Joven Bustamante
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They are not related (maybe distant relatives, as most of the case back in the Philippines).
He works in that area of the world and same thing for Elvis Calasang. Joyvie Tolentino the other worker in that area, I heard, is coaching the UAE team.
He works in that area of the world and same thing for Elvis Calasang. Joyvie Tolentino the other worker in that area, I heard, is coaching the UAE team.
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The single largest natural resource that brings foreign money into the Philippines is the migrant worker population. There is a huge Filipino community in almost any country worldwide, and the majority of them are migrant workers that work on 3-6 month contractual basis. Most of the money is sent home to support immediate family and relatives. Among these numbers of migrant workers, there are always a good number of pool players that tear up the locals in the particular country in question. Many of these players are short stop quality, with a few actually playing international level. However, they are not pro players, and according to many of them, "players that can play like me are a dime a dozen back home."
Here in Japan, when they're here, the larger amateur tournaments with good money are almost always dominated by Filipino players that live here on a semi-permanent basis. Lando Reyes is a nephew of Efren. He lives here in Japan with his sister for several months of the year. Plays just below short stop, and is the ONLY Filipino player I have ever seen to actually get nervous and actually 'choke' a game ball for big money. (also, the only Filipino player that I've ever beaten for money)
"Dondon" is a regular here in Japan who not only wins every amateur event he enters, but usually does pretty well in the open pro events. Lost to Reyes in the finals of the Japan Open last year.
And most recently, Rudy Morta who has been the most permanent resident here in Japan among the others has in the past two years sprouted into the most feared Filipino player in Japan. Last year during the Tokyo 9-Ball, he took close to $3,000 from Antonio Lining in a set match. He had a spot, but I heard he won easily without having to use any of his spot. I also noticed that he won one of the qualifiers for the most recently held World Championships held in Manila. I seem to remember that he got fairly deep into the final stages too.
This is just here in Japan, and the players that I've mentioned are only a small number of the many Filipino players that live in foreign countries as migrant workers, and although many of them can play with the worlds best, most of them will remain unknown forever simply because they just don't have the opportunity to travel around the world to play pool.
Dave
Here in Japan, when they're here, the larger amateur tournaments with good money are almost always dominated by Filipino players that live here on a semi-permanent basis. Lando Reyes is a nephew of Efren. He lives here in Japan with his sister for several months of the year. Plays just below short stop, and is the ONLY Filipino player I have ever seen to actually get nervous and actually 'choke' a game ball for big money. (also, the only Filipino player that I've ever beaten for money)
"Dondon" is a regular here in Japan who not only wins every amateur event he enters, but usually does pretty well in the open pro events. Lost to Reyes in the finals of the Japan Open last year.
And most recently, Rudy Morta who has been the most permanent resident here in Japan among the others has in the past two years sprouted into the most feared Filipino player in Japan. Last year during the Tokyo 9-Ball, he took close to $3,000 from Antonio Lining in a set match. He had a spot, but I heard he won easily without having to use any of his spot. I also noticed that he won one of the qualifiers for the most recently held World Championships held in Manila. I seem to remember that he got fairly deep into the final stages too.
This is just here in Japan, and the players that I've mentioned are only a small number of the many Filipino players that live in foreign countries as migrant workers, and although many of them can play with the worlds best, most of them will remain unknown forever simply because they just don't have the opportunity to travel around the world to play pool.
Dave
That is so true TD.
There are many good players around, but what they came for is to work for their family and extended, extended families. To give them a much better life. Last time I saw, US$ remittance figure is about 15% of GDP. There are about 4Mil Filipino Overseas Workers and that doesn't include the residents and the undocumented.
The ones that are hired to be House Pros, are the ones that remain sharp or get better. I think they are around Japan too.
I for one am an OFW 18yrs ago. I'm a resident now, but still working my ass-off. Just a weekend warrior now on the green felt, if given the opportunity. I just have different priorities in life besides pool, since I started to work. Before that, it was a totally different story.
There are many good players around, but what they came for is to work for their family and extended, extended families. To give them a much better life. Last time I saw, US$ remittance figure is about 15% of GDP. There are about 4Mil Filipino Overseas Workers and that doesn't include the residents and the undocumented.
The ones that are hired to be House Pros, are the ones that remain sharp or get better. I think they are around Japan too.
I for one am an OFW 18yrs ago. I'm a resident now, but still working my ass-off. Just a weekend warrior now on the green felt, if given the opportunity. I just have different priorities in life besides pool, since I started to work. Before that, it was a totally different story.
I think its just awesome that a tiny country like the Phillipines has so many pool champions. It really stirs the old root for the underdog, David and Goliath feelings that a very small population can dominate larger and much wealthier countries at something so universal as pool.
Provided they can stay safe, I would imagine the best thing a young pool player in the USA can do to improve his game, would be to move to the Phillipines and play. They would need a good sized bankroll, but man, when they came back from there they would just ROB everyone they use to play back on Main Street USA.
Provided they can stay safe, I would imagine the best thing a young pool player in the USA can do to improve his game, would be to move to the Phillipines and play. They would need a good sized bankroll, but man, when they came back from there they would just ROB everyone they use to play back on Main Street USA.
uwate said:
Marcus Chamat stayed a long time in the Philippines. Even married a Filipina from what I have read. When he came back, his game was much improved. Also, Mika Immonen, spent a lot of time in the Philippines and even owned a night club there for a while. Of course, you have to have a lot of money in order to improve your game. Think of it as a 'tuition fee' for your pool education.
that was on my "TO DO" list if I'd won last Tuesday's megamillions!uwate said:
f210 said:
You don't really have to have a lot of money in order to stay in the Philippines to learn pool. Our dollar goes a long way in the P.I. As long as you are not a "fish", your money will last a long while and you will learn and improve your game. Fabio and a couple of German players have been staying there these last couple of years.
Marcus learned all the "nuances of reading the other guy's game" by playing in a lot of disreputable pool halls in the Philippines; that's why his game has gone up dramatically. You don't play Efren and win if you don't have game!!
uwate said:
Johnny Archer knows a good place to learn pool in the P.I. though some of us might not know this, years ago, Johnny used to travel a lot to the P.I. to hone his skills in pool. of course, he keeps a low profile whenever he's around.
No disrespect, but the Philippines is hardly a tiny country. The population is over 100 million, roughly a third of the USA, comprised of approximately 7,641 islands.
He lives and works in the Phoenix area. He is my regular scotch doubles partner in the local tournaments.
15 yr old thread, he probably wont take offense, he might not even be playing pool anymore
Now I know I need some serious weight
I’ll be in Phoenix this weekend but I have Tres and Frank da Barber booked.
What are you doing Saturday evening?
I think I'm free. Where are you playing?Now I know I need some serious weight
I’ll be in Phoenix this weekend but I have Tres and Frank da Barber booked.
What are you doing Saturday evening?
One more thing about Joven since he is getting some publicity... Joven is one of the nicest guys you can meet. Very friendly to everyone at the pool rooms. Most of the local players only know him as the "really good pool player", and not as the guy beating Wu, Orcullo, an Biado back in the day. He and I regularly match up playing cheap sets of 10-ball for practice. I hope he continues traveling to big events and gets back into his old form!
Go on youtube and search for some of his older matches. Good stuff.
Go on youtube and search for some of his older matches. Good stuff.
I’ll be at BullShooters
I talked with him for awhile in August at the HEX.com tournament in MN. Really nice guy and easy going.