CONGRATULATIONS
ROGER FEDERER
for

WINNING
the
2009 WIMBLEDON FINALS

and a

I always believed in Roger Federer's greatness inside the tennis court - be it a red clay or hard surfaces. He is undeniably stronger and smarter now. He has an impressive and amazing first power-service, as always and more importantly, he learned from his past mistakes.

With the not-so-good-season last year, the world's No.2 fought back and proved to everyone that he is indeed the greatest tennis warrior of our time.

I was hesitant to join my high school buddies for a Sunday night out because of the live telecast of Nadal-Federer match. The match was starting to heat up when I left the house during the first set with Federer leading 2-3. Hours later, while enjoying the dinner with my friends, I received a message from my sister Kaye, "Sorry, panalo kame". My 3 siblings are for Nadal. I didn't reply. I felt bad. Really bad.

Watching Roger sob via the YouTube is killing me too. I know it was rough for him . But I still believe in Roger, just like his millions and millions of fans around the globe. Ending up the 2009 Australian Cup 1st runner up doesn't change a thing. Roger still the best tennis champ for meand still the number one on my list.

Rafa said to him, Roger is still a great champion and he is one of the best in history and he will beat Pete Sampras' 14 titles for sure. I couldn't help but agree. All the best to you Roger for the rest of the season.

Anyway Congrats Rafa! You played really, really great and you truly deserve it. Hats off to you.




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To view the pictures of my Sunday night out, visit this..

After the epic battle in Wimbledon last year, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will go against each other in the much awaited Australian Open 2009 on Sunday, February 1, 2009.

Both are great tennis players, nobody can deny that. But I hope Roger will redeem himself after a disappointing 2008. Roger is still the best for me and I hope he'll start his 2009 with a bang! All the best Roger!

I was able to watch the battle between Tshomlee Go and the Australian taekwondo jin last Wednesday. I admit that I do not know everything about taekwondo. And to be completely honest, I do not how the scoring works. But when I saw the fight, I have come to realize that it does not take someone to be a taekwondo jin to know whether the kick landed on the opponents body solidly. The Australian even fell, and the Filipino commentator said "2 points yun!". But there was none. Not even 1. Nakakaawa talaga. :-(

Earlier this afternoon, I saw Toni Rivero's fight with the Croatian jin. My sister kaye and I were crossing our fingers and kept on cheering for Toni. But it just did not work. :-( The first two rounds were good but the Croatian was tougher. Naiwan na si Toni on the 3rd round. Hay, bokya na naman. :-(

Someone told me days before the Olympics, "winner ang makaka-gold sa Beijing. Milyonaryo na pag-uwi dito. Pero malalakas lang ang loob nyan mag bigay ng mga milyon na yan kase alam naman nila na hindi makaka-gold ang isa sa kanila". Hay, another harsh reality. Tsk tsk tsk.

Sabi ko nga, it does not only take pure heart in the Olympics. It takes a lot more. And whether we admit it or not, in the game of Olympics, biases and partialities are part of the game. Ask Onyok Velasco, ask Nastia Luikin, ask Tshomlee.

Check this and this out to know what I'm talking about.

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Incidentally, a Pinoy athlete bagged Gold in Beijing Olympics. The consolation came from the sport's demonstration event earlier today. Anyway, Congrats Willy Wang!

The quest for winning the Philippines' first Olympic gold continues after Harry Tanamor lost in his very first fight last week. :-( To be honest, I was not really expecting for the swimmers and other Pinoy athletes to bag any medal except for Harry, Toni Rivero and Tshomlee Go. Go Toni! Go Tshomlee!

I like to point out that I am not being negative about other Pinoy Olympians. It's just that, they are competing with the world's best, fastest and fiercest athletes, so we should accept the fact that they do not match a Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser and many others.

When I heard the news that David Coakley, a Filipino swimmer based in Hawaii, notched a new swim RP record for the 200m breststroke, I told Rain: "Sana tayo-tayo na lang ang nagswimming dito sa Pinas. At least naka-medal pa siya!" Sana maisip na natin na hindi kailan man magiging sapat ang puso para makakuha ng Olympic Gold medal. It will take a lot mopre than it! I'm crossing my fingers that our Taekwondo jins will at least put the Philippines in the Beijing Summer Olympics Medal Tally Board. Kahit hindi gold, pero Lord, mas masaya kung gold... Please po. Please po.

Anyway, Congratulations to the all World Record Breakers and Medalists: To Michael Phelps of US - the greatest Olympian to date, to Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser both from Jamaica, to Guo Jingjing of China, to Rafael Nadal of Spain, to Roger Federer and teammate Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland and to all other athletes who won the Beijing Olympic medals. Thank you for the inspiration!

Congratulations Rafael Nadal for winning the 2008 Wimbledon title. You have shown the world that everything is possible. We just have to play and pray harder. Thank you for the inspiration. All the best Rafa and God bless you.

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I commend Roger Federer for being a fierce and great competitor. Nadal and Federer gave the best championship match in the world of tennis. Thank you for delivering tennis at its best! May God bless you too.

Last night, my big brothers and I here watched the Pacquiao-Diaz fight. Willie told me to purchase a pirated DVD copy of the boxing match in a Pinoy Grocery somewhere in Tourist Club area here in Abu Dhabi. I luckily got one even though these pirated DVDs are selling briskly. Thanks to my charm. Hehehe.

The world witnessed the Manny Pacquiao at his best - calm, powerful, swift, elusive, well-coordinated and precise. But I also acknowledged David Diaz, the latest Mexican casualty of the power of Pacman.

Though (based on what I saw) Diaz is skill-deprived, he has a big heart. He fought like a man, lost like a man and admitted his limitations like a man. He has won the respect of many Filipinos and boxing fans all over the world. ¡Los sombreros lejos a usted demasiado Diaz de David! Dios le bendice.