RP5 Banks a Win Against Kuwait

 

The RP Nationals won against Kuwait, 85-71 to claim another game victory in the 25th FIBA Asia Championship at the Tianjin Gym in Tianjin, China.  Powerade-Team Pilipinas was leading throughout the game with a comfortable 19 points lead in the 4th quarter stretch.

If China clinched a win against Jordan at 7pm today, the RP5 will avoid a possible confrontation with the Chinese. Then the Jordanians square off with the Philippines in a knockout quarterfinal match.

 

 

Cyrus Baguio led the RP team with 14 points while Asi Taulava finished in double figures with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

 

Related Post

25th FIBA Men Championship Update

Ateneo Faces La Salle in Round 2 This Sunday

 

 

After the Jump in Macau

 

 

Finally, I reached the end of the fall.

 

 

My knees were wobbling and it took me a while before I regained my balance.

 

Despite the tormenting 2 minutes before the actual “jump” (or push), it is one of the most memorable experiences in this lifetime.  Up to this day, I cannot believe that I did the jump.  I walk with a different strut now… (erhm, just don’t watch the video).  What a thrilling and electrifying moment to be in the air with nothing but a harness to support your fall.

 

 

Sky Jump is one of Macau’s most exciting tourist attractions that should be a “don’t miss” experience.

 

At 233 meters, Macau Tower’s skyjump and bungee jump from the outer rim by world renowned AJ Hackett is the highest in the world.  How many people can say that they’ve jumped off that height?

 

Test your moxie!  Do you have the intestinal fortitude to do the jump?

 

 

 

Some of the Famous Towers

 

1. CN Tower                          Toronto, Canada                   1976                1,815 ft

2. Ostankino Tower                Moscow, Russia                  1967                1,771 ft

3. Oriental Pearl Tower                 Shanghai, China                   1995                1,535 ft

4. John Hancock Center    Chicago, USA                       1969                1,500 ft

5. Empire State Building New York, USA                             1931                1,454 ft

6. KL Tower                          Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia                1995                1,403 ft

11. Macau Tower                 Macau, SAR China                2001                1,109 ft

12. Tokyo Tower                  Tokyo, Japan                      1958                1,093 ft

13. Sky Tower                       Auckland, New Zealand                1997                1,067 ft

14. Eiffel Tower                     Paris, France                    1889                1,063 ft

 

 

We went back to the tower to get our photo and video package.  We shared an elevator ride with the other couple and we couldn’t stop laughing at what we just experienced.  The girl said that my 2-minute hesitation prepared her for her own plight.

 

 

A small crowd has already gathered outside the jump off point, where one guy is preparing for his bungee jump.

 

 

 

We went around the deck again and took some photos with the AJ Hackett staff.  Bubba bought a nice black and red AJ Hackett shirt.

 

 

The Statue of Kun Lam

 

We headed to another tourist attraction in Macau.  The Statue of Kun Lam Temple is supposed to be a blend between the traditional images of the goddess Guan Yin and Holy Mary.  Guan Yin is known to be The Goddess of Mercy who is a Buddhist Goddess who bestows clemency on people who sincerely repent their sins.

 

 

Portuguese artist Cristina Rocha Leiria designed the exquisite gigantic Kun Lam Statue.  The breathtaking 20-meter statue is made up of 48 polished bronze plates crafted in Nanjing and bolted together at the center stage along harbor waterfront.

 

Image Source: Panoramio User SantoB

Image Source: Panoramio User SantoB

 

The status is said to bring affluence in the country while the giant lotus flower pedestal is home to the Ecumenical Center, providing information on China’s major religions.  Entrance to the center is free.

 

 

We had a quick stopover at a small ramen house before heading to the next stop.

 

 

 

Macau Fisherman’s Wharf

 

The Fisherman’s Wharf is the biggest them park in Macau, claim to have an estimated cost of HK$1.9 billion.  Entrance to the site is free.  The park offers nightly explosions of the complex’s 40-meter high volcano, daily jet-ski stunt shows and souvenir shopping.  The complex houses 150 stores and restaurants in buildings built in the style of different world seaports such as Cape Town, Amsterdam and Venice, including six rides, slots hall and a 72-room hotel casino.

 

 

 

Back to the Venetian

 

 

 

It was a fantastic fun afternoon spent under the sun.  It was time to head back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner.

 

 

We toured the hotel and looked at some high-end shops.  There was a mini-performance in one of the sections of the hotel. 

 

 

We finally picked a Portuguese restaurant for dinner.

 

 

 

Madeira Portuguese Restaurant

 

Madeira – While you are in Macau, why not taste the flavors of this city? Madeira serves Portuguese as well as Macanese dishes that are distinctly from Macau. Macanese dishes are a flavorful blend of cooking traditions from Portugal, Southeast Asia, India, Africa, Latin America and southern China. African chicken, curry crab and Bacalhau have been Macanese favorites for centuries.

 

 

It was the last evening of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and everyone in the restaurant looks astounded watching the replay of the opening ceremonies on television.

 

On the Table

 

 

 

 

Madeira Portuguese Restaurant

Shop 2408a (St. Mark’s Square)

Sun-Thurs 11:30 – 23:30

Fri- Sat 11:30 – 12:30

 

 

The Gondola Ride

 

After dinner, we walked around the beautiful St. Mark’s Square and moved from bridge to bridge.  Bubba insisted to take the graceful and romantic gondola ride down the Grand Canal but I declined.  I told him to save the Patacas instead.  Little did we know that the Gondola ride is free if you’re booked in the hotel… sigh, too bad.

 

 

We watched while others take the Gondola ride and listened to the sang wonderful Italian songs.  Despite the elegant Italian architecture and painting façades, there is that Venetian spirit of romance in the air.  The Venetian grandeur can be quite quixotic in certain areas.

 

 

Back to the Suite

 

 

Toyed with the camera in the room while resting. 

 

 

Again, the plan that night was rest and refresh then check the clubbing scene but the relaxing suite made us fall asleep again and missed out.  The sofa sleeper is also comfortable to bunk in.

 

 

The next morning, after another hearty breakfast at Café Deco, we said goodbye to the Venetian and the sparkly Macau.

 

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”

Jawaharial Nehru

 

 

 

 

Website Links

 

Macau Tower

AJ Hackett

The Venetian Macao

 

Macau Album 1

Macau Album 2

Macau in a Nutshell Album 1

Macau in a Nutshell Album 2

Sky Jump Video

 

 

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Malaysia Truly Asia

 

 

Manila News Today: August 11, 2009

 

PGMA’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SAL)

 

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s declared net worth doubled from P66.8 million in 2001 to P143.54 million in 2008, which means 114% growth.  In comparison to the other presidents, that growth rate is quite massive.  The late President Corazon Aquino’s declared net worth grew by only 4.8% from 1989 to 1992.  Fidel Ramos’ was 34.2% during his term while Joseph Estrada’s was 7.2% from 1998 to 1999.

 

 

The President’s allies said that the growth in assets must have come from real estate and stock earnings.  

Malacañang claims that there are no irregularities in Pres. Arroyo’s wealth and denies that amassed wealth is from the government.

Note that the Statement of Assets and Liabilities is DECLARED.  Who checks the undeclared?

 

25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship Update

 

Powerade-Team Pilipinas clinched its 77-70 victory against Chinese-Taipei yesterday after Willie Miller sunked a huge three-point shot.  The win is a good motivation going to a game versus defending champion Iran today.  In order to qualify for the knockout quarterfinals, Team Philippines must achieve at least one victory in its two remaining elimination round games.

 

 

Guiao is positive with the team’s chance against Iran if they continue the morale and shooting percentage from yesterday’s game.  Team Pilipinas sealed 15 of 30 three pointers with James Yap burying six triples, 3 in succession during the 3rd quarter, while Miller contributed five.  Another key element was RP team’s defense strategy that only allowed the Taiwanese shooters only one 3-point conversion in 15 attempts.

 

Games on Tuesday (Tianjin gym)
9 a.m. – UAE vs Kazakhstan
11 a.m. – Iran vs RP
2 p.m. – Kuwait vs Japan
4 p.m. – Chinese-Taipei vs Korea
7 p.m. – Lebanon vs China
9 p.m. – Jordan vs Qatar

The game versus Kuwait is scheduled on Wednesday.

 

RP 77 – Yap 23, Miller 17, Thoss 8, Pennisi 8, Baguio 6, Helterbrand 6, Raymundo 5, Dillinger 3, Taulava 2, Norwood 2, Aguilar 0, Santos 0.

 

Taipei 70 – Tseng 21, Lee 8, Chang 8, Lin 7, Wu 6, Chang TH 6, Tien 6, Wang 4, Su 2, Yang 2, Chen 0, Wu CL 0.
Quarters: 16-21, 33-35, 62-54, 77-70.

 

 

Pinoys Go Gaga Over the Lady

 

Tonight is the much-anticipated concert of Lady Gaga staged at Araneta Coliseum.  The tickets are supposedly sold out!  The concert produced by Ovation Productions is expected to seize an electrifying performance from Lady Gaga.  I’m not a big fan but if there’s one song that Lady Gaga can make me dance to, it’s “Just Dance.”  I loved it on the movie “Make it Happen” and it’s a cheer-upper when I hear it on the radio.

 

 

Lady Gaga Official Website

 

 

New P500 Bill Design

 

22-year old Revo Naval designed a P500 bill that features two democracy heroes, the late former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and the late former president Corazon Aquino.  The design was first posted on his site www.peaceloveandrevolution.com and soon newspapers caught up the bit.

 

Image Source: PeaceLoveandRevolution.com

Image Source: PeaceLoveandRevolution.com

 

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said they are now considering the possible design of a new P500 bill that might have the same concept, recognizing the contributions of the couple to national unity.  Lay-outs might be ready by October and if approved, the first batch of P500 bills with Cory and Ninoy’s images will be out early 2010. 

 

Meanwhile, Noy Noy Aquino, only son of the Aquinos, is open to running for a higher office if the need should arise.