Typhoon Sendong: Fund Drive / Donations Update

Tropical storm Sendong ravaged Mindanao with devastating rains, unleashing flash floods and landslides that left a trail of destruction and left thousands our kababayans homeless. Hundreds of pictures and videos filled the screens of our television sets and computer monitors depicting the sad plight of our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters.

What we saw in the news saddened each and every one of us. Words cannot describe the fuzziness in my throat and the clouds in my eyes when I saw the picture of a father carrying the dead body of his child. The picture tells it all.

Please allow us to take this opportunity to thank our pool players and friends who extended a helping hand in the form of cash assistance and/or relief goods for the victims of Sendong. They are the following:

Gillian Go (BDN)
Php 3,000

Lee Vann Corteza and the Negros Billiards Stable
Php 10,000

World Champion Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit (MAPPA/BDN)
10 boxes of bottled mineral water

Jonathan, Sonia, and Jed Paguio (IAC)
Php 500

Jassen Chua (BDN)
1 plastic container of used clothing

Boyong Jorge (MAPPA)
1 shopping bag of used clothing

Jesse Gonzales Cambosa (MAPPA)
1 shopping bag of new shirts

and

a group of kids who donated bags of used clothing.

Despite the short notice and all, we managed to gather a total of Php13,500, 10 boxes of bottled mineral water, 5 bags of used clothing, and 1 bag of brand new shirts for our kababayans. The donations were turned over to Ms. Sol of GMA-7, who furnished us with receipts for such. Many thanks to Sam Nielsen of GMA-7 for taking time out to assist us with the fund drive.

To everyone who shared their blessings with our brothers and sisters, and our sons and daughters in Mindanao, Maraming salamat po!


*To the man in the picture – I know it may not mean much but you and your child will always be in my prayers. Always.

"We make a living by what we get.
We make a life with what we give."

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Lee Vann Corteza Subdues Yang Ching-shun in Philippine Bigtime Billiards Face-Off!

Filipino pool player Lee Vann Corteza subdued an all-out comeback from Taiwan's Yang Ching-shun to rule the 5th leg of Philippine Bigtime Billiards’ Face-Off Series last night at the Pagcor Airport Casino in Paranaque City. Corteza, aka The Slayer, took home the cool $5,000 first prize via a 9-6 finish of Yang, aka The Son of Pool.

The Son of Pool managed to force a tie at 4-4. However, a scratch in the 9th rack allowed the Slayer to bag the 9th rack. Corteza managed to squeeze in a comfortable three game lead at 7-4 – and never looked back. Final score: 9-6.

According to Corteza, "I got a lot of breaks. Luck played a huge part in my win tonight. From experience, Yang is a very tough opponent and winning over him is no easy task. Every time one plays Yang, you can rest assured that it will be an uphill climb all the way.”

Corteza plays for the Negros Billiards Stable and JSY Sports. Sponsors include Energen, Kopiko, Hustlin USA, and Diveney Cues.

For those not in the know, the Philippine Bigtime Billiards Face-Off Series continues next week, December 10, 2011. Yang will be pitted against one of world’s deadliest players – Dennis Orcollo, aka The Robocop! Yes, you’ve read right, everyone! It’s going to be the Son of Pool vs. Asia’s Money Game King/2011 WPA Pool Player of the Year! I will not miss this! And I kid you not!

"I want more! I want The AnitoKid!"

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Lee Vann Corteza vs. Yang Ching Shun: The Philippine Bigtime Billiards Face-Off Series!

It’s definitely on! It’s the Slayer vs. the Son of Pool! Filipino pool player Lee Vann Corteza and Taiwanese Yang Ching Shun will clash tonight, 9 PM, in the 5th leg of the Philippine Bigtime Billiards Face-Off Series at the internationally-renowned Pagcor Casino in Parañaque City!

The race-to-9, 10-ball match will air live over Solar Sports, Sky Channel 70, and Destiny Channel 34. It can also be viewed via live streaming at www.starbilliards.com.ph, www.megasportsworld.com, and www.philippinebigtimebilliards.com.

Tonight's winner will receive a cool $5,000! And I kid you not!

Corteza, who plays for the Negros Billiards Stable and JSY Sports of businessman Jonathan Sy, is fresh from a momentous win in the Golden Break 9-Ball Invitational Championship held in Malaysia. He aims to do a follow-up on compatriot Francisco Django Bustamante’s scintillating victory over Darryl Peach of the United Kingdom last week.

I am betting my bottom dollar on The Slayer! See y'all tonight!

"The AnitoKid - be prepared!"

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Efren Reyes & Rubilen Amit Win 2011 World Mixed Doubles Billiards Championship!

The dynamic partnership of Efren Bata Reyes, aka The Magician, and Rubilen Amit, aka Bingkay, proved unstoppable in the 2011 World Mixed Doubles Billiards Championships! Yes, you’ve read right, friends. The greatest player ever to wield a pool cue and the first female World 10-Ball Champion have won the 2011 World Mixed Doubles Billiards Championships held in Hangzhou, China! And I kid you not!

Reyes and Amit successfully defended their title by defeating the formidable tandem of Johnny Archer and Jeanette Lee, 10-6, in the finals. Both Reyes and Amit dedicated their awesome win to the Filipino people. “This is our Christmas gift to Filipinos all over the world! For our country!” said The Magician after winning the championship.

Congratulations Efren and Bingkay! Mabuhay!

"It's The AnitoKid way of life!"

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Dennis Orcollo is WPA 2011 Player of the Year!

Asia’s Money Game King, Dennis Orcollo, has been named the World Pool and Billiard Association (WPA) 2011 Player of the Year! And I kid you not!

The 32-year-old Orcollo, who plays for Bugsy Promotions, racked up an impressive 2,570 points in 8 WPA ranking events over the course of 2011, to grab the top honors in the world rankings of billiards. Yukio Akagariyama of Japan, who won the World 9-ball Championship in Qatar in June 2011, came in a close second with 2382 points. Darren Appleton of the United Kingdom, who won his second straight US Open title in October 2011, landed third with 2256 points. Filipino pool player Ronnie Alcano finished with 2063 points. Orcollo will receive a trophy and a Tag Heuer watch for the recognition.

Speaking over the phone, the Robocop says, "I am very happy with this honor! I dedicate this to all my fans, the fans of the sport, and for my country - the Philippines. With hope, I will continue playing my best in 2012."

The year 2011 will be remembered as the year that Orcollo snatched his first world championship when he won the coveted World 8-Ball title in February 2011, in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Other notable finishes include 7th in the 2011 Philippine Open, 5th in the World 10-Ball Championship, and 3rd in the World 9-ball Championship. Moreover, in January 2011, Surigao del Sur’s favorite son won the Derby City 9-ball division in Louisville, Kentucky, before playing 1st Runner-up to Ralf Souquet in the World Pool Masters held in September 2011. But wait! We’re not done yet. Bugsy’s number one pool player then captured the Philippine National 9-ball and the Predator International 10-Ball championships. Indeed! Orcollo’s star shone brightly in 2011.

Dennis Orcollo hails from Bislig, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao. He spent his childhood helping his father fish to feed the family. Orcollo’s father disappeared in a fishing accident when he was just 9 years old. The incident forced him to take over the grueling duties of fishing to keep the family fed.

Orcollo started to play pool during his free time from fishing chores. He instantly feel in love with the sport and never looked back. He followed his dream of becoming a world champion by traveling to Manila during his adolescent years. Hard work and perseverance, coupled with the guidance of Bugsy Promotion’s Perry Mariano, paid off handsomely for the Filipino pool player.

World Champion! Asia’s Money Game King! WPA 2011 Player of the Year! And more! Believe you me, Dennis Orcollo is it! Congratulations, Dennis! You made us all proud! Mabuhay!

"We are numero uno! The AnitoKid"

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Daryl Peach Subdues Ronnie Alcano in Philippine Bigtime Billiards Face-Off Series!

Daryl Peach, aka The Dazzler, staged an impressive come-from-behind finish against Ronnie Alcano, aka The Volcano, to rule the November 29, 2011 Face-Off Series of Philippine Bigtime Billiards at the Pagcor Airport Casino in Paranaque City. Peach rallied from a 2-7 deficit and secured the win at 9-7.

Peach, the 2007 World 9-Ball Champion, received the $5,000 top prize, while Alcano, the 2006 World 9-Ball and 2007 World 8-Ball Champion, settled for $2,500. The latter was the odds-on favorite to win both in the house and e-games.

At the onset of the competition, Peach fumbled on two easy shots, which paved the way for Alcano to realize a seemingly insurmountable lead. However, the Dazzler took the last seven racks by exploiting the winner’s-break format in the 10-ball, race-to-9 event.

It was a vindication of sort for Peach, who got nipped by Alcano in the 2007 World 8-ball Championships held at the United Arab Emirates.

Peach’s win marks the third straight defeat of Filipino pool players in the weekly showdown after Ralf Souquet won against Dennis Orcollo and Carlo Biado in previous matches, which were also held at the Pagcor Airport Casino

But wait! It ain’t over till the fat lady sings! Come November 26, 2011, Peach will face off against another World 9-Ball Champion – none other than Francisco Django Bustamante! And you guess, right! I am betting my bottom dollar on Django on this one. And I kid you not!


*Photo credits go to my good friend Biboy Soriano.

"The AnitoKid loves come-from-behind finishes!"

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Iris Ranola is Double Gold Medalist in 26th Southeast Asian Games!

Congratulations to Filipina pool player Iris Ranola, the first double gold medalist for Team Pilipinas at the 26th Southeast Asian Games!

The 26-year-old Ranola won 7-2 against her teammate, World 10-Ball Champion Rubilen Amit, in the women’s 9-ball billiards event. She earlier won the coveted gold in the women’s 8-ball event held at the Opih Convention Hall in Jakabaring.

For those not in the know, Ranola’s had a spell of dehydration, which caused her to faint in her hotel room last week. And I kid you not!

Ranola’s win translates to another Php100,000 in government-sponsored incentive. She plans to use her winnings for her father, who is currently stricken with cancer of the throat.

Congratulations Rubilen and Iris! An all-Filipino finals is always a treat for us all! We are very proud of you! Mabuhay!

"It's winning time with The AnitoKid!"

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Women's World 10-Ball Championship: Players and Schedules of Matches

The complete group draw for the 2011 Yalin World 10-Ball Championship is now official! And I kid you not! The world’s best professional female pool players will battle it out at the 2011 Yalin World 10-Ball Championship from November 2 to 6, 2011, at Robinson's Galleria.

China will try its darndest best to keep a monopoly on world championship wins, but they will have some big challenges in the persons of England's Allison Fisher and Kelly Fisher.

"The World 10-Ball Championship is important to me because it is a title i have not won. Nine ball is a bit more of an equalizer but nevertheless, to win an event requires great play and some luck," commented Allison, aka the Duchess of Doom. "I hope to perform on a very high level and in turn create a great result." When asked who her top picks would be aside from herself, Fisher simply stated "Not saying." No doubt, with a big win in China last week and her 5th US Open title in early 2011, Allison sees herself on the top podium with England's national anthem playing.

Korea will have a powerful force as well and is likely to produce a top contender into the later rounds. Ga Young Kim already has two World Championships, Yu Ram Cha has a World Open title, and Eunji Erica Park has a 3rd at the US Open and a 5th at the 2010 World 10-Ball.

Heat from the Pool Capital of the World will be provided by no less than the 2009 World 10-Ball Champion Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit and Iris Ranola.

Monica Webb and Jennifer Barretta will try to be the first Americans to win in 2 decades.

Group 1
1. Jasmin Ouschan AUT
2. Shin Mei Liu TPE
3. Rubilen Amit PHI
4. Monica Webb USA
5. Nataliya Seroshtan
6. Q6 (qualifier #6)

Group 2
1. Xiaofang Fu CHN
2. Hua Shan Lai TPE
3. Iris Ranola PHI
4. Mary Rakin USA
5. Anastasia Necheava RUS
6. Q5

Group 3
1. Siming Chen CHN
2. Yu Ram Cha KOR
3. Keiko Yukawa JPN
4. Angel Paglia USA
5. Kamila Khodjeava BEL
6. Q4

Group 4
1. Ga Young Kim KOR
2. Yun Mi Lim KOR
3. Miyuki Fuke JPN
4. Emily Duddy USA
5. Melissa Rademakers NED
6. Q3

Group 5
1. Kelly Fisher ENG
2. Eunji Park KOR
3. Elham Shakori IRI
4. Jennifer Barretta USA
5. Laetitia Dos Santos FRA
6. Q2

Group 6
1. Allison Fisher ENG
2. Praveen Neena IND
3. Jia Li JPN
4. Naomi Williams CAN
5. Oliwia Chuprinska POL
6. Q1

Group 7
1. Sha Sha Liu
2. Indira Gowda IND
3. Yu Han CHN
4. Brittany Bryant CAN
5. Tamara Peeters NED
6. Caroline Roos SWE

Group 8
1. Chieh Yu Chou TPE
2. Chihiro Kawahara JPN
3. Zhu Qing Bi CHN
4. Ana Majinnia RUS
5. Kynthia Orfanidas NED
6. Line Kjorsvik NOR

Predator Cues, the world's #1 cue brand and Simonis Cloth, the top trusted name in billiard cloth, will be used throughout the event. Predator has more than half the women's pros using their products and Simonis will be used on all the Yalin pro Tournament Edition tables.

The billiards event will be airing locally and internationally on ABS-CBN and ESPN Star Sports, respectively. The event will be broadcasted live for all five days of the main event with 25 hours of broadcast television coverage.

"It's championship time with The AnitoKid!"

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Lee Vann Corteza Wins San Miguel Beer Oktoberfest 9-Ball Open at Resorts World!

Lee Vann Corteza, aka The Slayer, staged an exciting rally to humble World No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, 11-8, in the finals of the 2011 San Miguel Beer Oktoberfest Festival 9-ball Open Masters held at the Resorts World Manila, Sunday, October 30, 2011. Incidentally, Orcollo is the defending champion of the event.

Corteza, who plays for the Negros Billiards Stable and JSY Sports, fought back from a 1-3 deficit by winning 5 of the next 6 racks. He capitalized on Orcollo’s miscue in the 10th rack to seize a 6-4 lead. And I kid you not!

He sustained his pace from there and took 5 of the next 9 racks to complete the win worth a cool Php350,000, including a San Miguel Beer Mug trophy.

Corteza’s sponsors include Kopiko, Energen, Hustlin USA, and Diveney Cues.

"It's the Slayer cometh with The AnitoKid!"

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Bilyar.NET Cue Bazaar at Rack Em Up Bar & Billiards!

Pool players and fans of the cue sport, guess what? The first ever Bilyar.NET Cue Bazaar is just around the corner! And I kid you not! Yes, you've read right, friends! It's the 1st Bilyar.NET Cue Bazaar - the very first cue bazaar and expo in the Philippines!

Indeed, The Pool Capital of the World’s top cuemakers will grace the 1st Bilyar.NET Cue Bazaar to showcase their art and craft for all to see! These include one-of-a-kind cues, limited editions, and customized sets! And oh! When we say the country’s TOP CUEMAKERS will be there – you better believe that such will be the who’s who in cues and cuemaking on this side of the pool planet! WOOOO!

WHAT: 2011 BDN Cue Bazaar
WHEN: 6 PM onwards; October 29, 2011
WHERE: Rack Em Up Bar & Billiards

Sell! Buy! Or trade your pool cues, cue cases, and billiards accessories at the 1st Bilyar.NET Cue Bazaar! Everything and anything billiards will be on display. Name it, and it will be there! That is the honest truth! From brand new to slightly used pool cues, to used but not abused equipment – everything will be on hand for everyone and anyone!

Conceptualized and organized by none other than BDN’s Kaye Lugtu, aka SiKayeAko, the 2011 BDN Cue Bazaar will feature:

• A 1 Hour Forum for Cuemakers by Invited Experts
• A 1 Hour Forum for Players by Cuemakers
• Challenges Tables – with special guest players
• Cue Bazaar – sale / trade / buy brand new and slightly used pool cues, cue cases and billiards accessories.
• Attendees may also join the Saturday Rack Em Up 9-Ball Tournament
  

Spend time with the country’s top cuemakers, your fellow pool players, and special guests and be in the know on the ins and outs of pool cues and cuemaking! Believe you me, you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain at the 1st Bilyar.NET Cue Bazaar! Take that first step in creating your weapon of choice – your very own custom pool cue! Be a part of history!

For more info, please call/text:
Kaye 0906 367 4633
PeeWee 0918 906 5470

"We are making history! Be a part of it! The AnitoKid!"

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World Pool Masters Schedule of Matches: Live on Solar Sports!

Billiards buddies and pool player friends, here is the schedule of matches of the 2011 World Pool Masters. The World Pool Masters begins today, September 3, 2011, and will take place at the SM City North Edsa in Quezon City.

A total of 16 world-class pool players will battle it out for one of billiards’ longest standing invitational events. The tournament carries a cool $20,000 first prize from the total prize fund of $66,000! And I kid you not!

The first match begins today at 12 PM (Manila time) or 9 PM Pacific/12 AM Eastern. The scheduled matches (Manila time) are as follows:

Dennis Orcollo (PHI) vs. Tony Drago (MLT) 1200 Saturday
Chang Jung-lin (TPE) vs. Shane Van Boening (USA) 1300 Saturday
Chris Melling (ENG) vs. Fu Jianbo (CHN) 1500 Saturday
Francisco Bustamante (PHI) vs. Jason Klatt (CAN) 1600 Saturday
Huidji See (NED) vs. Lee Vann Corteza (PHI) 1900 Saturday

Ralf Souquet (GER) vs. Mika Immonen (FIN) 1200 Sunday
Darren Appleton (ENG) vs. Efren Reyes (PHI) 1300 Sunday
Yukio Akagariyama (JPN) vs. Raj Hundal (IND) 1800 Saturday

The quarter-finals of the 2011 World Pool Masters follows on Sunday at 1500 and 1800, respectively. The semi-finals takes place on Monday at 1500, with the finals set on Monday at 1900.

The 2011 World Pool Masters will have a race-to-8, winner breaks format. All matches will be aired live throughout on Solar Sports in the Philippines. Solar Sports is on Sky Cable Channel 70, Destiny Channel 35, and Cablelink Channel 31.

"Go for gold with The AnitoKid!"

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The Wild Swans Live in the Philippines! Schedule and Ticket Prices!

Finally, the long wait is over! For the first time – THE VERY FIRST TIME – The Wild Swans will be performing live in the Philippines! And I kid you not! WOOOO!

The Wild Swans, one of the most successful new-wave bands to hit mainstream radio in the Pool Capital of the World, will perform live at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Lahug, Cebu City, and at One Esplanade, SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City on September 30, 2011 and October 1, 2011, respectively,

The Wild Swans is one of my uber-favorite bands of all time! The post-punk band from Liverpool, England, made its debut in 1980 shortly after Paul Simpson left The Teardrop Explodes and teamed up with Jeremy Kelly, Ged Quinn, James Weston, and Justin Stavely, who was later replaced by Alan Wills. The Wild Swans have enjoyed a huge degree of success and cult status in several countries, i.e., USA, UK, Germany, Japan, and the Philippines.

And who in the world could ever forget their songs? Whirlpool Heart! Northern England! Bringing Home the Ashes! Now and Forever! Melting Blue Delicious! Bible Dreams! Telescope! And more!

I, like everyone else, have waited for this all my life! And now, they are finally here! The Wild Swans are finally performing live in the Philippines! Indeed, it is a great time to reminisce the good times!

For those not in the know, the Wild Swans Live in Manila concert tour is made possible by none other than the Philippines’ most famous man of music, one of the true pillars of the Philippines’ music industry – the one and the only – Jesse Cambosa aka Jesse Gonzales of DMC Philippines! Yes, you’ve read right, everyone! DMC Philippines, in cooperation with Mossimo Music, Magic 89.9, Myx, and Oxford Suites, is bringing to you Paul Simpson and the Wild Swans LIVE! Front acts will see Tricia Garcia, Kudos Loves 80s, and Sid Band.

So, what are you waiting for? Get your tickets now at SM Tickets and TicketWorld! Tickets prices are Php3,500 for VIP, Php2,500 for Gold, and Php1,500 for Silver. And oh! The first 200 VIP ticket buyers get to have limited edition t-shirts for FREE!

It goes without saying that I will be seeing y’all at the concert! It's time for the English electric brotherhood! It's The Wild Swans Live in Manila! PEACE!

"Worldclass. The AnitoKid!"

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World Pool Masters, World Cup of Pool & Predator International 10-Ball Schedules!

Indeed, it will be a busy September for Philippine billiards as the Pool Capital of the World plays host to not just one but three major international tournaments! And I kid you not!

First on the list is the 2011 World Pool Masters, which will kick off the events on September 3-5 at the SM City North Edsa in Quezon City. Sixteen of the world's best cue artists will take part in the prestigious invitational tournament, including Filipino pool players Efren Bata" Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, and Lee Vann Corteza.

For those not in the know, Orcollo, aka Robocop, is the defending champion. He will be seeing competition in the opener of the $66,000 event – battling it out against Tony Drago of Malta (2003 World Pool Masters champion). Bustamante takes on Canada’s Jason Klatt, as Corteza and Reyes clash with the Netherlands’ Huidji See and England’s Darren Appleton, respectively. The World Pool Masters will have a race-to-8, winner’s break format. All matches will be aired live on Solar Sports: September 3-4 at 12 noon to 10 PM, and September 5 at 3 PM to 10 PM. Solar Sports is on Sky Cable Channel 70, Destiny Channel 35, and Cablelink Channel 31.

The next event is the 2011 World Cup of Pool where two Philippine teams will compete head on against the world’s bests on September 6-11 – also at the SM City North Edsa. Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante aim to make history as they seek to win their third title. Reyes and Bustamante won the coveted World Cup of Pool championship twice, i.e., in 2006 and in 2009. Orcollo and Ronnie Alcano make up the other Filipino pair who will gun it out for the championship, which is currently held by China’s Fu Jianbo and Li He Wen. A total of 32 teams from 31 countries will compete in the $250,000 tournament.

The third, but definitely not the least competition on schedule for September 2011 is the 11th Predator International 10-Ball Championship (September 14-18). Reyes, aka The Magician, is all set to defend his title against 95 hopefuls from 30 different countries. The competition will be held at the Robinson's Galleria.

"It's championship time once again with The AnitoKid!"

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