Liga ng Bayan opens for new season; San Miguel becomes Magnolia with "super line-up"

Speaking of abangan, isa sa pinakainaabangan ng mga Pinoy ay nagbalik na. And I am talking about the Philippine Basketball Association. I have been a big fan of the PBA, Asia's oldest professional basketball league, since the 80's when my San Miguel Beer captured its Grand Slam and my ultimate Pinoy hardcore idols namely Samboy Lim, Allan Caidic, Ato Agustin, and Hector Calma were still active. Sure a lot of long-time basketball aficionados have been talking about how better/mor exhilarating the brand of basketball was in the past particularly in the PBA than that of today's PBA and how 'boring' the current style is, no thanks to the more 'scientific' and 'controlled' systems being applied by teams of today in contrast to the more exciting, more free-flowing systems of the old teams, but today's PBA has, no doubt, made its own unique mark in the consciousness of the country's basketball fans, both old and new. Now whether this new crop of basketball heroes capture the imagination, the heart, and the loyalty of the fans in the same way as legends like Caloy Loyzaga, Bogs Abornado, Atoy Co, Sonny Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, Allan Caidic, Alvin Patrimonio, and Samboy Lim to name a few had done in the 70's, 80's, and 90's; and whether they usher in a new Golden Era for Philippine Basketball is definitely something to look forward to.



One thing I really like about the 33rd season of PBA is the adoption of a number of FIBA rules and the ditching of some old PBA rules in former's favor. This move will surely help our top players familiriaze themselves with international rules and brand of play. This will in turn bring them in a position to compete better in FIBA-sanctioned international games once our sports and basketball officials decide to tap our PBA players again to represent the country in these international tournaments including the FIBA Asia Championships and even - who knows - the FIBA World Championships and the Olympics.

So, what's my early favorite? Of course, I am still rooting for my San Miguel Beer team that now carries a new name, the Magnolia Beverage Masters. The team also boasts of a fully loaded line-up in terms of talent with the likes of RP Team veterans Olcen "Ra-Ra" Racela, sharpshooter Dondon Hontiveros, two-time PBA MVP Danny Ildefonso, and 2007 FIBA Asia Club Mythical Five Selection Danny "the Dynamite" Seigle; ex-UAAP superstars Enrico "the Raging Bull" Villanueva, LA Tenorio, Wesly Gonzalez, and Larry "the Baby-faced Assassin" Fonacier (former Ateneo Blue Eagles all); former NCAA MVPs Gabby Espinas and Chris Calaguio; burly and reliable Fil-ams Willie Wilson and Dorian Pena; and former PBA Finals MVP Lordy Tugade under one roof. On paper, this is indeed the team to beat. But of course in a team sports like basketball, as they always say, nobody wins on paper alone. The team still has to be able to work as one cohesive unit; play great at both ends of the court; and compete with the same champion's heart as the San Miguel teams of the past.

Needless to say, I am excited to see this awesome collection of established and up-and-coming superstars in action on the court this new season. I am just not so excited about the change of name though, but this is another story.

So meantime --- BAKBAKAN NA!


(Update: Magnolia -112; AIR 21 - 97 with 4:20 to go in the first game of the season)
(Update No. 2: Magnolia wins 121 - 112. Here's a related story from the PDI)

Will Naga City's very own local celebrity make it to the Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition 2?

This will be very quick. While watching TV after lunch, I saw this promotional clip for this year's Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition of broadcasting giant ABS-CBN. What struck me about the promotional campaign was the apparent intention of the network to perk up the interest and curiosity of the public about the identities of this edition's celebrity 'housemates'. Some of the TV hosts even played up the speculations prevalent right now in the internet as to who will really be included in Kuya's final list. Apparently, a number of 'lists' based on these speculations have appeared in the internet already. However, while watching it, I remember a candid conversation I had with a famous Nagueno a month ago in Naga City. During the said conversation, he revealed to me that ABS-CBN had indeed approached and invited him to join this year's Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2 but nothing became final at that time I believe. Now that this very popular TV program is all set to disclose the official list of celebrity housemates hours from now, I could not help but to think of this local personality. Will he make it? Will Naga City have its own pambato inside the Big Brother house? If ever he does make it, will he have the same luck as Beatriz Saw had when this Bicolana made inside the house and eventually got out as the reality show's Big Winner?

Abangan na lang po natin.

Straight from My Mags: 21 Big Lessons from Little Kids

While on the verge of major changes in my life/career, I could not seize some time to compose and post anything here. Tonight however I intend to come out from my own 'sabbatical' from blogging and start something new here. I'd like to call it, well at least for now, "Straight from My Mags". You see, I have been a magazine buyer/reader for many years now and I have always found valuable lessons, ideas and tips - and a lot of good reads to boot - in the magazines that I read every month. So just a while ago I thought, why not share/blog about some of the things that I get from these magazines and in the process - perhaps - be able to remember or learn from them more by 'recording' them here. From time to time, I might inject some of my thoughts regarding a particular magazine article as well. But for the most part of it, it is really just about 'throwing' something 'out there' which has probably inspired me; or shoved me to think; or made me laugh; captured my imagination; or simply moved me - because who knows, another soul might find that "something" inspiring, funny, and valuable too.

So to open up the show, err, this part/category of The Quackroom, here's something from the October 2007 Edition of MEN'S HEALTH Magazine - Philippines. I like this article because aside from presenting a lot of great and moving insights, it also brings back fond memories of my childhood that leave me chuckling; reminiscing - while being pleasantly warm inside.

21 Big Lessons from Little Kids
(In bold letters are the ones that hit me the most instantly)

1. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Even when there's not a prize in the bottom of the box.

2. Sometimes it's best to be completely blunt with people, as you used to be with relatives who wanted you to do something embarrassing or tedious for a cheap prize.

3. Asking questions is how you figure things out. Lots and lots of questions.

4. An older, wiser Gordie Lachance says in Stand By Me, "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12." Lachance is right. The trick is to try to be the friend you were when you were 12: fun-loving and loyal, with no strings attached.

5. Playing is work. Approach your downtime with all the seriousness of a 5-year old with a secret treasure map.

6. Real guys don't dip their toes in the water. They jump right in.

7. Girls have cooties. Well, the ones you meet in certain bars do, anyway.

8. You hated it when a grown-up told you, "We'll see." It's still unacceptable. Don't say it yourself.

9. The only way to know how something works is to completely disassemble it. (This is still good advice when tackling a complex problem. Your plasma TV? Not so much.)

10. There's a reason they don't give credit cards to eight-year-olds. You're supposed to save up money before you buy a new toy.

11. Your body was designed for running around, shooting hoops, and jumping off diving boards and stuff. In the secret language of children, the word "fitness" doesn't exist. It's called "having fun".

12. Your world can be half-real and half-imaginary.

13. Homework blows. Bring work home with you and it'll ruin your night. And your marriage. And your family. And your life.

14. Too much of anything will give you a tummy ache. Like, say, Scotch.

15. If there's even the slightest doubt, hit the potty before you leave.

16. The coolest adults were the ones who took the time to listen to you. You still want to grow up to be a cool adult, right?

17. Treasure Island, Dracula: The best books are consumed after dark with a flashlight.

18. Use adrenaline as your drug of choice. You don't need a beer, pot, or cigarettes to have a good time.

19. Kissing a girl on the cheek is a big deal. Kissing her lips is an even bigger deal. Seeing her naked for the first time is a major, life-altering event.

20. Going after a target in the urinal makes the time whiz by.

21. Seeing the thunderstorm roll in is better than watching HDTV. And rain isn't something to curse, but to enjoy. Hurry up, before it clears.