Even Pinoys braved cold for Holland’s New Year’s thrill
By LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 01/07/2009 10:50 PM
A dive into the freezing waters of the North Sea is Holland’s warm welcome to the New Year.
At exactly twelve noon last January 1, people stripped to their bikinis or swimming trunks in order to swim in the icy seas in the country.
A tradition started by a small group of youth in 1965, the New Year’s dive has become a ritual held in the whole of The Netherlands and the biggest and most popular is in the seaside town of Scheveningen.
This year, only 6,500 braved the harsh winter conditions compared to 10,000 last year, because of ice and the biting temperature that day.
But many still joined in order to experience this thrilling event, including Pinoys.
“It’s really cold but it’s really cool to do it. I don’t know. It’s just the adrenaline,” Joshua Gonzales said.
It was Gonzales’s fifth time at the feat.
“The first time was in 2001 and it’s my fifth time to do it,” Gonzales said.
At the beach, the thick-skinned and gutsy raced to swim, dive or dip in the water.
The technique is to run as fast as you can and immerse your whole body in the freezing salty water immediately.
Those who were brave enough swam for a few minutes but the neophytes just dived in for a few seconds.
A young Dutch lad’s first time to the dive became an unforgettable experience he will forever cherish.
Although his whole body had goose bumps from the cold and his lips turned blue as he was interviewed by Balitang Europe after his dip, he was so happy to have done it.
“I wanted to do it one time in my life,” Bas, who didn’t give his surname, said.
The Dutch said that the dip in the frozen water is also a sure cure for the hangover from the New Year’s eve celebrations.
It’s because night before, almost everybody in The Netherlands were on the streets exploding firecrackers and fireworks and most are drinking alcohol until the wee hours of the morning.
Upon dressing up, the participants can warm themselves to the very popular Dutch soup called “erweten” soup or pea soup, which looks and tastes like the Western version of the Pinoy’s “ginisang munggo.”
After the colorful and explosive New Year’s eve, all the seaside towns of Holland were colored orange on New Year’s day as participants wear the traditional orange bonnet and gloves provided by a Dutch company sponsoring the event.
If the Dutch spend money on firecrackers and fireworks in the belief that they will drive away the bad spirit of the old year, the New Year’s dive is believed to give a fresh start to the new year.
“It’s really freezing. It’s really hard on your feet because your feet get really cold. Why are you doing it? Just because it’s possible and it’s a good start to the new year. Start the year fresh and start anew,” Paolo Tomas said.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/01/07/09/even-pinoys-braved-cold-holland%E2%80%99s-new-year%E2%80%99s-thrill
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Pinoys join Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas
Pinoys join Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas
By LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 12/08/2008 10:53 PM
At last, Filipina Carmela Javier can relax from juggling work and Christmas shopping for her kids.
Even the shops last weekend were not as crowded as in the previous weeks because the Christmas shoppers in The Netherlands have taken a much-needed respite.
They have just finished celebrating on Friday, one of the biggest occasions here which is Sinterklaas.Celebrated every December 5, on the eve of the feast of Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas is a huge event of gift-giving in Holland and is more popularly known in the expat community as a Christmas for children.
That’s why every November, for more than ten years now, Javier is stressed and busy buying gifts because she also follows the Filipinos’ tradition of a Christmas with Santa Claus which means that her children will get Christmas presents twice.
“The kids have made their lists and I’m just halving it. Half of it goes to Sinterklaas and half of it goes to Father Christmas. And in my tradition, I never buy when it’s expensive so I necessarily go to three different stores, the big stores here and compare the prices,” Javier told ABS-CBN’s Balitang Europe.
Even the week leading to Sinterklaas finds Javier running in and out of shops, as if the Christmas countdown has been shortened.She aims to shoot two birds with one stone by finishing her Christmas shopping before Sinterklaas.
And with the present economic and financial crisis, she has become wiser in buying presents for both Sinterklaas and Christmas.
“In a way, I make my kids make a list and in the last years I managed to fulfill all what they put on the list.
This year I’m going to target for two each and the rest, in terms of quantity, maybe I’ll give them smaller gifts for the rest. My target is to give them two at least of the five that they list down,” Javier said.
Colorful parade
Following the Dutch tradition, the celebration of Sinterklaas is very regal and grand.
It begins on the third Saturday of November, when Sinterklaas arrives from Spain.Everyone, especially the children, patiently wait for the colorful and pompous parade to see Sinterklaas on his white horse called Americo and his more than two hundred helpers called Zwarte Piet or Black Piet.
The Zwarte Pieten (Dutch plural for Zwarte Piet) are very popular because apart from giving away “pepernoten” or ginger-spiced nuts, they also play and entertain children.
In fact, a lot of children always chose to dress up in Zwarte Piet costumes during the parade and also in their schools during Sinterklaas.
The parade is a signal that the children can start putting shoes under the chimney or by the door for the possibility that Sinterklaas will pass every night.
According to the Dutch legend, Sinterklaas keeps a red book that lists children who have been good all year long.
Good children will be very happy when they wake up as they will find little presents, chocolates or poems in their shoes while those who didn’t behave will find their shoes empty.
Even if it sounds heavy on their pockets especially in the present hard times, the Dutch Pinoys still join in the celebration of Sinterklaas because they find it to be a one, true and authentic tradition of sincere giving and loving just before Christmas.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://news.abs-cbn.com/pinoy-migration/12/08/08/pinoys-join-dutch-tradition-sinterklaas
By LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 12/08/2008 10:53 PM
At last, Filipina Carmela Javier can relax from juggling work and Christmas shopping for her kids.
Even the shops last weekend were not as crowded as in the previous weeks because the Christmas shoppers in The Netherlands have taken a much-needed respite.
They have just finished celebrating on Friday, one of the biggest occasions here which is Sinterklaas.Celebrated every December 5, on the eve of the feast of Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas is a huge event of gift-giving in Holland and is more popularly known in the expat community as a Christmas for children.
That’s why every November, for more than ten years now, Javier is stressed and busy buying gifts because she also follows the Filipinos’ tradition of a Christmas with Santa Claus which means that her children will get Christmas presents twice.
“The kids have made their lists and I’m just halving it. Half of it goes to Sinterklaas and half of it goes to Father Christmas. And in my tradition, I never buy when it’s expensive so I necessarily go to three different stores, the big stores here and compare the prices,” Javier told ABS-CBN’s Balitang Europe.
Even the week leading to Sinterklaas finds Javier running in and out of shops, as if the Christmas countdown has been shortened.She aims to shoot two birds with one stone by finishing her Christmas shopping before Sinterklaas.
And with the present economic and financial crisis, she has become wiser in buying presents for both Sinterklaas and Christmas.
“In a way, I make my kids make a list and in the last years I managed to fulfill all what they put on the list.
This year I’m going to target for two each and the rest, in terms of quantity, maybe I’ll give them smaller gifts for the rest. My target is to give them two at least of the five that they list down,” Javier said.
Colorful parade
Following the Dutch tradition, the celebration of Sinterklaas is very regal and grand.
It begins on the third Saturday of November, when Sinterklaas arrives from Spain.Everyone, especially the children, patiently wait for the colorful and pompous parade to see Sinterklaas on his white horse called Americo and his more than two hundred helpers called Zwarte Piet or Black Piet.
The Zwarte Pieten (Dutch plural for Zwarte Piet) are very popular because apart from giving away “pepernoten” or ginger-spiced nuts, they also play and entertain children.
In fact, a lot of children always chose to dress up in Zwarte Piet costumes during the parade and also in their schools during Sinterklaas.
The parade is a signal that the children can start putting shoes under the chimney or by the door for the possibility that Sinterklaas will pass every night.
According to the Dutch legend, Sinterklaas keeps a red book that lists children who have been good all year long.
Good children will be very happy when they wake up as they will find little presents, chocolates or poems in their shoes while those who didn’t behave will find their shoes empty.
Even if it sounds heavy on their pockets especially in the present hard times, the Dutch Pinoys still join in the celebration of Sinterklaas because they find it to be a one, true and authentic tradition of sincere giving and loving just before Christmas.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://news.abs-cbn.com/pinoy-migration/12/08/08/pinoys-join-dutch-tradition-sinterklaas
Pinoy group marks 25th anniversary in Belgium
Pinoy group marks 25th anniversary in Belgium
By LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 12/14/2008 5:58 PM
A group of Filipinos promoting Pinoy migrant workers rights recently celebrated its 25th anniversary in Belgium.
The group called Samahan ng Manggagawang Filipino sa Belgium started with more than 100 Pinoys in 1983. Now however, they are down to 30.
According to Samahan, the decline in their membership may be due to the different Pinoy organizations that have sprouted in the country over the years.
“Noong maitayo ang Samahan, nagkaroon ng simbahan, nagkaroon ng relihiyon. Ang problema, dumami ang relihiyon. Noong una Ilokano, Bisaya, Tagalog magkakasama kami. Tapos nagkameron na ng regional. Me Kapampangan, Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog,” said Samahan founding member Lito Batacan.
RegularizationAlthough small in terms of number, the group said they are the most solid organization ever formed in the Western European country. In fact, the group was able to make giant steps, despite its small membership, in helping improve the status and lives of compatriots, especially undocumented workers, in Belgium.
Samahan members cites their contribution to the regularization of undocumented Pinoys as well as pushing for their membership in trade unions in Brussels.
“Noong 2000, after years of advocacy and lobbying with the trade unions, the major trade unions in Brussels finally accepted undocumented workers also to become members of the trade union. Bahagi ng trabaho namin doon eh ang pagpe-pressure din o paglo-lobby sa Belgian government na gumawa ng regularization,” Coop treasurer and Education Committee member Joyce del Rosario said.
Del Rosario explained that the regularization that happened in Belgium was not identical to the regularization in Italy which granted amnesty to the illegal workers.
“Ito ire-regularize iyong undocumented workers. Bahagi din ng trabaho ng Samahan noon eh tinulungan namin ang kapwa Filipino. Ang pag fill-up ng application form, pagkukuha ng requirements,” Del Rosario added.
Filipino chaiplancySamahan also initiated the establishment of a Filipino chaplaincy in Brussels so that now, the Pinoys can go to their own Catholic church every Sunday.
“Ang Samahan ang nag-request sa CBCP (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines) na magkaroon dito sa Brussels ng chaplain at makabuo ng chaplaincy. Through the Samahan, na-initiate namin dito na magkaroon kami ng chaplain na simula noon eh nagbigay si Bishop (Julio) Labayen ng awtoridad na magkaron dito ng chaplaincy,” founding member Aida Batacan said.
She added: “Naisip namin na magkaroon dito ng chaplaincy para lahat ng Pilipino dito sa Belgium at sa Brussels lalo na, na magkaroon ng isang lugar na pagsasamasamahin namin ang aming panalangin at pagkakaroon ng chaplain.”
The Philippine Embassy in Brussels and more than 200 Filipinos from different organizations attended the group’s anniversary to show their full support and gratitude to the group.
ServiceTogether, the Pinoys also remembered how the lives of Pinoys have progressed and changed for the better in more than two decades.
“Mas maganda na ang sitwasyon na ngayon ng mga Pilipino lalo na iyong mga may papers kasi parang secured na sila dito. Nakakabili na sila ng bahay. Ngayon pagkatapos ng regularisasyon, maraming nakauwi sa Pilipinas, para mabigyan ng pagkakataon na magkaron ng legal na papers, documents para mag-stay,” founding member Cesar Ambrocio said.
Since the day it was formed, Samahan has strived hard to promote justice, equality and the rights of Pinoy migrant workers in Belgium.
Samahan has proven that the success of an organization is not measured by the sheer size of its members but in its solidity and greatness in achieving its goals and reliability in terms of being of service to its fellow Filipinos.
WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/12/12/08/pinoy-group-marks-25th-anniversary-belgium
By LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 12/14/2008 5:58 PM
A group of Filipinos promoting Pinoy migrant workers rights recently celebrated its 25th anniversary in Belgium.
The group called Samahan ng Manggagawang Filipino sa Belgium started with more than 100 Pinoys in 1983. Now however, they are down to 30.
According to Samahan, the decline in their membership may be due to the different Pinoy organizations that have sprouted in the country over the years.
“Noong maitayo ang Samahan, nagkaroon ng simbahan, nagkaroon ng relihiyon. Ang problema, dumami ang relihiyon. Noong una Ilokano, Bisaya, Tagalog magkakasama kami. Tapos nagkameron na ng regional. Me Kapampangan, Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog,” said Samahan founding member Lito Batacan.
RegularizationAlthough small in terms of number, the group said they are the most solid organization ever formed in the Western European country. In fact, the group was able to make giant steps, despite its small membership, in helping improve the status and lives of compatriots, especially undocumented workers, in Belgium.
Samahan members cites their contribution to the regularization of undocumented Pinoys as well as pushing for their membership in trade unions in Brussels.
“Noong 2000, after years of advocacy and lobbying with the trade unions, the major trade unions in Brussels finally accepted undocumented workers also to become members of the trade union. Bahagi ng trabaho namin doon eh ang pagpe-pressure din o paglo-lobby sa Belgian government na gumawa ng regularization,” Coop treasurer and Education Committee member Joyce del Rosario said.
Del Rosario explained that the regularization that happened in Belgium was not identical to the regularization in Italy which granted amnesty to the illegal workers.
“Ito ire-regularize iyong undocumented workers. Bahagi din ng trabaho ng Samahan noon eh tinulungan namin ang kapwa Filipino. Ang pag fill-up ng application form, pagkukuha ng requirements,” Del Rosario added.
Filipino chaiplancySamahan also initiated the establishment of a Filipino chaplaincy in Brussels so that now, the Pinoys can go to their own Catholic church every Sunday.
“Ang Samahan ang nag-request sa CBCP (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines) na magkaroon dito sa Brussels ng chaplain at makabuo ng chaplaincy. Through the Samahan, na-initiate namin dito na magkaroon kami ng chaplain na simula noon eh nagbigay si Bishop (Julio) Labayen ng awtoridad na magkaron dito ng chaplaincy,” founding member Aida Batacan said.
She added: “Naisip namin na magkaroon dito ng chaplaincy para lahat ng Pilipino dito sa Belgium at sa Brussels lalo na, na magkaroon ng isang lugar na pagsasamasamahin namin ang aming panalangin at pagkakaroon ng chaplain.”
The Philippine Embassy in Brussels and more than 200 Filipinos from different organizations attended the group’s anniversary to show their full support and gratitude to the group.
ServiceTogether, the Pinoys also remembered how the lives of Pinoys have progressed and changed for the better in more than two decades.
“Mas maganda na ang sitwasyon na ngayon ng mga Pilipino lalo na iyong mga may papers kasi parang secured na sila dito. Nakakabili na sila ng bahay. Ngayon pagkatapos ng regularisasyon, maraming nakauwi sa Pilipinas, para mabigyan ng pagkakataon na magkaron ng legal na papers, documents para mag-stay,” founding member Cesar Ambrocio said.
Since the day it was formed, Samahan has strived hard to promote justice, equality and the rights of Pinoy migrant workers in Belgium.
Samahan has proven that the success of an organization is not measured by the sheer size of its members but in its solidity and greatness in achieving its goals and reliability in terms of being of service to its fellow Filipinos.
WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/12/12/08/pinoy-group-marks-25th-anniversary-belgium
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
RP Embassy in Holland woos investors to RP
Amid a world-wide economic slump and the worsening corruption and poverty in the Philippines, the Embassy in the Netherlands is striving harder to woo investors to the Philippines.
With the help of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, the Embassy’s Philippine Trade and Investment Centre conducted a series of trade road shows to attract Dutch businessmen to find a window of opportunity in the Philippines.
Their efforts did not go to waste as the first three “Business Opportunities in the Philippines” roadshows held in Rotterdam, The Hague and Tilburg were successful.
“You know, this is the start of a series of business seminars we are planning. I think the result is good. We got a good number of people,” said Ambassador Romeo Arguelles.
At every forum, Arguelles reiterated to the Dutch audience that although the current global financial crisis is affecting the Philippines, its economy has remained resilient because of the continued growth of exports and investments in the region.
The roadshows also generated a lot of interest because of the testimonials of Dutch businessmen who were successful in their ventures in the Philippines.
Positive outlook for RP, govt
One of them is from a Dutch politician who served as president of Shell Philippines from 1993 to 1997 and then became president of Shell Netherlands from 2003 to 2007.
Senator Ir Rein Willems had nothing but a very positive outlook for the Philippines and a high regard for the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo despite all the blame on Mrs. Arroyo for the corruption and poverty in the country.
Willems remains upbeat that the economy in the Philippines will prosper under her regime.
“I personally had quite a good experience dealing with then senator Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, now president. I think that she’s doing her utmost. Sometimes it’s not easy to do business in the country but she will succeed and I am confident of that and why? Because I think of her integrity and solidity of trying to get the country into a good growth position. And the truth is there. If you look at the last couple years, business has been good for the country,” Willems said.
However, there were some businessmen who remain cautious as to which country in Asia to put their money in.
After all, there are other countries in Asia to consider.
“There are a number of countries in the Far East that are very, very popular. There is China. There is upcoming India, also Pakistan, also Bangladesh. Also, the Chinese are outsourcing in Vietnam. So those countries you can see as competitive to a country like the Philippines,” said Jan Ter Haar, vice-president International Trade at The Hague Chamber of Commerce.
They are also convinced of some Pinoys’ belief that something good awaits them in Asia, including the Philippines.
“Asia is going to be the future and the Philippines is fortunately part of Asia. We have to invite the world to go there not only investments but in all other matters related to developing that part of the world,” lawyer Peter Payoyo said.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/11/23/08/rp-embassy-holland-woos-investors-rp
With the help of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, the Embassy’s Philippine Trade and Investment Centre conducted a series of trade road shows to attract Dutch businessmen to find a window of opportunity in the Philippines.
Their efforts did not go to waste as the first three “Business Opportunities in the Philippines” roadshows held in Rotterdam, The Hague and Tilburg were successful.
“You know, this is the start of a series of business seminars we are planning. I think the result is good. We got a good number of people,” said Ambassador Romeo Arguelles.
At every forum, Arguelles reiterated to the Dutch audience that although the current global financial crisis is affecting the Philippines, its economy has remained resilient because of the continued growth of exports and investments in the region.
The roadshows also generated a lot of interest because of the testimonials of Dutch businessmen who were successful in their ventures in the Philippines.
Positive outlook for RP, govt
One of them is from a Dutch politician who served as president of Shell Philippines from 1993 to 1997 and then became president of Shell Netherlands from 2003 to 2007.
Senator Ir Rein Willems had nothing but a very positive outlook for the Philippines and a high regard for the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo despite all the blame on Mrs. Arroyo for the corruption and poverty in the country.
Willems remains upbeat that the economy in the Philippines will prosper under her regime.
“I personally had quite a good experience dealing with then senator Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, now president. I think that she’s doing her utmost. Sometimes it’s not easy to do business in the country but she will succeed and I am confident of that and why? Because I think of her integrity and solidity of trying to get the country into a good growth position. And the truth is there. If you look at the last couple years, business has been good for the country,” Willems said.
However, there were some businessmen who remain cautious as to which country in Asia to put their money in.
After all, there are other countries in Asia to consider.
“There are a number of countries in the Far East that are very, very popular. There is China. There is upcoming India, also Pakistan, also Bangladesh. Also, the Chinese are outsourcing in Vietnam. So those countries you can see as competitive to a country like the Philippines,” said Jan Ter Haar, vice-president International Trade at The Hague Chamber of Commerce.
They are also convinced of some Pinoys’ belief that something good awaits them in Asia, including the Philippines.
“Asia is going to be the future and the Philippines is fortunately part of Asia. We have to invite the world to go there not only investments but in all other matters related to developing that part of the world,” lawyer Peter Payoyo said.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/11/23/08/rp-embassy-holland-woos-investors-rp
Pinoys in Belgium rethink retirement plans in RP
Some Filipinos based in Belgium are having second thoughts about retiring in the Philippines because of the worsening poverty situation in the country.
“Ang ating mga kababayan, nawawalan ng pag-asa na. Ang ating mga pinuno ay hindi na tayo pinapakinggan. Tayo malakas maghakot ng limpak na limpak na salapi,” said Lito Batacan, founding member of the Samahan ng Manggagawang Filipino sa Belgium.
The group said poverty is pushing more and more Pinoys to leave the country for work overseas.
The group has been monitoring the life of migrant Filipinos for more than two decades now in Belgium. They said that nothing changed except that poverty has affected more Filipinos.
“Napunta ako dito dahil sa kahirapan ng Pilipinas. Yung isa yan, yung social, political, economic situation sa Pilipinas hindi stable,” said Noel Fabian, the group’s Public Relations Officer.
Coming from a family of farmers, Fabian said he abandoned his personal ambition to help his family.
“Hindi ako makapag-concentrate sa pag-aaral dahil pagod sa bukid. Walang makain. Sabi ko ano pa kaya itong mga bata ngayon ganun nae-experience lalo ngayon lumalaki ang populasyon. Hindi mapigil ang migration. Palabas ng palabas dahil sa kahirapan,” Fabian said.
Despite this, many are still hopeful that the country will have a better future.
Report from Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau Belgium.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/11/20/08/pinoys-belgium-rethink-retirement-plans-rp
“Ang ating mga kababayan, nawawalan ng pag-asa na. Ang ating mga pinuno ay hindi na tayo pinapakinggan. Tayo malakas maghakot ng limpak na limpak na salapi,” said Lito Batacan, founding member of the Samahan ng Manggagawang Filipino sa Belgium.
The group said poverty is pushing more and more Pinoys to leave the country for work overseas.
The group has been monitoring the life of migrant Filipinos for more than two decades now in Belgium. They said that nothing changed except that poverty has affected more Filipinos.
“Napunta ako dito dahil sa kahirapan ng Pilipinas. Yung isa yan, yung social, political, economic situation sa Pilipinas hindi stable,” said Noel Fabian, the group’s Public Relations Officer.
Coming from a family of farmers, Fabian said he abandoned his personal ambition to help his family.
“Hindi ako makapag-concentrate sa pag-aaral dahil pagod sa bukid. Walang makain. Sabi ko ano pa kaya itong mga bata ngayon ganun nae-experience lalo ngayon lumalaki ang populasyon. Hindi mapigil ang migration. Palabas ng palabas dahil sa kahirapan,” Fabian said.
Despite this, many are still hopeful that the country will have a better future.
Report from Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau Belgium.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/11/20/08/pinoys-belgium-rethink-retirement-plans-rp
Monday, October 13, 2008
Django, Robocop lose semis to eventual World Cup winners USA
Django, Robocop lose semis to eventual World Cup winners USA
By LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 10/13/2008 7:21 AM
Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo's hopes to reclaim the World Cup of Pool title was quashed when they lost to the American team, 6-9, in the semifinals held in Rotterdam, Netherlands Sunday.
The Philippines opened the rack with an unlucky break but USA missed, giving the first point to them.
However, as in all their previous matches, the Pinoys suffered from a streak of unlucky breaks, giving the Americans Rodney Morris and Shane Van Boening the second rack 1-1.
The third rack was a clean table for Bustamante and Orcollo with the Americans having their share of an unlucky break.
But, the crucial moment came during the fourth rack when Orcollo missed the ninth ball, gifting the rack to Morris and Van Boening at 2-2.
The next rack was also problematic for Orcollo when he made a foul and the Americans grabbed the important point.
In five minutes, the outstanding play of the Americans gave them two consecutive racks at 5-2.
The Philippines seemed to be struggling to rebound, taking the 8th rack at 3-5 but asking for a time-out before the 9th rack.
Orcollo again fouled in the 9th rack, stretching the American lead to half at 6-3.
But the Pinoys, desperate to stay in the match, managed to pull lucky points that narrowed the Americans' lead to 5-7.
Bustamante scratched in the 13th game, giving the crucial 8th point to USA in the race to nine.
The Pinoys continued to hang on to the game, winning the 14th rack at 6-8.
But all prayers were unanswered as the Pinoys suffered from a fatal unlucky break with the Americans wiping the table clean for the final score of 9-6.
The Americans would eventually win the World Cup of Pool after beating England's Daryl Peach and Mark Gray 11-7 in a thrilling final.
Lucky/Unlucky breaks
The Pinoy pool giants admitted that they lost to themselves.
"Wala nga eh, kaso ganoon talaga. Hindi naman talaga magaganda ‘yong tira nila. Kaya lang gumanda ‘yong tira nila dahil marami kaming tinirang mali," Bustamante said.
Of the two, it was Orcollo who blamed himself for the blunders that cost them a shot at the title.
"Sumablay ako sa ninth ball. Wala eh, sa umpisa palang sumablay na eh," Orcollo said.
But their compatriots did not blame anyone and still expressed their support and pride to the two Pinoys who have reached the semi-finals."
Well you know ‘yong billiard talaga eh luck lang sa placement. Minalas lang tayo talaga," Ambassador Romeo Arguelles said.
The breaks didn't go the Filipinos way and in the end the Americans capitalized on that one mistake (Orcollo's)," Finnish player Mika Immonen said.
"That was one costly mistake. It doesn't have to be always costly but this time the Americans won a few racks in a row and they gained the lead and they held on to that lead until the very end. Sayang," Immonen, who has been in the Philippines about twenty times already, said.
Even the Americans conceded that they were just lucky that they gained from the Pinoy's blunders.
"Philippines is always the favorite every time they play. Philippines is the best country for pool so it's always very tough. We are very lucky. They had a scratch at a break and some unlucky shots," Morris said."
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/10/12/08/django-robocop-lose-semis-eventual-world-cup-winners-usa
By LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 10/13/2008 7:21 AM
Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo's hopes to reclaim the World Cup of Pool title was quashed when they lost to the American team, 6-9, in the semifinals held in Rotterdam, Netherlands Sunday.
The Philippines opened the rack with an unlucky break but USA missed, giving the first point to them.
However, as in all their previous matches, the Pinoys suffered from a streak of unlucky breaks, giving the Americans Rodney Morris and Shane Van Boening the second rack 1-1.
The third rack was a clean table for Bustamante and Orcollo with the Americans having their share of an unlucky break.
But, the crucial moment came during the fourth rack when Orcollo missed the ninth ball, gifting the rack to Morris and Van Boening at 2-2.
The next rack was also problematic for Orcollo when he made a foul and the Americans grabbed the important point.
In five minutes, the outstanding play of the Americans gave them two consecutive racks at 5-2.
The Philippines seemed to be struggling to rebound, taking the 8th rack at 3-5 but asking for a time-out before the 9th rack.
Orcollo again fouled in the 9th rack, stretching the American lead to half at 6-3.
But the Pinoys, desperate to stay in the match, managed to pull lucky points that narrowed the Americans' lead to 5-7.
Bustamante scratched in the 13th game, giving the crucial 8th point to USA in the race to nine.
The Pinoys continued to hang on to the game, winning the 14th rack at 6-8.
But all prayers were unanswered as the Pinoys suffered from a fatal unlucky break with the Americans wiping the table clean for the final score of 9-6.
The Americans would eventually win the World Cup of Pool after beating England's Daryl Peach and Mark Gray 11-7 in a thrilling final.
Lucky/Unlucky breaks
The Pinoy pool giants admitted that they lost to themselves.
"Wala nga eh, kaso ganoon talaga. Hindi naman talaga magaganda ‘yong tira nila. Kaya lang gumanda ‘yong tira nila dahil marami kaming tinirang mali," Bustamante said.
Of the two, it was Orcollo who blamed himself for the blunders that cost them a shot at the title.
"Sumablay ako sa ninth ball. Wala eh, sa umpisa palang sumablay na eh," Orcollo said.
But their compatriots did not blame anyone and still expressed their support and pride to the two Pinoys who have reached the semi-finals."
Well you know ‘yong billiard talaga eh luck lang sa placement. Minalas lang tayo talaga," Ambassador Romeo Arguelles said.
The breaks didn't go the Filipinos way and in the end the Americans capitalized on that one mistake (Orcollo's)," Finnish player Mika Immonen said.
"That was one costly mistake. It doesn't have to be always costly but this time the Americans won a few racks in a row and they gained the lead and they held on to that lead until the very end. Sayang," Immonen, who has been in the Philippines about twenty times already, said.
Even the Americans conceded that they were just lucky that they gained from the Pinoy's blunders.
"Philippines is always the favorite every time they play. Philippines is the best country for pool so it's always very tough. We are very lucky. They had a scratch at a break and some unlucky shots," Morris said."
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/10/12/08/django-robocop-lose-semis-eventual-world-cup-winners-usa
Bustamante and Orcollo glide to the semi-finals
Bustamante and Orcollo glide to the semi-finals
By LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 10/12/2008 3:49 PM
Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo continued their winning streak as they glided to victory during the quarter finals of the 2008 PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The dynamic pair mercilessly dashed all hopes for the Japanese duo of Naoyuki Oi and Satoshi Kawabata for a slot in the semi-finals, winning 9-2 in the race to nine.
Unlike Friday's nerve-wracking match, Saturday was very smooth to the delight of spectators. Bustamante and Orcollo opened the rack but the witty and sometimes funny Japanese pair evened the score to 1-1.
The Pinoys seemed to be in their best form ever and took the lead of 3-1, until Orcollo missed in round five, giving the Japanese team their second but last point.
Saturday night saw Orcollo making a few blunders but which didn't cause any damage as the Japanese pair seemed to have lost control of their cues, missing out on every opportunity to stay in the game.
Bustamante and Orcollo are currently facing the USA team of Rodney Morris and Shane Van Boening, whose favorite pool player is Bustamante, in the semi-finals Sunday afternoon.
Orcollo said that they were in a rush to finish the match as they were already starving. "Gutom na eh, minadali na ng kasama ko," Orcollo said.
The Pinoys, even if highly forecasted to win the title, remained modest and hopeful that they can reclaim the title for the Philippines which was won by Bustamante and Efren Bata Reyes in 2006.
"Pwedeng mangyari, pwedeng hindi, nasa tirahan lang naman yan eh," Bustamante said.
A Dutch spectator who is known in the local pool community being the owner of The Hague Five snooker place thinks that the Philippine team is the best of all teams this year.
"The Philippines are more of a team, even if they didn't take the magician [Reyes], Steven (no surname) said.
He predicts that Bustamante and Orcollo will topple the Americans in the semi-finals.
"If they play tomorrow (Sunday) like they play tonight (Saturday), they're much more of a team than the way the Americans play," Steven said.
Two loyal Pinoy supporters from Hoofdorp, Vic Blanza and Joel Perez, are positive that the Philippines will be in the finals.
They should know, having endured the two-hour drive to the venue to watch Bustamante and Orcollo play since Thursday.
"Kitang kita mo naman sa laro nila ngayon gabi eh," Blanza and Perez said.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/10/12/08/bustamante-and-orcollo-glide-semi-finals
By LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 10/12/2008 3:49 PM
Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo continued their winning streak as they glided to victory during the quarter finals of the 2008 PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The dynamic pair mercilessly dashed all hopes for the Japanese duo of Naoyuki Oi and Satoshi Kawabata for a slot in the semi-finals, winning 9-2 in the race to nine.
Unlike Friday's nerve-wracking match, Saturday was very smooth to the delight of spectators. Bustamante and Orcollo opened the rack but the witty and sometimes funny Japanese pair evened the score to 1-1.
The Pinoys seemed to be in their best form ever and took the lead of 3-1, until Orcollo missed in round five, giving the Japanese team their second but last point.
Saturday night saw Orcollo making a few blunders but which didn't cause any damage as the Japanese pair seemed to have lost control of their cues, missing out on every opportunity to stay in the game.
Bustamante and Orcollo are currently facing the USA team of Rodney Morris and Shane Van Boening, whose favorite pool player is Bustamante, in the semi-finals Sunday afternoon.
Orcollo said that they were in a rush to finish the match as they were already starving. "Gutom na eh, minadali na ng kasama ko," Orcollo said.
The Pinoys, even if highly forecasted to win the title, remained modest and hopeful that they can reclaim the title for the Philippines which was won by Bustamante and Efren Bata Reyes in 2006.
"Pwedeng mangyari, pwedeng hindi, nasa tirahan lang naman yan eh," Bustamante said.
A Dutch spectator who is known in the local pool community being the owner of The Hague Five snooker place thinks that the Philippine team is the best of all teams this year.
"The Philippines are more of a team, even if they didn't take the magician [Reyes], Steven (no surname) said.
He predicts that Bustamante and Orcollo will topple the Americans in the semi-finals.
"If they play tomorrow (Sunday) like they play tonight (Saturday), they're much more of a team than the way the Americans play," Steven said.
Two loyal Pinoy supporters from Hoofdorp, Vic Blanza and Joel Perez, are positive that the Philippines will be in the finals.
They should know, having endured the two-hour drive to the venue to watch Bustamante and Orcollo play since Thursday.
"Kitang kita mo naman sa laro nila ngayon gabi eh," Blanza and Perez said.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/10/12/08/bustamante-and-orcollo-glide-semi-finals
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