," she said. "You can also make meat cakes by mixing fetuses with minced meat but you have to add more ginger and chives to get rid of the smell."
Hong Kong legislator Dr. Tan Siu-tong is surprised that it could be within anyone's capability to overcome the stench of a dead fetus, even if their stomachs are lined with lead. "When all the placental tissue is dead, the smell is awful and is enough to make you feel sick. It is like having a dead mouse in the house," he said.
The fetuses allegedly eaten by the Chinese are all provided by China's extensive abortion services. Last year, doctors in the People's Hospital - the biggest hospital in Shenzhen - carried out more than 7,000 terminations, 509 on Hong Kong women. The Hong Kong Family Planning
Association (FPA) estimates that 24 per cent of all abortions on Hong Kong women are performed in the dubious surroundings of a Chinese hospital. A Ms. Li from Hong Kong has had two abortions in Shenzhen but has never heard of people eating fetuses. "But I didn't want the babies, so after the abortions, I just left them with the hospital," she says. "I didn't want to look at them, and I certainly didn't want to keep them. Fetuses of two or three months are just water and blood when they come out. They are so small."
Doctors in the territory have responded with disgust and incredulity to stories of people supplementing their diets with fetuses. Many have read articles of fetal cannibalism. They are treating the issue with skepticism. Dr. Warren Lee, president of the Hong Kong Nutrition Association, is aware of the unsavory rumors. "Eating fetuses is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine and is deeply founded in Chinese folklore. In terms of nutrition, a fetus would be a good source of protein and fats, and there are minerals in bone. But I don't know if eating fetuses is just folklore or more than that," he says. According to Lee, it is conceivable that fetuses are rich in certain hormones that are beneficial to the adult human body, but should this be the case, the fetal matter would have to be converted into an indictable form for best results, as most hormones including the hormone for diabetes, insulin - are broken down in the digestive system before they have a chance to be absorbed by the body. But Lee suggests that anyone who eats a fetus would be seeking a remedy that is far more elusive than a hormone or mineral. "Some people may think there is also an unidentified substance or chemical that has healing powers, but there is no evidence that this is true." Lee urges people to be wary - "There are people out there who just want to make money and they will come up with all sorts of formulas or substances, which, they say will cure diseases."
Dr. Wong, a Hong Kong doctor who practices Western medicine, thinks only the ignorant would eat human fetuses. He explains that fetuses contain mucoploysaccharide, which is beneficial to the metabolism, but states that it can be found in a lot of other food - Chinese doctor Chu Ho-Ting agrees that there is no place for fetuses in medicine, and suggests that it might even be unhealthy if the pregnant woman was infected by disease.
"Most bacteria can be killed under 100 degree heat but some require 400 degrees. Some people believe eating fetuses can strengthen the immunity of the human body against diseases, but this is wrong. Although fetuses contain protein, they are not as nutritious as placenta, which contains different kinds of nutrients. But even placenta has to be taken with other Chinese herbs."
Friday, October 8, 2010
Palace, Church, Jonathan, Nathaniel Debate Birth Control in RP Part2
SportsmansGuide - Hot Deal, Clothing & Footwear from The Guide!
In Germany and other parts of Europe, the same prostitution control by legalizing has already been in place. In other words, prostitution will stay and so does condom. Lovers or partners who ignore or disapprove the Catholic faith will always have the option to use condom. Majority of the poor, who make up the majority, will likely won't bother because buying condoms is not going to be their priority - unless they engage in prostitution. Unfortunately, they are a major major contributor in population explosion. What's funny is that they're just laughing it all out! Does anybody think they care about the condom issue?
The Innocent Youth
How about those who experienced intercourse at a very young age whether they had abortion or got lucky not to get pregnant, how many are they for every 1000 population? An astoundingly astronomical number, without a doubt! Here, those who had abortion are few (limited to those who can afford) but those who got lucky are plenty as they include the young prostitutes who use condoms.What do these people know about RH Bill HB4110? What do they know about abstinence?, The Catholic faith? The church has failed us and we have failed the church. But most of all, we and the church have failed our youth!
Abortion and Cloning
Evil? Sin? What if these are part of God's plan for humanity? Those who study the genealogy of King David would remind us that he came from two women who committed two wrongs for what they thought to be right results. One was Judah's daughter-in-law and the other was one of Lot's daughters. Without their sins, Goliath would have ruled and Mary would not have had Joseph.
Where did all these knowledge of surgical precision, super drugs, medication, and DNA come from? I know where all knowledge come from! Abortion and cloning? I don't know.
The Special Case of Rape
Who would blame a young woman who wanted to abort her pregnancy because she was raped? Whatever her circumstances may be, nobody has the right to force her to bear a child she didn't want - not even the church.
It is not for the poor because they just laugh it out. It is not for the rich because they have no use for it. It is not for the prostitutes because they don't care and they don't know. It is not for the youth because it is not going to get them to the right path. It is not for the faithful because they always have the choice to abstain with or without the bill. It does not alleviate the problem of population increase because it is not a law that prohibits or reduces birth. It will not change anything for rape victims.
It is another waste!
Islam, for Some Muslim Extremists, is a Religion of Conquest BY OVERPOPULATION
Learn it here: http://www.realtruth.org/articles/253-wice.html.
Sportsman's Guide: Emergency Supplies from the Guide!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Palace, Church, Jonathan, Nathaniel Debate Birth Control in RP
I apologize to those expecting the next topic to be like the one you see in the picture here. A more relevant and timely discussion is in order and in a lot of ways related - Debate on BIRTH CONTROL in the Philippines.
Before I move on, though, I cannot prevent myself from saying another nasty comment, "This debate, important and timely as it is right now, should have been over and done with a long long time ago!" Even before the time of former Health Secretary, Juan Flavier, the government and the churh faced-off quite a number of times about this issue. Judging (I maybe unfair in doing so but I maybe correct, too) from the partial sections that I saw in this RH Bill HB4110, I still see no closure moving forward. For heaven's sake and for humanity's sake, Filipinos have to CHOOSE, DECIDE, & ACT. Effect a closure on this thing, support the decision, and move forward...
Two respected individuals from way back my highschool days are enjoying a healthy exchange in our Yahoo Group board. On the one hand, there's Jonathan who represents abstinence. And on the other, Nathaniel who prefers the government position. Their names could not have been more appropriately thought of by their parents at BIRTH some 42 years ago or so. I guess I can say the idealistic vs the pragmatic or the perfectionist vs the realist. These may not sound too good to one of them but they don't mean they are the wrong sides.
The Facts
Without looking at the numbers, no one can argue that the population of the Philippines keeps growing at a very high rate. A small country which relies heavily on income overseas, it cannot handle the worsening rate of increase in population density. As part of the solution, the government leaders promote the use of condoms and the church obviously opposes. There are several other topics on this issue but I am concentrating on this one for the meantime.
Condom
In partial, here is what Wikipedia has to say: "As a method of birth control, male condoms have the advantage of being inexpensive, easy to use, having few side effects, and of offering protection against sexually transmitted diseases. With proper knowledge and application technique—and use at every act of intercourse—women whose partners use male condoms experience a 2% per-year pregnancy rate. Condoms have been used for at least 400 years. Since the 19th century, they have been one of the most popular methods of contraception in the world."Unfortunately, the mention of STD has come across another topic, PROSTITUTION, which cannot be isolated from our current one. Let's examine prostitution in the Philippines as briefly as possible without touching on illegal DRUGS.
Nothing enlightens me more than my latest trip to my home country about the extent of the prostitution industry there. I mean it is quite obvious that a huge number of women (and the men are not far behind) engage themselves in this act for the love of money. In reference to my disappearance (tackled on another post), an old friend jokingly asked me, "Baka naman nambabae ka lang?"(Maybe, you just went womanizing?) "Bakit mo naman nasabi yan?" (Why do you say that?), I asked him back. Showing his Bacoor accent, he exclaimed, "E yun ang trend e! Lahat ng nagbabakasyon, sa Airforce 1 agad ang punta!" (That is the trend! All vacationists go to Airforce 1 as soon as they arrive).
Countless young women are either willingly or being forced to work as sex slaves in this country. A word of caution to all parents and guardians: If your daughters always have a lot of money while they say they work at a call center, make sure their IDs aren't fake. These girls easily get fake IDs to show parents they are working for some company to hide their real work. Parents, beware! Thousands of local and foreign customers patronize them and here is where condom sells big time. Motels and hotels who sometimes "own" these girls also profit.
Can anybody stop prostitution, the oldest profession in the world? Here in Canada, there is a move to start legalizing it as a way to control things.
To Be Continued...
Friday, October 1, 2010
Where Were You 35 Years Ago?
I was in my second grade and was supposed to attend school that day but the then president, Ferdinand E. Marcos, suspended school. I remember my classroom. It was an annex of sort, separated from all the other classrooms which is in the main street of Aniban, Bacoor, Cavite. We were inside a "silong" of the house owned by the principal. Our teacher was his wife...
In the weeks leading up to and right on the day of the fight, there were tremendous amount of talks all over my neighborhood. I didn't know anything about boxing at the time so I didn't care. I was just happy that there was no school and planned on playing my favorite game. But I knew there was a big event and they called it Thrilla in Manila.
The fight was held in Araneta Coliseum, not too far from where we lived, but it didn't matter. We were so poor we could not afford to buy a ticket to watch it live. We did not even have a TV set. A neighbour, had bought a new "black and white" set. They were the first and maybe the only house in the neighbourhood that had TV at the time.
The fight ended when Joe's trainer won the argument to give up and end the fight but a documentary of the event showed Frazier vehemently opposed to it. Had Joe been allowed, he would have won as Ali admitted in the post fight interview that he might not have been able to last another round. He was evidently so tired at the end that he collapsed in the middle of the ring even before any announcement was made.
Watch this documentary.
In the weeks leading up to and right on the day of the fight, there were tremendous amount of talks all over my neighborhood. I didn't know anything about boxing at the time so I didn't care. I was just happy that there was no school and planned on playing my favorite game. But I knew there was a big event and they called it Thrilla in Manila.
The fight was held in Araneta Coliseum, not too far from where we lived, but it didn't matter. We were so poor we could not afford to buy a ticket to watch it live. We did not even have a TV set. A neighbour, had bought a new "black and white" set. They were the first and maybe the only house in the neighbourhood that had TV at the time.And so, I remember a lot of people were in the neighbour's house including myself. I had nobody to play with. Everybody was watching so I went with the flow. I remember somebody asked me, "Who are you rooting for?" I said, "Frazier!" just because most were saying Ali would win.
The fight ended when Joe's trainer won the argument to give up and end the fight but a documentary of the event showed Frazier vehemently opposed to it. Had Joe been allowed, he would have won as Ali admitted in the post fight interview that he might not have been able to last another round. He was evidently so tired at the end that he collapsed in the middle of the ring even before any announcement was made.
Watch this documentary.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Superfoods for the Brain: Omega 3 in Wild Salmon Tops
1. Wild Salmon
Wild salmon is not only an incredible food for brain health, it qualifies as incredible across virtually every other health standard as well and is clearly one of the healthiest foods that one can eat.
Wild salmon (not farm-raised) in particular is a true brain food: one of the best sources of Essential Fatty Acids (such as the all-important Omega-3), a rich source of high-quality non-land animal protein, low saturated fat, generally among the lowest amounts of contaminants (such as mercury) among seafood, and other health properties -- wild salmon can help do everything from improve your brain matter, your mood, your synaptic connections, your arteries, reduce your risk of stroke and Dementia and Alzheimer's and much more.
Wild salmon (not farm-raised) in particular is a true brain food: one of the best sources of Essential Fatty Acids (such as the all-important Omega-3), a rich source of high-quality non-land animal protein, low saturated fat, generally among the lowest amounts of contaminants (such as mercury) among seafood, and other health properties -- wild salmon can help do everything from improve your brain matter, your mood, your synaptic connections, your arteries, reduce your risk of stroke and Dementia and Alzheimer's and much more. It's also important to know that only WILD salmon has been shown to contain the highest levels of the good stuff that your brain & body crave...as wild-caught fish grow and evolve their muscles, tissues and fat levels the hard way, fighting for survival of the fittest in the oceans and rivers. By contrast, many or most farm-raised salmon exist in a locked-up, artificial and sometimes contaminated environment and thus have to be fed food (or worse, color added later just before going to market!) to make them LOOK orange and healthy instead of white and sickly. Get a book from AbeBooks to learn more.
2) Cacao Beans
2) Cacao Beans
Wait, you mean chocolate, right? Hurray! I've been looking for an excuse to hit that vending machine and grab a candy bar...it has chocolate in it, so now it's actually healthy, right? WRONG. Well, mostly wrong: what's healthy is the cacao bean, minimally processed. This amazing, hedonistic bean is one of the world's longest-revered foods (think 'time of the Aztecs' old) and has in recent years been shown to be a veritable powerhouse of cognitive enhancement, mood and bliss-enhancement (thanks in part to the Theobromine in cacao), antioxidants, flavonoids, catechins and many other brain & body-enhancing elements. In fact, chocolate has been very recently cited by some top health professionals and researchers to be THE single most exciting health food, and as more research continues to pour in, the more true this appears to be.
How is this possible, something that only recently was thought of as an unhealthy, dangerous, guilty indulgence...a sign of dietary decadence, now being hailed as beneficial to everything from brain health to skin elasticity to cardiovascular health to anti-cancer and pretty much everything in between? It's simple: chocolate does not equal cacao bean, nor vice-versa; most candy and chocolate bars contain not only low levels of cacao bean compared to other unhealthy ingredients such as sugars, milk fat, artificial flavorings and so on, but the quality and processing of the cacao used in these products is often of low health benefits due to everything from alkalization (e.g. "Dutch process cocoa") to refining and processing and over-roasting the healthy elements right out of the beans.
So if you want the real stuff, the best bet is to either use 100% organic non-alkalized cocoa powder from a high-quality maker who minimally processes the cocoa to ensure that the health properties are retained, or, second best, choose only high cacao percentage dark chocolate bars (typically at least 75% cacao content or higher), also from a high-quality provider.
Chocolate is a brain health food. Or more specifically, the cacao bean is a true brain health and body health food. And worth considering adding to your diet (barring any allergies to chocolate or contraindications, of course).
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