Reports from Philippines
- Thread starter Roy Steffensen
- Start date
Great reports Chris!
Got a text from Chris earlier, saying that Luat and Gallego is in the final. Haven't heard who won yet...
Got a text from Chris earlier, saying that Luat and Gallego is in the final. Haven't heard who won yet...
can the audience place bets with each others before every rack like how they do in typical pool halls in Manila?
So the tournament ended in a very nice fashion, with my early bet Gallego making it to the finals. However, it was nice to see Luat win again.
The checks were prsented by Senator Manny Villar, quite possible the next president in the Phillippines. Thats a strong support for the BMPAP people!
Oh, by the way, the checks are good, all the players got paid. Aint that something in the world of pool!
This week I believe the action will dry somewhat out at PPT in Manila. 8 of the big guns are going to Japan Open. You can still find action, no problem, but matches between the big names will have to wait.
I will hit some beach this week, so no reports for a while
The checks were prsented by Senator Manny Villar, quite possible the next president in the Phillippines. Thats a strong support for the BMPAP people!
Oh, by the way, the checks are good, all the players got paid. Aint that something in the world of pool!
This week I believe the action will dry somewhat out at PPT in Manila. 8 of the big guns are going to Japan Open. You can still find action, no problem, but matches between the big names will have to wait.
I will hit some beach this week, so no reports for a while
Tournament looked great - especially with all the extra activities - only thing I noticed that doesn't sit well with me personally is the uniforms. I can't stand events that make the players wear the same shirts. Takes away their individuality in my opinion. Other than that - JAM UP and thanks for the reporting!!!
JB Cases said:
I agree about the shirts. But that only proves that the pros in the Philippines have submitted themselves into their organization and are willing to do what professionals have to. They are one package that can easily be sold to sponsors and only they benefit from it. If wearing that shirt makes the sponsor(s) happy without degrading the player, then so be it like the black and white of snooker.
Here in the Philippines, like in any democracy, there will always be politicians who will otherwise spend their campaign funds on media, concerts, and all those election carnival events. Why not have the pool players take advantage of this seasonal windfall. In this tournament, we have a symbiotic relationship with Senator Villar who is running for president next year. So far, he has provided considerable prize money in a handful of tournaments. The shirt is his motif.
But think about it... when Puyat alone had Efren, Django, Luat and Andam, yes they had following but it had to take a concerted effort in bringing players together to take pool to where it is now in the country. Those stars are now ingredients of a whole package.
One-time tournaments are good, but a comprehensive program for the players is what will push the sport up. And it is definitely NOT a discipline in pool like 10-Ball or 9-Ball that will promote the game. Those are mere niche marketing strategies for profit. And one timers are very vulnerable to uncertainty.
Pool up your poolers for player power!
Manny Villar's color is orange?
So when someone sees orange they think of Villar?
We'll have to disagree about the players being treated like common performers by being told to wear the same thing.
In snooker the players are asked to wear a vest and dress clothes but they don't all have to wear the same outfit. Some wear white shirts and some wear black and others wear pink. Some vests are black, others are colorful, some are adorned with sponsor logos.
I don't like the Challenge of Champion events nor the Guiness tour's dress codes for this reason.
I don't have a problem with the players being asked to display the main sponsor's logo in some way. But to make them wear a shirt that takes away their individuality is demeaning and I wouldn't stand for it. (well I probably would if I had no other choice to make money)
Anyway it looks like they don't care so why should I. They had a fun week surrounded by adoring fans and everyone got paid promptly. And they all got some new shirts out of it.
Wish I had been there - I'd have worn Manny's Orange Shirt for free - hell I probably would have paid for one.
John
So when someone sees orange they think of Villar?
We'll have to disagree about the players being treated like common performers by being told to wear the same thing.
In snooker the players are asked to wear a vest and dress clothes but they don't all have to wear the same outfit. Some wear white shirts and some wear black and others wear pink. Some vests are black, others are colorful, some are adorned with sponsor logos.
I don't like the Challenge of Champion events nor the Guiness tour's dress codes for this reason.
I don't have a problem with the players being asked to display the main sponsor's logo in some way. But to make them wear a shirt that takes away their individuality is demeaning and I wouldn't stand for it. (well I probably would if I had no other choice to make money)
Anyway it looks like they don't care so why should I. They had a fun week surrounded by adoring fans and everyone got paid promptly. And they all got some new shirts out of it.
Wish I had been there - I'd have worn Manny's Orange Shirt for free - hell I probably would have paid for one.
John
JB Cases said:Manny Villar's color is orange?
So when someone sees orange they think of Villar?
We'll have to disagree about the players being treated like common performers by being told to wear the same thing.
In snooker the players are asked to wear a vest and dress clothes but they don't all have to wear the same outfit. Some wear white shirts and some wear black and others wear pink. Some vests are black, others are colorful, some are adorned with sponsor logos.
I don't like the Challenge of Champion events nor the Guiness tour's dress codes for this reason.
I don't have a problem with the players being asked to display the main sponsor's logo in some way. But to make them wear a shirt that takes away their individuality is demeaning and I wouldn't stand for it. (well I probably would if I had no other choice to make money)
Anyway it looks like they don't care so why should I. They had a fun week surrounded by adoring fans and everyone got paid promptly. And they all got some new shirts out of it.
Wish I had been there - I'd have worn Manny's Orange Shirt for free - hell I probably would have paid for one.
John
Yes Villar's color is orange. He will be running for President in 2010. He wants everyone to associate that color with him. His Billiard tour is a way of campaigning early and by having the stars in his colors he shows the people that the billiard stars all support him.
In Philippine politics its quiet common/normal for politicians to seek endorsements from celebrities in order to get votes especially in the provinces and here in the Philippines Pool players are considered big celebrities.
I agree it is kind of weird having them in uniform but he is doing this for his campaign..at least everyone gets paid and attendance is good
Only in the Phillipines does a presidential candiate want to use pool players to give his campaign support. Love it!!!!That's awesome! More power to the ORANGE. Viva La Orangina!!!!
Orange we can!
Can I give Manny the Orange Crush playing pool or is he as good a player as he is a politician?
JB Cases said:
That's awesome! More power to the ORANGE. Viva La Orangina!!!!
Orange we can!
Can I give Manny the Orange Crush playing pool or is he as good a player as he is a politician?
If you give him the orange crush you'll be in trouble because somebody's gonna proxy for him.
It's a stroke of genius that he got hooked-up with pool here as its real good for his name recognition. Villar=Bilyar which is tabalog for Pool/Billiards. He even named the tour VILLARDS. Just shows how important the community is to him. He even promised to build a private pool room for us at the Palace when he gets to be President.
I'm sure that he'll love the orange text in your sig. Thanks for the support.
oh, we finally arrived. Spent a day on Boracay already, four more to go. Then we move back to Manila in order to watch Team Philippines vs Team World - though I've just noticed the thread that WPA is going to ban the players who's going to participate. I haven't read the thread yet and don't know if it is that serious or not but whatever happens it's great being here.
First thing we did after we checked in a hotel was paying a visit to One Side. It was past 5 pm and imagine noone was there! How different it was compared to the time during WPC... Only late in the evening like 10 to 11 pm some action started to roll. Of course all big guns are out for Japan Open but still not many of them play in OneSide now.
Also checked Players' Den, poker tables are everywhere, even 3rd floor (may be just the sign of an upcoming big poker tournament). My friends even played some poker and one of them left with profit
Will try to post more when time comes, also will provide my local number (got the sim card, didn't install yet) so that you could drop me an sms if you are here.
First thing we did after we checked in a hotel was paying a visit to One Side. It was past 5 pm and imagine noone was there! How different it was compared to the time during WPC... Only late in the evening like 10 to 11 pm some action started to roll. Of course all big guns are out for Japan Open but still not many of them play in OneSide now.
Also checked Players' Den, poker tables are everywhere, even 3rd floor (may be just the sign of an upcoming big poker tournament). My friends even played some poker and one of them left with profit
Will try to post more when time comes, also will provide my local number (got the sim card, didn't install yet) so that you could drop me an sms if you are here.
One Side being empty was my experience also from my last visit, since there was a big tournament in Qatar. When the top-players aren't at One Side, all the other players go to cheaper pool halls to play and do sidebets.
As soon as the top guns are back, I believe more action will happen at One Side.
As soon as the top guns are back, I believe more action will happen at One Side.