Mabuhay Golf

Manny Espinosa with sponsor Dave O’Brien

MABUHAY GOLF CLUB. Mabuhay Golf Club of San Francisco participated in the recent 63rd PAL (Philippine Air Lines) Interclub Tournament held in Bacolod City, Philippines last February. The Seniors Team, composed of Gerry Sy, Greg Roja, Vince Solon, Jing Bella, David O’Brien, Ricardo Tan, Johnny Limos and Mel Zagala landed in the 19th place in the Sportswriter Division, the biggest division in the tournament consisting of 40 local and international teams, with a total score of 402. Mel also garnered the Championship for the highest individual score in said division with a score of 85 points.

A series of tournaments are being lined up for 2010 and some have already concluded like the Franklin Golf Tournament held last March with Zenon Carlos, Ron Tolman and Mario Hernandez winning trophies for Flights A, B and C, respectively and the following were the runner-ups, Dennis Lim, Ken Nichols and Joe Villamil. The April 11th tournament at Silverado Golf Club in Napa, sponsored by Vince Solon was cancelled due to inclement weather but will be rescheduled soon.

On May 16 at Callippe Preserve GC sponsored by Dave O’Brien, winners included Manny Espinosa, Ron Tolman and Ruben Llagas for Flights A, B and C with Wil Uclusin, Dante Foronda and Gerry Sy as runner-ups.

Coming up are the following tournaments as well – on June 13, the cancelled Silverado North Tournament will be replayed June 13 and on July 3 and 4, the much awaited Gerry Sy Summer Classic at Lincoln Hills GC, Lincoln Hills, CA.

Mabuhay Golf Club also sanctions and takes part in fund-raiser tournaments like those sponsored by St. Patrick’s Church of San Francisco and the Cagayanons of Northern California. The latter mentioned non-profit organization will hold its 4th Charity Tournament on July 17 at Shadow Lakes GC in Brentwood, California and Mabuhay Golf Club members are expected to participate as they have done these past several years.

Community Pictures

FORMER PRESIDENT RAMOS ENDORSES PHILIPPINE FOOD FESTIVAL. Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos endorsed the Philippine Food Festival during his recent visit to the Bay Area. The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco together with the Department of Tourism and Department of Trade and Industry recently launched the food festival to showcase Philippine cuisine and culture by promoting the many Filipino restaurants in and around the Bay Area. Photo shows President Ramos with Deputy Consul General Wilfredo C. Santos (right), together with Tourism Director Rene Delos Santos at the Intramuros Restaurant in South San Francisco , CA

Consul General Marciano A. Paynor, Jr. (2nd from left) with Philippine Consulate General officers during the Asian Heritage parade in downtown San Francisco.

State Commissioner, Ray Satorre, President of Medical Link Providers, Inc. was recently interviewed by Gel Santos-Relos, TV Host of Balitang America regarding the growing industry of healthcare services.

Issue 23: June 2, 2010

Congressman Pacquiao “Fighter of the Decade”

By Bradford Adkins

SEEN IN THE CITY
The only one – Congressman Emmanuel Dapidran “Manny” Pacquiao aka “PacMan” was recently chosen by the distinguished members of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) as their ‘Fighter of the Decade’ erasing any doubt on who is the biggest sports star. Pacquiao had never called himself “the best” but the boxing writers overwhelmingly do, by a very large margin.

According to the BWAA website, Pacquiao also won the BWAA's newly named "Sugar Ray Robinson Fighter of the Year" award for 2009. making it his third BWAA "Fighter of the Year" award, tying him with Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield for the most in the history of the organization.

The fighting Congressman - Manny 'PacMan' Pacquiao shown here giving Joshua Clottey a double-whammy (as in 'pompyang') last May 13th in Dallas in front of 3rd-largest-in-boxing-history 50,994 fans, will receive the 'Fighter of the Decade' award, in person, from the BWAA on June 4th in New York. Congratulations, PacMan! Photo by David J. Philip

Mr. Henry Sy (back) of Profood USA Philippines in Union City, poses with 'Heart 2 Heart' artists, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez during the show's Sponsors' Night held at the Embassy Suites last week. Congratulations to producer Ana Puno, the show was a hit at the Nob Hill last Saturday night!

According to his former Filipino trainer Ben Delgado who I personally met in San Jose weeks ago, Pacquiao is confirmed flying from the Philippines to New York to personally accept this extreme recognition - the 85th annual BWAA awards, on June 4, 2010.

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach, also won a record-setting fourth "Trainer of the Year" award. Roach has repeatedly said in various post-fight press conferences I have attended in Las Vegas that the he is the best trainer because he has the best boxer.

On his political career meanwhile, Pacquiao was officially proclaimed Congressman of the lone district of Sarangani last May 13, 2010 after he won a landslide victory (66% of the residents voted for him) over a wealthy and politically well-entrenched clan of the province. His triumph ended the reign of that powerful clan that has been in power for more than thirty years. Once again, the PacMan conquered.

According to published reports, Pacquiao is slated next to fight on November 13, 2010, possibly against Mayweather, Jr.

2010 Miss Philippines Earth - West Coast USA's Melissa Sokukawa of Union City graced International Beauty Impressario Ferdie Villar's hawaiian-inspired birthday party last Sunday night at Solita's Club and Restaurant in South San Francisco, with San Jose's Michael Back.

The International Beauty Impressario and birthday celebrant, Ferdie Villar, smiles in glee as San Jose's Susan Pacifico renders a bellydance number during his Hawaiian-themed party at Solita's last Sunday night.

TO-BE SEEN IN THE CITY

A Victory Party For All

The victory celebration of the apparent astounding presidential win of Benigno “Noynoy”Aquino III, will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2010, from 11:00am-2:00pm at the Philippine Consulate Office in downtown San Francisco . Come one, come all! Event is free to the public. A special, meaningful program is in store for everyone to enjoy. Sumptuous Filipino, ethnic and American cuisine will be served for all discriminating tastes.

Tony Gabucan of Gabucan Family Dentistry in Milpitas, CA welcomes Sarah Geronimo during their new office's mass/blessing last week.

Adobo Nation celebrated its 2nd anniversary last Thursday night at the TFC Studios in Redwood City. Show director Erik Pugeda, left, LA Vivora, Jessie Cabalsa, and Thage Montecarlo of the renowned Edna’s Ichaban Library Comedy Club partied till the wee hours. Photo by Joey Panlilio

For further information, reservations, please contact Rodel Rodis at 415/334-7800; Charito Benipayo, 510/301-4693; Dr. Tony Gualberto at 650/ 992-4777;Joey Valenciano-650/438-7915; Em de la Cruz –650/892-9363 or email c_Benipayo@hotmail.com

FRED'S 69TH BIRTHDAY: Fred Villaflores celebrated his 69th birthday last May 30, 2010 at the Lucky Chance Casino in Colma CA. Those who graced the affair were the following. Photo from left to right: Marites Famacion, Rudy Ferranco, Yeyeng Taguiam, Peanuts Ferranco, Angie Virola, Auring Villaflores & Fred ( the celebrant).

Despite reservations fiasco, the ladies of La Consolacion College, High School batch '83/'84 (not in particular order, Mitos Enriquez, Kate Orge, Bernadette Baraquero Maminta, Rowena Balagtas Panopio, Marivic Tolentino Wong, Emy Canon Abesamis, among others) had a blast during their reunion dinner at the Intramuros Restaurant in South San Francisco last Saturday night.

PERSONAL NOTES

Happy Wedding Anniversary to Ms. Sonia Delen and husband who went out on a Memorial Day weekend cruise celebrating their 20th year of togetherness. Some good things never last, but their wedding does. Ms. Delen is a banker and co-owner of the Intramuros Restaurant in South San Francisco .

The cast and crew of TFC's Adobo Nation celebrated their 2nd anniversary in a Flores-de-Mayo inspired ambience at their Redwood City studio location last Thursday, May 27th. Photo by Joey Panlilio

Pacquiao's original Filipino trainer, Ben Delgado of San Jose, CA (shown here with LVN friend, Ms. Lorna Caspe) will be opening his new training gym (aptly named People's Champ Boxing Glove) located at 4100 Baldwin Park Blvd, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 on June 13th. For schedule and training inquiries, call Ben Delgado or his business partner, Gino Quiocho at (909) 243-0181. Incidentally, he happily reported that their team 3G Sports defeated the NCAA Champions, UE Warriors last Sunday, May 31st in an exhibition basketball game in Los Angeles.

Belated Happy Birthday to San Jose ’s Angie Balaouing (May 17th) who treated her closest family and friends to a sumptuous luncheon at her residence last Friday. Happy birthday, Ate Angie!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave. What will matter is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.” by Arnel Pineda reading and even crying, from a poem by Michael Josephson at his named-after-his-initials foundation’s private event last Sunday night at the Intramuros.

Ironically, he himself refused to be photographed even when politely asked during the event. Read again, what matters most?

This column also appears online at www.FilipinoVillage.com and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 80 countries now, according to the latest Google Analytics report.

Do you have any personal or community events you want announced or published? Just email them to bradford_adkins@yahoo.com