A FRESH take on iconic Nike shoe models will be presented and made available as the global footwear brand ties up with streetwear fashion designer Virgil Abloh for the design project called “The Ten.”
Aimed at “breaking barriers in design and performance,” the new design project between Nike and Mr. Abloh, founder and creative director of fashion label Off-White, has 10 iconic Nike shoe models “reimagined.”
For The Ten, Mr. Abloh took on the challenge of reimagining Nike classics Air Jordan 1, Air Max 90, Air Max 97, Blazer, Hyperdunk, and Air Force 1, as well as newer and more technical models like the Air VaporMax, Air Presto, and Zoom VaporFly, and the iconic Chuck Taylor All-Stars, produced by Nike-owned Converse.
It was a task that Mr. Abloh said he welcomed and very proud of as he recognizes what Nike shoes mean to various generations of wearers.
“We were enamored with Air Jordans. Michael Jordan was larger than life — he was Superman to me. My entire design background and ethos came from the ’90s,” said Mr. Abloh, 36, and based in Milan and Chicago.
He went on to share that as a teenager living in Rockford, Illinois, he and his friends sketched shoe ideas and mailed them to Nike.
TWO THEMES
The Ten is divided into two themes: Revealing and Ghosting.
Revealing has the Nike Air Max 90, Nike Air VaporMax, Nike Air Presto, Nike Air Jordan 1 and Nike Blazer and is designed to look accessible — hand-cut, open-source and reconstructed.
The revealing aspect of this series was satisfied through tongue-in-cheek text placements, such as “AIR” on the lateral side of the Nike Air VaporMax, Air Jordan I and Air Presto (referring to Nike Air technology) and “SHOELACES” on the shoe strings.
This approach articulates a Just Do It mentality — one rooted in working hard to realize one’s own potential. “I spend a tremendous amount of time thinking about the kid in the middle of nowhere who has a passion for design, much like I did,” said Mr. Abloh. “He or she needs a path like this to understand design.”
Ghosting, meanwhile, has the Nike Air Force 1 Low, Nike React Hyperdunk 2017, Nike Zoom VaporFly, Converse Chuck Taylor and Nike Air Max 97 and is designed with translucent uppers to further the idea of revealing and unites the second set of silhouettes through common material.
Mr. Abloh said for Ghosting he was inspired by the cutting-edge cushioning innovations of Breaking2’s Nike Zoom Vaporfly Elite running shoe and basketball’s React Hyperdunk 2017.
With these five shoes, including basketball icons that preceded the Hyperdunk (the Converse Chuck Taylor and Nike Air Force 1 Low), and a running icon that preceded the Vaporfly Elite (the Nike Air Max 97), Mr. Abloh said he wanted to use a common, semi-revealing material to unite their combined 94-year history.
“In one gesture, I wanted to underscore [in The Ten] how the design system and manufacturing of Nike are so perfect,” said Mr. Abloh.
“By combining these shoes with design that amplifies their ‘handmade’ quality, we’re intensifying the human element and expanding the emotional connection of these 10 icons,” he added.
The first five icons of The Ten — the Air Jordan I, Nike Blazer, Nike Air Presto, Nike Air Max 90, and Nike Air VaporMax — will be pre-released at NikeLab stores in New York City (Sept. 9-13), London (Sept. 18-22), Milan (Sept. 21-25) and Paris (Sept. 26-30).
THE “-BRR” (get it?) months are coming, and one can’t be caught red-handed — or out in the cold (as cold as it can get in the Philippine tropics that is) — wearing last season’s styles. Here are some cozy offerings perfect for warming up your heart, and well, the rest of your body.
TOD’S
The later part of the year and into the next contains the moments where a person can stride inside a hotel in a leather coat and boots without calling too much attention to oneself. Italian brand Tod’s coming season’s collections, which have an air of Old World refinement, highlights upper-class pursuits like riding, as seen in its Double T Bandoliera, a shoulder bag that channels saddles. Meanwhile, quilted leather lends a quiet and luxurious femininity to riding boots and moccasins, which can all be topped off with the Boyfriend Coat, a loosely fitted leather coat that provides stability and volume to one’s outfit.
In the Philippines, Tod’s is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc.,and is located at Greenbelt 4 and Rustan’s Shangri-La, Shangri-La Plaza. Follow @ssilifephon Instagram for more information.
BEN SHERMAN
British Menswear brand Ben Sherman looks to the Mod movement of the 1960s — fancy yourself in a swinging London nightclub? — next season. One can now copy their look today with Ben Sherman’s Autumn/Winter 2017 Collection. The keywords for these collections are “streamlined” and “sleek,” much like the cars these blokes drove. Crisp tailored suits in soft fabric evocative of the country side, along with colors of moss green and charcoal are seen here, while more solid pieces fit for the city are seen in classics such as black and navy. For sportier, dressy-casual looks, a handsome chessboard-patterned sweater is in order, and one can also dress in black turtlenecks à la Andy Warhol, perhaps topped off with a straight-lapelled beige coat.
Ben Sherman is exclusively distributed by the Anthem Group in the Philippines. Visit its first store on the ground floor of Glorietta 4. Soon to open: a branch in SM Mall of Asia.
SPRINGFIELD
While adding layers to stave off the cold, one can layer with basics and classics that can be worn all year round, as provided by brand Springfield, a clean-cut brand by Spain’s Grupo Cortefiel. Polo necks in pastels can be worn all year round, yes, even in the winter, should one wish to evoke the more delicate hues of the winter sky. Button-downs are always present, in small patterns or solid pastels, for all-year round. Striped shirts in monochrome will make a statement in any season, and one can use a cardigan or two in a soft fabric for travelling or windy days.
For the ladies, Springfield presents billowy jumpsuits, flowy day dresses, and skirts channeling the carefree spirit of boho-chic fashion. Ethnic prints, floral embroidery, and tribal accents are present for the season’s collection, as if breathing in spring even in the coldest of climes.
In the Philippines, Springfield is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and has stores at Corte de las Palmas in Alabang Town Center, Blue Bay Walk, Eastwood City, Estancia in Capitol Commons, Greenbelt 3, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM Southmall, and TriNoma. — JLG
THE Rain or Shine Elasto Painters streaked to their third straight win in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup yesterday, defeating the Star Hotshots, 92-88, to hand the latter their first loss in the season-ending tournament.
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters won their third straight game in the PBA Governors’ Cup after defeating the Star Hotshots, 92-88, last night. — ALVIN S. GO
Racked up back-to-back victories entering their curtain-raiser versus the Hotshots at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the E-Painters made it three in a row with a solid effort to hold off the Hotshots.
The game took a slow start as both teams struggled to hit their shots.
But as the opening quarter progressed, the teams picked up their offense and finished all knotted at 15-all.
The second quarter saw the protagonists going back and forth in the first nine minutes until Rain or Shine went on a 13-2 run thereafter, towed by import J’Nathan Bullock, to create further cushion by the halftime break, 41-30.
Rain or Shine opened the third quarter on fire, outscoring Star, 11-2, to build their biggest lead of 20 points, 52-32, with seven minutes to go.
The Hotshots, however, would find their bearing after with import Malcolm Hill and Jio Jalalon getting it going.
But the E-Painters would stay ahead by the end of the third period, 68-56.
Star played with a sense of urgency to start the payoff period, chipping away at Rain or Shine’s lead.
The Hotshots came within three points, 75-72, with 5:25 left in the game with Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang clicking.
Jericho Cruz and Raymond Almazan though would combine for six points in the next two minutes to up their lead anew to nine points, 81-72, by the 3:50 mark.
Star tried to pull back but Messrs. Cruz and Almazan as well as Gabe Norwood would continue to frustrate it on both ends as the Elasto Painters raced to the win.
Messrs. Cruz and Bullock each had 18 points to lead Rain or Shine while Mr. Norwood had 15 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
Mr. Almazan had a double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds.
Star, meanwhile, was led by Mr. Hill with 26 points while Mr. Lee had 17.
“We just needed to step up as Beau [Belga] is out today [due to league suspension]. Me and Gabe were tired going into the game since we played in the FIBA Asia Cup but we just needed to put in the effort and good thing we won,” said Gilas Pilipinas member Almazan after the game.
The win was the third straight for the Elasto Painters, which improved to 4-2, while the Hotshots dropped to 4-1.
Rain or Shine takes a near two-week break before plunging back into action on Sept. 6 versus the San Miguel Beermen while Star returns on Sunday, Sept. 3, against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings for their “Manila Clasico.”
THE CHAIRMAN of the Senate Committee Chair on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development said on Sunday, Aug. 27, he expects his chamber to tackle soon the proposed four-day workweek, on which the House of Representatives had passed a bill over the weekend that aims to institutionalize that work schedule.
House Bill No. 6152, now approved on third and final reading, aims to set in place “a compressed workweek scheme” that effectively offsets work hours in a five-day schedule to longer hours in a shorter workweek.
To be sure, this practice has been an observed policy among a number of government agencies.
One of the authors of the House bill, Baguio City Representative Mark O. Go noted that the Department of Labor and Employment has allowed companies to go on compressed workweek schemes. He said that this new scheme will give employers and employees “flexibility in fixing hours of work compatible with business requirements and the employees’ need for a balanced work-life.”
The approved bill is “without prejudice to firms whose normal workweek is five days, or a total of 40 hours based on the normal work day of eight hours,” a statement on the approved bill said.
“House Bill 6152 aims to increase the normal work hours per day under a compressed work week scheme, amending Articles 83, 87 and 91 of Presidential Decree No, 442, as amended, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines,” the statement said.
“Employees shall be permitted to complete their working hours on a compressed work week scheme whereby the normal workweek is reduced to less than six days but the total number of normal work hours per week shall remain at 48 hours,” the statement added.
It also noted that, “Health personnel in cities and municipalities with a population of at least one million or in hospitals and clinics with a bed capacity of at least one hundred shall hold regular office hours for eight hours a day, for five days a week, exclusive of time for meals, except where the exigencies of the service require that such personnel work for six days or 48 hours, in which case, they shall be entitled to an additional compensation of at least 30% of their regular wage for work on the sixth day.”
“Health personnel shall include resident physicians, nurses, nutritionists, dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, laboratory technicians, paramedical technicians, psychologists, midwives, attendants and all other hospital or clinic personnel,” the statement explained.
The bill mandates the Secretary of Labor and Employment to promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations within 90 days upon implementation.
Sought for comment, Senator Joel J. Villanueva, who heads the aforementioned committee, said this body will tackle the proposal on Sept. 13. Asked on whether the Senate will adopt the House bill or pass a counterpart measure, Mr. Villanueva said this “will depend on (what is tackled in) the hearing.”
“Yes, we will hear (this) next next week. It will create additional working arrangements for our workers and it is a welcome development. Just like telecommuting (passed in the third reading in the Senate), it will not be mandatory depending on the nature of work,” the senator said in a text message.
Proposals to adjust work conditions, including the measure cited by Mr. Villanueva, have come amid public transportation woes cited by the commuting work force.
Also sought for comment, spokesperson Alan A. Tanjusay of the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said the labor alliance supports the House bill, “provided that there will always be a consultation and dialogue with workers before it is implemented in the workplace.” — Mario M. Banzon
LAS VEGAS — Floyd Mayweather outclassed Conor McGregor with a 10th-round stoppage here Saturday to win their money-spinning superfight and clinch his 50th straight victory.
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. throws a punch at Conor McGregor during their super welterweight boxing match on Aug. 26 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. — AFP
Former welterweight boxing champion Mayweather, who had emerged from a two-year retirement to take on the Irish mixed martial arts star, took his time to get going before dominating from the fourth round.
The end came with a tired McGregor doubled over on the ropes as Mayweather landed two hard left hooks, prompting referee Robert Byrd to intervene and declare a technical knockout.
“He’s a lot better than I thought he’d be,” Mayweather said. “He’s a tough competitor, but I was the better man tonight.”
Mayweather said he had deliberately taken his time early on in order to take advantage of a fatigued McGregor.
“Our game plan was to take our time, go to him, let him shoot his shots early and then take him out down the stretch,” he said. “I guaranteed to everybody that this wouldn’t go the distance.”
McGregor, meanwhile, suggested the fight could have been allowed to go on, but praised Mayweather’s clinical tactical display.
“He’s composed, he’s not that fast, he’s not that powerful, but boy is he composed in there,” McGregor said.
“I thought it was a bit of an early stoppage. I was just a little fatigued. He was just a lot more composed with his shots.
“I have to give it to him, that’s what 50 pro fights will do for you.”
It was an explosive finale to their much-hyped contest which proved surprisingly competitive in the early rounds as McGregor managed to land a string of scoring punches.
But once Mayweather began to find his range and McGregor wearied rapidly, there was only going to be one winner.
The 40-year-old American scored at will after the fourth round, snapping back McGregor’s head with a series of stinging blows.
McGregor, 29, somehow survived an onslaught in the seventh round when a right counter from Mayweather staggered him badly.
Finally McGregor’s resistance broke in the 10th when a Mayweather right sent him lurching across the ring.
A hard left put him on the ropes and another hook saw him bent over and helpless, prompting the stoppage.
The fight had followed a largely expected script but McGregor, in his first ever boxing appearance, by no means embarrassed himself.
‘A WIN IS A WIN’
Mayweather will now head into what he says is a permanent retirement with a perfect 50-0 record, one better than heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano.
“A win is a win, no matter how you get it,” Mayweather said. “Rocky Marciano is a legend and I look forward to going into the Hall of Fame one day.
“This was my last fight tonight. For sure. Tonight I chose the right dance partner to dance with.”
Mayweather is also expected to be around $200 million wealthier, taking his career earnings to around $1 billion.
McGregor, who was an unemployed former plumber four years ago before emerging as one of the biggest stars of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, is expected to earn around $100 million.
The start of the fight had been delayed as anticipation built to fever pitch and television providers struggled to cope with the surge in demand from pay-per-view customers.
Anticipation had built steadily at ringside as an array of stars from the sports and entertainment worlds took their seats, including Bruce Willis, LeBron James and Mike Tyson. — AFP
By Ian Nicolas P. CigaralReporter
andVictor V. SaulonSub-Editor
A JOINT development between the Philippines and China in the resource-rich South China Sea would be difficult to implement and may not conform with Manila’s legally won entitlements over the sea, an expert from a US think tank said.
This photo taken on May 10, 2016 shows crew members of China’s South Sea Fleet taking part in a logistics supply drill near the James Shoal area on South China Sea. — AFP
Both countries, which have overlapping claims over the contested waters, are now open to the idea of joint energy ventures, with China’s foreign ministry recently saying that such cooperation will not “impair” the “final delimitation of boundary.”
But according to Gregory B. Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) of Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies, working out such an agreement will be difficult considering its complexity.
He explained that under such arrangement, Manila and Beijing would “set aside” questions of sovereign rights, which he said would disregard the arbitral award won by the Philippines in an international court last year.
“That would not be in keeping with the arbitral award, which recognized Reed Bank as being part of the Philippine continental shelf,” Mr. Poling, who specializes on maritime security issues in Asia, said in an e-mail interview last week.
“But more importantly, it would violate the Philippine Constitution and would probably face an immediate court challenge. In other words, China and the Philippines are talking about very different things here,” he added.
“Getting both sides to say they like the idea of joint development was the easy part — working out an actual arrangement will be much, much harder.”
Both Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs were sought for comment but have not replied as of this reporting.
China claims most parts of the strategic waterway, where trillion dollars’ worth of trade transits annually. But the Asian power’s maritime ambitions were challenged by the Philippines in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that ruled in Manila’s favor.
The tribunal, in its July 2016 verdict, said China violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights by blocking fishing and oil exploration as well as by building artificial islands there. China has rejected the ruling.
Reed Bank, which is believed to hold rich oil and gas deposits, is being claimed by Manila as part of its exclusive economic zone, noting its proximity to the western Philippine island of Palawan.
‘EASE TENSION’
In the same interview, Mr. Poling qualified that any commercial energy ventures like the one discussed by Philippine oil and gas firm PXP Energy Corp. and China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) would be “great” and could ease tensions.
But China may not approve such cooperation, Mr. Poling also said, adding that China instead “seems to be interested in a joint development scheme.”
“It (commercial energy agreement) would lower tensions and would be entirely consistent with international and Philippine law. But there is no indication that Beijing would agree to that kind of a deal,” he said.
Talks between PXP and CNOOC about joint exploration and development of Reed Bank were disrupted in late 2014 after Manila, under the administration of then president Benigno S. C. Aquino III, filed an arbitration case against Beijing.
Citing warmer ties with China, PXP said it is hoping to revive the stalled negotiations under Mr. Aquino’s successor, Rodrigo R. Duterte, who has set aside The Hague ruling in exchange for billions of dollars in Chinese aid and investment.
Early this month, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said the Philippines was working on a “commercial” energy deal with China and gave an assurance that this would not violate the Constitution.
This was after the Energy department announced that oil and gas exploration at Reed Bank may resume before December.
According to Mr. Duterte, talks are ongoing on the possible joint search for oil and gas reserves in the sea. “We are into it already. We are there already, there are partners. I just can’t say who,” he said.
For his part, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi told reporters in an interview the Department of Energy (DoE) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) are working together to find ways to resume exploration work in the contested South China Sea.
“We are working for the lifting of the moratorium — how do we proceed, what are the hurdles?” Mr. Cusi said.
“And we are looking for ways, we’re being pragmatic about it, we’re looking for a solution (and) a way to move forward that is a win-win for all,” he said.
“We’re doing this with a sense of urgency … because we need it for our national energy security. But we are being very analytical, being very careful,” he added.
“Nagtutulungan kami (We help each other). Let’s put it that way,” Mr. Cusi also said.
FORCE MAJEURE
He said the DFA and its counterpart in China had been in talks about the territorial dispute.
For the DoE’s part, he said the department was doing initial preparations, which he described as “discussions, monitoring, preparation of notices” but “nothing much” because the bulk of the subsequent work would be initiated by the private sector.
Among the service contracts (SC) that had been placed on force majeure is Service Contract 72, which is covered by the decision handed down by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in the Netherlands on July 12, 2016.
The court ruled that Reed Bank, where SC 72 lies, is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone as defined under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
On March 2, 2015, the DoE placed SC 72 under force majeure because the contract area falls within the disputed area, which was the subject of the arbitration process.
Under the terms of the force majeure, exploration work at SC 72 is suspended from Dec. 15, 2014 until the DoE notifies the exploration company that it may continue drilling.
SC 72 is located offshore west of Palawan and covers 8,800 square kilometers and contains the Sampaguita gas discovery.
“We need to give the order that they can resume before they [can] start. Hindi sila makakapag-start kung walang order (They can’t start without the order),” he said.
He declined to give a target date during which the DFA and the DoE could order the lifting of the moratorium, saying: “We don’t have control of all the things.”
“Napakahirap magsabi ng (It’s hard to give a) certain time frame. How I wish we can do it. Gusto natin mapadali ‘yan pero napakahirap magsabi ng [timeframe] (We want that to be hastened but it’s hard to give a time frame),” he said.
For now, what the DoE is allowing for exploration are areas within Philippine sovereignty, Mr. Cusi said.
DoE officials earlier told a congressional budget hearing that private sector entities can identify areas in the country for petroleum and coal exploration even without the department declaring a new contracting round.
Under the previous system, the DoE identifies areas for exploration under the Philippine energy contract round (PECR), a transparent and competitive system of awarding service contracts for petroleum and coal prospective areas.
The DoE’s energy resource development bureau previously said it was hopeful that the new contracting program would discover another Malampaya, the offshore Palawan gas find that supplies a number of power generation plants in Batangas. The plants deliver about 20% of the country’s electricity requirements. The government receives a portion of the revenues from the project.
KUALA LUMPUR — With the Philippines’ 50-gold medal target slowly fading, four athletes made their marks in pumping life into the country’s sagging campaign as the 29th Southeast Asian Games enters its homestretch here.
Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison of the Philippines battles Ardian Prayogo Dinggo of Indonesia in the finals of the men’s -74kg of the 29th Southeast Asian Games taekwondo competition. Mr. Morrison prevailed to win the gold medal. — PSC-POC MEDIA GROUP
Chezka Centeno, Samuel Morrison, Mariya Takahashi and Carlo Biado stepped forward to deliver the gold medals for Team Philippines, which is slowly drifting away from its initial projection of nearly doubling the 29-gold medal harvest in the Singapore SEA Games.
A 19-year old prodigy from Zamboanga City, Ms. Centeno capitalized on the late-match blunder by fellow Pinay Rubilen Amit to run away with the gold medal in the women’s 9-ball singles event, 7-6, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center.
With the score tied at 6-all, Ms. Amit calmly sank the 7-ball in the left corner pocket for a perfect setup on the 9-ball and the gold medal that will serve as a badge of honor after losing this event to Ms. Centeno in the previous biennial meet.
But her excitement turned to horror as the cue ball rolled and sank in the opposite pocket, prompting Ms. Centeno to grab the golden opportunity to claim the victory.
“I never I would win because I missed on the 3-ball. I thought I already lost it,” said Ms. Centeno, who barged into the limelight when she won the gold medal in the World Games in Shanghai in 2015.
Ms. Amit, for her part, couldn’t help, but shake her head after the costly blunder.
But she pocketed the silver while the gold medal remains in the Philippines’ coffer following her victory over a Malaysian foe in the semifinals.
Also turning in a golden finish was Ms. Takahashi.
The 16-year old Takahashi shocked four-time champion Surratana Thongsri of Thailand via ippon in the first 43 seconds of their match in the women’s -70kg event in judo.
Ms. Takahashi drew a bye in the preliminaries before clobbering Thi Dieu Tien Nguyen of Vietnam in the semifinals and then moved on to dethrone the Thai judoka en route to awarding the Philippines its second gold medal and fifth overall in judo.
“I’m very happy,” Ms. Takahashi’s said through an interpreter.
Mr. Morrison, meanwhile, grabbed the taekwondo gold in impressive fashion after being spurred by the controversial loss of teammate Arven Alcantara.
Mr. Morrison vented his ire on Ardian Prayogo Dinggo of Indonesia, 28-18, to bag the gold medal in the men’s -74kg class taekwondo competition.
“I was really irked after Arven lost so I said to myself I’ll exact payback for him,” said the Olongapo-City born jin, who dedicated his victory to his late grandmother Rosario Barias, who died of a stroke early last year.
Just moments before, Mr. Alcantara, a SEA Games rookie, lost in a highly disputed men’s -68kg finals to hometown bet Rozaimi bin Rozali, who was ruled the winner by “punitive declaration” after the scores were deadlocked at 17-all.
The head judge ruled that the Pinoy jin had accumulated 10 “gamjeoms” or penalties and was disqualified, although the Philippine camp insisted that Mr. Alcantara had only nine as indicated by the electronic scoreboard.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr., who witnessed the match from start to finish, was irate over the apparently questionable call that he ordered head coach Dindo Simpao to formally protest the result.
“This (officiating) is not good for the sport. The Malaysian should not get away with it,” noted Mr. Cojuangco, who then called up Malaysian Olympic Committee secretar-general Low Beng Choo to express his grievance over the outcome.
With 13 seconds left in the third and final round of the match, Mr. Alcantara fought valiantly, rallying from a 13-16 deficit with a swift turning long kick to the Malaysian’s head — worth four points — but was penalized for slipping, leading to the 17-all deadlock.
Had the judge allowed the match to proceed, both jins would have gone on to sudden-death, with the first to score a point being declared the winner.
Pauline Louise Lopez, who won a gold in the women’s -57kg class in Singapore, settled for the bronze this time in the heavier -62kg class after dropping a close 3-4 decision to Vietnam veteran Ja Thi Nguyen in the semis.
Mr. Biado also added to the country’s golden harvest as he defeated Duong Quoc Hoang of Vietnam, 9-5, in the finals of men’s 9-ball singles event.
With these developments, the Philippines remains at sixth with 22 gold, 27 silver and 51 gold medals while host Malaysia is 10-gold medal shy of breaking into the century mark with 90 gold, 61 silver and 59 bronze medals.
Vietnam, Thailand and tiny Singapore are ina furious battle for the second spot with 50, 48 and 47 gold medals, respectively, as of 7 p.m. last night.
Olympian Michael Martinez, meanwhile, settled for the second place of the men’s individual free skating event after crashing in the middle of his routine.
Martinez scored a total of 171.63 points, paving the way for Julian Zhi-Jie Yee of Malaysia (205.43 points) and Khai Xiang Chew of Malaysia (145.52 points) to claim the gold and silver medals, respectively.
Bronze medals were also aplenty for Team Philippines in the last fifth to the last day of action.
Elmer Abatayo clinched the bronze in men’s singles event of lawn bowls competition while Emerson Villena and Lester Tayong nailed it in men’s international 470 event of sailing battle.
Jean Caluscusin, AJ Melgar, Marian Nicolle Medina, Shieldannah Sabio and Katrina Loretizo added to the haul of the vaunted gymnastics squad as they grabbed the bronze medal in the women’s all-around group single apparatus next to gold medalist Malaysia and silver medalist Singapore.
THE BUREAU of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Daram Island’s waters in Western Samar has tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison. “Coastal waters of Daram Island in Western Samar is now positive for red tide toxin,” read the bureau’s Shellfish Bulletin No. 28 dated Aug. 25. BFAR also identified the coastal waters of Irong-irong Bay, Catbalogan in Western Samar; Inner Malampaya Sound, Taytay; Puerto Princesa Bay in Palawan; the coastal waters of Mandaon and Placer in Masbate; Tambobo Bay, Siaton, in Negros Oriental; and Balite Bay, Mati in Davao Oriental as containing species of algae that produce toxins. In addition, Villareal and Maqueda Bays in Western Samar, Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, and the coastal waters of Gigantes Islands, Carles in Iloilo are also still positive with the red tide toxin. BFAR said all types of shellfish and acetes (alamang) gathered and collected from the said areas are not safe for human consumption, but added that several species – including of fish, shrimp and crab – are safe to eat provided they are fresh and are washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.
TROPICAL STORM Jolina may have exited the country Saturday (Aug. 26) afternoon, but it is still enhancing the southwest monsoon (Habagat) and rains may be expected in parts of the country for the next two days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. Habagat is affecting particularly the western part of Northern and Central Luzon. Rains are expected over Ilocos Sur and Norte, Zambales, Bataan and Pampanga. Metro Manila will see fair weather, except for isolated rains and thunderstorms. No gale warnings have been issued. Jolina exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, and is now in southern China. No death or injury has been reported. — interaksyon.com
The state weather bureau issues its public daily weather forecast on its Facebook page. — Facebook/PAGASA.DOSTGOV.PH
FOR the third straight Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Philippines ruled the men’s poomsae team event. But apart from winning the gold medal in it, another common thread in the taekwondo event was that the country’s bid was bannered by brothers Dustin Jacob and Raphael Enrico Mella.
The Philippine poomsae team of (L to R) Rodolfo Reyes, Jr., Dustin Jacob Mella and Raphael Enrico Mella performs its routine in the finals of men’s poomsae team event of the 29th Southeast Asian Games taekwondo competition Saturday at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center. The Filipinos took home the gold medal. — PSC-POC MEDIA GROUP
Displaying a near-flawless execution when they took the floor on Saturday at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, the trio of the Mella brothers and Rodolfo Reyes, Jr. secured a total of 8.40 points to beat five other rivals in the event and added another gold in the total of the Philippines in the 29th SEA Games.
Malaysia settled for the silver medal and Indonesia for the bronze medal in this year’s edition of the men’s poomsae event.
The win was the third straight for the Philippines in the men’s poomsae category of the biennial regional sporting meet.
Throughout the country’s gold-conquering ways in poomsae in the recent stagings of the SEA Games, the Mella brothers have been at the forefront of it.
Back in 2013 in the Games held in Myanmar, Dustin and Raphael joined forces with Vidal Marvin Gabriel to claim the top prize while in 2015 in Singapore the Mella brothers partnered with Mr. Reyes to win their first gold as a group.
Winning their third SEA Games gold medal, the Mella brothers said they are very proud of what they have accomplished and honored to represent the Philippines.
They gave credit to their hard work as a team and being on the same page of bringing the country honor from their end.
“All the hard work and sacrifices paid off. We really worked hard for the SEA Games and we’re happy to have won the gold again. It was all worth it,” said Dustin, 22, a Business Economics student at the University of the Philippines-Diliman and eldest of four siblings.
“We trained almost half day daily plus we had workouts, too. We just gave our best for the country and good thing the judges were fair and we won,” Raphael, for his part, said.
The brothers said they are now setting their sights on bigger challenges ahead, including the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games this next month in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
WAKE up to the emergent “fascism” and fight. That was the call made by Mila Singson of the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) to passersby at Malcolm Square, Baguio City on Saturday afternoon, as protesters timed their rally with the funeral of Kian delos Santos, the 17-year-old Caloocan schoolboy killed allegedly in cold blood by police on an anti-drug sweep. — interaksyon.com
Relatives and supporters of 17-year-old student Kian Delos Santos, who was killed allegedly by police officers during an anti-drug raid, participate in a funeral march for Kian in Manila on August 26, 2017. — AFP
ONE Championship’s push to have China part of its growth takes further legs later this week as it plays for the first time in Shanghai with “ONE Championship: Shanghai.”
World welterweight champion Ben Askren will defend his title in ONE Championship’s first event in Shanghai, China, this week. — ONE Championship
While it will not be the first time that Asia’s largest sports media property will be descending on mainland China, still the event, happening on Sept. 2 at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center, has ONE officials very excited, viewing it as another inroad on their part to cut a major slice in the lucrative martial arts scene in China.
“There is always a tremendous atmosphere and excitement when ONE Championship visits China, and it is a delight to finally announce our maiden event in the beautiful city of Shanghai. We are coming at you live and ready to showcase the world’s most authentic display of martial arts,” said ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong in the run-up to the upcoming China event.
For ONE in Shanghai, world welterweight champion Ben “Funky” Askren of the United States will stake his title against challenger Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam of Sweden.
Mr. Askren, 33, is universally recognized as one of the best welterweight fighters today and one of the best in the world pound-for-pound.
He holds an unblemished professional record of 16-0, including 4-0 in ONE, with five submission wins and four knockout victories.
Mr. Askren, highly regarded for his outstanding wrestling background, is coming off a spectacular first-round submission triumph over Malaysia’s Agilan “The Alligator” Thani last May, keeping his immaculate standing intact and the ONE Welterweight World Championship belt around his waist.
Looking to take the title away from Mr. Askren is Swede Kadestam, who made an impressive ONE debut last time around with a third-round knockout win (knees) over Luis Santos in May.
Mr. Kadestam, 26, holds an outstanding professional record of 9-3 and is a tremendous competitor with a wide array of striking and grappling technique. Moreover, seven of his nine career victories have come by way of knockout. His impressive ONE debut quickly earned him a title opportunity.
“We have an exhilarating main event prepared for our fans in Shanghai as Ben Askren makes another defense of his ONE Welterweight World Championship against Swedish standout Zebaztian Kadestam. The interesting clash of styles should provide fans a solid matchup,” Mr. Sityodtong said about the five-round welterweight championship clash.
Also featured in ONE Championship: Shanghai is the battle between former ONE Featherweight World Champion Narantungalag Jadambaa and Japanese veteran Tatsuya Yamada.
ONE Championship made its first foray in China in 2014. Since then the organization has held seven blockbuster events in total with five taking place on the mainland.
Now on its eighth live event, Mr. Sityodtong guarantees that ONE Championship’s inaugural event in Shanghai will be a night to remember.
“China is one of our biggest markets, and the focus has been to really bring the rich cultural history of martial arts in China to the forefront,” he said.
