Sea Games gold

Don’t look now, but pole vaulter EJ Obiena is a sure gold winner in the 2019 Sea Games in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. In previous columns, I mentioned that the Philippines could win the gold medals in pole vault. Obiena cleared 5.81 meters in a recent competition in Chiara, Italy and earned a ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Obiena broke his own national record of 5.76m which he set in the 30th Summer Universiade in Naples. Obiena has been training in Italy and has won several competitions like the Citta di Padova Atletica in Padua, where he vaulted to 5:55m.  The current Sea Games record is 5:35m held by Porranot Puraong of Thailand, who set the mark in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Games.“Magpapusil ko ug dili maka gold si Obiena sa Sea Games sa Nobyembre”. “Water pistol lang ha?”.

Grand parents concert

The Elvisaya and Friends Salute the Grandparents mini-concert held last September 8 at Robinsons Fuente, was a howling  success.  The show went into “overtime” as the crowd refused to leave the venue. The concert which featured Jhun Villahermosa, the Frank Sinatra of Cebu , Edison Monternel, the TomJones of Cebu, Cebu Pop Music champion Jun Villarta, Aliw Awardee Amie Filomeno and Elvisaya, who sang “Are You Lonesome Tonight” with Ate Ging Montesclaros of CCTN Channel 47 “Till The End of Time”. Host veteran broadcaster Sam Costanilla tickled the crowd with his well-timed jokes. The event was supported by Casa Ilongga, Summit Circle Hotel and Metrografix.  For the first time,the stage was impressive what with the excellent sound and lighting including smoke machines provided by Elde Sounds and Lights.

Nagyawyaw si Ming

Former Houston Rockets All-Star Yao Ming, now head of China Basketball Association, said he is to be blamed for China’s debacle in the World Cup, including a shameful loss to lowly Nigeria 86-73 in the classification round.  China failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.  China also lost to Poland and Venezuela.

  Yao also known as “The Great Wall of China” in the NBA said, there’s an urgent need for an overhaul and get back on track.  My breakfast buddy, JingJing Rama however said “Basinna busy si Yao sending Chinese  workers  to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators  (POGO). 

There are now over 6,000 Chinese workers in the country with mostly undocumented.  Pogo workers earn more than call center agents.  Another breakfast buddy, Ted Cavan said “Di ba patay na si Pogo”?.  Jing shot back “Dili tong opao nga comediante, but kining mga insik sa online gaming.  “Pero nag yaw-yaw jud si Ming”.

Did you know?

CAITLYN VERSUS ELLEN After 1976 Montreal Olympics decathlon champion Bruce Jenner changed gender to become Caitlyn Jenner, she became a spokesperson for the LGBTQ community.  Super host Ellen De Generes was all praise for Caitlyn and invited her to her show in September 2015.  Ellen however was shocked when Caitlyn made it vocal that she does not support same-sex marriage. 

Ellen controlled hertemper but accosted Caitlyn backstage with the two almost getting into a brawl. “Daug jud si Caitlyn if they came into blows considering she used to be an Olympian.  Caitlyn was escorted out of the studio by security.  Ellen revealed she was a lesbian in 1997 and married actress Portia De Rossi in 2008.  Caitlyn when she was Bruce, married Elvis Presley’s girlfriend Linda Thompson and Kris Kardashian.

DWAYNE ELVIS In December 2017, former world wrestling champion Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, currently Hollywood’s highest paid movie star, entertained over 50,000 military men during the75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii.   Dwayne was dressed in an Elvis Presley, “Aloha” jumpsuit in the concert dubbed “Rock The Troops”.  The event was a huge success.  

“Gikumpetensiyahan pa si Elvisaya”. Speaking of Elvis, Bobby Torres event coordinator called to invite me to the Elvis Presley International  Friendship Club Anniversary on September 29 in Timog Resto Bar in Quezon City.  I have to beg off as I have to report to my doctor Juliet Noel.  However, I promised Bobby that I’ll be guesting on RJ Bistro’s Executive Lounge after my check up.