Gina Lopez graces STI Grad rites

Last October I blogged about the Run for Pasig River which was a major event spearheaded by the ABS-CBN foundation. If there was one person who was responsible in making that event a monumental success it would have to be the foundation's managing director Gina Lopez. I remember watching an Ateneo - La Salle game and seeing her talking during halftime inviting everyone to run for pasig. Same goes with the opening of the 10th NAASCU. All her efforts were rewarded since the Run for Pasig event is now in the Guinness book of World Records with 116,086 runners.

Just lately her new project is NO TO MINING in PALAWAN wherein her group needs 10 million signatures to be able to pass a petition and make a difference in lives of Palaweños. As she said, the foreigners take away the minerals while the Filipinos are left to suffer because of the effect of mining in Palawan. The project was launched last february and has reached 1,117,903 signatures as of today. It will only be a matter of time when they reach the signatures needed to put a stop to mining in Palawan, known as the Philippines last ecological frontier.

Gina talked about many things but stressed on five key points. First is the simple truth that Life is not easy so make it a challenge. It's the truth and something we should always consider. Next is a commitment to Integrity, compassion and sense of reflectiveness to be able to see what is wrong with thyself. She also said that we should make each situation may it be good or bad an opportunity to grow. Live healthy and do not desecrate the environment which she is now pushing.

One of the most important thing she shared to the STI graduates is the thought to never think you are small. This message is very apt to graduating STIers who are content with whatever comes their way and will just fade away in the background. She said that by doing that we are accepting mediocrity and not enhancing our true potential to become what we dream of. Truly a remarkable lady, her insights will forever be embedded in the hearts of our STI graduates. Congratualtions graduates and good luck.

Bora rituals

PICTURE WITH BORACAY

SAND CASTLE

WITH DATE & DATES

SHOW OFF BORACAY SANDALS

OR OTHER SOUVENIRS

DRINK JONY'S SHAKE

EAT COCOMANGAS PIZZA

PICTURE AT WILLY'S ROCK

When you go to Boracay don't forget these rituals!!!!

Last chance for a Vacation

Dinner at Mang Inasal

As they say, work hard then reward yourself. Well this summer that came to play as I planned one final weekend get away before the real work comes again. This time the destination was the Island Paradise of Boracay. The last time I was in Boracay was purely work related and just had a chance to unwind but never really enjoyed as much as one does when you are on vacation.

Arrival at Caticlan

What really got me excited was the fact that my sister Elaiza also booked a vacation to Boracay together with six other kids. Elaiza's two kids Josh and Marc were there and so was half of my brothers kids namely Louie, Bujoy and this year's graduate Janis.

Goofing around D'Mall

I am just happy that we found a way to have the kids in Boracay and I am just lucky that me and my friends also planned to be there on the same weekend. My sister and I talked that hopefully next year, with my other sister back in Manila we can have most of the kids join us in a vacation there.

Bujoy's Henna Tatoo

The kids even got Henna Tatoos. Kudos to my sister who planned and even bankrolled most of the expenses for this. In the end, even if you spend a lot you will eventually realize that what is important is that the kids are happy and the experience they had will remain in their minds. I mentioned to my sister, they are lucky to have gotten this kind of vacation considering when we were kids, seeing the dirty beaches of Cavite was enough to give us a high. Here's to seeing Boracay with my family next year.

STI Graduation 2011

The graduation team

Of all the STI Graduations I have handled and helped out this one seems to be more meaningful to me. I was like a stage father loud and proud at the backstage cheering on some graduates who I have worked with the past four years and some graduates who I have remained close up to this day. I was just lucky I kept my tears form falling after seeing some student friends accomplish their ultimate goal.

Spent four happy years with Kathleen

Ron Hermida of STI College Makati, Charlon Untalan of STI College Quezon Avenue, Lester Sangalang of STI College Novaliches and Robert Ordonez from STI College Fairview are all first time and only one time Olympians who I was happy to see lead the STI Teams in Chess, Juniors Basketball, Badminton and Table Tennis respectively. Unfortunately we only had a year to bond and at the same time it was already late in their college life that the sport they so love gave them an opportunity to compete against other schools.

One of my reliable and loyal friends Che

Add to that other Olympians who have also graduated with Cheerdancer Nikka Quiogue of STI College Global City, Men's Volleyball's Ace Yumul from STI College Quezon Avenue and a pair of Volleybelles in Rachelle Cruz and Eliza Nuevo from STI College Global City who also helped out in maintaining the NAASCU website.

With Apple Dolorfino

Among the crop of graduates who have been very dear to me the most are my two former All-Star dancers Kathleen Tacuban and Apple Dolorfino. They are the two remaining members of the STI All-Star Dance team that I formed in 2007 and was at that time the talk of the town for their one of a kind dance moves and ethereal beauty. The two endured a lot of problems in their college life and I am was a witness to how they overturned all those problems to eventually graduate on time. Of the two, Apple is the one who is gifted academically as she also graduated Cum Laude with an average of 1.34. I was just like a proud father and so proud for her getting her medal and seeing her graduate. All I wish is for my Olympians to continue to become role models so that others can follow their lead.

I have seen this girl since she was 9 years old

now she's a graduate

Maroon 5 in Manila

The last time the famed band was in manila was in 2008 wherein they held a concert at the Araneta Coliseum. Maroon 5 faithfuls came and conquered as the sell out crowd at the SMX Convention center were all smiles and in high spirits after the concert.

Lead vocalist Adam Levine gave a good account of himself as his one of a kind voice wowed the crowd. Imagine having him sing 14 songs and then coming back for another three for the encore. He was humming, singing, making the crowd sing with him and jumping up and down which made the crowd shout a little more louder.

My favorite part came when Adam Levine was left to sing my favorite song. Lead guitarist James Valentine was there to play the guitar which Adam sang beautifully, the song was She will be loved which he dedicated to all the beautiful young women around. It was like seeing Kelly Preston on stage enacting the MTV that they had years ago.

Ticketworld sold the tickets with Gold B free seating tickets selling at P5,830.00, Silver standing at P 3,180 and Bronze standing at 1,272.00. Judging from the number of people who were around at the Gold B seats and the others seated on the Gold A seats, the concert made money. The only problem in the concert was the big pillar in the middle which made viewing for the Gold B and others harder to see the band.

My facebook status last week said " May lakad ako sa lunes sino gusto ako samahan?" Luckily my good friend Rothz de Lima answered back and there we were having fun during the concert. I just hope that more bands like Maroon 5 will visit the country.

Barkada Outing

THE GURLS

THE FOOD

THE BARKADA

THE RELAXATION

THE ENJOYMENT

SARAP MAG OUTING

STI College Olympians Lady Spikers

(L-R) La Rainne, Tinay, Tina, Sha, Nica Joan

After getting the final list of the line up for this year's STI College Olympians Women's volleyball team and visiting them in their practice I notice something different this time around. Although the level of play has definitely improved, I noticed that this batch has a lot of good looking girls playing for our team.

Tina Dela Cena and Nica Martinez

Well it really helps get some fans and STIer's to watch the games if they are to watch certain individuals and cheer for them. I am banking on this new look of the Lady Spikers to get some STIers interested and hopefully fill up the stands. Hope to see you guys in the games.

Olympians place 2nd in CDL

RK Morales named to the Mythical 5 anew

It was a normal day at the office for the STI College Olympians defense as they limited the scoring of NCRAA Champion Colegio de Santa Monica for the first Collegiate Developmental League crown at the Rizal Coliseum. While their defense was at on cruise control their shooting and offense took a day off which the Cougars capitalized on to take a 59 – 55 win over the Olympians and win the title. Prior to the game John Orbeta of the Cougars and Rama Krisna Morales of the Olympians were named into the Mythical 5 of the tournament with Orbeta getting the nod as tournament MVP.

Keeno Alcantara scores

The Olympians looked to break the game open by leading 24 – 18 with four minutes left. After that, the Olympians suddenly self destructed as their three pointers were off while a number of lay- ups rimmed out. That was the cue the Cougars needed to unleash a paralzying 11 – 0 run to end the quarter on top by five.

Noel Ohandja on the drive

The Olympians had a hard time buying a basket but their defense kept them in the game. Again, a lot of their shots rimmed out while the Cougars had numerous chances to redeem themselves through their pure hustle to get rebounds. By the end of the third quarter the Cougars were comfortably ahead 47 -37 as the Olympians sputtered on the offensive side and Coach Vic Ycasiano was at a bind on who to send in since everyone seemed to be out of sync.

Scuffle near the basket

In the fourth quarter, the Olympians relied on their pressure defense and heart to launch a last minute comeback. Third year guard Lester Bocablo proved to be the spark plug together with Noel Ohandja as both helped bring back the Olympians. Bocablo’s hustle got him to score six points while starter JC Po sank a three pointer with a minute left to cut the Cougars deficit to three 54 -51. A three pointer by Cougars Jay Flores in the waning seconds gave the Cougars more breathing room to pull out the win.

Elmer Labis underneath the basket

If there is one thing that the Olympians learned from this tournament is that with five veterans namely PBA D- League players Maclean Sabellina, Cedric Ablaza and Norman Ihalas out of the team, they know that the team is mature enough to make it to the finals of a tournament like this. Come NAASCU time, the young turks will definitely be wiser, stronger and smarter.

Junior Olympians beat RP Women's

Akward was the word to sum up what the STI College Junior Olympians felt when they faced the RP Women’s Team in the Fr. Martin’s Cup. The Junior Olympians finally poured it on in the third quarter to beat the Lady Nationals 101- 67. Ranged against former queens of the UAAP the Junior Olympians battled the Women Nationals on equal footing as Ewon Arayi, Diane Jose, Au Adriano, Jo Gloriani and Cassy Tioseco kept the Nationals in the game with their timely hits and accurate shooting. The half ended with the Junior Olympians on top by two 39-37.

In the second half, third year guard Eric Sanchez continued his hot shooting as he scored at will by sinking six consecutive three pointers to lead all scorers with 30 points. The Junior Olympians followed his lead by unleashing their paralyzing full court press by forcing the Lady Nationals to turnovers that they converted to precious points. Then the points started piling up until the game was already beyond recall. It was the third win of the Junior Olympians.

NAASCU to upgrade its coaches

Matthew "Fritz" Gaston an accomplished basketball star, an accomplished coach is now on his way to pay back the very sport that he was a part of by helping out in the National Coaches Licensing which is spearheaded by the Samahan ng Basketball ng Pilipinas. Fritz Gaston is the consummate Ateneo athlete as he led the Blue Eagles together with Joy Carpio and Steve Watson to the last NCAA title of the Katipunan squad. Gaston went on to the PBA to anchor the U-Tex Wranglers championship run and was the President of the Players association of the PBA. Through the PBA's player's trust fund Gaston pursued further studies as he acquired a Master's Degree in Business Management from the Asian Institute of Management. Two of the best teams that comes to mind that he has coached was the 1988 Ateneo Blue Eagles that completed the first Ateneo back to back and the Women's National Team that placed second to Thailand, the RP belles eventually won the won the SEABA title in 2010.

Gaston talked about how coaches can be distinguished through this and that levels of coaching can be attained. This licensing is mandated by FIBA and can be something that NAASCU coaches can brag about as the only league with FIBA accredited coaches. At the same time the seminar will help distinguish levels of coaching for our coaches with becoming a National Coach as the ultimate ending.

The seminar has a lot of components which ranges from coaching philosophy to even sports management. Stay tuned for further details.