The view from Manila

[AzHousePro]

Arrived in the Philippines very early this morning. Very smooth flight.

Interesting thing happened on the flight. We were all loaded on the plane waiting to take off and noticed that a lot of pictures were being taken towards the front of the plane. Turned out that the current president of the Philippines, Gloria Arroyo, was on the flight and was making the rounds through the plane to greet the Filipino passengers and have pictures taken. Was very refreshing to see her interact with the passengers and know that she was flying a commercial flight from Frisco to Manila.

The qualifiers are all taking place at Star Paper and we have not made it over there yet. We did check out the Convention Center and they are very busy getting everything set up for the main event on Sunday.

We have heard that local player Carlo Biado booked winning matches against Van Boening and Pin Yi Ko already this week. He did not win huge sums of money, but enough to make it interesting.

Was enjoying lunch here at the hotel this afternoon and experienced what appeared to be a very minor earthquake. I have personally never been in an earthquake, so it was different. The waitress didn't even seem phased by it.

Have seen a couple of the pros here. Stevie Moore is already here, as is Shaun Wilkie.

Looking forward to the main event getting started on Monday.

Mike

[gopi-1]

Thnx for the heads up Mike! http://emoticons4u.com/fingers/fing02.gi

I guess it's pushing through after all. I read somewhere that this event will be
covered by ABS-CBN and ESPNStar, I can also watch the whole tournament online for $50...

[BlowFish]

These guys are ready to RUMBLE!!!

Of course, except Bob Guerrero who will be doing all the commenting. ;)

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u26/totbenru/pipho/DSC_1026_.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u26/totbenru/pipho/DSC_1034_.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u26/totbenru/pipho/DSC_1066_.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u26/totbenru/pipho/DSC_1039_.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u26/totbenru/pipho/DSC_1042_.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u26/totbenru/pipho/DSC_1062_.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u26/totbenru/pipho/DSC_1043_.jpg

[gopi-1]

Enjoy your R&R there Blow! Stay off Maalikaya, Classmates and the like! http://emoticons4u.com/happy/1202.gif

[BlowFish]

Enjoy your R&R there Blow! Stay off Maalikaya, Classmates and the like! http://emoticons4u.com/happy/1202.gif

How can I enjoy myself then? :D

[gopi-1]

How can I enjoy myself then? :D



Just don't get caught by the missus doing this ---> http://emoticons4u.com/love/new/love-smiley-076.gif

http://emoticons4u.com/crazy/069.gif

[cyberrot]

thanks for the photos, Jhun.

I see some of my friends from the pictures as well.

Brings me back some memories when I went Manila last year.

Where is this place with the nice looking pool tables?

[BlowFish]

Marcel, Ben Tecson's place in Bangkal, Makati City. We call it "The Monastery". ;) The place for Pool Worship. :D

thanks for the photos, Jhun.

I see some of my friends from the pictures as well.

Brings me back some memories when I went Manila last year.

Where is this place with the nice looking pool tables?

[Roy Steffensen]

Carlo Biado has finished 5th, 3rd and 2nd in the 3 latest Villards Cup tournaments in the Philippines. In the field with players such as Efren, Django, Gomez, Pagulayan, Orcullo etc...

Please keep us updated about the action and the tournament!

If you have the chance, can you please see if there is a Norwegian called Tron Engebakk playing the qualifiers? I know he headed down there, but there is absolutely no information about the qualifiers...

[poolchady]

Carlo Biado has finished 5th, 3rd and 2nd in the 3 latest Villards Cup tournaments in the Philippines. In the field with players such as Efren, Django, Gomez, Pagulayan, Orcullo etc...

Please keep us updated about the action and the tournament!

If you have the chance, can you please see if there is a Norwegian called Tron Engebakk playing the qualifiers? I know he headed down there, but there is absolutely no information about the qualifiers...

The qualifiers was finished.

Q1 Chang Pei-Wei (TPE)
Q2 Chang Yu-Lung (TPE)
Q3 Arnel Bautista (PHI)
Q4 Wang Kuo-Pin (TPE)
Q5 Lai Chia-Hsiung (TPE)
Q6 Fu Che-Wei (TPE)
Q7 Demosthenes Pulpul (PHI)
Q8 Chen Ying-Chieh (TPE)
Q9 Florencio Banar (PHI)
Q10 Kuo Po-Cheng (TPE)

7 Taiwanese and 3 Phillippinos.

[pooladdict]

Those shorts that Mika wear looks exactly similar to the shorts my GF bought me. I still have them hidden away, never used them:wink:

Where is OMGWTF when you really need her?

[BrandyWine]

Almost 6:00 a.m. in Manila, Philippines...

Wake up...:)
:cool:

[Barry Doc]

Whats happening over there guys ?

[JoeyA]

Almost 6:00 a.m. in Manila, Philippines...

Wake up...:)
:cool:

Really!

Don't Mike and Jerry realize that a entire forum of billiard enthusiasts are awaiting some of their interviews and reports. :)

Hmmmph,

JoeyA

[JoeyA]

For some of us here in the U.S., I hope Mike and Jerry decide to get us some realtime information on players from other countries who we might not be familiar with. Gambling, tournament and personal info about the players.

We are waiting. :smile: I got up at 4:00 am just to read one of their reports and what do I get, BrandWine, saying Jerry looks good in his AZ Billiards blue shirt. :D
JoeyA

[gopi-1]

You can check out the results here Joey ---> http://www.wpa-tour.com/

ESPN Asia will air the WTBC everyday, from 3 pm to 6:30 om Manila time, or 12 am - 3:30 am Pacific, 3 am - 6:30 am Eastern, or 1 am - 4:30 am Mountain time.

[BrandyWine]

Last news I got was they were having computer issues. The cell phones don't work so they speak to me through the computer so I've had no contact except emails and I haven't even gotten any for quite awhile. Soon as I know they have posted somewhere I'll let you know or they will post it (more than likely) on Main thread and Tournament Talk. Sorry for the inconveniences.
I am anxious also.
:cool:

For some of us here in the U.S., I hope Mike and Jerry decide to get us some realtime information on players from other countries who we might not be familiar with. Gambling, tournament and personal info about the players.

We are waiting. :smile: I got up at 4:00 am just to read one of their reports and what do I get, BrandWine, saying Jerry looks good in his AZ Billiards blue shirt. :D
JoeyA