By Jesus A. Garcia Jr. IT’s so sad to know that the months-old Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) rift against its national athlete, the Asian record holder Ernest John Obiena, is still unresolved until now. And more, a legal battle looms despite the Philippine Sports Commission ‘s…
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr. WE, diehard boxing aficionados, watched the YouTube coverage of the World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight title battle between Filipino number one world contender Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo against the reigning and defending champ Gary Russel, Jr. last Sunday (January 23) held in Atlantic City, New…
Magsayo, PH’s 5th current world boxing champ
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr. FIRSTLY my big thanks to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte for finally signing the Republic Act 11608, renaming the well-known Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City after the late national famed actor the San Carlos, Pangasinan-born Fernando Poe, Jr., popularly known as FPJ. According to media reports, Duterte…
Reminiscing FPJ
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr. I began writing this piece on January13 when I learned from the official website of the provincial government that the whole province is (now) under Alert Level 3. Yes, it had to be done and we cannot blame our local lawmakers and Gov. Pogi…
Omicron derails economy, sports tilts
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr. WHEN the ethics committee of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), headed by Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, declared Philippines Athletics Track And Field Association (PATAFA) president Philip Ella Juico as ‘persona non grata’ for accusing his pole vault athlete EJ Obiena of misappropriating government funds intended for his…
PATAFA–Obiena rift, from bad to worse
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr. FOR the last two years, our planet Earth suffered an agonizing economic slowdown due to the unseen disease called “COVID 19.” Fortunately, our country which is mostly now under Alert Level 2 is slowly and cautiously starting to recover from the economic fallout for…
My wishes for Sports 2022
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr. REPORTS cropped up weeks ago that United States will not send diplomatic or official representation to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games in February due to the ongoing “genocide” as described by U.S. and other human rights abuses especially the Uyghur Muslims in the northwestern…
Sports should not be mixed with politics
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr. FOR two consecutive years (2018, 2019), my December 18 birthday celebrations were held in the middle of bicycle road races. The third bikefest was supposed to happen last year but unfortunately, the world’s unseen enemy, COVID-19, spoiled my annual affair. Not only were my projects…
Lingayen Gulf landing, so memorable to me
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr. DESPITE the Omicron variant threat that has alarmed many countries, our IATF’s restrictions to contain COVID-19 related disease in the National Capitol Region and other regions were relaxed under Alert Level 2 conditions until December 15. I wish and hope it will be extended. And…
Cycling tilts against all odds
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr. THE impasse between our national pole vault player EJ Obiena and his mother association PATAFA (Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association) is still unresolved. With Obiena calming down showing some signs of compassion and reconciliation, PATAFA headed by Philip Juico is obstinate. He continues his…