The Fourth of July is one important date in US history, it marked its independence. The Fifth of July is likewise expected to experience fireworks in the Philippines as it will be the POC election which was hurriedly called after POC vice president Joey Romasanta also resigned, after assuming the presidency with the sudden resignation of President Ricky Vargas.
Several members of the board also resigned to give way to “new faces”. Fighting for the top spot are Abraham Tolentino of cycling and Clint Aranas of archery. Romasanta said he’s no longer running after serving Philippine sports for 33 years.
Romasanta said he’s worried of this new election, the third since 2016, as it may be viewed by the International Olympic Committee as a sign of instability on the part of the POC and might lead to its suspension. Meaning, the country cannot participate in the Olympics and other International events until the order is lifted.
Meanwhile, time is running out on our preparation for the SEA Games which we are hosting in November. With our sports leaders squabbling no end, athletes morale is low and this could lead to another debacle in the Games. That’s Philippine politics for you.
Did you know?
MIKE TYSON.The former heavyweight champion’s face tattoo which is reminiscent of Maori warriors, has other tattoos of famous people in his body. One is that of Arthur Ashe, the first black tennis champion. Another is MaoTse-Tsung, of whom Tyson is big fan, even collecting Tse-Tsung’s writings. His final tattoo is of Che Gueverra, the controversial who helped Fidel Castro gain power in Cuba.
SERENA WILLIAMS. Handed her fiance’ Alexis Ohanian, a paper bag containing six positive pregnancy tests on the eve of the 2017 Australian Open. Not many people knew Serena was pregnant after playing poorly in her first match of the year. Only few five people knew her condition, Alexis sister Venus, her friends Jessica Steindorff and Jill Smoller and her doctor. Not even her coach and tournament officers knew. She was about seven weeks pregnant. Because of her pregnancy, Serena did not have the same endurance. She also had to deal with the Melbourne heat and she had to win seven matches to win the title, she won them in straight sets.
BRUCE LEE. Died in July 20, 1973 aged 32. Doctors agreed that his death was caused by cerebral edema (swelling of the brain caused by congestion of fluid). But what caused the edema? The coroners report said two substances where found in his stomach, cannabis and equagesic (a combination of aspirin and a muscle relaxant).
Doctors concluded that Bruce’s system was hypersensitive to the tablet he took. I personally saw some of Bruce belongings when I visited his friend, former world karate champion, Mike Stone in his house in Panglao, Bohol two years ago. Mike is also a good friend of Chuck Norris and Dan Inosanto.
At that time, Mike just returned from Seattle, Washington where he was a guest of Sharon Lee, Bruce’s widow, in the opening of a museum that houses Bruce’s memorabilia. Before I left his house, Mike signed my karate kimono and even visited me at our resto in Robinsons Fuente when he came to Cebu.
If you don’t know, Mike was the fight coordinator in the American Ninja series starring Michael Dudikoff while starring in the first one, Mike has been living in Panglao for over 30 years now. He became a constant escort of Pricilla Presely (Elvis’ wife) after her divorce from “the King” in 1973.
BOB WIELAND. Lost both legs after stepping on a mortar round while serving in Vietnam. Using only his arms and shoulder, Wieland completed his first Los Angeles Marathon in 1988 in just over 24 hours (that’s almost three days).
MARILYN MONROE. While filming a scene for Billy Wilder’s movie “Seven Year Itch” in 1955, Monroe posed for photographers while standing on a New York City subway grate, her dress a flutter around her hips (thisphoto graced a lot of magazines and posters), his husband Joe DiMaggio, a former New York Yankees centerfield was furious that his wife had posed so provocatively. Shortly after this photo was taken, Monroe filed for divorce.
OJ SIMPSON. Former NFL player carried the torch in a relay in Santa Monica just days before the opening ceremonies at the LA Memorial Coliseum of the 1984 LA Olympics. Starting in New York City, a chain of 4,200 runners, each running one kilometer, took 82 days to deliver the torch to Los Angeles. Simpson was joined by Nicole Brown(who would become his second wife in 1985) in the relay. Ten years later, Simpson was found guilty for the murder of Brown and Ron Goldman.