Cecile Alvarez and I had fun recently interviewing Yen Makabenta, president of Prism Communications, and Neny Regino, its media director, on the recent Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines, which Yen chaired. I wouldn’t know what ball to hit in a billiards game, but I certainly see its enormous potential as a tourism event in Manila, which is now known as the pool capital of the world.
To my query about new Filipino champ Ronato Alcano, Yen said Alcano was not an overnight sensation: H was Rookie of the Year in 2004 and finished fourth in last August’s championship won by Alex Pagulayan.
Yen noted that Alcano won a lot of points during the championship for his mental poise and brilliance of play. Yen also noted that the major billiard-playing countries have their own styles: The United States is known for its power game; Europe is very technical; the Philippines predictably has a soft and graceful touch.
Yen said the championship here drew 42 participating countries, including 10 from the Middle East. China, France, Brunei and Qatar played here for the first time, while South Africa sent two players this time. Interestingly, India hired a Filipino coach to train its players there.
About 20 top Filipino billiard players now work abroad as coaches, a new category of brilliant overseas Filipino workers altogether. More on this sport.
To my query about new Filipino champ Ronato Alcano, Yen said Alcano was not an overnight sensation: H was Rookie of the Year in 2004 and finished fourth in last August’s championship won by Alex Pagulayan.
Yen noted that Alcano won a lot of points during the championship for his mental poise and brilliance of play. Yen also noted that the major billiard-playing countries have their own styles: The United States is known for its power game; Europe is very technical; the Philippines predictably has a soft and graceful touch.
Yen said the championship here drew 42 participating countries, including 10 from the Middle East. China, France, Brunei and Qatar played here for the first time, while South Africa sent two players this time. Interestingly, India hired a Filipino coach to train its players there.
About 20 top Filipino billiard players now work abroad as coaches, a new category of brilliant overseas Filipino workers altogether. More on this sport.