PACQUIAO FIGHT

Fans of Manny Pacquiao in Olongapo were able to watch live his boxing match with American boxer Shane Mosley on Sunday, May 08, 2011. Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. and First Lady Anne Gordon caused the free screening of the fight at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) with big LCD and LED screens installed inside and outside the building.(photo/caption courtesy of pao)

SPES 2010

Two hundred sixty-one (261) qualified students under the Special Program for Employment of Students 2010 or SPES have started their summer jobs in different departments of the Local Government and private establishments.

‘’We are continuously conducting SPES to help our students who are financially constrained to go to school but deserving and willing to pursue their studies. Let’s teach our students to earn money for their study,” Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. said at the orientation and contract signing of SPES beneficiary-students accompanied by their parents and guardians at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) on April 19, 2010.

Mayor Bong Gordon reminded and advised the SPES beneficiary-students to do their jobs well and make the most out of the opportunity given to them. He said that this job training should encourage them to do better in school and prepare them to real life after school.

Olongapo City First Lady and Zambales Vice Gov. Anne Gordon also gave her words of encouragement to SPES beneficiary-students and laid out her scholarship program to them, ‘’Ang scholarship program na gusto kong magawa ay ang scholarship na apat (4) na taon. Dalawang beses lamang kami magkikita ng aking mga scholars, una kapag siya ay mag-eenrol sa 1st year at ikalawa kapag siya ay ga-graduate na sa kolehiyo. Maglalagay rin ako ng sapat na pondo sa mga eskwelahan kung saan mag-aaral ang aking mga scholars.’’

The SPES Program is an annual project of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the City Government through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) as lead agency.

Of the 261 SPES beneficiary-students, 189 are assigned at the Local Government Unit (LGU), 37 in private establishments and 35 to Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Brgy. Sta Rita.

The SPES beneficiary-students started their summer jobs on April 20, 2010 and will end on May 17, 2010.

Mayor Bong Gordon and Olongapo First Lady & Zambales Vice Gov Anne Gordon who is now running for the congressional seat for the 1st District of Zambales with the 261 Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) student-beneficiaries during their orientation and contract signing held at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) on April 19, 2010. Also in the picture are Public Employment Service Office head Evelyn delos Santos and SPES representative Mark Edrad.

MAYWEATHER VS MOSLEY AT THE OCCC!

A lot of Olongapeños are expected to watch the much anticipated boxing match of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. vs. ‘’Sugar’’ Shane Mosley dubbed as ‘Mega Boxing Fight’ of the year at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada which will be shown for free at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) on May 2, 2010 (May 1, in the US).

Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. announced the good news to over thirteen thousand (13,000) Olongapeños at the ‘’Bingo Bong-gah Anne, Panalo Ka Bayan’’ courtesy of Kalinga Community for Children at East Tapinac Oval Track (ETOT) recently.

‘’Bilang bahagi ng Sports sa HELPS Program ng lungsod, ay mapapanuod sa Olongapo City Convention Center ang Mayweather, Jr. at Mosley fight dahil kung nais ninyong matuto ng mga sistema sa boksing ay kinakailangang mapanuod ninyo ang mga boxing fights ng mga pinaka-magagaling na boksingero sa mundo,’’ Mayor Bong Gordon said.

The showing of the big boxing events in big venues like the OCCC is Mayor Gordon’s way of enabling the residents to witness boxing matches of boxers who are considered the best in their field. Mayor Gordon has directed Dr. Donald Vigo to lead the preparation and set-up of giant screens at the OCCC. The match will be watched by Olongapenos via HBO’s Pay-Per-View courtesy of COLORVIEW Catv.

‘’Maglalatag ang city government ng mga television units sa loob gayundin sa labas ng venue upang sa gayo’y maging ang mga hindi makaka-pasok sa loob ng OCCC ay may pagkakataon pa ring maging bahagi ng bakbakan. Kailangan rin na bago pa lamang mag alas-otso ng umaga ay maayos ng nakapila sa labas ng venue dahil ito ay first-come, first-served.’’ Dr. Vigo said.

According to celebritycafe.com, the 38-year-old Mosley is coming off the greatest performance of his career, a systematic and thorough destruction of Antonio Margarito in January of 2009. While Mayweather is fast, incredibly well-rounded and regarded as one of the most technically proficient boxer’s of all-time, Mosley has never been finished in his entire career, is fast and technically skilled in his own right and possesses a power advantage in the matchup.

‘’This is going to be one thrilling boxing match in the Welterweight Division and will prove to the world that the winner is the real king of welterweight,’’ said Mayor Gordon, a known to be a sports buff.

Pao/Jordan

GORDON STRAIGHT TICKET AT OCCC

The Gordon Straight Ticket (GST) led by Mayor Bong Gordon, Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice Gov. Anne Gordon who is running for Congresswoman of the 1st dist. Of Zambales and Vice-Mayor Cynthia Cajudo acknowledge the continuous cheers of the crowd estimated at some 3,000 in a program held at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) on March 22, 2010.

OLONGAPEÑOS CHEER PACMAN’S VICTORY OVER CLOTTEY

As expected, the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) was a full house last Sunday as thousands of viewers rooted for the Pound for Pound King Manny Pacman Paquiao as he pummeled his way to victory over Ghanaian Joshua Clottey.

“Hindi magkamayaw ang mga tao sa loob ng convention center. Bawat suntok na pakawalan ng Pambansang Kamao ay damang-dama ng mga manonood sa OCCC na animo’y nasa Dallas Cowboy Stadium sa Texas din dahil sa malalaking TV screens sa loob at labas ng OCCC na ating inilagay para sa libu-libong taga-suporta ni Pacman dito sa Olongapo,” said Dr. Donald Vigo who has been tasked by Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. to act as Event Coordinator in preparations for the public’s free viewing of Manny Paquiao’s fights.

“Maraming Salamat kay Mayor Bong Gordon at First Lady Anne Marie Gordon, napanood namin ng libre at live ang laban ni Pacman,” wika ni Allan Perez, 21, ng Barangay Pag-asa.

“Si Manny Paquiao ay hindi lamang isang boksingero para sa ating mga Pilipino. Siya ay nagsisilbing larawan ng inspirasyon ng pangarap at pagsisikap. Kaya naman, pinagsisikapan ng pamahalaang lungsod na suporthan ang mga sports at boxing aspirants sa pamamagitan ng mga proyekto katulad ng Paboksing sa mga barangay at libreng panonood ng laban ni Paquiao upang buhayin ang lakas ng loob ng mga nagnanais na may marating sa larangan ng sports,” said Mayor James “Bong”Gordon Jr.

“Karangalan din ng mga Olongapeño na ang nahirang na kumanta ng Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas sa harap ng buong mundo na nanonood ng laban ni Pacman ay si Arnel Pineda, ang vocalist ng world famous international band na Journey, na nagsimula ng kanyang karera bilang singer dito sa Olongapo,” Mayor Gordon added.

THE EVENT: PAQUIAO VS CLOTTEY AT THE OCCC

Once again, the Olongapo City government is sponsoring the free viewing of the much awaited fight of the “pound for pound king” Manny “Pacman” Paquiao, the Philippines’ boxing hero, this time with the Ghanaian Joshua Clottey, former IBF Welterweight Champion, live via pay-per-view on March 14, 2010 at the Olongapo City Convention Center.

In this connection, Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. has again tasked City Dentist Donald Vigo to oversee the setting-up of seventeen (17) big LCD televisions and projectors and to designate personnel who will give medical care and enforce peace and order on the day of “the event.”

“Libre nating pinapapanood ang ating mga kababayan ng laban ni Pacquiao dahil ang tagumpay at pakikipaglaban ng ‘Pambansang Kamao’ ay nagsisilbing inspirasyon hindi lamang para sa mga sports enthusiasts at boxing aspirants kundi para sa lahat na mga nangangarap na may marating sa buhay, katulad ni Pacquaio,” said Mayor Gordon.

‘’Katulad ng mga nakaraang laban ni Pacquiao eksaktong ika-walo ng umaga ay bubuksan ang pintuan ng Convention Center. Kaya ang mga mauuna sa pila ay ang siguradong makakapasok at makakapili ng magandang lugar na upuan,’’ said Dr. Vigo.

The free viewing of “The Event” along with Pacman’s previous fights are made possible thru the efforts of the city government with the support of Colorview Catv, provider of HBO Pay Per View and of the Ocampos Mall.

114 COUPLES AT MASS WEDDING

One hundred and fourteen (114) couples chanted “I do” in unison at the mass wedding ceremonies officiated by Olongapo City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2010 at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC).

Mayor Bong Gordon also stood as godfather while Olongapo City First Lady and Zambales Vice Gov. Anne Marie Gordon was godmother to the newlyweds. Also there for the ceremonies as sponsors were City Councilors Gina Perez, Ellen Dabu, Rodel Cerezo, Nathan Manalo and Jhong Cortez with City Consultants Bugy delos Reyes, Tet Marzan, Ed Piano, Romy Guerrero and Edna Elane.

“Sa panahon ngayon na mahirap ang buhay ay kinakailangan na ang mag-asawa ay nagtutulungan, kaya naman patuloy ang pamahalaang lokal sa iba’t-ibang programang may kaugnayan sa pagbibigay ng ikabubuhay ng isang pamilya katulad ng trabaho o kaya’y livelihood,” Mayor Bong Gordon said.

Communication between husband and wife is what First Lady Anne Gordon specifically pointed out, “Ang lahat ng problema ng mag-asawa ay kailangang pag-usapan at narito kaming inyong mga ninong at ninang na handang makinig at magbigay ng solusyon sa inyong problema basta lapitan nyo lamang kami sa Mayor’s Office at sa aking tanggapan.”

Meanwhile, the oldest couple in the group Avelino Magante, 72 years old and wife Leonora, 53 years old was chosen to lead the ceremonial cutting of the cake. On the other hand, the youngest couple Carlo Silverio, 23 years old and wife Eleonarda, 18 years old led the ceremonial wine toast.

First Lady Anne at Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo handed each couple their gift, envelop bid, grocery bag and food packs that the couples shared together with their guests.

The City Civil Registry headed by Keren Cajudo facilitated the processing of documents with the other city govt. departments concerned.

Since 2004, when Mayor Bong Gordon and First Lady Anne’s mass wedding started, over a thousand couples were united in matrimony through the project.

Mayor Bong Gordon and First Lady Anne Gordon with Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo witness the ‘ceremonial cutting of the cake’ by the oldest couple Avelino (72 years old) and Leonora Magante (53 years old) at the ‘’Mass Wedding Ceremony’’ on February 14, 2010 at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC).

Pao/Jordan

Vice Gov. Anne Marie Gordon Gift Giving

In response to numerous requests, Olongapo City First Lady and Zambales Vice Gov. Anne Marie Gordon distributed grocery packs to more than 600 families in a gift-giving held at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) on January 12, 2010.

Bb. Olongapo Grand Pageant Night on Oct. 24

After flaunting their beauties at the pre-judging held last October 17, 2009, Bb. Olongapo candidates are now rigorously preparing for the much anticipated Grand Pageant Night on the 24th at the Olongapo City Convention Center.

“The lovely candidate who will be crowned as Bb. Olongapo will not only embody the true exquisiteness and personality of an Olongapeña but will also represent the city to various local and international beauty competitions including the most coveted Bb. Pilipinas Pageant,” said Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice-Governor Anne Marie Gordon, an advocate of women’s welfare and an avid supporter of the pageant .

“Ms. Angelee Claudett Francisco Delos Reyes, the reigning Bb. Olongapo will pass on the title and crown to this year’s winner,” said Lei Montoya, OIC of the City Tourism Office. “More than 15 special awards will also be given to outstanding candidates to recognize their talent, intelligence, amity and other exceptional qualities shown in the pageant,” Montoya added.

The Bb. Olongapo Grand Pageant Night is open to the public so that relatives and supporters of this year’s candidates can watch their bets compete. Ticket cost is P100.00 for general admission and P300.00 pesos for VIP passes, inclusive of food and drinks. For admission inquiries, visit the City Tourism Office at the Olongapo City Convention Center or call 224-1471.

Pao/sara

Mayor Gordon leads city business summit

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon led the 2009 Olongapo Business Summit held at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) last September 15, 2009 with the participation of city and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials, investors, national government agencies and various business organizations in Olongapo City.

The said summit also discussed and explained current procedures and issues related to business processing in the city and at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ).

Due to the success of the event, the city plans to hold a yearly business summit as an avenue of communication between concerned government agencies and the business sector, Mayor Gordon said.

It can be recalled that due to the city’s business-friendly policies, Olongapo was cited as Most Competitive Medium-Sized City for 2007 from the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center and as Best Business One Stop Shop (B.O.S.S) of the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation.

Olongapo also garnered a similar award from AIM in 2005.

Pao/sara

Amelia Gordon celebrates her 89th birthday

First-Elected Woman Mayor of Olongapo and First-Elected Assembly Woman Amelia J. Gordon celebrated her 89th birthday last September 4, 2009 at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC).

Senator Richard Gordon and wife Kate, together with Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. and Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice-Governor Anne Marie led well-wishers who expressed their love and admiration to the acknowledged mother of Olongapo.

“My mother is not only our mother. She is the mother of every men, women, young and old Olongapeños,” said Senator Dick. Mayor Bong on the other hand, led the conferment of Entrepreneurs’ Award from the Metro-Olongapo Chamber of Commerce (OBC) Inc. to the birthday celebrant.

With the theme “Amelia J. Gordon: Enjoying a Full and Long Life, Amelia’s daughters Veronica G. Lorenzana and Barbara G. delos Reyes prepared a presentation wherein child actors from the Olongapo City and Zambales Performing Arts re-enacted the life and accomplishments Madame Amelia.

Amelia Gordon is known for her advocacy to protect and promote the welfare of the needy and abandoned children. She led the formation of Iba-Olongapo Catholic Women’s League, Olongapo City Red Cross, Olongapo City Civic Action Group and Olongapo Boy’s Town and Girls Home, organizations that are helping Olongapeños up to the present. Because of her noble deeds, Amelia received the Dona Aurora Aragon Medal Award, Silver Jubilee Family Award, Silver Medal Award from the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), 1985 Gintong Ina Award Alay kay Inay, 1993 Gold Humanitarian Service Cross Award, 2000 Centennial woman of the Year Award and 2004 Pearl S. Buck International Award.

Ma’am Amelia Gordon with family members headed by Sen. Richard and Mayor Bong during the First-Elected Woman Mayor of Olongapo and First-Elected Assembly Woman celebrates her 89th birthday on September 4, 2009 at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC).

Pao/sara

SCREENING FOR Bb. OLONGAPO 2009 CANDIDATES, EXTENDED

The preliminary screening for candidates of Bb. Olongapo 2009 is extended until the 12th of August, 2009, the City Tourism Office announces. This, to give more time and chance to interested applicants to file their candidacies.

Bb. Olongapo 2009 aspirants must possess the following qualifications:

1. Female, Single
2. Filipino Citizen and a resident of Olongapo;
3. Must be 18-25 years old;
4. Must at least be 5’4’’ in height;
5. Should be charming, talented and smart.

Applicants who will qualify on the preliminary screening will come back on the final screening set on the 14th of August 2009.

The winner of Bb. Olongapo 2009 will represent Olongapo City at “Bb. Pilipinas 2009.”

Interested applicants may visit the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) on or before August 12, and look for Rio Cercado or call 224-1471 for details and inquiries.

Pao/sarjd

RED CROSS CELERATES BLOOD DONORS’ MONTH

In observance of the nationwide annual ‘’Blood Donors’ Month’’, the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) conducted a program and blood-letting on July 31, 2009 at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC).

Highlight of the celebration was the recognition ceremony and mass blood donation of more than three hundred (300) donors from different barangays, companies and institutions in Olongapo and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ).

The celebration is to acknowledge volunteers who continuously respond to the increasing demand for blood donations in the country which has been observed to have increased in the past three (3) years.

‘’May the spirit of voluntarism continue in each and everyone of you. Ang bawat dugo na inyong ibibigay ay maaaring maging daan upang magdugtong ng buhay,’’ said Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. during the program.
PNRC-Olongapo Chapter official includes:

Board of Governor Armand Arreza
Chairman Amelia J. Gordon
Vice-Chairman James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr.
Committee on Blood Services Dr. Brian Lloyd Tubban
Secretary Erlinda Crispin
Treasurer Linda Lim
Auditor Johnny Chua

For more information and inquiries, blood donors may go to the PNRC-Olongapo City Chapter, Old Hospital Road, East Tapinac, Olongapo City or call telephone number 222-2181 or visit the PNRC website www.redcross.org.ph

Mayor Bong Gordon looks at the procedure in blood donation during the observance of ‘’Blood Donors’ Month’’ on July 31, 2009 at the Longspur City Convention Center.

ONE-DAY JOBS FAIR

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. is once again providing assistance and more job opportunities to job seekers in Olongapo by sponsoring a one-day job fair on May 26, 2009 at the Olongapo City Convention Center from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The job fair is targeting local workers and OFWs who were displaced due to the global financial crisis.

“I shall remain constant in bridging the gap between job opportunities and Olongapeños. We will continue bringing in agencies and local companies to help the people find better job opportunities right here in our city,” said Gordon.

The Subic IT Council headed by Engr. Jay Son is taking charge of the preparations for the job fair. WOW Card, Inc., on the other hand, will provide the equipment and the promotion for the activity.

Meanwhile, the Public Employment Services Office (PESO), Bagumbayan Volunteers and the City Council’s Committee on Labor and Employment will provide technical assistance.

According to Councilor Edwin J. Piano, the one-day job fair is initially conceptualized to aid the city government in the pooling of 20,000 skilled workers for the Guam project.

“Other than the Guam project, we are also inviting applicants interested in the call center industry. Inaasahan natin ang pagpasok ng isang call center dito sa lungsod at tatlo pa sa loob ng Subic Bay Freeport Zone,” added Piano.

Several local companies have already expressed their participation in the job fair. Among those companies are I Will Communicate, Nozomi Fortune, Conti J Group and others.

Some 20 overseas recruitment agencies were invited for the recruitment activity. These agencies are offering jobs that are readily available and already have job orders.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) Technical Skills Development Agency (TESDA), PESO and Skills Training are also part of this activity.

Online registration as required by POEA will also be made available for this job fair. “This will ensure a speedier and timely processing of the applications. Aside from being paperless, the information encoded will go directly to POEA and WOW Card Inc.’s database,” concluded Piano.

PAO/chay

Top seed Ko advances in Subic-Olongapo billiards tourney

Two-time world junior champion Ko Pin Yi of Chinese-Taipei played true to his billing as the tournament’s biggest draw when he led 16 others to advance into the next round of the Subic-Olongapo Open Pool Championship at the Olongapo Convention Center in Olongapo City.

The young and promising Ko, the top seed in the tournament, went to work early in the opening stage breezing past his first two opponents – Alex Nobleza (9-2) and Muhammad Bewi of Indonesia (9-4) to serve notice of his aspirations of securing the golden trophy and the $10,000 top prize money that goes with it.

Five Filipino players also went unscathed on opening day – Mario Tolentino, Victor Arpilleda, Leonardo Didal, Elvis Calasang and Arnel Bautista.

“I was just lucky I didn’t face top-caliber opponents today," said Ko thru interpreter Yanick Po. “I really like my chances here, especially now that Jericho (Bañares) was relegated to the loser’s bracket."

Bañares, runner-up to Ko in last year’s World Junior Championship and the champion in the Billiard Stars Search, was relegated to the loser’s bracket after dropping a 9-6 decision at the hands of Arpilleda.

But the second-ranked Bañares kept his hopes alive after outlasting Junbert Ogang in a hill-hill battle, 9-8.

Aside from beating Bañares, the comebacking Arpilleda completed a successful first-round victory over Rudi Susanto of Indonesia, 9-6.

Bautista handily defeated Taiwanese Lu Chui-chan 9-5, and earlier beat compatriot Edgar Acaba, 9-5.

But it was the local bets who stole the spotlight away from the top guns.

Olongapo City Billiards Association president Florencio Banar recorded the biggest upset when he eliminated fourth-seed Jeffrey de Luna, 9-6.

Not to be outdone, Daniel De la Rosa also did honor for the host city and the province of Zambales by recording a 2-1 card going into the second day of matches.

The two players are giving home fans something to cheer about in this event. – GMANews.TV

SUBIC-OLONGAPO OPEN OFFICIALLY BEGINS

A total of thirty two pool players gunning for the top plum at the start of the Subic-Olongapo Open Pool Championship which kicked-off at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) on April 21, 2009.

The event was made more significant with the simultaneous launching of CR3, Olongapo City’s Solid Waste Management Disposal System. The players lauded the efforts of the Olongapo City Government regarding environmental protection and preservation.

In his welcome speech, Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. urged the players to “set aside your differences for the sake of sportsmanship, friendship and camaraderie.”

Also in attendance during the opening ceremony were Raya Sports President Yen Makabenta, Sports Writer and TV Commentator Ted Lerner, Olongapo City Councilor Rodel Cerezo and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Deputy Administrator for Tourism Raul Marcelo.

In his inspirational message, Marcelo reminded the players to “keep your eyes on the ball.” Marcelo also mentioned that “billiards is a sport that does not require physical and mental strength, but sharpness of the mind and the will to win.”

Leading the pack is two-time World Junior Champion Ko Pin Yi of Chinese-Taipei and the Philippines’ very own Jericho Bañares, who placed second to Ko in the World Junior meet in Reno, Nevada last year.

Florencio Bañar and Daniel Dela Rosa are Olongapo City’s official bets for this tournament.

Other Filipino players are Demosthenes Pulpul, Jeff de Luna, Luis Saberdo, Ericson Navarette, Ramil Gadjala, Boots Augusto, Roland Garcia and Alex Nobleza, Leonardo Didal, Junbert Ogang, Elmer Kalaquian, Mario Tolentino, Elvis Calasang, Victor Arpilleda and Edgar Acaba. Allan Cuartero is representing Philippine-Kuwait in this tournament.

The 11 other foreign competitors include Fu Che Wei of Chinese Taipei, Ricky Yang of Indonesia, Amir Ibrahim and Abdullah Johari of Malaysia, Kenji Taguchi of Japan, Lu Hui-Chan of Chinese-Taipei, Muhamad Bewi, Muhammad Zulfikri, Wieto Siauw and Ridu Susanto of Indonesia.

The Subic-Olongapo Open Pool Championship is hosted by the Olongapo City Government and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN. Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. did the ceremonial break to signal the start of the Philippine Pool Tour Subic-Olongapo Open Championship. Surrounding him are the 32 players eager to get into the game. Also in the photo are Raya Sports President Yen Makabenta, Councilor Rodel Cerezo and SBMA DA for Tourism Raul Marcelo. (Photo and caption/ PAO )
PAO/chay

Gordon Trophy and $10,000 Await Subic-Olongapo Champion

The Richard Gordon Trophy for Sports Excellence and a cash prize of $10,000 await the winner of the first Subic-Olongapo Open Pool Championship which will be staged on April 21-23 at the Olongapo City Convention Center.

With 11 days to go before the tournament’s start, 48 foreign and Filipino players have already signed up for the event, which is sanctioned by the Asian Pocket Billiards Union (APBU) and organized by Raya Sports. The Olongapo City Government led by Mayor James Gordon and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority headed by Administrator Armand Arreza are jointly hosting the event.

Nineteen foreign players from East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe constitute the foreign contingent. They are led by world junior champion Pin-Yi Ko of Taiwan, Ricky Yang of Indonesia, Ibrahim Bin Amir of Malaysia, Kenji Taguchi of Japan, and Taiwan’s current No. 1, Che-Wei Fu.

The biggest delegation is from Indonesia with 10 players, followed by Taiwan with three. Japan, Malaysia and Kuwait have two players each.

There is a lone player from Norway, Timo Makela, who plays in the Euro Pool Tour and won an all-expense paid trip to Subic via a tournament in Bangkok.

On the Philippine side, 29 players have registered for the tournament so far.

The Filipino contingent will be led by world ten-ball semifinalist Demosthenes Pulpul, world juniors runner-up and 2009 Billiard Stars Search champion Jericho Banares, and Manny Pacquiao International Open champion Jeffrey De Luna..

Olongapo City will be represented by two players: Florencio Banar and Daniel de la Rosa. Banar got his spot via a wild card and as Olongapo No. 1, while de la Rosa won a qualifying tournament staged last March 29-30.

The Subic-Olongapo Open will be played in two stages. Stage 1, the elimination or qualifying round, will be played at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City on April 18 and 19. Stage 2, the main tournament consisting of 32 players, will then take place in Olongapo City on April 21-23.

A total prize fund of $30,000 is on offer in the event. Prizes are awarded up to 32nd place, which means that players who make it to Stage 2 are assured of a prize.

A side feature and bonus of the tournament is that players, officials and fans can visit the resort city and freeport of Olongapo and Subic. Subic Bay used to be the site of the biggest US naval base in the world, and it offers visitors a great mix of attractions on both land and sea. Olongapo City, for its part, is famous for its bands, city life and many tourist haunts.

Foreign cue masters to ‘invade’ RP for Subic-Olongapo Open

A host of foreign cue masters are expected to land on the Philippines when the inaugural Subic-Olongapo Pool Championship, which formally opens the 2009 Philippine Pool Tour (PTT), begins on April 20.

Among the competitors that competed in last year’s PTT were Wu Chia Ching of Chinese Taipei, current World No. 1 Ralf Soquet, world juniors champion Ko Pin Yi, and former world champion Thorsten Hohmann.

Expected to face the foreign “invaders” are Filipino national champion Marlon Manalo, World Ten-Ball contender Demosthenes “Plong Plong” Pulpul, Antonio Gabica and several others.

RayaSports.com said the Subic-Olongapo tourney, which will take place at the Olongapo City Convention Center, will feature Ten Ball.

The competition will be hosted jointly by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Olongapo City government.

Organizers said the tournament will unfold in two stages: Stage 1 – the elimination round – will take place at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City, where there will be no limits set on the number of participants.

From there, the event moves on to Stage 2 – the main tournament. The top 32 players after the qualifying and elimination round will battle it out under a double-elimination format up to the Final Four.

Thereafter, there will be a crossover semifinals, and the winners will clash for the title and champion’s purse.

A total prize fund of $30,000 is at stake with the $10,000 and a trophy going to the champion. abs-cbnNEWS.com

SCITE 2009 IN OLONGAPO

The two-day Student Conference on Information Technology Education (SCITE) 2009 was held in Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) last January 28–29, 2009.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. warmly welcomed the participants from different IT Schools in Region 3 in his address during the opening day of the said conference.

The SCITE 2009 is a yearly gathering organized by the Philippine Society of I.T.Educators of Region 3 (PSITE Region 3) and Student Society on I.T. Education (SSITE) to be a venue in the exchange of knowledge and the latest developments in technology and to encourage the students to be competitive in the area of Information Technology.

The event was attended by 1,502 delegates in the opening day with the most number of participants coming from Micro Asia College of Science and Technology of Iba, Zambales. There were 1,373 delegates in attendance the next day with Wesleyan University Philippines having the biggest delegation.

The participating schools competed in different categories namely: Reinventing the I.T. Invention, Pop Dance Competition, Website Development, Programming Competition Using Java and C#, SSITE Digital Poster Making Contest, SSITE Chapter T-Shirt Design and SCITE Quiz Bee at I.T. Documentary Film Making.

Several IT Schools from Olongapo garnered awards in the different categories. Gordon College placed 2nd in the Website Development and Programming Competition Using C# categories. Columban College topped in the Reinventing the I.T. Invention category and copped 3rd place in the SSITE Chapter T-Shirt Design and 2nd place in the SCITE Quiz Bee. Lyceum of Subic Bay got 3rd place in the SCITE Quiz Bee but snatched the top spot in the Pop Dance Competition. STI-Olongapo placed 3rd in the Programming Competition Using Java category.

The SCITE 2009 was hosted by Gordon College - College of Computer Studies for this year headed by. Erlinda S. Casela, Dean of Computer Studies of Gordon College as the Organizing Committee Chair.

PSITE Region 3 worked hand in hand with Globe Telecom, Inc., PLDT SME Nation, CAL (Computer Assisted Learning) at Cybercity Teleservices in making this event a success.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. delivers the welcome remarks during the opening day of the Student Conference on Information Technology Education (SCITE) 2009 which was held at the Olongapo City Convention Center recently.

PAO/chay

PACQUIAO VS DE LA HOYA AT OCCC!

Olongpenos will once again watch at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) the much awaited bout between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar de la Hoya on December 6 (7 in Philippine time) at the MGM Grand Las Vegas, Nevada U.S.A.

In what has become a tradition, Olongapo Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. has arranged for the free screening of the fight on Sunday December 7, 2008 at OCCC.

Pacquiao will be facing De la Hoya for the first time after Pacquiao has moved up to the welterweight class from the lightweight category.

Seventeen (17) LCD televisions and two (2) projectors will be installed at the OCCC for the screening of the fight.

“Maganda na pumila na ng maaga ang mga gustong manood para hindi sila mawalan ng upuan. Dahil sa dami ng mga manonood, limited lang ang capacity na makakapasok para makanood ng laban kaya first-come first-serve ang mangyayari,” said City Dentist Donald Vigo, who is also the coordinator for this sports program of Mayor Gordon.

“Nais ni Mayor Gordon na saksihan ng mga Olongapeno first hand ang laban na ito bilang pagsuporta na rin sa pambato ng Pilipinas,” added Vigo.

It can be recalled that more than four thousand (4,000) Olongapenos were able to watch Pacman’s previous victorious fight against the Mexican David Diaz also through the free screening at the OCCC. This is one of the many sports program of Mayor Gordon as part of his HELPS program.

PAO/Don