Taiwan or Philippines?

[Renegade]

I heard somewhere that Marcus Chamat played in some tournament in the Philippines last year. Does anyone out there know how he did, and if it improved his game?

I also heard that Fabio Petroni went to the Philippines a couple years back to learn from the players there. Did it help his game?

If one were to go to train, where should one go, the Philippines or Taipei? I'd think the Phils. would be a better choice since they speak English there, but in terms of learning, where could one learn the most?

 

[CebuanoNiNoy]

I heard somewhere that Marcus Chamat played in some tournament in the Philippines last year. Does anyone out there know how he did, and if it improved his game?

I also heard that Fabio Petroni went to the Philippines a couple years back to learn from the players there. Did it help his game?

If one were to go to train, where should one go, the Philippines or Taipei? I'd think the Phils. would be a better choice since they speak English there, but in terms of learning, where could one learn the most?

I saw Chamat here on TV playing with Filipinos in a group competition
dubbed as Corporate Billiard League. They are sponsored by different
popular companies here in the Philippines but they group themselves
as a team. It is much like Moscuni Cup but it has more than 2 teams.
And i think Chamat is more than a year playing here already. I didnt
see him in person to be honest but i often see him on TV competitions.
He even has a small role i heard when Efren shoot a film here in the
Philippines with his film idol here called 'Pakner' (slang here for
Partner). And i once saw him being interviewed watching a movie
in one of the Manila theater showing an Asian type of horror movie.
As if it improves his game. I think yes, bcoz i saw a different Chamat
when he played the Mosconi and what i heard when he plays
tournament there in the US he is doing pretty well and of course his recent showing in the WPC going up to Semi-Finals. And of top of that beating
Marlon Manalo bcoz i think he is more than familiar with the game
of Filipino players here.

And of course many of you know already that Mikka played here before too,
in fact he owns a Bar here with Billiard tables in posh Makati City.
But of course he is now the U.S.

As for Fabio Petroni i didnt saw him, but maybe guys from
Manila (bcoz i am from different island, that is, Cebu City
where Warren Kiamco and Antonio Gabica came from)
could give input here.

Hope this helps.

 

[mika888]

I heard somewhere that Marcus Chamat played in some tournament in the Philippines last year. Does anyone out there know how he did, and if it improved his game?

I also heard that Fabio Petroni went to the Philippines a couple years back to learn from the players there. Did it help his game?

If one were to go to train, where should one go, the Philippines or Taipei? I'd think the Phils. would be a better choice since they speak English there, but in terms of learning, where could one learn the most?

I suggest the Philippines. Why?
1.Speaks english.
2.Cost of learning is cheaper.
3.Lots of action. You can watch every night action matches with the likes of Django, Orcullo, Luat, etc.

 

[hadjcues]

i'VE seen Chamat, Petroni, Mika play pool here prior to big pool tournaments maybe to hine their games.

Taiwanese players have improved a lot based on the last WPC but they're very mechanical in my opinion.

It would be good to train here in the Philippines too where poolhalls abound in every corner.

 

[buddha162]

I'd say the Philipines as well. They are (generally) a more accepting people, nicer and warmer to foreigners than the Chinese are. And if you can't speak Mandarin or Taiwanese, you might as well train in Poland.

However, if you can somehow get on the pro tour in Taiwan, I'd say that's the best training you can get. You would play TV matches (live!) 2x a week...

-Roger

 

[Hoyo]

As I know many other asian players from Korea, Singapore, Japan and Malaysia learn pool in Taiwan. But pool in Taiwan is too over-competitive to frustrate many good players, and it's why their most players are younger than other countries. If you don't have strong willpower and can't adapt yourself to the taiwanese culture, I think the Philippines will be beeter than Taiwan.

 

[bandido]

I've seen so many foreign players come here to hone their games and this includes Yang and Chao who played at Rack N Roll. Chamat, Fabio and Juva stayed here for quite a length of time and are somewhat considered as one of the guys. And comparing their games when they just got here to their recent WPC performance, I'd say that it helped them a lot. Markus used to be beaten with a spot by low 3rd level players (1st level are Efren and Django, 2nd level are Corteza, Luat, Nikoy, Andam, Kiamco, Orcullo, Gallego, Alcano ...., 3rd are the likes of Acaba, Valle, Villanueva, Tanio, del Rosario, Perez, Dacer, Esquillo...) but now plays awesome. Pagulayan spends half of a year here too. It's the cheapest place to sharpen your skills by being able to play against quality players in close proximity, no need for a road tour. Best of all, people here speak english (even the least educated can speak english, broken but comprehendable) due to the country being under the American rule for 40 years and are very hospitable to guests.

The "precision" pool that you say that can be learned in Taipei can be learned from books and videos available in your nearest billiard supply store but unusual game strategies and match management for unusual game situations can be learned from Filipinos because of their artistic flair.

 

[bandido]

Just a suggestion and I'm assuming that you're not a touring pro. Why not avail yourself first of the services of a BCA certified instructor, study match videos and strengthen your fundamentals. The Philippines is not the place to "straighten your stroke", here you'll learn how to quickly adjust to:
1) different playing styles-due to number of players lining up to play you.
2) different playing conditions (big difference just in the same poolhall but different floor)-humidity in the area where you're at and who are expected to play in the area. The tables are comparable to the ones you have if big money matches are expected to be played in that area but the humidity can get high with all the railbirds. A variety of cloth and rail cushions can really teach you how to recognize a table's playing characteristic real quick.
3) dealing with never ending distractions-but will teach you how to block out everything and focus on the task at hand.

Coming here to sharpen your skills is just 1 reason and it won't be long 'til you find out the other reasons.

 

[buddha162]

I've seen so many foreign players come here to hone their games and this includes Yang and Chao who played at Rack N Roll.

I'm sure Yang and Chao played at various pool halls in the Philipines, but they never translplanted themselves to master the game. Their talent on the table are 100% home-grown, from Kaoshong City in southern Taiwan.

I've seen Busta and Reyes in PH's around Taipei, it doesn't mean they've arrived in Taiwan seeking anything more than a good gamble or two (after a tournament).

The "precision" pool that you say that can be learned in Taipei can be learned from books and videos available in your nearest billiard supply store but unusual game strategies and match management for unusual game situations can be learned from Filipinos because of their artistic flair

What a statement!

-Roger

 

[Williebetmore]

A year or two ago, Time magazine reported that the country with the highest rate of kidnappings of foreign visitors was the Philippines. Do the kidnappers also provide instruction (might be worth it if you end up playing like Efren)?

 

[CebuanoNiNoy]

A year or two ago, Time magazine reported that the country with the highest rate of kidnappings of foreign visitors was the Philippines. Do the kidnappers also provide instruction (might be worth it if you end up playing like Efren)?

Just recently our country got the lowest rate of kidnappings for the last decade because the president appointed a Kidnapping Buster in the
person of Gen. Angelo Reyes. And the kidnappings of foreigners mostly
happen on remote islands of Mindanao (but it does not necessarily
mean that there is no kidnapping in Luzon and Visayas as much as
their is no kidnapping in Los Angeles or UK etc.).

And so if ur looking for action coming to Manila and playing with
Efren or Bustamante or the like i can safely tell you that you are
safe as far as kidnapping is concern. But one i thing i could assure
you, your money will be kidnapped by a lot of players lining up
to play with you for money games. That's for sure.

 

[bandido]

I'm sure Yang and Chao played at various pool halls in the Philipines, but they never translplanted themselves to master the game. Their talent on the table are 100% home-grown, from Kaoshong City in southern Taiwan.

I've seen Busta and Reyes in PH's around Taipei, it doesn't mean they've arrived in Taiwan seeking anything more than a good gamble or two (after a tournament).

After the tournament is the key phrase there. Definitely Yang and Chao's talent are 100% home-grown but my "suspicion" as the reason for being here 2-3 months before WPC is their awareness of the Filipinos being the players to take notice of. You know what I mean. They won't find out in 2 weeks why the Filipino plays the way they do because it's a style and game approach developed by the pool culture here. There are only 3 or 4 instructors here who teach regularly but the lessons can all be learned from books, videos and other instructors from other parts of the world. It's what you'll pick up from the whole pool environment here that's unique. The "moves" are a product of "need" brought about by the environment (equipment, people, economics and culture).

What a statement!

-Roger

That statement is based on the fact that the "pool culture/environment" here is so much different than in any other part of the world. In Taipei, training is supported by the government unlike here where survival fuels the hunger to excel.
Edwin Reyes

 

[bandido]

A year or two ago, Time magazine reported that the country with the highest rate of kidnappings of foreign visitors was the Philippines. Do the kidnappers also provide instruction (might be worth it if you end up playing like Efren)?

The Philippines is such a small country (smaller than California in land area) so anything that happens here is big news. If the same thing happens in a much bigger country it'll probably just end up in one of the inside pages of the newspaper.
Edwin Reyes

 

[Williebetmore]

Just recently our country got the lowest rate of kidnappings for the last decade because the president appointed a Kidnapping Buster in the
person of Gen. Angelo Reyes. And the kidnappings of foreigners mostly
happen on remote islands of Mindanao (but it does not necessarily
mean that there is no kidnapping in Luzon and Visayas as much as
their is no kidnapping in Los Angeles or UK etc.).

And so if ur looking for action coming to Manila and playing with
Efren or Bustamante or the like i can safely tell you that you are
safe as far as kidnapping is concern. But one i thing i could assure
you, your money will be kidnapped by a lot of players lining up
to play with you for money games. That's for sure.

C.N.,
Thanks for the info. No disrespect was intended. The kidnapping, though, has been a real concern for some time. My wife and I have been thinking of visiting the Philippines for quite a while (hopefully next year or the year after). I would hope to get in some pool and some Arnis instruction. Once we finalize plans I'm sure I will be asking for advice on the local conditions (pool and otherwise).

I appreciate the advice about the "kidnapping" of my wallet - I wouldn't have expected anything else (though I try not to give anything away, the local hustlers will have to earn it).

I always appreciate the feedback from your part of the world. Its amazing how the internet can bring together people from so far away, when they have common interests.

 

[CebuanoNiNoy]

C.N.,
Thanks for the info. No disrespect was intended. The kidnapping, though, has been a real concern for some time. My wife and I have been thinking of visiting the Philippines for quite a while (hopefully next year or the year after). I would hope to get in some pool and some Arnis instruction. Once we finalize plans I'm sure I will be asking for advice on the local conditions (pool and otherwise).

I appreciate the advice about the "kidnapping" of my wallet - I wouldn't have expected anything else (though I try not to give anything away, the local hustlers will have to earn it).

I always appreciate the feedback from your part of the world. Its amazing how the internet can bring together people from so far away, when they have common interests.

Yap i believe you have let them (local hustlers) earn it.
By the way so ur interested also in arnis? Do you know that
i came from the island wherein the considered guru of the pinoy
martial arts of arnis came from my island of Cebu, who's name is
Cacoy Cañete. In fact just recently the 8th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation Championships was held here in one of the malls here.
If you want to know more here is their website.
http://www.wekaf.net/main1.htm
Actually a lot of foreigners from all over the world came over here in
Cebu just to train with the masters here.
So if you like arnis and the beach you come in the right place on
this island of Cebu. We are known for fine beaches also and resort
from all over the world. Efren, Bustamante and likes plays in Manila
though, so if you want to see the action there you could stay awhile
in Manila before coming to Cebu.
But you can still play quality pools in here,
there are still a lot of good players around
especially if you come to the very heart of the city of Cebu.
In fact players like Warren Kiamco and Antonio Gabica come
from here.

Just a little info for you sir.

 

[TheOne]

Hi, i am also planning on spending a month or two travelling and playing pool at the end of this year after I quit my job. Austrlalia sucks for pool, especially 9 ball so I'm off back to the UK or the states. However I planning on spending a month or so in the Phillipines and would like some advise on where the best pool halls are and any suggested itineries. Obviously I would luv to practice with the great one himself Mr reyes (I'm sure I could teach him a few things! ) or some of the other top players. Any help appreciated.

 

[bandido]

Hi, i am also planning on spending a month or two travelling and playing pool at the end of this year after I quit my job. Austrlalia sucks for pool, especially 9 ball so I'm off back to the UK or the states. However I planning on spending a month or so in the Phillipines and would like some advise on where the best pool halls are and any suggested itineries. Obviously I would luv to practice with the great one himself Mr reyes (I'm sure I could teach him a few things! ) or some of the other top players. Any help appreciated.

Ok, just give me a call when you're close to flying over. I'll help you plan your stay here. Things like finding affordable accomodations, places to eat, places where you need to have heightened awareness or just totally avoid, how to get around and best times to commute, where the action is and even get one of the players to act as a big brother/road partner to you. But the very first thing for you to do when you get here is get a mobile phone so that you can contact me 24/7, specially when you're lost.
Edwin Reyes

 

[TheOne]

Hi Edwin, thanks for the offer Edwin, I would appreciate any help esp from a local. I simply can't wait to quit my job and hang out in a local pool hall in Manilla shooting 9 ball all day. Coming from a snooker/8 ball background I am desperate to learn as much about 9 ball as possible-for my money that means the Phillipines!

I will definately be leaving before December and with a bit of luck possibly Oct.

 

[bandido]

Hi Edwin, thanks for the offer Edwin, I would appreciate any help esp from a local. I simply can't wait to quit my job and hang out in a local pool hall in Manilla shooting 9 ball all day. Coming from a snooker/8 ball background I am desperate to learn as much about 9 ball as possible-for my money that means the Phillipines!

I will definately be leaving before December and with a bit of luck possibly Oct.

Snooker to 9-ball ey, I'll try and hook you up with Marlon Manalo or DeoMark. They both were in the Philippine National team for snooker but are now concentrating in 9-balls. Marlon is the guy who beat Yang, Busty then Efren in the recent WPC while DeoMark is an up and coming. DeoMark is still in college while Marlon is a college grad and now owns his own poolhall. What I'm getting at is that you won't have trouble conversing with these gentlemen and getting along as you share the same background and interests.

October? Hopefully late October is best as I'll be in the States (USA) from late September to Mid-Oct. Cheers!

 

[LastTwo]

i'VE seen Chamat, Petroni, Mika play pool here prior to big pool tournaments maybe to hine their games.

Taiwanese players have improved a lot based on the last WPC but they're very mechanical in my opinion.

It would be good to train here in the Philippines too where poolhalls abound in every corner.

Nothing wrong with being mechanical, as Yang just drilled Bustamante in a big money match during the WPC. They are both at the opposite poles of pool, mechanics-wise.