CeBu CeBoom CeBlog

His demise was pre-eminent in the last 30 seconds in the regulation play against the tough Vietnamese opponent NV Toan in karatedo men’s individual +65 kg kumite. The score 1-4, to his horror. Then he heard the thunderous applause of the crowd with a wild cheer . How could they be so cruel seeing their compatriot in the threshhold of losing his game. Or so he thought.

He was wrong. The crowd’s attention was on the very important person making her grand entrance into the Mandaue City Cultural & Sports Complex complete with full force of entourage of local officials. Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has dropped by the venue to cheer on her fellow countrymen fighting it out for glory, together with Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, and Mandaue City Mayor Thadeus Ouano.

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Quite frankly, I never heard of such sport before until a few months ago when Cebuano SEAG organizers revealed to the public that Cebu will get to host six sports events during the 23rd edition of the biennial games. And what are those sports? Soccer? Boxing? Volleyball? Swimming? Wrestling? Unfortunately, none of the above.

Okay then, what sports events are to be played in Cebu? Mountain Biking, Judo, Karatedo, Dancesports, Sepak Takraw, and Pencak Silat. And…what? My memory wasn’t able to register its name correctly in a snap. It had to be repeated more than twice or even more to completely etch its name in my mind. Or maybe I’m just too slow-witted. I hope not.

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Filipino karatekas have a lot to work out today as they will face tough opponents on the third day of action in this medal-rich event at the Mandaue City Cultural & Sports Complex.

Gretchen Malalad pocketed her first gold in the event yesterday by outsmarting Jamalliah BT. Jamalludin of Malaysia in the women’s individual kumite in the +60 kgs division. Today she hopes to snare another gold in the individual kumite open weight final.

Other Filipino bets seeing action in today’s games are Mae Eso in women’s individual kumite -48 kg final; Ireneo Toribio in men’s individual kumite -60 kg final; Nelson Pacalso in men’s individual kumite -65 kg final; Bernardo Chu in men’s individual kumite open weight final.

Good luck to our athletes! Go Team Philippines!

Just before the main event could start and even before the mammoth crowd composed mostly of local fans could see them strut their stuff on the dance floor, the tandem of Michael Mendoza and Belinda Adora – and the rest of the Philippine team were predicted to sweep all the golds at stake for the said event.

And they were right. The huge crowd inside the cavernous Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel exploded in ecstatic roar as the gold winners were announced.

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