news – Page 178 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Preparations of the 31st SEA Games reviewed

April 25, 2022April 23, 2022carlocarrasco

The 31^st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31^st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) in Vietnam is just weeks away from formally opening (for references, click here and here). The City of Hanoi is the host city supported by the nearby localities of Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, Hoa Binh, Hai Phong, Phu Tho, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, and Vinh Phuc which will host certain SEA Games events. Hanoi will host 18 sports as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.

As this is the 2^nd time the nation is hosting the region’s biggest sports event (which will attract thousands of athletes and officials) while struggling to recover from the 2-year-old COVID-19 crisis, the national authorities recently conducted a review of the preparations of the SEA Games, according to a report by VietnamPlus.vn.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the VietnamPlus.vn article. Some parts in boldface…

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, head of the national steering committee for organising the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), chaired a meeting with ministries and sectors on April 22 to review preparations for the region’s biggest sport event.

The Deputy PM requested ministries, sectors and localities to continue working closely and effectively with one another to address problems and ensure a successful Games.

Tran Duc Phan, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration, reported that preparations for SEA Games 31 have been basically completed, and the country is now ready for the event.

The organising committee has ordered plans to be carried out to guarantee security, health care, pandemic safety, logistics, public services and transport. It has also publicised competition regulations, guidebooks and competition schedules.

So far, it has received registrations from over 7,800 delegates, coaches and athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries, as well as more than 2,500 domestic and foreign reporters. It has also invited nearly 1,300 international referees, supervisors and technical officials for the Games, Phan noted.

The localities hosting competitions have also been working hard to gear up for the Games.

The official added from now to the opening ceremony, the organising committee will continue examining preparations, training volunteers, and implementing plans to ensure security and order.

The 31st SEA Games is slated for May 12 – 23, featuring 40 sports with 526 categories.

For a quick glimpse at the upcoming SEA Games in Vietnam, watch these videos…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What can you say about the combined preparations of the national and local authorities for the 31^st SEA Games? How excited are you for the SEA Games right now?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

For other SEA Games-related articles, click here, here, here, here and here.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

COVID-19 Crisis: Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Sputnik Light and Janssen approved by FDA for use as 2nd booster

April 22, 2022April 20, 2022carlocarrasco

The path for boosted patients of the Philippines towards the much-discussed 2^nd booster shot (note: the 4^th shot following the first two doses and the first booster shot) for COVID-19 is looking clearer as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the COVID-19 vaccines of Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Sputnik Light and Janssen for use as 2^nd boosters, according to a report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Take note that the number of boosted patients nationwide is less than 13 million.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA report. Some parts in boldface…

Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Sputnik Light and Janssen Covid-19 vaccines have been approved as second booster shots by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a health official said Tuesday.

In a televised public briefing, National Vaccination Operations Center chair Myrna Cabotaje said the FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for the six brands.

The center is still waiting for the review and final recommendations of the Health and Technology Assessment Council (HTAC).

“Ready na ang guidelines, idadagdag lang natin ‘yung provisions ng FDA EUA saka final recommendations ng (The guidelines are ready, we’ll just add the provisions of FDA EUA and final recommendations of) HTAC,” Cabotaje said.

The administration of second booster shot which was originally slated April 20 is expected to start next week.

Healthcare workers, senior citizens, and immunocompromised will be prioritized.

Cabotaje said the second booster shot may be given four months after the first booster dose.

“Gagawin natin sa NCR [National Capital Region] muna, although nagre-request ang Region 3 and Region 4A na isama na sila and then expand natin pagkatapos (We’ll do it in NCR first, although Region 3 and Region 4A have requested to be included and then we’ll expand afterwards),” she added.

In another article published by PNA, Cabotaje stated that booster shots could prevent a possible surge of new COVID-19 cases in the middle of May. She also expressed concern about current low booster shot rate of the nation as a whole.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this new development? If you have been boosted for COVID-19 already, how long has it been since you got your first booster shot? Have you contacted your local vaccination team to find out if you are cleared to avail of a 2^nd booster shot from them? Do you still remember the brand of vaccine used for your first booster shot?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Muntinlupa City’s state-of-the-art Track and Field Oval inaugurated

April 21, 2022April 19, 2022carlocarrasco

As part of the local sports development plan, the City Government of Muntinlupa formally inaugurated the state-of-the-art Track and Field Oval, envisioned to be the breeding ground of future world-class athletes.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi unveiled the inaugural marker during the blessing ceremony at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Brgy. Tunasan on April 19 together with local officials and Long Jump Queen of the Philippines and Heptathlon Champion Elma Muros-Posadas.

*Mayor Jaime Fresnedi with Elma Muros-Posadas. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)*

*The ribbon-cutting ceremony. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)*

The local exec said that the infrastructure project will benefit local athletes and will hone their skills to be equipped for national and international competitions. Fresnedi commits to support Muntinlupeño athletes through the development of sporting facilities in the local Sports Complex and other programs.

Further, heptathlon champion Muros-Posadas lauded the City Government for constructing the Track and Field Oval as young athletes will now have an optimal place to train.

“Naoverwhelm ako…nagpapasalamat ako sa Muntinlupa dahil may ganito na (Track and Field Oval). Dati kailangan pang bumiyahe papuntang Ultra Complex o kaya delikado dahil nagpa-practice sa kalsada, pero ngayon meron na dito,” Muros-Posadas added.

The former Track and Field national athlete urged student-athletes and local coaches to persevere and do their best as form of gratitude for the efforts of the local government to construct world-class sports facilities.

Also joining the event were School Division Superintendent Carleen Sedilla (CESO V), Coun. Ivee Arciaga Tadefa, Coun. Atty. Raul Corro, Coun. Louie Arciaga, Coun. Allan Camilon, Coun. Arlene Hilapo, Coun. Metong Sevilla, Mr. Jedi Presnedi, and Ms. Rachel Arciaga.

*A drone shot of the newest sports facility in the city. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)*

Designed by City Architect Don Causapin, the Muntinlupa Track and Field has an eight-lane 400m international standard oval with a lot area of two (2) hectares. The sporting venue has a warm up lane, soccer field, provision for control room, area for long and triple jump, shotput, javelin throw, discus throw, water jump, and provision for bleacher buildings.

Recently, the City Government has also inaugurated the Muntinlupa Aquatic Center, the first indoor Olympic-size swimming pool in the country, in celebration of the city’s 27^th Founding Anniversary.

Mayor Fresnedi said the “world-class” facility is an investment of the city for the training of Muntinlupa athletes who will participate in national and international sporting events.

“We value the youth and athletes of Muntinlupa so we invest in facilities that will help them become champions in their respective fields,” Fresnedi said.

The Muntinlupa Aquatic Center is also designed by Arch. Don Causapin and caters to water sports such as Swimming, Water Polo, Artistic Swimming and others programs including Water Safety Training and Competition, Scuba Diving Pool Session, Swim and Survive Programs and PE programs.

The Aquatic Center is part of the Muntinlupa Sports Complex Development Plan. The local sports complex is envisioned to be a “sports tourism center” in the country.

Meanwhile, Muntinlupa will also host the 2022 Badminton Asia Championships at Muntinlupa Sports Complex from April 26 until May 1.

Top shuttlers from Asian countries will participate in the competition in a bid to raise their Badminton World Federation (BWF) ranking. This is the country’s third time to host the Asia Championships since 1961 and 2001.

It can be noted that Muntinlupa also hosted the Badminton event of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

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The above information was sourced from an official press release. Some parts were changed for this website.

COVID-19 Crisis: Less than 13 million boosted in the Philippines so far

April 21, 2022April 20, 2022carlocarrasco

Recently the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported that the number of people in the country counted as fully vaccinated for COVID-19 was approaching the 70,000,000 mark. What is disturbing, however, is that the number of people who received their booster shots (note: the 3^rd shot after two doses of most COVID-19 vaccine brands) is still low at less than 13,000,000 counted.

The anti-vaccine crazies out there can discourage people all they want but nothing changes the fact that booster shots are essential for the Philippines in order to truly emerge from the COVID-19 crisis and progress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines has administered 144,781,087 doses of coronavirus vaccines, with 66,979,873 Filipinos already with the full primary series.

Of the total, only 12,687,684 have booster shots as of Tuesday.

The latest data of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 also showed that 72,010,262 individuals, or 80.01 percent of the country’s target for population protection, have received at least one dose.

During President Rodrigo Duterte’s prerecorded “Talk to the People” aired late Monday night, NTF chief Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. acknowledged the country is still lagging in the administration of booster shots or third doses.

Among the pediatric age groups, 9,918,970 first doses have been given to the 12 to 17 bracket and 2,694,251 for 5 to 11.

“Maganda po ang coverage natin from 18 to 59 years old. Ito po ‘yung adult population at mayroon po tayong (We have a good vaccination coverage from 18 to 59 years old. This is the adult population and we have) more or less 94.28 percent (of the target), with 52 million already with the first dose,” Galvez said.

For the 60 years old above, Galvez said the country has already vaccinated 6,907,715 with at least one dose.

If you do the math, 12,687,684 patients with booster shots out of the 66,979,873 fully vaccinated people is equivalent to 18.94%. In terms of simple numbers, there are more than 54 million fully vaccinated patients who have yet to get boosted. Still a long way to go before many others get boosted.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this new development? If you have been fully vaccinated already, how long has it been since that happened? If you have not received your booster shot yet, have you tried contacting the local vaccination team? Do you think that it is time for the local governments to start announcing incentives to convince fully vaccinated patients to get boosted at last?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City recognizes 2020-21 Bar passers, new lawyers urged to serve with integrity

April 20, 2022April 19, 2022carlocarrasco

Recently the City Government of Muntinlupa gave recognition to city residents who have passed the r2020-2021 Bar examinations.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi has lauded the 39 new lawyers in the city and has given them certificates of recognition during the LGU’s flag raising ceremony last this past Monday.

“We are very proud of your achievements and for the honor that you have given to Muntinlupa. We welcome our new attorneys as we serve the people,” Fresnedi said in the program.

Among the 39 Bar passers is Erika Rose Sanchez – Corro, daughter of Muntinlupa City Majority Floor Leader Coun. Atty. Raul Corro, who has given an emotional response during the ceremony.

Corro recounted the struggles that the bar takers, including herself, have experienced as they prepared for the examination such as postponed Bar exam schedules, lockdowns, health and emotional challenges brought about by pandemic.

She also extended her thanks to the City Government and the city’s frontliners for the local COVID-19 response including the extensive vaccination drive as it helped her prepare for the 2020-21 Bar exams.

Meanwhile, Corro also encouraged her fellow Bar passers to serve with integrity and serve the Filipino people.

“Passing the Bar exam is just the beginning. What matters is what we can do with the privilege and responsibility that were given to us. I hope that we will be lawyers in the service of others and with integrity,” Corro noted.

Other Muntinlupa residents who passed the Bar exam and were given recognition were: Ainah Rae Labanta – Banzon, Jasmin Dimatatac Miroy, John Titan, Perla Vito Cruz Arroyo, Isabelle Alexis Yason, Gemma Tiama, Celyn Ann Mae Palacol, Ian Benjamin Tan, Alia Jan Delgado, Antonette Arciaga, Jaypherson Navarro, Clariza Reyes, Marian Shen Petilla, Reena Therese Marquez, Cesar Jan Entilla, Therese Mary Magdaluyo, Albertito Garcia, Michael Christopher Guidote, Joaquin Oscar Go III, Valentin Eduardo Miguel Prieto, John Philip Yeung, Sharmaine Maila Pacson, Jonas Gaiser, Arlyn Jophe Perol, Katherine Vera, Ma. Rosalia Emmanuel San Pedro-Ladignon, Nina Jasmine Marie Balbanero, Dominic Paolo Marquez, Hanna Hazel Agapay, Jose Miguel Pillas, Alexander Michael Po, Ivanhoe Magpantay, Vincent Pangan, Gretel Erum, Nicolin Anne Arcenas, Arvin Stephen Gagajena, Zaira Gem Gonzales, and Atreja Alvarez.

Last April 14, the Supreme Court released the results of the 2020-2021 Bar examinations, the first digitized and localized exam conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Supreme Court has recorded a passing rate of 72.28% with 8,155 law graduates who passed the Bar exams out of 11,402 test takers.

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The above information was sourced from an official press release. Some parts were changed for this website.

P170,000 worth of illegal drugs seized and four suspects arrested in Parañaque City

April 20, 2022April 19, 2022carlocarrasco

In Parañaque City, law enforcers apprehended four individuals who apparently are connected with the proliferation of illegal drugs in Barangay San Dionisio, the Manila Bulletin reported. They also seized the illegal substance estimated to be worth P170,000.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

Members of the Parañaque City police Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) arrested four drug suspects who are reportedly the main source of shabu proliferating in Barangay San Dionisio on Monday, April 18.

Col. Maximo Sebastian, city police chief, identified the suspects as Sunsodin Abuin Nolutan, 33; Alvin Sakatani Dalamban, 25; Rohanin Ungad Ali, 22; and Fatima Delos Santos Abdulmari, 26, all residents of Parañaque City.

Sebastian said the suspects were arrested at about 5:20 p.m. along Vietnam St., Ninoy Aquino Avenue, Barangay San Dionisio. Confiscated from them were around P170,000 worth of shabu.

The city police chief said SDEU members conducted a buy-bust operation in coordination with the police Sub-Station 4 after receiving numerous complaints against the suspects on their illegal drugs trade.

Sebastian said confiscated from the suspects were 16 sachets of shabu weighing about 25 grams and worth P170,000.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are living in Parañaque City, do you believe that the trading of illegal drugs is happening in your local community right now? Are you ready to report such activities to the local police?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Spectators at the 31st SEA Games are not required to take COVID-19 tests

April 19, 2022April 18, 2022carlocarrasco

Are you planning to personally visit Vietnam and watch the many sports events of the delayed 31^st Southeast Asian Games (also referred to as 31^st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) live as a sports spectator? While it is true that Vietnam has been opened to foreign tourists for over a month now, there are still requirements that need to be fulfilled before enjoying the freedom of touring and discovering the nation.

As it is the Southeast Asian region’s biggest sports event, the SEA Games are indeed highly crucial to the tourism goals of host city Hanoi and the rest of Vietnam. Recently, the Vietnam authorities announced that spectators at the SEA Games are not required to take COVID-19 tests, according to a report by VietnamPlus.vn.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the VietnamPlus.vn article. Some parts in boldface…

Spectators watching competitions in person during the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) will not be required to take COVID-19 tests before enter the stadiums, according to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health on April 16 regarding COVID-19 control measures during the regional sport event.

According to the guidelines, guests to the event at deputy ministerial level and above, as well as heads and deputy heads of sport delegations neither need to show negative COVID-19 testing results when entering Vietnam nor take testing after arrival. They also do not need to take quarantine.

Meanwhile, sport officials, referees and athletes are required to have certified negative RT-PCR/RT-LAMP testing results taken within 72 hours or rapid antigen testing within 24 hours before entering Vietnam, but not required to take quarantine.

Coaches and athletes will need to take COVID-19 rapid tests 24 hours before each competition.

The guidelines also list COVID-19 control measures to be implemented at accommodation facilities for guests and athletes, with the setting up of SARS-CoV-2 testing areas and teams providing medical and food safety services for them. Quarantine and treatment rooms will also be arranged for COVID-19 patients with no or mild symptoms.

Athletes will travel in closed routes between their accommodation, training and competition venues.

The stadium hosting the opening and closing ceremonies will be disinfected before the events, while medical teams will stand by to give emergency aids and COVID-19 tests to persons who are suspected to infected with the disease.

Games will take place with either no spectator or with limited or unlimited number of spectators depending on COVID-19 situation at the host locality.

In case a COVID-19 patient is detected, the patient will take quarantine at their accommodation or treatment at medical centres depending on their health conditions.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: In case you will be visiting Vietnam as a tourist immediately, do you plan to watch a SEA Games event as a spectator at the sports venue? How important are the SEA Games for you personally?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Come to Subic Bay for the big triathlon event on May 1, 2022

April 13, 2022April 12, 2022carlocarrasco

If you are looking for nice place for vacation and you also want to watch a triathlon event live, then you should come to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone where the 2022 edition of the Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) will be held at on May 1, 2022 (for external references, click here, here, here and here).

For the triathlon enthusiasts who just visited this blog for the first time, the SUBIT is the major Philippine triathlon event that immediately precedes the 31^st Southeast Asian Games (also referred to as 31^st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) in Vietnam which itself will open formally on May 12 (references here, here and here) and it will have their own triathlon and duathlon medal events. 2019 SEA Games gold medalists John Chicano and Marion Kim Mangrobang are the favorites for the multisport medal events in this year’s SEA Games but before those games do happen, you will get to see them both as well as the other Philippine Team triathletes in action at the SUBIT.

For a quick look at who the Philippine Team triathletes are racing and what impact SUBIT had on Philippine triathlon in general, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin sports news report. Some parts in boldface…

The race is actually a tuneup for the PH team going to the biennial meet where it aims to maintain its 1-2 finish in the men’s and women’s division.

Racing in SUBIT are Fer Casares, Kim Remolino, John Chicano, Kim Mangrobang, Raven Alcoseba and Lauren Plaza.

“The SUBIT will be a good tuneup race for our SEAG-bound athletes, especially sa game strategy,” said Triathlon Association President Tom Carrasco.

“SUBIT has been at the forefront of development of Filipino triathletes. I’m proud to say that SUBIT has produced Southeast Asian Games champions and notable Asian Games performers.”

Among the SUBIT products were SEAG winners Chicano, Mangrobang, Nikko Huelgas and (Claire) Adorna, Youth Olympics qualifier Vicky Deldio, Columbia World Games qualifiers Carlo Pedregosa and Mirasol Abad, Birmingham World Games qualifier Casares, and 2018 Asian Games top 10 finisher Kim Kilgroe.

Meanwhile, Cebu-based junior triathlete Moira Frances Erediano, who topped a triathlon event in Dumaguete City very recently, is also joining the May 1 SUBIT.

This year’s SUBIT – formally called the NTT AST Subic Bay International Triathlon (SuBIT) 2022 – will have race distances of 1.5 kilometer swim – 40 Km bike – 10 Km run (Standard Distance), 750 M swim – 20 Km bike – 5 Km run (Sprint Distance) and 500 M – 13 Km bike – 2.5 Km run (Super Sprint Distance) which will cover lots of places in the freeport. With regards to schedules, posted below are the details sourced from the event page at RaceYaya.com

This year’s SUBIT is a joint project of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP), the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and I Love Fun-tastic Subic Bay supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Standard Insurance, FINIS Philippines, Gatorade, Subic Bay Travelers Hotel, POCARI Sweat, and Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines Inc.

Where to enjoy food and drinks in Subic Bay?

*Visit Gourmet Garage and Xtremely Xpresso on your next visit to Subic Bay.*

Apart from being a sports tourism hot spot, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone also has nice places where you and your family or group of friends can spend time at and enjoy good food and drinks together such as Gourmet Garage Subic (social media here and here) and Xtremely Xpresso Café (social media here and here) to name a few. Personally, I enjoyed the two mentioned places a lot during my past visits. I would suggest you who read this to visit them on your next visit to Subic Bay.

Located at 1143 Argonaut Highway (very near the Starbucks Coffee shop there), Gourmet Garage Subic is one very fine place to dine in with others and their cooks specialize preparing really tasty meals such as the Truffle BBQ Orange Baby Back Ribs, the Grilled Salmon Tamari Quinoa, Grilled Javier’s Burger, Sake-marinated Fish Fillet, the Lamb Madras Curry, Gourmet Garage’s Beef Tapa and their signature pasta the Luglug Spaghettini to name a few. Looking for drinks, snacks, cakes, condiments and bread? They have them too! Their venue also has a fine-looking design. If you have any catering needs, they are willing to serve you.

Over at 1 Dewey Avenue corner Sta. Rita Road in the freeport, Xtremely Xpresso is a café that offers customers really good coffee plus meals that families and friends can enjoy together. For the coffee lovers, they got the Jump-start Espresso, Vienna Coffee, White Mocha and Vietnamese Coffee plus their very own lineup of frappe’s such as the Shockwave, the Coffee Cradle and Ekimocha to name a few. For those looking for hearty meals, they have Baby Back Ribs, Korean Beef Ribs, Salisbury Steak, the Chicken Teriyaki Sandwich, pasta and their Big Ben pizza!

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you excited to visit Subic Bay for the May 1 triathlon event and the local places to enjoy good food? When was the last time you visited Subic Bay?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon officially included in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia

April 13, 2022April 12, 2022carlocarrasco

As many millions of sports enthusiasts all over the Southeast Asian region are anticipating the start of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (also referred to as 31st SEA Games, Hanoi 2021 and SEA Games 31) in Vietnam (for external references, click here, here and here), the wheels for the 2023 edition of the SEA Games (AKA 32^nd SEA Games) in Cambodia are already moving forward and already close to forty events have been confirmed, according to a news release published through the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

And here are the most notable news for the people who love multisports – triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon are officially part of the 2023 SEA Games events! Very recently, a high-profile meeting about the next SEA Games was held in Cambodia.

*The official logo of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games (also referred to as Cambodia 2023).*

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…

Cambodia will be putting on a showcase as a first-time host of the Southeast Asian Games in 2023 with 39 sports already on its competition program.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said Cambodia has shown its readiness to host next year’s Games during a SEA Games Federation meeting held over the weekend in Siem Reap, a resort town that’s the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat.

“Cambodia is ready to host and they promised an excellent edition of the Games,” Tolentino said in a news release on Monday.

Tolentino was joined in the meeting by POC Deputy Secretary General Bones Floro, triathlon head Tom Carrasco, volleyball chief and POC broadcast committee chair Ramon “Tats” Suzara, soft tennis Capt. Bob Moran and bowling legend Bong Coo representing women’s sports.

Cambodia scheduled the 32nd edition of the SEA Games from May 5 to 16—a year after Vietnam hosted this year’s Games—with the capital Phnom Penh as the main hub.

Tolentino said centerpiece athletics and aquatics tops the sports program as Category I sports with the marathon for men and women starting and finishing at Angkor Wat as well as the road and mountain bike (MTB) cycling.

The other sports under Category II are badminton, basketball (5×5 and 3×3), boxing, billiards, cycling (road and MTB), canoeing, rowing, Ok Chaktrong, Asean and Xiangxi), dancesport, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics (aerobic and artistic), hockey (including indoor), judo, karate, muay, petanque, sailing, sepaktakraw (including chinlone), soft tennis, table tennis, taekwondo, traditional boat race, triathlon (including duathlon and aquathlon), volleyball, wrestling and weightlifting.

In relation to the above news release, triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon are also listed in a recent article on the official website of the 2023 SEA Games.

Take note that Cambodia will be hosting and organizing the SEA Games for the first time ever. The official website of the 32^nd SEA Games is located at http://cambodia2023.com/ and their focus on preparing for the games is real. Check out the video below from the Cambodia 2023 YouTube channel.

For more about the Cambodia SEA Games on social media, visit their official Facebook page, their official Instagram account and follow them on Twitter.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are an enthusiast of triathlon, duathlon or aquathlon, what is your reaction towards their declared inclusion in the 2023 SEA Games? With regards to Cambodia’s first time hosting the SEA Games, are you excited to see the region’s biggest sports event to be held there?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Chinese national (POGO employee) arrested in Parañaque City

April 13, 2022April 12, 2022carlocarrasco

When was the last time you read a crime story related to POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations) in the city of Parañaque? Recently, a Chinese national who worked for a certain POGO was arrested in the said city for alarm, scandal and estafa, the Manila Bulletin reported. The incident happened in Barangay Tambo.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

A Chinese employee of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) was arrested for trying to evade his debt of P400,000 with a fellow Chinese on Monday, April 11, in Paranaque City.

Col. Maximo Sebastian, Paranaque City police chief, identified the suspect as Zhang Yujun, 27. He is now detained at the Paranaque City police custodial facility and facing charges of alarm and scandal and estafa.

Sebastian said the suspect was arrested at about 3:35 a.m. in front of Nuwa Hotel at the City of Dreams (COD), Barangay Tambo, Paranaque City.

The city police chief said that according to the victim, identified as Wang Longqiang, 23, also a POGO worker, the suspect borrowed money from him amounting to P400,000 allegedly after losing at the casino.

Wang told police the victim promised to return and pay his obligation after another round of playing at the casino. However, the suspect sneaked out from the casino after the money was handed over to him.

The victim told police that after noticing the victim was no longer in the casino, he immediately asked the assistance of COD personnel and found the victim in front of the hotel and was about to leave.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are living in Parañaque City, are you concerned that there could be more Chinese nationals – whether employed by POGOs or not – who could cause more trouble in the city? Do you think that gambling in casinos within the city is getting out of hand?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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