Manny Pacquiao Wins Over Barrrera Again

We had to go to church Saturday evening. We already know it's going to be a long night and waking the kids up for Sunday morning service will be quite an ordeal. Come fight time at 9pm, we all went to our friends Wowie and Pearly Villarta's house to watch the PPV event.

I am a boxing fan and I don't just wait for the main event to start before I put my gaze on the screen. From the first undercard to the last one before the M.E., I watched intently and they turned out to be very good matches. The first bout between Steve Forbes and Francisco Bojado was to me a highway robbery for Bojado. It was a split decision but I strongly felt Bojado should have won. Well, that is Las Vegas boxing, what can I say.

When the much awaited Pacquiao vs. Barrera II match is about to start, all the available sitting space filled up. It was quite a slow start for both fighters, understandably. No one wanted to try to finish the bout early, make a mistake and lose. Each fighter just had so much respect on the capabilities of the other fighter, especially Barrera. The problem is that Barrera was so overly cautious the whole night and if he can't get his game going, he'll just try to survive the night and not be knocked out. That's exactly what he did. Knowing he can't really penetrate the defense of Manny, as Manny is just too fast for him and Manny exhibiting excellent footwork, he just coasted along.

Manny was more of a boxer last night than his usual one man wrecking crew. There were spurts, but he clearly didn't want to beat Barrera down to kingdom come like what he did in their first encounter four years ago. If somebody was expecting a knockout, it was a disappointment but I believe Manny fought an intelligent fight. He knew he was winning almost every round. Why rush? Barrera didn't want to engage toe to toe and when he did, Manny was almost always ahead. He's just too fast for the aging Barrera. In the eleventh round, Barrera showed his true color by hitting Manny on the break and thus getting a one point deduction from referee Tony Weeks.

In the end it was a unanimous decision for Manny. Two judges scored it 118-109 but one judge by the name of Tom Schreck scored it an unbelievable 115-112 meaning Pacquiao won only 7 out of the 12 rounds. He better just move to scoring soccer, he can easily do that even blindfolded. I thought Barrera won only one round and that's even questionable for a 119-108 score but we were happy that Manny won. I hope he fights Juan Manuel Marquez next for the WBC Superfeatherweight crown. That is unfinished business for both of them since the first one was a draw. Besides, boxing fans not just Filipinos are waiting for this to happen.

Now, I'm eagerly awaiting for Nov. 3 for the fight between Mikkel Kessler of Denmark (39-0) and Joe Calzaghe of UK (43-0)for the unification of the Supermiddlewight crown. The fight will be done in Calzaghe's home turf. Their records are 82-0 between the two of them. Kessler is the underdog but I think he will win. Also on Nov. 3 is the fight between welterweights Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto. This day will surely be a great fight day for boxing fans the world over.

A Show of Traditional Philippine Dances

Yesterday at Nova Southeastern University, we were treated to a festival of color, action and sounds as we watched a dance exhibition by the Palawan State University (PSU) Sining Palawan Dance Company. They are presently on tour here in the US and their show is primarily about traditional Philippine dances that originated from the different regions and provinces in the Philippines.

It was pure delight and although the venue could have been better, the organizers are already planning to do it in an auditorium by next year. It was 'standing room only' in the second floor venue of NOVA's University Center. Even the third floor which has like a balcony overlooking the performance was used by the audience. Anyway, the place didn't really give justice to the splendid performance by the PSU students but it gave us more than a glimpse of Philippine traditional dances. The costumes were superb and the dancers were very skilled in their craft. It was good that we decided to go there early since I was really planning to take pictures and I was fortunate to do that by getting a good spot. The first three rows were reserved but I was able to position myself next to a post and thus I was never guilty of blocking somebody else's view.

It was an enjoyable night, a full two hours less 20 minutes for intermission for the entire show. It was a pleasant surprise that it started almost on time at 7 pm, if you know what I mean. Their program indicated the performance is for 18 different dances. One of which is actually a beautiful rendition of a Kundiman that was composed by Dr. Jose Rizal and is titled "Dulces Las Horas". But upon checking the photos I made after the show, they probably omitted one but I'm not sure. The theme of the show is "A Legacy of Philippine Heritage" and the groupings of the different dances fell into the following:

In the Palace of the Terraces
Dances of Yesteryears
Mindanao Exotica
Countryside Dances

I made a simple slideshow of some of the photos I made. There is no music since I don't have any soundtrack of any of their dances and I will just make it bad if I put any music that is not compatible to the dances they did. I just inserted the name of the dance they were doing and a brief description of it (based on the program) if anybody is interested.

Also, here are some individual photos. I just realized blogger has such a small frame size for its video/slideshow.

Pinoy Transformers or Transportmers

My sister who sent me the images I used for a previous post mentioned that this series of artwork was done by Kons Koh, an architecture graduate from UP and a member of their arkiforum yahoogroups. Now I'm sure of who the artist is. She thinks Mr. Koh works as a consultant for Hasbro but she's not sure. I'm still amazed.

Pinoy Transformers: Generation 2

I'm not sure if Hasbro made this 'pinoy transformers' for real as in real tangible toys a child can play with but I got these images from an email forwarded to me. Nevertheless, if these images were done from scratch using an image editor like Photoshop, then these are some amazing work of art that truly came from a super talented artist and at the same time a serious Photoshop expert.

The vehicles depicted here are the most common modes of transportaion in the Philippines and it just brought some memories of anything related to 'driving' back there and that includes traffic, road, people, travel and places. I have always believed that any Filipino driver especially a city driver can drive anywhere in the world due to the 'expertise' they attain in time as they drive through some quite hazardous and horrendous driving conditions that can exist anywhere in the world. I know, I drove in Metro Manila for almost 15 years before I moved to America. When we went home a few years ago, it took me two days to adjust with my driving but after I 'adapted' my driving and mindset back to the old days, it was smooth sailing for the next 6 weeks.

The Best Book on Filipino Food There Is

I came across this wonderful book and ordered one.

Memories of Philippine Kitchens

This is by far the best book on Philippine Food and Cooking I've ever read and it's hardcover. Check the reviews and order it, you won't be disappointed. If you like and eat Filipino food or would just like to learn about the cuisine even if you don't cook, make sure you get one. When you have visitors who are interested with what you serve them (assuming...), show them the book and the more your cooking and original Philippine cuisine will be appreciated.

It's coffee-table book quality, the writing is superb and the photos are gorgeous. The photos here were made by Neal Oshima, one of the Philippines' better known commercial photographers. Just learning about the food's cultural highlights is enough good reading. You'd think Saveur made this one and yes they do write about Filipino Food from time to time. Just note that if you lend it to someone, there's a possibility you won't get it back.

Article about the Philippines on Smithsonian Magazine

I came across an article from Smithsonian magazine about the Philippines from the point of view of a professional soldier and also a journalist. As a Filipino, it widened my view on how foreigners view my country of birth. It's a very interesting read. It talks about history, politics, the US presence among others. The article's title is 'Waging Peace in the Philippines'.

Here's an excerpt from the article.

"It struck me that the most pressing problem in today's Philippines isn't terrorism or even government corruption but poverty and a lack of social mobility. People at the bottom of society are trapped. That view has been expressed by Tina Monshipour Foster, executive director of the International Justice Network based in New York City. "Powerful ruling families stay in power because, after Spanish colonization, society is still essentially feudal. Those who don't own land have no voice, no rights, and virtually no representation." Since World War II, the Philippines has gone from being one of the richest countries in Asia to one of the poorest. About 15 percent of its people live on less than $1 a day, and the nation has one of the world's fastest-growing populations. People who don't own land have no way to feed their families other than to work, as they have for generations, on property belonging to large landowners like Pakila Datu. That's how these "rebels," and others like them, have ended up on the battlefield, fighting not for their own rights but for those of the big men they serve."

Here's another one:

"There are, of course, critics of the U.S. military presence in the Philippines. Some argue that the war on terror has provided Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo—a conservative member of the political elite, who was first elected in 2001—a blank check to destroy political opponents. "Arroyo is using a tool of the [Ferdinand] Marcos regime, extrajudicial execution," says McCoy. "She has run one of the most brutal state assassination campaigns—not on the terrorists, but on the remains of Socialist parties and activists." Earlier this year, Arroyo declared "all-out war" against leftist groups. Amnesty International has decried the government crackdown, saying it has led to more than 700 extrajudicial killings by paramilitary death squads since 2003. "President Arroyo is using the war on terror as a license to kill," says Monshipour Foster, the New York-based justice activist."

Here's the link.

Eat All You Can Places in Metro Manila

I came across a link to a blog that had a list of these wonderful invention called 'eat all you can buffets' found in Metro Manila. I would certainly bring this list with me next time I'm back home. This list is from a post by Jozzua.


Something fishy, (breakfast time) Eastwood Libis. 12am-10am
Kamay Kainan with bottomless Iced Tea, Market Market, P295/head.
Chinatown’s Best, Banawe QC, P400/head FULL MEAL! (Already ate here!)
Saisaki/DAD’s/Kamayan, P500/head
Dragon Prince, BF homes Pque. (Lunch Buffet) P180 per head.
Cabalen - all branches, P275/head.
RCBC Plaza Food Center, Makati 95/head (Breakfast) & 65/head merienda.
Blue Bay, Quirino Grandstand, 350/Head.
Brazil brazil - Metrowalk & Powerplant Mall (meat all you can P650/head)
Dimsun ‘N Dumplings @ Shopwise (cubao) - Unlimited Siomai either P99 or P125 lang
Sweet Inspirations along Katipunan, eat-all-you-can Mongolian Buffett P300/head
Seafood Club(Red Crab) Greenbelt3 - dinner 275/head
Chubby China(Greenbelt) - dimsum(fried & steamed) breakfast at P88/head. with yang chow rice, crisp noodles at single serve iced tea. order all you can lunch - P295, merienda - P88, dimsum all you can w/pancit canton, noodles and congee
Red Crab (Greenbelt 3) - alimango(crab)-all-you-can
Circles, Shangri-la Makati, expensive but very large buffet!
Spiral, Westin Philippine Plaza
Cravings, salad all you can Katipunan infront of Ateneo, Katipunan
Siamese Grill, Pasta all you can, P85/head Bluewave Marquinton, Marikina
Tramway, Banawe, Chinese eat all you can, P160/head
Kamay Kainan, Kalayaan Avenue, P199/head
Red Kimono, The Fort, 499++/ head
Mandarin Palace, Ongpin, P150/head
Tokyo Tokyo, Rice all you can (all branches)
Yamcha Teahouse in Timog (Lunch/Dinner Buffet P349)
Aling Nene’s BBQ/Ihaw, Eat all you can (Fridays & Saturdays), Magallanes, P200+/head.
Alba’s Restaurant - Tomas Morato, Libis, Jupiter St., P550
Jestine’s Restaurant, Jupiter Street Makati, Breakfast all you can, from 12AM to 12PM (tapa, tocino, varies) P99.00
Emperor Villa - ongpin st., binondo - lunch P180-P200, dinner is seafood buffet at roastings (asado, lechon de leche) @ P350.

If you know of other places that should be included here, please let me know.

Pacquiao Overwhelms Morales in 3 Rounds

Last night's fight between Manny Pacquaio and Erik Morales was just so awesome. It only lasted 3 rounds with Manny destroying Erik Morales, a boxing legend in his own right. Freddie Roach was right all along and this is scary for all superfeatherweights out there, Manny has improved a lot, he body punches well and he had developed his right hook tremendously. Not an easy task for a southpaw. With this vast improvement, he has become one of the most fearsome boxers out there and as of this moment, being considered the best pound for pound boxer. Only Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s camp can contest that but I'm sure they have their doubts too.

Manny was just incredibly devastating last night. In his previous fights with Erik Morales, there were a few moments when he was quite tentative but not last night. Manny was deliberate, and he knows what he was doing. He was in complete control of the fight, offensively and defensively. It was pure joy and excitement too watch the fight. Erik Morales is still is a very good fighter, one of the best and credit is due him but Manny was just stronger, faster and more powerful.

After the 3rd knockdown of Erik, he just refused to stand and fight again. He knows he was beaten and he was gracious in defeat. Morales offered no excuses for his loss. "I did my best, I had the physical and mental preparation for the fight," he said humbly. "I did my best, he was just too much." Of the final knock down, he said candidly: "I was looking to my corner, and they were urging me to get up. I didn't want to get up. I think there is a time when you know its good to give up when you can't win." "It just was not to be."

When Manny was declared the winner, Erik was standing next to him and they raised each other's hand, first was Erik raising Manny's hand and then Manny raising Erik's hand with Erik pointing at Manny, finally conceding Manny is the better fighter and Erik should be admired for that. Here are photos of that timeless moment.




















In retrospect, Manny Pacquiao threw 175 punches in those 9 minutes, landing 54 percent -- including 51 of his 71 power shots in the third round alone. Morales landed just 26 percent of his punches. The power shots stats of Manny in the third round is almost unbelievable, a whopping 71.8%. Erik just had no answer to the onslaught and Manny deserved the win.

Congratulations to Manny. He is truly the pride of the Filipino people. To Erik Morales, thank you for the 'warrior' spirit in you. You didn't back down until the end and you deserved a tremendous applause too.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales on Saturday

On Nov. 18, Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales will face each other for the 3rd time in a bout dubbed 'The Grand Finale'. Having won one fight each against each other in the past, this fight is one that a lot of boxing afficionados are waiting to watch. Not just Filipinos or Mexicans but anybody who just like boxing. Manny in the past few years have attained a superstar status in the whole international boxing community and he is already being considered one of the best pound for pound boxers right now. Yesterday's Miami Herald had an article about the fight and for the first time as far as I can remember, this is their first article about Pacquiao. Click here to read it.

Although Manny is very much 'seeded' to win this fight according to the betting odds in Las Vegas, I hope he really wins this one and make it really astounding. Still, this is not going to be a 'walk in the park' for Manny. Any boxer can win with the proverbial 'lucky' punch, no matter how skilled his opponent is. Erik Morales is going to be a 'Hall of Famer' someday but so is Manny.

Please check this video of Manny Pacquiao training in front of media people at the Wildcard gym.

How does the Philippines compare to the US in terms of population?

Yesterday in the news, the US finally hit the 300 million mark in terms of its population. Now whether that includes a certain estimate for undocumented aliens where it is said to be around 10-12 million, I’m not sure. I’m trying to gauge the relevance of this figure and have been playing around with some numbers and data to compare it with the Philippines and this is what I gathered.

US population (Oct. 2006) - 300 million
Land Area - 5,984, 685 square miles or 15,500,263 square kilometers
Population Density - 19.35 persons/sq. kilometer

Philippines’ population - 89,468,677 (July 06 est. from Wikepedia)
Land Area - 298,170 square kilometers
Population Density - 301.85 persons/sq. kilometer

301.85/19.35= 15.6 x (Phil. Population Density is almost 16 x more than the US)

Now comparing the most populous state in the US which is California to Metro Manila which is obviously the most populous place in the Philippines, this is what I gathered.

California population (2005) - 36, 132,147
Land Area - 155,959 square miles or 403,932 square kilometers
Population Density - 89.45 persons/sq. kilometer

Now for Metro Manila and this is just unbelievable.

Metro Manila Population – 11,289,368
Land Area – 636 square kilometers
Population density – 17,751 persons/ sq. kilometer
(Note: Manila alone has a density of 41,014 persons/sq. kilometer)

I don’t know if I’m comparing apples and oranges here (probably) so let me compare Metro Manila to the most populous city in the US.

New York City Population (2005 est.) = 8,213,839
Land Area – 303.3 square miles or 785.5 square kilometers
Population density – 10,456.8 persons/ sq. kilometer

Lastly, I just want to compare the ratio of one person to land area in terms of square meters.

Philippines – 3,312.9 sq. meters/person
Metro Manila – 56.3 sq. meters/person (that is 24.6 feet by 24.6 feet space per person)
Note: Manila alone -24.4 sq.meters/person (that’s roughly 16.2 feet by 16.2 feet!!!)

United States – 51,679.6 sq. meters/person
California – 11,179 sq. meters/person
New York City – 95.6 sq. meters/person


These are just numbers but they mean a lot and affect almost anything that pertains to anything (am I making sense?). I don’t intend to imply whatever but I did just want to check the numbers. I hope I did my math correctly but I double checked my calculations. Now, if it means anything, the Philippines is the 12th most populous country. Manila is not in the top 20 most populous cities in the world but we are the 19th most populous urban agglomeration. Looks like just a play of words here. Now, if that will only translate to winning medals in the Olympics as a matter of statistics, but that’s another “political” matter.

Have you seen this script before?

This is a translation of 'Ariel Magno' in 'Baybayin', also known as 'Alibata', a pre-hispanic script that Filipinos where using before the Spaniards came to our soil. Filipinos where still using it up to the first century of colonization until it just slowly disappeared. I'm sure it had very much to do with the foreign influence but this also showed that Filipinos were already literate even before colonization.

Honestly, I'm not even sure if I've learned about this script in high school or college. Perhaps it was mentioned in passing without any visual aids and I may have been doing something else whether I was inside the classroom or not. As I grow older and now living outside the Philippines, I just developed a natural inclination to know more about my home country, especially its past, things that I have taken for granted when I was much younger.



Jose Rizal once wrote:

This language of ours is like any other,
it once had an alphabet and its own letters
that vanished as though a tempest had set upon
a boat on a lake in a time now long gone.




"To My Fellow Children”, 1869
English translation by P. Morrow


Read more about Baybayin and Pre-hispanic Philippines. You'd find them very interesting. Here are some of the links:

Baybayin: The ancient script of the Philippines

How to write the ancient script of the Philippines

Ancient Philippines

Catalog of Filipino Names

Laguna Copperplate Inscription

In the 'Ancient Philippines' link, you'd find out that there are still a few groups of people/tribes in Palawan and Mindoro who are still familiar with the script and can still write it.


If you want to translate your name or any other word to Baybayin, click

Translate to Baybayin.


You just need to keep some pointers in mind like you have to spell the word(s) the same as you will pronounce it in Filipino (i.e. Di-yo-se-pin for Josephine) since some letters that we are using now doesn't have an equivalent letter in Baybayin. All other pointers can be read on the link provided.

Hope this little bit of history lesson has made you appreciate more my/our home country.