Father-er

Hmmm... Now I know why/how he injured his back even though he did not play any competitive match since losing (and crying) last February 1.

=====

Roger Federer says girlfriend is pregnant

BASEL, Switzerland (AP)—Roger Federer is going to be a father.

The second-ranked Swiss tennis player says on his Web site that girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec is pregnant with the couple’s first child.

Federer says: “This is a dream come true for us. We love children and we are looking forward to being parents for the first time. Mirka is feeling great and everything is going well.”

The 13-time Grand Slam champion is in Indian Wells, Calif., for the Masters tournament, which starts Thursday. He also says his injured back is “feeling better.”

=====

Off-Court - Great News

Dear Fans

I arrived in Indian Wells earlier this week and I am eager to get back out on court. My back is

feeling much better and I am ready to go.

I also have some really awesome news to share with all of you: Mirka and I are excited to let you know that we will be parents this summer! Mirka is pregnant and we are so happy to be starting a family together. This is a dream come true for us. We love children and we are looking forward to being parents for the first time. Mirka is feeling great and everything is going well.

Speak soon and thanks for all your continued support!

Roger

=====

Retirement, anyone?

Maybe, if he wants to be a full-time dad...

Well, anyway, congrats Rodge!

Every Month of 2008

January

Crude oil prices surge past US$100 per barrel. Benazir Bhutto is assassinated. 6.5 earthquake hits Greece. Hillary Clinton wins first US primaries held in New Hampshire. Sun Microsystems acquires MySQL AB. Millions are stranded ahead of Chinese New Year. Neil & Moanna tie the knot. Actor Heath Ledger dies of medication overdose. Novak Djokovic wins maiden grand slam at Melbourne as Maria Sharapova bags 3rd distinct major title.


February

New York Giants upset New England Patriots 17-14 in Superbowl XLII. UP Fair stages Loverage 2. Blu-ray replaces HD-DVD. Kosovo declares independence from Serbia. Egypt wins Africa Cup of Nations over Cameroon 1-0. Fidel Castro retires and resigns as Cuban president and is succeeded by his brother Raul. Academy honors No Country For Old Men as best motion picture and the Coen Brothers as best in directing. Leap year day is observed.


March

Forbes names Warren Buffet as world's richest man. Wales achieves Grand Slam by defeating France 29-12 in their Rugby Union RBS Six Nations match. Tibetans claim 80 people killed in the continuing unrest. Manny Pacquiao scores a split decision over Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBC super featherweight crown. Corazon Aquino is diagnosed with colon cancer. Liechtenstein, Norway and South Korea recognize Kosovo as a nation.


April

Protesters confront Olympic torch in Paris. I celebrate my first year anniversary in HP and as an electronics engineer. Trevor Immelman wins The Masters ahead of second-place Tiger Woods. Danica Patrick becomes the first woman to win in IndyCar's 2008 Indy Japan 300. Joe Calzaghe earns a split decision victory over Bernard Hopkins for The Ring light heavyweight belt. HP Labs announces the creation of the memristor - the fourth basic electronic element.


May

George Bush calls for US$700m relief aid for global food crisis. Cyclone Nargis devastates Myanmar. Dmitry Medvedev assumes Russian presidency. Olympic torch reaches peak of Everest. Over 70,000 killed by 7.9 quake in China's Sichuan province. Nel & OJ tie the knot. HP buys EDS for US$13.9b. Bloodiest bank robbery in the Philippines claims 10 lives. David Cook wins Idol. ManU pulls a 1-1 (6-5 p.s.o) victory over Chelsea to grab UEFA trophy.


June

Barack Obama wins Democratic nomination. Ana Ivanovic secures first major as Rafael Nadal earns 4th Roland Garros. Limping Tiger Woods ends season prematurely after US Open triumph. Boston Celtics defeats old rivals Los Angeles Lakers for their 17th NBA ring. UP@100. Typhoon Fengshen leaves 155 dead in the Philippines. Manny Pacquiao KO's David Diaz to become the first Asian 4-division titlist. Spain beats Germany 1-0 in Euro 2008 final.


July

Inquest on the MV Princess of the Stars disaster continues in the Philippines. Venus Williams thrashes sister Serena for her 5th Wimbledon crown while Rafael Nadal dismisses Roger Federer in the longest men's final in The Championship's' history 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7. Pope Benedict XVI celebrates World Youth Day in Sydney. Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela is Miss Universe 2008. Carlos Sastre of Spain wins Tour de France.


August

Magnitude 6.0 tremor once again strikes Sichuan. Conflict in South Ossetia worsens. The Bird's Nest hosts the start of the Summer Olympics on 08-08-08. ARMM holds first electronic voting in the Philippines. Michael Phelps sets 7 world records and bags 8 gold medals in swimming as Usain Bolt goes 3-for-3 in athletics in Beijing. Rafael Nadal supplants Roger Federer as world number 1 tennis player after triumphs in Toronto Masters and the Olympics.


September

Serena Williams wins her 9th slam; Roger Federer salvages year with 5th straight US Open. I celebrate my 24th birthday. Civil war erupts in Bolivia; power-sharing pact in Zimbabwe calms the situations. World remembers 9/11. Russia claims Fed Cup. Sebastian Vettel becomes youngest F1 grand prix winner after topping the Italian GP. Milk scandal further intensifies China's bad year. USA wins Ryder Cup. Mortgage crisis triggers US recession snowball.


October

Dow Jones records biggest intraday drop finishing below the 10,000-point mark. European markets fall steeply while Asian stock exchanges tumble. Nobel Prizes are awarded to the discoverers of papilloma and HIV viruses, among others. Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro, Portugal and UAE recognize Kosovo. Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother are murdered. Philadelphia Phillies edges Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in 2008 World Series.


November

Lewis Hamilton edges Felipe Massa 98 to 97 becoming the youngest F1 Drivers' Champion. Sebastien Loeb wins WRC for fifth consecutive time. Barack Obama is USA's first African-American president. Chrysler, Ford and GM testify before US Congress for bailout package. Peru hosts APEC Summit amidst global financial crisis. Protesters lock up Bangkok airports. Spain wins Davis Cup. Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams prevail in yearend championships.


December

Zimbabwe cholera outbreak claims 425 lives. Micronesia recognizes Kosovo. Manny Pacquiao ends season as Fighter of the Year with 3 victories in 3 weight classes after a lopsided win over Oscar Dela Hoya. Toyota announces first operating loss in 70 years. Israel launches offensive strikes against Palestine in Gaza Strip in the middle of holiday season. Glenn and May tie the knot. CKT01 reunites. Eustaquio Family welcomes 2009 together.

Pacman will soon be nowhere in boxing, but everywhere in politics...

Pacquiao retiring next year; to run in 2010

MANILA, Philippines -- Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao on Monday said he is retiring from the ring next year and will be running again for public office in the 2010 elections.

“Sigurado na, na tatakbo ako [It is sure, I am running],” said Pacquiao at Camp Crame, headquarters of the Philippine National Police, where he was sworn in as member of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi, Partner of the Free Filipino), by Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who is also president of the party founded by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Pacquiao, who said he is retiring August next year, made boxing history in June when he became the first Asian and first Filipino to win four world titles by knocking out David Diaz to take the WBC lightweight belt.

He is scheduled to fight Oscar “The Golden Boy” De la Hoya December 6 in Las Vegas and will be flying to the United States on September 14 to prepare for the bout.

“Isang malaking karangalan talaga na makalaban ko si Oscar. Hindi ko akalaing makasasagupa ko siya, [It is a great honor to fight Oscar. I never imagined I would go up against him,” Pacquiao said, adding that he would fight, at most, two more time before hanging up his gloves for good.

Pacquiao said his parents want the De La Hoya fight to be his last. The two will slug it out at the 147-pound welterweight division.

“My parents wanted me to retire after the De La Hoya fight. But I feel I can still fight two more fights,” Pacquiao said.

Puno said although there is no decision yet on what position Pacquiao will run for, “malaki ang maitutulong niya kung tatakbo siya bilang [he will be a great help if he runs for] congressman or as a local government official.”

In the May 2007 elections, Pacquiao contested the congressional seat of the first district of South Cotabato but lost by a landslide to Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio.

Puno said the one year lull between boxing and the elections should not be a disadvantage for Pacquiao.

“Magpapahinga siya, maglalaan ng isang taon para maghanda sa halalan. Siguro naman hindi siya makakalimutan ng tao sa loob ng isang taon. Baka sa isang dekada pa [He will rest [and] will have a year to prepare for the elections. Surely, people will not forget him in just one year. It might take a decade for them to do that],” Puno said.

Alcuin Papa, Phil Daily Inquirer

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Source:
http://sports.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20080901-158009/UPDATE-Pacquiao-retiring-next-year-to-run-in-2010

Lewis and Felipe are still here, Kimi and Fernando nowhere

Last year, the World Drivers' Championship was won and lost by only 1 point - involving Kimi Raikkonen of Finland, Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Fernando Alonzo of Spain (pictured below). Now that Kimi and Fernando are out of the picture, Lewis finds a new nemesis in Felipe Massa.

Who will win this year's WDC? The penultimate Grand Prix at Shanghai this Sunday will give us a clearer picture of the race to the finish - with 5 points separating Hamilton and Massa. Join us at Phi Bar on October 19 3pm (Manila time) for the free viewing.

Food Here, There, Everywhere for Phelps

Would you believe it, 8000-10000 calories a day? See it for yourself.

The food that fuels Michael Phelps.

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Courtesy: CNN

Losses Here, There, Everywhere for Federer

Is the "King" abdicating?

An image of frustration...

Last year, Roger Federer lost just 9 matches against 68 wins, taking 8 titles including 3 Grand Slam trophies, the Tennis Masters Cup and 2 ATP Masters Series shields. This year, four and a half months of the 2008 ATP Season has already passed, he has just managed to win a relatively minor clay tournament in Estoril - losing 7 battles already along the way.

1. Australian Open SF (vs Novak Djokovic) - 5-7, 3-6, 6-7 (5)
2. Dubai Tennis Championships 1R (vs Andy Murray) - 7-6 (6), 3-6, 4-6
3. Indian Wells Masters SF (vs Mardy Fish) - 3-6, 2-6
4. Key Biscayne Masters QF (vs Andy Roddick) - 6-7 (4), 6-4, 3-6
5. Monte Carlo Masters F (vs Rafael Nadal) - 5-7 5-7
6. Rome Masters QF (vs Radek Stepanek) - 6-7 (4), 6-7 (7)
7. Hamburg Masters F (vs Rafael Nadal) - 5-7, 6-7 (3), 3-6

Who will take over?

So, are we crowning a new "King"?

A picture-perfect moment...

Rafael Nadal has been ranked #2 for a record 148 consecutive weeks, and has now won 108 of his last 110 matches on clay, including 81 straight from 2005-2007. He made a hat-trick in four different clay tournaments - Monte Carlo (2005-2008), Barcelona (2005-2008), Rome (2005-2007), and Roland Garros (2005-2007). He will try to tie Bjorn Borg's record of four-successive French Open victories next week. He was won 11 AMS shields, at least two each year, since 2005. He has been in the finals of all ATP Masters event except one - in Cincinnati. He has denied Federer a career Grand Slam three times already and sports a 10-6 (8-4 on ATP Finals and 8-1 on clay) lifetime win-loss record against the current #1.

Is Rafa the sole heir to the throne?


Or will the "Djoker" steal the limelight?

A shot filled with ecstasy...

He might not be the King nor the Ace, but this Joker from Serbia is a Jack of all trades. Novak Djokovic currently leads the ATP Champions' Race by grabbing his first career Grand Slam at Melbourne and 2 more AMS shields in Indian Wells and Rome. Last year, he made a great improvement climbing up from #16 to #3 in the world with AMS triumphs in Miami and Montreal plus a finals appearance in the US Open. Last week, for the first time in 147 weeks, Nadal's grip of the second-spot was in clear threat. He surely adds a little more spice to the epic rivalry Federer and Nadal have already established - making it a three-way fight.

But does he have what it takes to be the next-big-thing in men's tennis?


These questions will be answered as the next wave of ATP events unfolds with Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Toronto and Cincinnati Masters, the Olympics and the US Open taking centerstage from May to September 2008.

Nike Everywhere

First, it was the Air Zoom Vapor IV "Federer Wimby07" edition...


Now, the City Court III Metallic...


Next, the Air Max Breathe Cage II "Vamos Rafa" edition.


I love Nike.

Just do it!

Metrowalk Everyday

Well, not really everyday, but I must admit, Metrowalk has been my crib for the past couple of weekends because of my current addiction to F1 race - an addiction rekindled by my good friend Cholle.

My first time at Phi Bar was during the free viewing of Spanish Grand Prix 2008 last April 27. According to Cho, the attendance that night was considerably low - at 26. Anyway, Cho and I won a lot of prizes from the organizers (headed by Pinoy F3 and rally driver Mike Potenciano) including UNO and C! magazines (Cho actually received a free one-year subscription of C! for winning a totally honest trivia game hahaha), car cleaners (which are so useless), Toyota caps (woohoo!), BMW pouches (which my father loves), Phi Bar VIP Card (10% discount card), and 50 pesos. It was Andy (the US expat on the right) who won the money for us - he predicted the correct combination of the top 3 finishers in the right order (Kimi, Massa, Lewis). Zaldy (the guy to the right of Cholle) made a deal with us that whoever came up with the right guess should willingly split the prize money among the four of us. Too bad, Andy's bet was identical with those of 12 other people. So instead of getting the whole PhP2600 pot, we settled with just PhP200 - thus, 50 bucks for each of us. It was a great night not just for the F1 fans, but also for Scuderia Ferrari and its drivers who we were rooting for - Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. They gave Ferrari a 1-2 result that brought the team in front of the constructors' championship race.

Two weeks passed, it was May 11, the race day for the Turkish GP. Okay okay, it was Mothers' Day... so before I went to Phi to attend another free viewing, I made it sure that my whole day was spent with my mother and my family. I also managed to greet as many people, especially the moms in my phonebook, as possible through SMS - and of course birthday boy CL. Alright, back to F1... Ralph was able to join us this time (congrats, for graduating from the UP College of Business Administration). We were not so lucky this time in the raffle draws, but hey, I won in the fantasy game. I bet that Massa would win the race, Lewis would be the runner-up and Kimi coming in third - and that was the exact order of the podium finishers after they completed 58 laps of the circuit. I won PhP300... again, I did not get the whole pot of PhP2700 because 8 other contestants guessed the same combo. The prize somehow subsidized our bill for the evening - we had a bucket of beer (I think, we ordered a couple of bottles more) and a platter of thank-heaven-for-this-oh-so-yummy-nachos. Also, we all got free F2020 fuel saver (which again, is not so useful 'cause I don't have an effin' car!) and the same issue of C! mag which Cho and I got during the Spanish GP. Baduy!

Another twin-podium appearance for Ferrari - if I haven't mentioned it above, I must tell you that I am a Ferrari fan - notice the red shirts? And a Kimi fan, as well. So we headed out of Phi smiling. Scuderia Ferrari is now 19 points clear of its closest competitor BMW Sauber and 21 points ahead of long-time rival McLaren-Mercedes; Raikkonen has already amassed 35 drivers' points while Massa and Hamilton are tied in second with 28 apiece. Then we spent an hour in El Pueblo eating ice cream and fries while reminiscing the good old times and planning future gimiks/outings where hopefully, more Barkadahan peeps will be able to attend. After some deliberations, it's final - we'll be in Galera on the 30th of May until the 1st of June. Details to follow my friends. Hehe.

I was also in Metrowalk last Saturday, at Elbow Room specifically, for OJ and Nel's pre-wedding party. Vernon & Mshel, Daniel & Felise, Philip & Dae, Cheson, Elaine (OJ's sister) and other friends of the bride were there to celebrate the couple's last few days of singlehood. The food was insane - it was terrific! Got some booze, played some billiards and joined in fun games that fit the theme of the party - shower/stag party in one hahaha.

I can't wait for OJ and Nel's wedding which will be held on Sunday, May 18th at the Fort Bonifacio Officers' Clubhouse. I, too, can't wait for the Monaco GP race day on May 25th. I invite both F1 and non-F1 fans out there for another free viewing at Phi. The race commences at 8pm.

Hopefully, this week, I'll be able to watch Speed Racer, Indiana Jones and Harold and Kumar.

That's all from me tonight... until then!

====

PS: Thanks Cholle and Mark, for all the pictures. I am still waiting for Mike's pictures. For more F1 viewing images, visit this link. :)

PPS: To all grammar police out there, please proofread my article 'cause I composed it during the wee hours of the night (which is getting more usual these days) while my brain was already ready to shutdown. :P

BMW Sauber here, Scuderia Ferrari there, McLaren-Mercedes Everywhere... plus Williams-Toyota on the side.

The 2008 Formula One Season has just recently kicked-off and the races for both driver's and constructor's championships are just as intense as the summer heat in Asia. With the first three of the scheduled eighteen Grand Prix's this year already completed, three teams found themselves separated by only one point from one another in the scoreboard.

While defending champ Ferrari has claimed two of the three victories via first place finishes from likewise defending champ Kimi Raikkonen in Sepang, Malaysia and Felipe Massa in Sakhir, Bahrain, it is McLaren-Mercedes sophomore driver Lewis Hamilton who drew the first blood in Melbourne, Australia where 13 out of 22 cars failed to complete the whole course under the blazing sun down under. Nonetheless, it is BMW Sauber leading the charts with 30 points - with three for three podium finishes from Nick Heifeld (2nd - Australian GP) and Robert Kubica (2nd - Malaysian GP, 3rd - Bahrain GP). Ferrari is in second with 29 (Raikkonen also ended up as Massa's runner up in Sakhir and 8th in Melbourne) and McLaren in third with 28 (Heikki Kovalainen was 3rd in Sepang and 5th in both Melbourne and Sakhir while Hamilton was 5th in Sepang). The only other podium appearance comes from Williams-Toyota's Nico Rosberg who placed 3rd in Melbourne.

As the circuit enjoy a three-week hiatus from competition before engaging again in three successive races staring April 27, many teams and drivers alike may want to regroup themselves and assess each other's performance in order to stop the domination of this year's Big 3 teams early in the season. One driver who has to re-evaluate himself is Fernando Alonso. After severing ties with both McLaren and former teammate Hamilton, whom he was tied for second place in last year's driver's championship race, Alonso went back to Renault where he is now experiencing a slumping showing. He is currently on a dismal 9th spot with 6 points after placing 4th in Melbourne, 8th in Sepang and 10th in Sakhir. FYI, he had a minor collision with Hamilton in the early stages of Bahrain GP causing Hamilton's car to lose its nose cone. For more team assessments and preview of the European series visit the official site of F1.

On April 27, the Gran Premio de España will kick-off in Barcelona, Spain. Two weeks later, it will be Turkey's turn in Istanbul and then Grand Prix de Monaco in Monte-Carlo after another two weeks. Massa, Alonso and Raikkonen were the past 3 winners of the Spanish GP and Ferrari is the undisputed top constructor with 10 wins, but we may witness a comeback from Hamilton after a career-low 13th place finish in Bahrain. This may also serve as the best venue for him to vindicate himself in front of all his Spanish critics who are either driven by racial biases and/or the fact that he is their countryman Alonso's adversary. But leave all the controversies behind, and concentrate on the race track for you might not notice how far the Big 3 would pull away from the rest of the field after this European series.

Massa (2 wins for Ferrari in 2006 and 2007) and Raikkonen (1 win for McLaren-Mercedes in 2005) hold the only 3 stages of Turkish GP held so far - so Istanbul may also be considered as Ferrari's turf. FYI, the Istanbul Park Circuit is only one of the three anti-clockwise circuits in the F1 calendar - the other two being Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy and Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo, Brazil - where Ferrari has a good record as well. Alonso and Raikkonen were the last winners in Monte-Carlo with McLaren-Mercedes leading the constructor's tally at 14 wins. This will be a free-for-all race but McLaren will emerge as conqueror of Monaco yet again.

After the Bahrain GP, here are the latest tabulations for driver's and constructor's championship races:


The 2008 F1 Season has just begun and the mercury is quickly rising. Let's wait for the next three races to unfold and then, we will see if my predictions are correct. FYI, I am a Ferrari fan and I root for Kimi.

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Sources: Formula1 and Wikipedia

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Next Issue: NBA Regular Season - The Best of 2007-2008 in review.

Federer here, Nadal there, Djokovic everywhere... plus Davydenko on the side.

For more than three years, Roger Federer and somehow Rafael Nadal dominated the men's draw of the professional tennis circuit. From 2005-2007, they won 11 straight grand slams between them and their #1 and #2 rankings were never threatened by anyone. Early last year, a 19 year old Serbian named Novak Djokovic made an introduction of himself via a finals appearance at Indian Wells and a championship at Key Biscayne - the first two ATP Masters Series events of the calendar. That is the beginning of his ascent up in the charts, leaping from 78th place in 2005 to 16th in 2006 and finally to a career-best 3rd position in the ATP ranking system during the first half of 2007 - bypassing Andy Roddick and other perennial top five players.

After Nole's (Djokovic's nickname) phenomenal year, the race for the top ranking has never been this closer. In the late 1980's and the whole 1990's, having 5000+ ATP points could already secure you of being #1 in the world. But after the results of Australian Open 2008 - where Djokovic defeated Federer in straight sets in the semifinals en route to his first grand slam win, and Dubai ATP Tour event - where Federer exited in the first round while Nadal reached the quarters and Djokovic the semis, came in, Federer (6330) led Nadal (5980) only by 350 points, the closest ever since Federer led Roddick by the same margin back in May 10, 2004. And Nadal (5705), interestingly, led Djokovic (5280) only by 425 points after the latter defeated Mardy Fish to collect his 3rd AMS shield in March 23, 2008.

Okay, before we get drowned with too much statistics, let's not forget Nikolay Davydenko, the consistent yet unlucky player from Russia (he is always in Federer's half of the draw) whose ranking since October 30, 2006 has never been lower than no.5. He reached no.3 spot a week after and is now the constant 4th-seed at every tournament he plays. Have I already mentioned that he recently upset Nadal in the Sony Ericsson Open 2008 (Miami AMS), 6-4 6-2? Now you know...

Going back to the numbers, the Big 3 of Fed, Rafa and Nole is now called the Big 4 - adding Davydenko to the list of potential heirs to the throne of King Roger. All in all, the Big 3 has a combined output of 16 grand slam titles under their belts - 16 out of the last 19 (only Roddick - US Open 2003, Gaston Gaudio - Roland Garros 2004 and Marat Safin - Australian Open 2005 won the remaining 3). Adding Nikolay to the limelight, at least one of the Big 4 contested each of the last 13 AMS final matches since Madrid Masters of 2006 - 11 of which they actually won (only David Nalbandian managed to get the other two - Madrid and Paris Masters 2007 - defeating Novak once, and Rafa and Roger twice).

This week, ATP released its latest ranking (see table below).

It has been a long time since the #1 player led the #2 by less than 1000, and though it's usual that the differences between the nos. 3, 4 and 5 are also more or less 1000 points, the race to the top has never been this exciting. In months' time, or even in weeks', we may welcome a new world no.1 in tennis. It may be Rafa, it may be Novak - more likely Novak.

By the way, almost four months came and went, but the top 2 players have gone without a single title. This just shows that the Big 2 - or even the Big 4, are now vulnerable to the insurgence of the likes of David Ferrer, David Nalbandian, Mikhail Youzhny, James Blake, Andy Murray, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Mardy Fish, Janko Tipsarevic and of course Roddick who all want to spoil the dominance of the Roger, Rafa, Nole and Nikolay.

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Sources: ATP and Wikipedia

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Next Issue: Formula One 2008 Season - Australia, Malaysia and Bahrain GPs in review.

Maria's and Nole's Stories Everywhere

Maria Sharápova wins her 1st Australian Open Championship

Maria Sharapova of Russia collected her third major tennis trophy - the Australian Open 2008 (adding to her Wimbledon 2004 and US Open 2006 wins) at Melbourne Park Saturday afternoon after dispatching Serbian sensation Ana Ivanovic in straight sets 7-5 6-3.

On her way to the finals, she never dropped a single set nor got engaged in any tiebreak. Seeded fifth this year, she defeated Jelena Kostanic Tosic 6-4 6-3 in the 1st Round, former world #1 Lindsay Davenport 6-1 6-3 in the 2nd Round, fellow Russians Elena Vesnina 6-3 6-0 and Elena Dementieva 6-2 6-0 in the 3rd and 4th Rounds, top seed and current world #1 Justine Henin 6-4 6-0 in the Quarterfinals and third seed Jelena Jankovic 6-3 6-1 in the Semifinals.

Read more of the stories of her successful comeback here.

Novak Đoković wins his 1st Grand Slam Championship at Melbourne

Serbian Novak Djokovic ended Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's suprising run at the Australian Open 2008 by defeating the Frenchman at Rod Laver Arena Sunday evening 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6 (2) to grab his first ever Grand Slam trophy.

On his way to the finals, he never dropped a single set and even managed to conquer current world #1 Roger Federer in straight sets 7-5 6-3 7-6 (5) during their Semifinal showdown last Friday - ending Federer's run of 10 successive Grand Slam finals appearance and freezing his hopes to match Pete Sampras's record of 14 major championships. Seeded #3, he thrashed German Benjamin Becker 6-0 6-2 7-6 (5) in the 1st Round, Simone Bolelli 6-1 6-2 6-2 in the 2nd Round, Sam Querry 6-3 6-1 6-3 in the 3rd Round, local bet and former world #1 Lleyton Hewitt 7-5 6-3 6-3 in the 4th Round, and #5 seed David Ferrer 6-0 6-3 7-5 in the Quarterfinals.

Read more of the stories of this fast-rising tennis star here.

Rain Rain Go Away... Oh, No! Don't.

At last, Metro Manila is now experiencing frequent rainfall and now, at least, our water reservoirs may reach their normal levels.

The personal trade-off is my and my friend Judith's weekly tennis lessons at Ascott Hotel Makati. Due to afternoon rains, our game-cum-class has been suspended for the second straight week. As far as I know, our session next week will be 15-20 minutes as agreed by us, our respective coaches and the fitness centre's management.

Hopefully next Saturday, it will be a fine day for tennis.

Athlete???

I have never been this athletic in my entire life. I had been known as a nerdy geek since the day I entered kindergarten, or even before any formal schooling. My mother always boasts that I learned how to read when I was barely three years old and I finished the ABAKADA booklet months before she enrolled me to a public school in 1990. To make the long story short, I had never excelled in, or worse - had never got the chance to learn how to play, any sports discipline during my childhood. It's not that I was lampa, or in more colloquial term - malata, actually I know for a fact that I have an above-average endurance and an acceptable physical strength; it's just that I did not have the time then, and/or I guess, the resources to enroll in sports clinics and learn the basics of those games. The only thing I developed during those years is my mental strength - yes, I was the Valedictorian of my kindergarten, grade school, and high school batches.

Throughout the course of my academic life, I just relied on TV and print materials for me to learn the rules and regulations of the sports that caught my interest - badminton, basketball, billiards, boxing, lawn and table tennis, volleyball, etc. Back then, the only event I mastered was... CHESS! Hehe. I told myself, once I finished my studies or at least stepped into college, I would definitely and finally be able to find time and resources to be physically active in sports and not just be a spectator. During high school, I learned the basics of basketball, table tennis, and volleyball - but just the basics. During college, I somehow did well in billiards, bowling and other Philippine indigenous games and made running and walking a part of my everyday life.

But I know it was not enough. I was starting to grow bigger-and-heavier. I must sweat all my fats out and the only way to accomplish the task is to be more physically active. Thank God, at HP, the mission is far from impossible. I was admitted to Gold's Gym Fitness program starting from my first month in the company. I became more serious in bowling - having been included in SAP-ADSI's roster of players in the OlymHPics. We're practicing twice a week in preparation for our first game on Saturday. In fact, my schedule this week is: Tuesday - bowling and gym, Wednesday - gym, Thurday - bowling and gym, Saturday - bowling and/or tennis, Sunday - DotA. Haha.

Hopefully, months from now, a hunkier ONIN will emerge from these activities.

Dynasty

The San Antonio Spurs claimed its fourth NBA Championship in as many NBA Finals appearances after defeating NBA Finals first-timers Cleveland Cavaliers 83-82 in Game 4 of their best-of-seven series Thursday night (Eastern Time). They are now ranked among other franchises that have multiple trophies such as Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and Chicago Bulls. Tony Parker was named as Finals MVP.

For more stories regarding the sweep of Spurs over the Cavs, visit Yahoo! Sports.

LGN

I was admitted to HP's Gold's Gym fitness program. The benefit came in perfect timing as the HP SAP-ADSI umbrella group (one of the two HP teams in San Miguel Propeties Center Ortigas) goes to Grande Island Resort in Subic, Zambales on June 1 and 2. I must look good naked (Ige's terminology) before that summer event.

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I watched Spider-Man 3 last night with my fellow new hires at Shangri-La Mall's Cineplex. Like its two prequels, the film is high-budgeted (advertised as the most expensive motion picture of all time) and overflowing with special effects. For me, it is the best of the three Spider-Man movies or even the best superhero movie ever. I admit that I am a huge fan of Spidey and his love story with MJ, that's why I was carried away by the dramas featured in the movie.

The third installment's storyline was the best of the three, not to mention the inclusion of three villains, tag-team fight scenes and unexpected twists. The conclusion was a combination of tragedy and happy-ending and my favorite director, Sam Raimi, lets us imagine our own final scene for the two protagonists.

I guess, it's all I can say so as not to spoil my readers who have not yet seen the movie.

*Do you recall the wrestling ring announcer in Spider-Man 1 and the obnoxious theatre usher in Spider-Man 2? He once again appeared in Spider-Man 3 as the Frenchman waiter/receptionist of Restaurant Constellation. He is none other than Bruce Campbell a.k.a. Ashley Williams of Sam Raimi's Evil Dead trilogy. He also appeared as Liam Neeson's alter-ego in Sam Raimi's Darkman. Haha. I am really a fan of Sam Raimi.

*Stan Lee, one of the two creators of Spider-Man, also had a cameo as the pedestrian who talked to Peter Parker in front of one of New York's theatres.

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On May 7, I, with 888 other ECE board passers, will be officially inducted to the Board of Electronics and Communications Engineers of the Philippines. The oath taking will be held at the Fiesta Pavilion of The Manila Hotel - that is why, the admission tickets are sold at a whopping PhP900 each.

From then on, call me Engineer Eustaquio, ECE # 39710...

...Signing On!!!

Express

Federer beats Gonzales, wins his third Aussie Open

Roger Federer has claimed his third Australian Open crown and tenth Grand Slam overall, sweeping aside #10-seed Fernando Gonzalez in three outstanding sets on Rod Laver Arena. The Swiss tennis master outscored the Chilean, conqueror of Nadal and Haas this year, via a 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4 victory. Federer remained at the top of the world rankings after winning last year's Australian, Wimbledon and US Open cups and the yearender ATP Masters' Series. He has yet to win a single French Open title.

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To all UP Circuit Barkadahan members, here is our PHOTOBUCKET account.

Demolition

Serena crushes Sharapova to take her 3rd Aussie Trophy

Serena Williams, recovering from her injuries and the death of one of her siblings during the 2006 seasons, smashed her way towards winning her third Australian Open Women's Singles title and eighth Grand Slam trophy overall by routing World #1 and topseed Maria Sharapova in the finals, 6-1 6-2.

Sharapova had no answer to Williams' booming serve and blistering returns as the American completed a fairytale return from injury with a third Australian title to join her 2003 and 2005 trophies.

Coming into the final as the underdog, the 25-year-old made a mockery of her world ranking of 81 to humiliate Sharapova and become the first unseeded player since 1978 to claim the Australian title. She finished the match in just an hour and three minutes.

Williams won the tournament in 2003 and 2005; in 2005 she defeated Sharapova in the semifinals with a score of 2-6 7-5 8-6.

FEDERER-Express soars anew in Melbourne

World #1 Roger Federer also had his demolition job in Melbourne Park done after an emphatic 6-4 6-0 6-2 semifinal win over sixth-seed Andy Roddick. He will face tenth-ranked Fernando Gonzales in the finals where he will target his third Australian Open Men's Singles title.

Gonzales also trashed another semifinalist Tommy Haas 6-1 6-3 6-1 in the other semis duel.


Within every PATTERN, there is a TREND

You got it right! I am currently on a job-training stint at TREND MICRO in IBM Plaza Eastwood City. These coming weeks will determine the career path that I will take for the next couple of weeks.

By the way, I and Jeff are on the same level of apprenticeship at TREND MICRO. Gordon will also be with us soon.

Gold and Silver

Philippines won its first gold medal at the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar after Antonio Gabica defeated compatriot Jeffrey de Luna in an all-Filipino finals of the Men's 9-Ball Singles with a score of 11-7. The country currently has a gold medal, four silver and 8 bronze medals. Gabica earlier earned a silver medal in Men's 8-Ball Singles.

Boxers Violito Payla and Joan Tipon will go for gold in the finals of their respective weight classes. Payla will fight Somjit Jongjohor of Thailand this evening while Tipon will face Han Soon Chul of Korea tomorrow night. Other Filipino athletes try to bring home even more glory from their own sports disciplines as the Games come to an end on Friday.

Go TEAM PHILIPPINES!!!

Winning

Another Tyler wins the Amazing Race

Last season it was BJ and Tyler, now, it's JB and Tyler. James Branaman and Tyler Denk stepped on the finish line mat first and won the US$1million that comes with their feat of finishing first on the first and last legs of the hit reality show. Engaged couple Rob and Kimberly arrived second and single moms Lyn and Karlyn were third.

Mau is the first Philippine Idol

Maureen Marcelo was declared as the first Philippine Idol last night at the jam-packed Araneta Coliseum. She defeated Gian Magdangal and Jan Nieto with just 1.42% total-vote-margin over her closest rival. She will receive a recording contract from Sony-BMG, a managing contract from UK's Freemantle Media and a non-exclusive contract from ABC5 worth over a million pesos.

Philippines still gold-less after more than a week

Taekwondo gave the country 2 silver and 3 bronze medals while cue sports contributed a bronze but the country is still hoping for a gold medal finish with less than five days left on the Games' calendar. This gold medal may be achieved tomorrow as Violito Payla faces a Thai foe on the finals night of boxing at the Aspire Hall in Doha, Qatar.

Ye! Ye!

My interview at NEC Philippines was a short and easy one. Aside from the usual "why-I-want-to-work-there-Q&A", the HR head only threw personal questions and questions concerning my educational and family background. After that, she promised to transmit my resume to the executives and asked me to wait for their call some time in January 2007 for a series of interviews with the bosses. She informed me that they will be needing more engineers next year and assured me that my name will be endorsed to higher authorities. :) I have her word but I don't know if she has mine. While waiting for their call, I'll take chances at my other prospect companies like HP, San Miguel, Globe and Accenture.

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UP EEE alumni who are reviewing at EXCEL are really enjoying our weekly sessions especially at times when some of us meet at McDo Recto to copy each other's answers to our homeworks, eat at carinderias and food establishments with incredibly low-low-priced student meals, strolling around the U-Belt during breaks, and right after making-"takas" before the third and last session starts during Sundays. We might end up as a bonded barkada by the time we take the Licensure Exam next year. We even have our own Yahoo! group, too!

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The Amazing Race 10: The Barbies are Phil-iminated this morning (Manila time) and the Sistas became the first all-female team to qualify for a slot in the Final Three (Season Finale) of this hit reality competition alongside engaged Rob and Kimberly and models Tyler and James.

Doha Asian Games 2006: Have you watched the Opening Ceremonies last December 1st? The enkindling of the torch and cauldron was, for me, the most spectacular sporting event ceremony I have seen so far. However, has anyone heard about the Filipino athletes' rain-soaking-incident after the opening rites? Amidst a 30-minute downpour, many participants from the Philippines, Malaysia and Japan were barred from re-entering the stadium while waiting for their delayed transport buses that would take them to their villages. Anyway, four days has passed and our country has yet to win a single medal. Let's continue to pray for our fellowmen's success in Qatar.

PBA: Barangay Ginebra is now solo #1 in the team standings after a come-from-behind-win over Air21 last night with a score 116-105.

Philippine Idol: It all comes down to the ultimate showdown among Gian, Jan and Mau at the Big Dome. Final Performance Night will be held on the 8th while the Grand Results Night will be held on the 9th. I am rooting for either Gian or Mau to win. Jan is always off-key whenever he sings.

Survivor: Cook Islands: Candice was voted out last Friday afternoon (Manila time) via a 5-3 vote and became the fifth member of a 10-man jury. Seven castaways are left in dispute of the $1-million prize.

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Christmas breeze is in the air. Carols are playing on radio stations and music players, cool winter wind from the north is already felt especially before daybreak, bargains/sales and shopping sprees happen almost everywhere and the workforce is already looking forward to large bonuses and holiday pays.

Sana magkatrabaho na ko. Andami ko pa namang inaanak na papamaskuhan. Haha...