The Governor and His Bicycle

True to his promise, Gov. Eduardo B. Gadiano of Occidental Mindoro rode his bike in the morning of July 22, 2020 from the newly-inaugurated extension office of the provincial government in Barangay Magbay to Barangay Caminawit in San Jose town to have an ocular inspection on the situation of roads in that particular span or route and mingle with his constituents along the way.

Since he became governor, Gadiano utilizes a bicycle roving around the capital town of Mamburao in reaching his constituents and rub elbows with them and know the situation of each community. Instead of riding a motorized vehicle in going to those places, he starts his first active hour in the morning on the wheels. Biking almost became part of the governor’s everyday life since he was elected in May last year.

Governance and physical wellness or fitness can be maximized in one particular period of the day. Biking is a natural and commonsensical choice for shorter trips. In such an early morning routine, the governor enable to promote cycling to be seen as an activity for all, rather than a ‘niche’ activity for some.

Though the governor is not directly promoting biking.

In a speech, Akhilesh Yadav, an Indian political leader, explained the power of the bicycle symbol: “The bicycle moves after you strike a balance, of pushing the pedal and holding the handle, and I feel that somehow the bicycle teaches us something. If we move with as much balance as we do while riding a bicycle, we will be successful in life.” This can be a political mantra not only for cyclists and bikers in the province but for all of us.

But with his newly-found hobby, the slipper-wearing Governor Ed places biking as an essential part of his governance. Under his watch, cycling becomes apparently established a symbolical meaning for the province, in one way or another.

Good governance truly empowers the people.  True enough, politics, decisiveness and service are indispensable to each other.

 Just like the pedal and the wheel to a bicycle.

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 Photo: Junjun Alastre, PGO-Occidental Mindoro

 https://www.welovecycling.com/wide/2019/04/19/the-bicycle-politics-throughout-the-history/#:~:text=Party%20leaders%20often%20cycle%20during,out%20bikes%20to%20their%20supporters.&text=The%20bike%20is%20such%20an,the%20Samajwadi%20Party%20for%20years.

 

 

Jade Talampas: The Mindoro Jade

The Mindoro Jade, not unlike similar precious stones unearthed somewhere else, is purified in the hands of a seasoned, tested artisan. Confucius once noted that the wise have likened jade to a virtue. One’s master craftsman or life coach is usually his own father.  The boy was only 12 when he started playing the game invented by James A. Naismith of Springfield, Massachusetts.  

Jade C. Talampas, the 20-year old, 6”2 shooting guard of the Arellano University Chiefs in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) hails from Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. But before that, he was also in the line-ups of the UST Growling Tigers and the San Beda Red Cubs.

Jade, like a gemstone, during his early days in basketball was moulded, formed and shaped by his father Raymond Talampas into a solid rock of a basketeer. Raymond, the father, is also a star cager in their place which is Barangay Tangkalan of said municipality in northern Occidental Mindoro, the province’s capital town.  They even played in a same team then as Jade Talampas recalled in his memoirs posted by Triple Junard in his blog “Im a Baller” at Facebook last June 28, 2020. In that blog entry, Jade also recalls, “Grabe talaga yung mga panahon na iyon, sobrang determinado kami ni papa sa pag-te-train sa basketball. Nagbunga din naman lahat nang paghihirap namin noong makuha ko yung rookie at MVP awards sa Barangay League.”

Jade Talampas started to pick his first basketball in a high school official game at the campus of Occidental Mindoro National High School (OMNHS) and his skills were polished there with Raymond always in the side line.  Mr. Kristent Leo Tuscano, Jade’s teacher and later his interim trainer recalls, “Nagulat na lang ang lahat sa 360 degrees turn around ng skill sets niya sa basketball.” Unknown to his coaches and trainers in school, Jade is sort of undergoing special training sessions at home under his father Raymond. Their neighbors and townfolks were used to seeing the father and son tandem doing their early morning jog from Tangkalan to the Provincial Capitol compound and vice-versa. Talampas at first was a Sepak Takraw player joining provincial and regional meets when he was in his elementary grades.

Tuscano was Jade’s teacher in Research who gave him some tips in terms of physical and mental preparations. But that was nothing compared to the inputs and lessons Jade gets from Raymond, his father. Tuscano added, “Raymond is hands on up to now in privately coaching his son.” The younger Talampas’s official trainer at OMNHS in the Provincial Meet that year was Jojo Magpantay and their coach was Kristian Orly Benitez.

Sometime in October 2018, in his last year for San Beda High School,  Talampas right from the opening buzzer controlled the game beating Mapua High School in a 84-71 victory in the NCAA 94 Men’s Basketball Tournament that year. Like a precious stone polished by fire, he pumped in 8 points in San Beda’s 15-2 start. At the final buzzer, Talampas scored 26 big points, 10 rebounds and it was a huge double-double in a crucial game.

Basketball is one of the many sports where ultimately things aren’t permanent. A time will come when a boy has to be on his or her own on the road to the pro league, the El Dorado of any sports. The people of Tamarawlandia must keep their fingers crossed for its fruition.

It is the time when the jade is already polished to near perfection by its first craft worker.

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 Photo: From Jade Talampas’ FB account

References: https://sports.abs-cbn.com/ncaa/news/2018/10/26/talampas-peaks-right-time-red-cubs-stay-alive-ncaa-94-48883

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=146152313730434&id=100310224981310

 

 

Chris Lalata, His Roots, His Rooster Dunk

The high-flying Chris Lalata of Bicol Volcanoes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is gradually making name in the Philippine basketball scene. He had been in many dunking competitions in the last three years of his stint as a ball player.

Seeing him play for the first time in television for the Olivares College and Technological Institute of the Philippines in the season three of the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) in 2018, I immediately browsed Facebook to initiate a contact with him. And we did.

Lalata is known for his power plays. I call his leaper Rooster Dunk. If basketball is a cockfight, he is our manok na llamado, so to speak. Incidentally, he is lovingly called “Manok” by his close friends and bosom buddies in the loop house. He was born and raised in Barangay Mangarin here in San Jose in January 9, 1995. He practically grew in a breeding farm for fighting cocks in their community.

Chris is the son of my classmate Baltazar (or Balting) way back in 1977 or 1978 who was a basketball player himself. He played in various teams in San Jose Summer Basketball League (SJSBL). Like his father before him, Chris, at 6’5, also plays the center position. He roots for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA and a solid Barangay Ginebra fan. In the PBA, he idolizes Japeth Aguilar, Mark Yee and Calvin Abueva.

Lalata’s recent feather on his cap is when he represented the country as member of the MPBL-All Star in Calgary, Canada and that was in December 27 to 28 only last year (2019). Also seen action in the All-Star games are Bacoor's Gab Banal; Davao Occidental's Mark Yee; Manila's Aris Dionisio and Chris Bitoon; Valenzuela's Paulo Hubalde and Val Acuna; Pampanga's Michael Juico; Batangas' Jeff Viernes and Jhaymo Eguilos; Imus' Anderson; and Sarangani City's Spencer Eman. Lalata represented the Bicol Volcanoes in said basketball tour abroad and he is youngest member of the squad.

Chris Lalata was featured in a Facebook personal blog called “Im a Baller” today, July 16, 2020. Recalling his early days as a student and a ball player, he said, “Nahasa din ako nang nahasa sa TRIZJJAM [his former team during his youthful days]. Hanggang sa kinuha din ako ng Pedro T. Mendiola na school ko noong high school para maglaro sa MIMAROPA. 4th year ako that time at in-invite din kami ni Coach Boy Cortado maglaro sa inter-town ng Sablayan.” To those who are willing to know the basketball journey of Chris Lalata, from the old court of Mangarin to Juan G. Santos Memorial Gym, as cager for the St. Francis of Assisi College, to Olivarez College, to Muntinlupa and the Bicol Volcanoes of the MPBL, you may read it directly from Im a Baller. It’s worth reading if you are from the locality, I tell you.

Local basketball player and now Sablayan councilor Jaebee Dawates, who once tried out for the University of the East (UE) Warriors, is greatly amazed how Lalata was able to fine tune his craft since his San Jose days and reached this far. Dawates was a member of the champion team SK-Barangay III way back in 2011 when Lalata was still awkward in his dribbling and shooting. The latter has no match with the former then, defense and offense-wise.

But with Lalata’s big heart for the game and perseverance to succeed, he already jumpstarted his basketball career. Incidentally, Dawates, for one reason or another, did not make it to the UE varsity team. Unlike Chris Lalata who qualified at once to play under the banner of his school, the St. Francis of Assisi College.

Be in the Big League, big man. Make your town mates proud.

Be the next great basketball player born in San Jose. Next to the great Caloy Loyzaga.

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References:

https://rappler.com/sports/mpbl-all-star-squads-take-act-calgary-edmonton-canada

https://www.facebook.com/Im-a-Baller-100310224981310

 

 

Double Entendre: Ang Bomba, si Pikoy at si Boy Sullivan

Sa panahon na tinatawag na Bomba Films noong time ni Marcos, karaniwan na ang mga double entendre sa mga titulo ng sine. Ilan lang sa halimbawa ay ang mga pelikula noong 1970 hanggang 1971 na pinagbidahan ni Rosanna Ortiz gaya ng "Patigasan", "Saging ni Pacing" (na later ang pinalitan ng "Ang Magsasaging ni Pacing"), "Batuta ni Drakula"  (na isang horror-sexy film with Eddie Garcia), "Bukid ay Basa" (1971) na ang tawag dati ng movie scribe na si Nestor U. Torre ay “sexcessively suggestive” movie titles. Mga pelikulang sa Gem Theater malimit ipalabas.

Si Lito Anzures ay si Pikoy sa "Ang Alamat" ni Fernando Poe, Jr. Kanang-kamay siya ng mersenaryong si Adonis (Romy Diaz) na ni-recruit ni Don Joaquin (Nello Nayo) para maghasik ng lagim sa Rio Piedra upang mapagharian niya ang buong bayan na nabubuhay sa pagsasaka. Well, kagaya ng ibang sine ni FPJ, sa paghupa ng umaatikabong barilan natapos ang pelikula, gamit ang kanyang gintong kalibre 45 baril. Mala-Rambo ang istorya ng pelikula, kagaya ng ibang sine ni Da King.

Galit na galit si Don Joaquin sa eksena dahil hindi nila napatay si Igmidio (Pempe Padilla) na lider ng mga nag-aaklas na mamamayan at ito ay nakapagtago. Habang may kaniig na babae sa kanyang kandungan ay binigkas ni Pikoy:

“Ang tapang ng tao’y kadalasang walang silbi

Kapag ginagamit ng wala sa kukote

Ang maghimagsik sa aming ginawa

Iyong tungkulin sa balat ng lupa,

Ang lungga ng ahas ay dapat na hanapin

Pero bawat lungga ay dapat na salaksakin.”

Nang akmang papasukin ni Don Joaquin si Adonis sa silid habang ito ay may katalik ding babae ay bumulalas muli si Pikoy ng patula:

"Lahat ng gawai’y pwedeng abalahin

Ngunit importante inyong sasabihin

Pero kapag ang tandang ay gustong lumimlim

Ay huwag itong abalahin, pati ang inahin."

Nangako si Don Joaquin na kapag napatay nila si Diego (Fernando Poe, Jr) ay babayaran sila ng mas malaki. Si Pikoy na mas ganid sa laman kaysa sa salapi ay bumigkas ng:

“Totoong sa bawat kagat ng tinapay

Yaring aking dila’y talagang naglalaway

Pero kung pandesal ang sa aki’y ibibigay

Huwag naman Don Joaquin, ang gusto ko’y monay.”

Imagine, 10 years old pa lang ako nung una kong mapanood ang "Ang Alamat" sa Levi Rama pero nang panoorin ko lang ito uli kagabi sa YouTube, saka ko pa lang nalaman ang sexual undertones o double entendre ng mga tula dito ni Pikoy. Si Fred Navarro ang screenplay writer nito.

Mula pelikula, punta tayo sa musika. Bago pa man ang "Nilunok Kong Lahat" ni Selina Sevilla at "Jumbo Hotdog" ng Maskulados, isang Pinoy music legend ang sumulat at umawit ng mga kantang may double entendre tulad ng "Ang Mahiwagang Hiwa," "Itlog Ko at Mani Mo" at "O-Tin-Dera". Siya si Boy Sullivan na tambok, este tampok, sa kanyang "Haring Solomon (May Alagang Pagong)" album na lumabas noong 1972.

Si Boy Sullivan, Pedro G. Santos sa tunay na buhay, ay namatay sa edad na 83 noon lamang Hunyo 29, 2020. Siya ay taga-Hagonoy at bago niya isinulat ang mga kanta sa Haring Solomon, siya ay isa sa mga original members of The Big 3 Sullivans kasama si Mar Lopez at Apeng Daldal hanggang siya ay mag-solo. Siya ang kinilalang king of parody and naughty songs noong araw.

Hanggang ang double entendre ay isang literary device, walang makakapigil sa mga manunulat na isingit ito sa anumang likhang-sining na di naman sagarang erotiko.

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(Photo: Amazon.com)

Si Flash Elorde at ang mga Suntok ni FPJ

Kung tutuusin, hindi naman talaga boxing movie ang 1964 film Mano-Mano pero bida dito ang Filipino all-time boxing great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde at si Fernando Poe, Jr., ang King of Philippine Movies directed by Efren Reyes (Hindi si Bata Reyes ha. Ibang tao ‘yun.) Kasama dito sina Paquito Diaz, Lito Anzures, Pablo Virtuoso, Dencio Padilla, Victor Bravo, Vic Varrion, Larry Silva, Johnny Montiero with Rebecca at Mila Montanez.

Ang Mano-Mano ay isang action-comedy film at ang ikaapat na pelikula ni Flash Elorde. Sa kanyang entire movie career, si Elorde ay lumabas sa anim na pelikula bago siya bawian ng buhay dahil sa kanser sa baga noong January 2, 1985.

Ito ay umiikot sa kuwento ng apat na mag-kaibigan, sina Nanding (Poe) at Dencio (Padilla) na mga jobless na nakatira sa Tondo hanggang sa makatagpo nila ang mga bagong salta na sina Bay (Elorde) at Pablo (Virtuoso) na mula naman sa Bogo, Cebu. Sa tunay na buhay, si Elorde ay totoong ipinanganak sa nasabing lugar noong Marso 25, 1935. Siya ay mula sa isang mahirap na pamilya at bunso sa 15 magkakapatid.

Isa lang ang napanpansin ko sa mga sine dati kapag pinapanood ko ang mga ito sa YouTube: natural na natural and akting ng mga gumaganap. Hindi kagaya ngayon na pulos OA na ang pag-arte ng mga artista. Kahit atrasado sa mga aspetong teknikal, ang paag-arte noon ay totoong sining at hindi para lamang kumita, sa tingin ko. Dangan kasi naman, ang hahaba ng mga linya o dialogue noon pero despite of this, yakang-yaka itong i-deliver ng mga artista.

Maraming eksena ng buntalan ang pelikula. Tipikal na sangkap ng mga sine noong kamusmusan ko ang rambulan, suntukang grupo-grupo, walang kawawaang boksingan na matatapos lamang at magpupulasan ang mga nag-aaway kung may paparating na sumisilbatong pulis na may dalang batuta. Walang patalim, walang baril, walang gaanong dugo, basta sumbagan lang at upakan gamit lang ang kamao. Black and white pa noon ang sine.

Nakakatawa rin ang batuhan ng linya nina Virtuoso at Padilla bilang mga sidekick nina Elorde at Poe. Si Pablo sa kanyang Cebuanong diksyon at Batangenyo naman ang kay Dencio. Ipinakita din dito ang galing sa gitara ni Virtuoso at ang kaalaman ni Padilla sa nakatatawang pag-awit. Ito ay sa isang eksena ng harana, isang tradisyong Pinoy na katulad ng itinatampok nating pelikula ngayon ay limot na rin ng panahon.

Sa mga bakbakang kalye sa Mano-Mano ay makikita mo ang ilang galaw na boxing fundamentals, wika nga. Kung napanood mo lang ang mga lumang laban noon ni Flash Elorde at ikaw ay totoong boxing enthusiast, madali mong makita na master na master niya ang distansiya. Magaling siya sa step back habang nagka-counter punch. Signature din niya ang angular in and out movement upang malagay siya sa dominant position para umatake. Mga galaw at kilos na in-improve lang ni Manny Pacquiao nang lumaon, sabi.

Pero si Flash Elorde, hindi kagaya ni Pacquiao, kailanman ay hindi nasilaw sa pulitika. Si FPJ naman, nanalo sana kung hindi lang dinaya.

Pero nauna sa pelikulang Mano-Mano, noong 1962, pinagbidahan ni FPJ ang pelikulang Apollo Robles (Oo, naunang gumamit si FPJ ng karakter na pinangalanang “Apollo” sa isang boxing movie kaysa kay Apollo Creed sa Rocky movie franchise.) na istorya ng isang aspiring boxer na iniwan ang kanyang pagiging medical student at umibig sa isang dalagang itinatakwil ang boksing. Ang Apollo Robles ay tumabo noon sa takilya at isa sa mga kauna-unahang boxing movie sa bansa kabilang ang The Flash Elorde Story (1961) na bio-flick ng Pinoy world boxing champ.  

Ayon sa ulat, kinunsulta umano ng mga production staff at ni Gerardo “Gerry” de Leon na direktor nito si Flash Elorde para sa mga boxing and fight scenes ng Apollo Robles. Sinulat ni Simon Santos sa kanyang blog entry noong June 2008 na, “Those pointers became very crucial later in many fight scenes the actor made in his movies. He integrated part of Elorde’s styles and techniques to his own styles and came up with a unique “FPJ rapid and lightning punches” we all know.” So, iyon pala ang umpisa ng cinematic punching style ni Da King na nadala niya hanggang sa Durugin si Totoy Bato (1979) in the coming years.

1950s nang makilala sa mundo ng boksing si Flash Elorde. Sabi nga ng sikat na boxing journalist na si Nigel Collins, “[Flash Elorde] galvanized the nation and carried boxing to greater heights than ever before.”

Noong 1993, si Elorde ang kauna-unahang Asyano na na-induct sa New York-based International Boxing Hall of Fame. Kahit matagal na siyang yumao, mababasa pa rin ang kanyang istorya sa mga text book sa mga paaralan sa buong bansa.

Halos lahat ng pelikula ni FPJ ay kakakitaan ng kanyang rapidong suntok (Gaya sa Roman Rapido), suntok sa mukha pababa sa bodega ng goon na may grand finale na pompyang o kaya ay matitinding wind mill uppercuts. Sa lahat ng sine ni Da King ay may mapapanood kang signature rolling punch.

Bagay na hindi kinayang gawin kailanman ni Flash Elorde sa buong buhay niya.

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(Photo; Advocacine’s Blog)

http://fpj-daking.blogspot.com/2008/06/da-king-meets-da-flash.html

https://www.kcet.org/history-society/from-villa-to-pacquiao-filipino-boxing-in-la-and-the-power-of-a-transnational-punch