Manila musings

jay helfert said:
One interesting game that I played - A large board/surface with depressed rectangles, each one signifying the Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen, King or Ace. You can bet on any card you like and when all the bets are in, they throw three ping pong balls in a chute above the board with a funnel at the bottom. The balls fall out and roll around, eventually stopping on different cards. If they land on your card you get paid even money (you're actually a 2-1 underdog). People were betting from 20p to 500p a throw and the house was raking in the cheese. If the balls miss all the cards bet on, they sweep the board clean of all money.
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Any pictures of this?
 
Blue Hog ridr said:
Hmmm, sounds familiar Jay.

Scroll down a bit.

http://www.thrillarena.com/Riders1/riders1.html





The first guy that I rode for mentioned to me that I didn't need to be going that close to the Safety Cable. I told him that I wasn't that close. He said, "Yeah, take a look at your front tire".
I did, and sure enuff, there was cable marks on the tire.

The bike won't go over the top. The rider will tho. Centrifugal Force you say. Sometimes, and it hurts a bit when Newton is correct too.

BTW. I like the Jay Walking/ Stick Talking name. Very catchy.
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That's the ride all right, except over here there is no cable at the top of the barrel, just air! There is a red line about one foot from the top, as a guide for the riders to see when they are getting too close. I saw the wheels cross that line more than once!

P.S. Their barrel here is quite a bit taller.
 
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many thanks for the stories Jay. I really like reading them and you write in a way that makes it feel like we're there ! keep them rollin !
 
LIKE A BOSS!

JoeyA

jay helfert said:
Took a three hour ride to Daanbantayan, a small city on the very far north side of Cebu Island. Doubtful I will find any pool here. Beautiful beaches, warm and friendly people and a beach cottage for $23 a night. Fresh fish daily, right from these pristine waters.

Last night we went to a festival where it seemed the whole town turned out. Authentic Filipino dancing, great talent with superb singing and acting. The place/gym was jammed to the rafters with people (maybe 3,000 in a gym with a capacity of 1,000). We left there and headed to the carnival going on nearby. The place was packed with gambling booths. I guess there are suckers everywhere and the Filipinos love to gamble. One interesting game that I played - A large board/surface with depressed rectangles, each one signifying the Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen, King or Ace. You can bet on any card you like and when all the bets are in, they throw three ping pong balls in a chute above the board with a funnel at the bottom. The balls fall out and roll around, eventually stopping on different cards. If they land on your card you get paid even money (you're actually a 2-1 underdog). People were betting from 20p to 500p a throw and the house was raking in the cheese. If the balls miss all the cards bet on, they sweep the board clean of all money. Pretty sweet little game. Of course they badgered me to play, being as I was the only foreigner there (you rarely see an Anglo face in this remote locale). I bet 20p a few times and actually won 60p before quitting.
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Then we went in the Horror House ride and it was a little scary at first with guys dressed up like wild beasts jumping into your car. Scared me the first time when he dropped from the ceiling. Next was the motorcycle barrel ride, where two guys ride motorbikes around a large cylindrical drum. Centrifugal force keeps them going. It looks cool and gets a little scary when they ride along the top rim of the drum. One mistake and a bike would be launched into a crowd of spectators lining the rim. I stayed back a few feet when they did this. They were highly skilled riders, but accidents happen. We all know that.

I am using a borrowed 100cc motorbike to get around here, everyone rides these little things. The traffic is all motorbikes and trikes (bike with a sidecar used as a taxi). No large trucks and only an occasional bus up here. I have been the designated driver and often have one or two passengers behind me. Three on a bike is common here and you will see whole families (husband, wife and kids) all piled on one small motorbike. Helmets are optional and I don't wear one. I don't like riding at night though, as some drive without lights! Also people are walking on the sides of the road, seemingly impervious to the bikes rushing by (it's pitch black with no streetlights, just the stars for light). We went to visit someone last night to pick her up for Videoke (lots of these places here, they love to sing!). I parked the bike and we walked through a warren of little houses along dirt trails until we reached her house. It reminded me of walking the trails in the woods when I was a kid.

I return to Cebu in two days and will get back in action. Something about these islands makes me want to play. I will look for a kid named Anton (only 19 or 20) who has already taking down Alcano and Gomez for the cash. He's the hot youngster hustling the circuit now. I'll play him some Banks if I find him. Nothing else though! After that it's off the Gensan and the Manny Pacquiao Open. That should be fun, I may even get a job there.
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Back in Cebu City. Already got a game lined up for tonight. A guy named Anzo, kind of scared me, maybe he's really Anton. He told me Anton isn't in town now. Hustlers will lie you know. It's all right, I will know pretty quick if this guy is too strong for me. Keep you posted, I need to hit some balls.
 
Perfect Jay

jay helfert said:
Out of necessity this will be told in installments, the safest way to get it there intact.

I arrived back here a several days ago, ostensibly to visit my now five year old daughter and see her new school, which I did.
My first two days were all about reconnecting with little Jalo. She somehow knew I was coming, telling her mom "my dad will be here soon." Good girl!
Two days ago, I took a day trip to Mindoro Island, not far from Manila. I had long heard about the beauty of Puerta Galera, a little beach community there. It was two hours by bus and then a one hour boat ride on a fast skiff to the island. The skiff has a powerful motor and is like a large canoe with pontoons on each side. Let's just say it's a thrill ride!

Once ashore, you are besieged by "guides" looking to steer you around, for a price! I told them I would prefer to walk and my girl and I headed down the beach into town. Lo and behold along a string of bars and restaurants, there is a small poolroom, open in front, typical of Philippine poolrooms. Naturally I was captivated to see pool in this resort area and walked right in. I cannot resist the allure of pool, even after 50+ years in the game. There were two games in progress, Rotation on the front table and Eight Ball behind it. I could see the two guys on the front table were the "players."

With no hesitation, the winner of the game asked me if I wanted to play. I love this about the Philippines. Reminds me of another time and place in the USA, when entering a poolroom almost assuredly meant action if you so desired it. I truly LOVE when someone asks me to play. I take it as a challenge and it gets my juices flowing. Even though I had barely played in the preceding months I came prepared with my tip shaper and small scotchbrite pad. With them I can fix up a house cue and make it playable. A guy handed me a cue, a cheap two piece, that surprisingly rolled fairly straight and had a decent tip.

Now the ritual began, one I know by heart. "What game do you want to play, Eight Ball, Nine Ball, or Ten Ball?" They know that foreigners like these games. I responded that I would play Rotation since I'm in the Philippines. That got a laugh out of the crowd, who I like to win over if I can. Just makes for smoother sailing in uncharted territory if you know what I mean. My opponent asks me to play for 100p a game and I accept. Right away several others want to bet with me as well. Now I know I'm playing their best player. Cool! I will play for only 100p, since I know that I'm the underdog and have little confidence in my game right now. Plus I'm playing on a strange table with a junk cue. Nice odds huh!

In the first game he runs a bunch of little balls and by the time five balls are left I need them all. I'm looking like a big duck so far, missing both times I was at the table. Of course I hadn't got a good shot yet. He misses the eleven and leaves it open near a corner pocket. I can make this shot and I do getting funny on the twelve, which is on the side rail near the side pocket. I can play safe (no way!) or try to bank it cross side or cross corner. It sits perfect for the long cross corner bank and I just see the shot real good. I whack it at warp speed and it splits the wicket! That shot elicits a few hollers from the crowd and I'm in pool heaven, a 70 year old man who thinks he's 30 again! I love this life, I'm reliving the youth of my 20's and 30's when I never passed a poolroom.

The cue ball went up table toward the thirteen, but it was very hard to control it on a shot like this and I'm now looking at a cross side bank on the thirteen. There is zero pressure on me, I'm having way too much fun. I can see that if I can make the thirteen the last two balls are sitting good. I bomb the ball cross side so hard the cue ball bounces a foot off the table. The thirteen swishes and I'm perfect on the fourteen. I make the last two balls and win the game. The crowd loves it, cheering for me and ribbing my opponent. Only in pool can a stranger pull off a stunt like this. Playing good always wins the crowd over!

Now my opponent had his game face on and when I fail to make a ball on the break, he runs down to the eleven. Game over in one turn. This guy can play, but I expect nothing less in the PI. Game three is close and comes down to the last four balls. I'm feeling it a little and run the last three for the game, a long straight in on the fifteen to win. BOOM! The next game he puts it on me again, running out early and so we are even. I know that I'm in a bad game and we are here to vacation. So I say my good byes, pay 40p in time and walk out a hero of sorts. The rest of the day, I see guys from the poolroom that say things to me like "Hello billiard man." I tell my girl that they will always remember me in that little poolroom, even if I come back a year later. I will admit I like the recognition, more than the little money I can win. I no longer play for a livelihood, I play for the love of the game.

We pass by the poolroom on the way out of town after visiting White Beach, just one more tropical paradise in the Philippines. We had enjoyed the surf, had mango shakes first, a chocolate rum drink later and a small snack at some little bar/restaurants overlooking the water. Back to the boat and the bus and we made it back home late that night. Next time I will definitely rent a room/cabana in one of the small resorts dotting the beach area. For $20-25 a night you can leave your windows open, smell the sweet sea air and listen to the waves crash all night long. Not so bad huh.

The next day I chanced into another small poolroom right across the street from my hotel. No sign, no nothing, just three tables tucked away at the back of a food court. I would get a more serious game in here. I'll tell you about that one later today, gotta go now, someone's waiting.
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________________________________________________

I could see and hear, feel and smell it all!
What beautiful pool and great times to be had there.
Missing the Fils...
Wait until I show 'em what I filmed when I was there.
Here's a taste!

At Pan Pacific, Efren called me over to film and he started doing trick shots for me while Alex P. and Russian youth Vitaly Pavlukhin played on the middle table (mentored by Bustamante) with Busti and Ronnie Alcano playing some on the last table.
You cannot help falling in love with the Philippines when you love pool.

-CP

www.facebook.com/raisingthehustler
@raisingthehustl
#raisingthehustler
#poolordie
 
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jay helfert said:
Back in Cebu City. Already got a game lined up for tonight. A guy named Anzo, kind of scared me, maybe he's really Anton. He told me Anton isn't in town now. Hustlers will lie you know. It's all right, I will know pretty quick if this guy is too strong for me. Keep you posted, I need to hit some balls.
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Jay,

You don't have to worry about Anton, Anzo is the one that scared him out of town! :grin:

Hu
 
No game last night, a big storm came in and Kiosk Eight Ball is unprotected on three sides. Tonight is another matter. I was guided over to Playboy Billiards to see Roilen, the resident cue repair guy. He replaced my weight bolt with a smaller one. It took a while because the old bolt was frozen in place. He had to heat it to get it out. I fooled around with a bunch of young guns in there (pictures to come) and one of them played pretty sporty. His name was Neal, age 23, and he really wanted to play me. I watched him run out rack after rack on the funky old table and yes I was impressed. Everyone says that Anton is way the best, but he lives out in the provinces and only comes to town for a tournament or money game. I found out he is 18 years old and took down Alcano (and Gomez) when he was only 17. All the top players know about him, and there isn't a stream coming to see him. I imagine he will cross swords with Jeff Garcia, Lee van, Chua, Biado, Francisco or Dennis if they venture his way. I am told he will play anyone and no one is barred.

After some badgering I told Neal there is one game he can't beat me at. He seemed to like that idea and I explained 9-Ball Banks to him. Don Willis once told me that best hustle is often telling the truth. Just walk in and declare yourself as the best player. You will get a game fast that way. So Neal and I play one game for 100p to test the waters. I scratch twice and still win 5-0 (playing with a house cue!). He smiles, hands me 100 and says thanks. I like this kid, but I won't be playing him any Ten Ball or Rotation any time soon.
 
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Sorry to put you on blast Jay!
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Keep 'em coming!
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gopi-1 said:
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Sorry to put you on blast Jay!
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Keep 'em coming!
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I have to find a computer I can put my chip in. Yesterday I got caught in a rain storm and got thoroughly drenched. These storms come up fast over here, kind of like a Midwestern thunderstorm with buckets of rain coming down. I got back to my room, took off all my wet clothes and tried to get warm and dry. No good as I came down with the chills and sweats last night. I laid in bed and sweated it out for the next 18 hours. I'm feeling better now, just exhausted and drained. I have no appetite and have only drank tea and juice for the last day and a half. Pretty stupid of me to get caught outdoors like that. I could have stayed in a little alcove, but I didn't want to wait hours for it to let up, so I ran for it, about one kilometer.
 
Andam

What do you know about Leonardo Andam?
After the report of a motorbike accident, I never saw anything but rumors of his passing.
Great player.

Ed
 
Several days now with no internet. Got a One Pocket game my last night in Cebu with Dave, an ex-pat from Minnesota. He prefers One Pocket and plays a nice game. I got four games ahead and then it was late, after Midnight. I had a plane to catch in the morning for Gensan (General Santos City). We played double or nothing for the four games on his break, and he won to get even. It was a good four hour workout.

The Singles of the Manny Paquiao event is being played first due to a schedule change to accommodate Manny's schedule. The Doubles will be Sept. 10-12. The Singles are being played at the new Manny Pacquiao stadium, a beautiful facility designed for basketball. Manny is the player/coach of a new pro team here. The guy plays all sports! There are 92 players in the field, with 12K on top, 30K total purse. They make it top heavy here. It's a who's who of all the best Filipino players, including a lot of the top hustlers. Probably the greatest gathering of pool talent ever in the Philippines. I was talking with Warren last night after his victory over Lee Van, and told him I thought half the field was very strong. He looked at me and said no Jay, almost all are strong players, maybe a dozen who do not belong. Already Efren (Jundal Mazon), Francisco (Jordan Legaspi) have losses, along with Rodney, Ralf and Thorsten. Only John Morra is on the Winner's side among the foreigners. The young guns here are not intimidated by big names. I watched Johan Chua, Jeff Ignazio, Jordan and Michael Feliciano play yesterday. All GREAT players! If the top talent from the PI came to the USA, no American (save Shane) would ever win an event. Max just got bombed by Ronnie Alcano 9-3 (Ten Ball). Even the lesser players run racks with ease.

Dennis still stands alone at the top here. I watch from a distance as all the young players come to his table while he practices and pay their respect. Dennis has an air about him that no one else possesses here, a self confidence that is palpable. He is the Man to beat if you want to win.

Last night we visited a roadhouse outside of town where there were big money games in progress. Wall to wall people, many openly carrying weapons, a .45 the gun of choice. Here they shoot to kill, not to wound someone. Everyone was betting, game after game. A few guys just stared at me, a cold hard stare. I was out of place here, the only foreigner. Only the fact that I was with Dennis offered me protection. I won't be going back there anytime soon! Dennis told me that if you mouth off in a place like this, you will get killed!
 
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i have not been to that part of Mindanao yet. people carrying guns there are very common, although illegal if you dont have a permit to carry. some parts of the countryside there are occasionally disturbed due to armed conflict. most people carry firearms to protect themselves; some just to show-off. LOL
Jay, can you take a photo of the bracket standings? the updates i get from my friends are just text messages of who won against who.
 
Okay, here's the final results for the Pacquiao Singles event. It ended at Midnight last night.

1. Thorsten Hohmann $12,000. He defeated Roberto Gomez 13-12 in the finals after trailing 12-7. Roberto is always the bridesmaid!
2. Roberto Gomez $6,000
3-4. Dennis Orcollo (lost to Gomez 11-9) and Romeo Silvano (lost to Thorsten 11-8) $2,500 each
5-6. Jericho Banares (lost to Dennis 9-7) and William Millares (lost to Thorsten 9-7) $1,500 each
7-8. Johann Chua (lost to Dennis 9-7) and Antonio Lining (lost to Thorsten 9-5) $750 each

In the Winners side semis Gomez beat Millares 9-7 and Silvano beat Banares 9-6. Thorsten won something like nine matches in a row after losing in the first or second round. He played like the champion he is, on difficult equipment, equally difficult conditions and a strong pro-filipino crowd. I was most impressed with young Chua, truly a world class player. It took Dennis at his best to knock him out. I will post a picture of him on here later.

Now it's on to the big one, the Doubles with a $100,000 purse. First place is $40,000! Three teams are coming from Taiwan for this one and the field should be very strong.
 
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