The 'Million People March'

There was this meme showing Dr. Jose Rizal's ghost descending in a dungeon and there he saw Mother Land, tied up and suffering. Two words his greeting was: "still here?" 

Two words. Very simple. Yet it struck a huge chord in me. And why not? More than a hundred year ago since Rizal's martyrdom, and indeed we're still here. We may have broken the chains of our colonizers, but the sad truth is we are being enslaved by our fellow Filipinos. Leaders we elected, sworn to uphold the rule of law and protect its people, were caught redhanded, pocketing billions after billions from the nation's coffer. 

It's national heroes day but instead of commemorating heroes from the past, most Filipinos chose to be heroes themselves. 

The EDSA People Power 1 started from Cardinal Sin's call through the radio while the EDSA 2 started in chains of text messages urging everyone to come out to rally in the streets. This time, the so-called "Million People March" started in social media. One click and thousands heed the call to scrap the pork barrel system. There was no figure who acted as the leader. And why should there be? Every Filipino that went there is a leader, a real boss ready to show the world that he's fed up and that he's willing to fight and slay dragons no matter how impossible it seems. 

When I arrived at the Luneta Park I was surprised to see a huge crowd. I was not expecting it will turn out this big. Probably it's because it's way easier to commit to a certain cause using Facebook and Twitter, but it's another thing to actually go out and go against your usual way. But it happened. There in front of Rizal where majority are youth, we the Filipino people proved that we're not asleep and that we're willing to stand our ground because we are angry, we want accountability and that we want a government that we deserve. 

It was so moving to see people united under one cause. Forget agenda. Forget their respective stand on different issues. This time, Filipinos realized that this cause is something bigger than all of us. There were dancing, singing and laughter. People looked happy, we looked happy not because we're not serious with our protest, but because we are fighting together and because we know we can make a change. 

Yes it's true that one rally will not change the world. But I believe the different voices that came today in one harmonious call will resonate far more than we expect. So until then. For now we have work to do. We know what to do. 

UAAP 76 mid-season assesment

The UAAP Season 76 senior men's basketball second elimination round will begin in two days after a two-week break due to the FIBA Asia Championship that was held here in the country. And while it's a bit late, here's my mid-season assesment of the team:

FEU (7-0)

Who would've thought that the Tamaraws will sweep the first round? Everyone's guilty of it. I can still remember those few days before the season officially kicked-off and journalists, when asked about FEU, would only give a fair answer. Usually, it's UE and NU on top of conversations that would clinch the top spot.

The tandem of RR Garcia and Terence Romeo proved them wrong. And to top it all, Romeo is leading the pack for the race towards MVP. But guess what? He's still unsatisfied with his performance. Even Garcia said they can still fine-tune their team's chemistry.

I expect FEU to stay on top of its game for the second round and who knows, from what Garcia and Romeo are saying, there's a lot more to come for the Tamaraws.

UST (4-3)

Admit it or not, if only team captain Jeric Teng wasn't suffering from injury from collission with NU's Jeoffrey Javillonar, UST could be in solo spot for second place in the team standings. 

They almost made it past Ateneo at fourth quarter in their last match of first round, with the Eagles missing those crucial shots and free throws. Problem is the team didn't gel well and that's where Teng should've entered.

Another hole in UST's game is Kareem Abdul. I don't think he's playing the way he did during those times with Jeric Fortuna. It must be the way the ball is being trafficked but if Abdul would be able to whip out his former gear, the Tigers could be a huge threat for FEU vying for that top spot.

NU (4-3)

Two-time MVP Bobby Ray Parks struggled to find his ryhtmn in the earlier part of the first round, but he did recover and maybe we canexpect that to double this coming next round. But still, it's clear that it's not his usual game.

To be honest, I was like "wait a second..." thinking of the Bulldogs because I don't think they're performing up at par with the pre-season expectation. Emmanuel Mbe stepped up in most games, but what about the other players?

UE (4-3)

Yes, the Super Sumang Show is on! Or as my fellow journalist would often say, "Sumang and Friends Show."

What can I say? Roi Sumang provided one of the most epic last quarter runs in the entire first round of the season. How can anyone forget that four-point play where he dribbled the ball up to the last second of the shot clock with three seconds left in the game before shooting a blistering trey?

The good thing about UE is that aside from Sumang, they have Charles Mammie under the basket. But dangerous man waiting to explode is Ralf Olivares.

Coach Zamar thanked the media in his last press conference for making them the contender, but to be honest, I think they made it on their own.

DLSU (3-4)

Jeron Teng aside, because we all know his performance inside the court leads the way for the Archers, most of the players of La Salle are just doing so-so. Not bad, but still nothing exceptional. Arnold van Opstal was good, Thomas Torres and Norbert Torres are good - they are doing fine, but not yet on the line where they could leave the opposing team trailing far enough for a sure-fire win.

Also, Teng struggling with his free throws, and while we can give the "most improved award" to van Opstal, the team as a whole should do double-work for them to climb up the standings.

They could still do it here in the second round. I understand that coach Juno Sauler was new, but he is doing a great job with his team. All that's left is for the Archers to execute the program well.

ADMU (3-4)

We expected Ateneo's prowess to dwindle down a bit this season after most of its powerhouse players graduated. But we didn't expect such really bad beginning.

The problem was Kiefer Ravena. Let's face it. He's the glue that's keeping the team's chemistry in full blast. And with him gone due to injury, the team suffered so much.

Now he's return. At last press conference he said he's still not playing at his 100% so the two-week break might've done him great. Hopefully Ryan Buenafe already made it to his ideal playing weight and more importantly, their free throw problem in the previous game against UST will never happen again at that level this coming second round.

Juami Tiongson was right. It's true Ateneo is down right now, but they're definitely not out of the race. 

Adamson (3-4)

Adamson surprised me in many ways. We know Jericho Cruz plays really well, but the team's performance as a whole definitely improved this season. But still, I don't think it's enough for them to smash through the Final Four.

It is true that the previous game against La Salle could've favored them if not for the unsportsmanlike foul called on Gian Abrigo. But if the Falcons want an unquestionable game, they should drive all the players in shooting form, not just Cruz.

I'm still waiting for Ryan Monteclaro to explode because I believe that kid got it in him plus Ingrid Sewa who still lack that fire that could really carry the bulk of Adamson's offense. Hopefully this second round, the boys would prove their mettle.

UP (0-7)

Seeing Joseph Marata at UP's last defeat courtesy of UE was probably the most heart wrenching scene next to UST's last year loss against Ateneo. It was devastating. And very frustrating.

UP had its bright moments in the first round, moments of silver lining where you'd think "okay, this might be it." At some point I thought they had it going, but apparently, only up until halftime. For some reason, they can't sustain the drive until the final canto.

What would make UP pull itself up? Sadly, only the team can answer that.

FINAL FOUR

For me, FEU and UST are clear part of the playoffs so the battle now is for the third and last seat.

NU and UE might be ahead of the pack this early, but we still don't know what the remaining teams are capable of pulling this second round.

So I'd say good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

________

All photos courtesy of ABS-CBNNews.com

The Gilas fight

It was an emotional win.

When the Gilas Pilipinas ended the curse of Korea, Filipino basketball fans shed tears, if not all literally, I'm sure inside they are crying, glowing with pride as finally after decades, the World Cup stage is open. I'm saying this because I, too, shed tears shamelessly. And why not? I know the story. I know we are underdogs. I know a lot are skeptical. And the Gilas made it through. We made it.

Photo from FIBA.com

Next on target is winning the FIBA Asia championship. Blocking the way were the mighty Iranians led by former Memphis Grizzlies Hamed Haddadi, but Gilas head coach Chot Reyes said it plain and clear the night before the fight: "They will have to carry us out of that court tomorrow."

True enough, the Pinoys made sure it will not be an easy feat for Iran. Although Haddadi was able to build his kingdom inside the paint, the Gilas endured every bad call, every blistering box out of the tournament's favorite. Heart compensated for the lack of height. 

Photo from Nuki Sabio

The Iranians were successful in snatching the gold but somehow, compared to the silver that hanged in our players' chest, in my eyes they glimmered way brighter. This is not to diminish Iran's win because they played really well and I admire that. But for a nation of underdogs, that ticket to Spain definitely means a lot. 

Photo from random Facebook user

I know there are others out there who scoff at the idea of our Gilas playing against the likes of the Gasol Brothers and Kobe Bryant's flock, but for real Pinoy basketball fans who watched all those years of struggle and pain, the chance itself to fight is already a win.

Laban Pilipinas! Puso!