What makes the Filipinos SO STRONG!

[teedotaj]

Pool is to Filipinos as Hockey is to Canadians or Football is to Brazillians.

I'd like to say sure it's the heart and desire and the hunger stuff but that's all romantic and overhyped. The truth is, the game over there HAS become part of the culture.

In North America, kids discover pool by accident. They enter in a pool hall in a boring saturday night because they have nothing else to do and they end up failling in love with the game.

In the Philippines, kids don't go to pool halls because it is something to do in a long boring day. They play pool because that's what the older kids do. In the process they play with other kids who they end up gambling with.
In North America, kids play video games for fun. Over there in the Philippines, kids hangout on the streets to play pool.

My point is, over there, they all seem to be naturally talented at the game because they grew up with it. They don't worry about backhand english/pendulum stroke/ etc and everything else that makes the game so artificial. They learn by immitating other players both young, old, good players and bad (I.E Efren)

You can't say the same for pool in N. America. Pool is not part of the North American culture. Instead, people need to be in the Pool Culture to be any good.

 

[blueridge]

All good answers here, from people who KNOW! I think it is a combination of factors that all come into play.

1. They grow up on Rotation, a much more difficult game than 9-Ball. They develop skills that make 9-Ball seem a relatively easy game.

2. Often they come from impoverished backgrounds, with little chance for success in life, other than being a pool player or a fighter. Without a college education in the Philippines, you are relegated to a very low paying job. And only a select few have the means to get a college education.

3. Individual incomes are very low over there. An average job may pay $45-60 a week, and that's for a 60 hour work week! To have an opportunity to come over here (or anywhere in Asia) and earn many thousands of dollars is a blessing to them. $10,000 US is a small fortune in the Philippines.

4. They hone their skills in an environment where money games are the norm. The filipino players are constantly in action, battling each other for supremacy. Even the top players continually match up against each other. They don't sit around chatting all day in the poolroom, or partaking other hobbies (other than some poker by the more successful players).

5. And yet when they travel abroad, they all stick together and support each other. They know that the success of one is the success of all. If money is won by one player, it will be put in action as soon as they return home to the PI.

6. Efren, Parica and Bustamante have set good examples for them to emulate. The filipino players know that they have an opportunity to be "someone" if they can become a great player. Best example is Alcano, now a "star" in the Philippines. Efren is a national celebrity, known by nearly every filipino worldwide. In the Philippines, top players are famous. Pool is given major media coverage over there.

When I think of #7 I'll post it, but that's enough for now.

I think this pretty much sums it up, except maybe there is a #7. During an accu-stats match, Danny Diliberto said that the Filipino players all had very good eyesight, and none of them wear glasses. This could be another reason why so many Filipino players excel at pool.

 

[Mowem down]

FYI, the last Indian war was fought with the Utes in Utah in 1912. It ended with a massacre by American troops when they ambushed the Ute campground. The only tribe never defeated by American troops were the Seminoles in Florida.

Thanks for the history lesson, but my statment wasnt "last war" it was " declaired over" and they were "declaired over" when Geronimo surrendered. And as for "over" they are still going on today, just on another feild and with no coverage from the media.

On topic with the OP; I dont know if anybody has said anything about the demeanor the Phillipinos carry themselfs with. I have told people in the past I feel there is alot to be learned from how they act. Polite, humble, when things arnt going their way they dont ack like a little baby and start throwing a fit. Basicly they are very mentaly tough Because of their manners. A true test of a man, is how he acts in the face of adversity.

Old man on the moutain and I were talking about attitude ( the wild dog in me is hard to hide somtimes). He was telling me one reason he knows he could beat alot of players was (is) because of their manners. This has reminded me of a question I wanted to post, Ill go do that.

 

[JoeyA]

You can say what you want.....

You can say what you want, what makes the Filipinos play so strong is they are just LUCKY.

JoeyA

 

[ShootingArts]

revision?

Back at ya pal, mutt can be used in a general manner, where you came up with the revolution when I said Indian wars is awsome, and it has been well established that my typing and grammer skills are not that great but please point it out one more time. its also, oh so well known your the smartest clown on here at least in your mind. know go practice for another 3000 hrs and you might have yourself better convinced your sombody hu

The posts are up for anyone to see. I said my people were here before the revolution. You started talking about indians, not the other way around. Using "mutt" as a general or specific term makes no sense where you used it leading me and anyone else reading to believe that you don't know what a mutt is. Your repeated use of "oh to well" instead of "all too well" just indicates that you don't have a clue what you are trying to say there either. Trolls should be better at covering their own asses. When you stir crap and then look like a fool you will certainly get called on it.

I'm nothing special. The only time I look like I am on a mountain is when I am dealing with small people. I can tell by your attempted attacks that I look pretty big to you.

Hu

 

[Mowem down]

you got one thing right every body can see at on point did you use the word revolution. your statment " my family was here befor there was a USA" led me to beleave you were a native. And as far as stiring, it does not suprise me in the least you dont have a problem with people saying Americans have no heart. I do, and my op was talking straight to that fact, your the one that stuck your nose in my bis. If you know what Websters meaning of the word mutt is, then you will know what I mean by saying all the other stuff you added just shows what a mutt you are. If you thought any time I directed the term old man on the moutain at you, your head is swelling so fast you better run, not walk to the ER, its going to explode. That guy has more class in his 1 inch fingers (thats a inside joke) than me, you, and most of the people I know put together. Im sure you know oh so well what class is, hu. I am laughing so hard my eyes are watering.

sorry for highjacking your thread JB, there is alot to be learned from studying the way other players excell at a game.

Along the lines of the thread, I would say the fire that burns in the heart of alot of Amereican players is so hot, that is why they are not as composed as the Pillipinos in some cases.

 

[crosseyedjoe]

Bandido, I always enjoy you sharing stories on the Philippine pool scene. I am most intrigued about hearing about the younger generation of Filipino pool players. How about you showcase one of those kids here in this thread. Maybe share some stories on how they match, how he started (i'm assuming it's a boy) and their best or latest win. Thanks.

One them is the kid who made it to the semis in the World 10-ball Championship.

 

[crosseyedjoe]

FYI, crappy tables are not issues anymore here in PI, you'll find a lot of excellent playing tables here if you know where to look.

On the other hand, if the table is not crappy, it's very likely the strong ones don't play there.

 

[crosseyedjoe]

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chicken_Adobo.jpg

Joey, that doesn't look like Chicken Adobo.

 

[jay helfert]

You can say what you want, what makes the Filipinos play so strong is they are just LUCKY.

JoeyA

Especially Efren! He's been getting all the rolls for over 20 years.

 

[Terry Ardeno]

Edwin,

A very few people are born with a competitive fire in their gut. They truly need no incentive except a competition, almost any kind of competition. Your doctor friend sounds like one of those few. They don't need to gamble to get tough, they don't need the seasoning of the rough life on the road, as far as competition goes they were born tough. Practice and experience make them able to perform better on the table just like anyone else but the mental game is almost all there as a gift they were born with.

Hu

That's one of the very best posts ever on 'ability". Couldn't have said it better.

 

[bandido]

That's one of the very best posts ever on 'ability". Couldn't have said it better.

I couldn't agree more. With this friend money is not an issue so I'd guess that what he wagers to play the pros here, to get the experience, can't be considered gambling but rather a "tuition fee".

 

[JB Cases]

Pool is to Filipinos as Hockey is to Canadians or Football is to Brazillians.

I'd like to say sure it's the heart and desire and the hunger stuff but that's all romantic and overhyped. The truth is, the game over there HAS become part of the culture.

In North America, kids discover pool by accident. They enter in a pool hall in a boring saturday night because they have nothing else to do and they end up failling in love with the game.

In the Philippines, kids don't go to pool halls because it is something to do in a long boring day. They play pool because that's what the older kids do. In the process they play with other kids who they end up gambling with.
In North America, kids play video games for fun. Over there in the Philippines, kids hangout on the streets to play pool.

My point is, over there, they all seem to be naturally talented at the game because they grew up with it. They don't worry about backhand english/pendulum stroke/ etc and everything else that makes the game so artificial. They learn by immitating other players both young, old, good players and bad (I.E Efren)

You can't say the same for pool in N. America. Pool is not part of the North American culture. Instead, people need to be in the Pool Culture to be any good.

You haven't been reading the EPT forums have you? The Filipinos on that board talk about BHE and aiming systems all the time.

But here is the thing that matches up with your statement. If something like BHE is natural there then it really doesn't need to be taught, it just is the way it's done.

Techniques on how to play the game are not artificial, it only feels that way when it's not ingrained. If someone grows up on a particular way to play then for them it's natural. Would you ever tell someone to play the way Keith McCready does? No, but there is no denying that what does feels completely normal to him.

I agree with your assessment though that pool is more of a teenager activity there than it is in the USA and it's probably more competitive as well. I remember when I was there and I went to a little roadside store and there were four people huddled around the tv glued to the set watching the World 9 Ball. I can see how this kind of fan base translates into kids wanting to play and be like the ones on TV.

And it's no wonder that from this broad base emerges kids with fire and hunger to be the best.

 

[sjm]

I think there is more to the Filipino edge than a better mental game, though I agree with the general sentiment that they have this advantage because they match up more often and are used to life "in the frying pan" more than others.

I also believe that the Filipinos have better overall shot conceptualization than other players. If shot conceptualization n rotation games consists of offensive, defensive, and kick/masse conceptualization, I feel that Filipinos are comparable to Americans and Europeans in offensive conceptualization, but are superior in defensive and kick/masse conceptualization, in part because they tend to have greater billiard knowledge.

Just one man's opinion.

 

[ShootingArts]

silly and wild ravings

Some of your post is simply silly. Some is wild ravings. I don't have a clue what you are talking about. Without a translator I'll just assume your posts are chemically enhanced. I genuinely can't make sense out of what you are saying. Some of what you are saying in your posts makes it plain that you can't comprehend what I am saying either or can't sort out who you are replying to so it seems we are both wasting time.

Hu

you got one thing right every body can see at on point did you use the word revolution. your statment " my family was here befor there was a USA" led me to beleave you were a native. And as far as stiring, it does not suprise me in the least you dont have a problem with people saying Americans have no heart. I do, and my op was talking straight to that fact, your the one that stuck your nose in my bis. If you know what Websters meaning of the word mutt is, then you will know what I mean by saying all the other stuff you added just shows what a mutt you are. If you thought any time I directed the term old man on the moutain at you, your head is swelling so fast you better run, not walk to the ER, its going to explode. That guy has more class in his 1 inch fingers (thats a inside joke) than me, you, and most of the people I know put together. Im sure you know oh so well what class is, hu. I am laughing so hard my eyes are watering.

sorry for highjacking your thread JB, there is alot to be learned from studying the way other players excell at a game.

Along the lines of the thread, I would say the fire that burns in the heart of alot of Amereican players is so hot, that is why they are not as composed as the Pillipinos in some cases.

 

[JoeyA]

I think there is more to the Filipino edge than a better mental game, though I agree with the general sentiment that they have this advantage because they match up more often and are used to life "in the frying pan" more than others.

I also believe that the Filipinos have better overall shot conceptualization than other players. If shot conceptualization n rotation games consists of offensive, defensive, and kick/masse conceptualization, I feel that Filipinos are comparable to Americans and Europeans in offensive conceptualization, but are superior in defensive and kick/masse conceptualization, in part because they tend to have greater billiard knowledge.

Just one man's opinion.

A Filipino friend says that another thing that makes them strong players is that they will make bets on particular shots during a game that is being played as well as betting on proposition shots. This is how they can come with the big shot every now and then. They are conditioned to come with it at any time.
My $.02
JoeyA

 

[jeffwinters]

A Filipino friend says that another thing that makes them strong players is that they will make bets on particular shots during a game that is being played as well as betting on proposition shots. This is how they can come with the big shot every now and then. They are conditioned to come with it at any time.
My $.02
JoeyA

These happen a lot of times, they (Filipinos) will not only bet you per set, they will bet you per game and even per shot.

 

[JB Cases]

These happen a lot of times, they (Filipinos) will not only bet you per set, they will bet you per game and even per shot.

Yeah, when I was there I found it funny that there were several people on the sidelines trying to get me to bet on everything. It was quite funny as it was apparent that they were all on the same team but trying to act as if they weren't.

 

[smoooothstroke]

consider baseball

In the Philipines children play at a young age and very often.Even the casual pool player who comes to the U.S. to live and work can play better then many an avid amatuer who grew up here.In the States some people play as teenagers,a few as small children and most begin beating balls around when they are old enough to hit the bars.

Baseball was once THE American sport.Children played in the streets with sticks and rocks if they had to.In the Latin American Countries the kids play alot of ball.The parents make sure they have the equiptment and space to play every day.Also MLB sets up camps for the kids and teaches them the game.

In America pool is viewed by many as a vile activity and most would not allow thier children to play pool on an every day basis.

 

[Mowem down]

In the Philipines children play at a young age and very often.Even the casual pool player who comes to the U.S. to live and work can play better then many an avid amatuer who grew up here.In the States some people play as teenagers,a few as small children and most begin beating balls around when they are old enough to hit the bars.

Baseball was once THE American sport.Children played in the streets with sticks and rocks if they had to.In the Latin American Countries the kids play alot of ball.The parents make sure they have the equiptment and space to play every day.Also MLB sets up camps for the kids and teaches them the game.

In America pool is viewed by many as a vile activity and most would not allow thier children to play pool on an every day basis.

I think the simple way to say it is, They love the game, and it shows in the way they play. Im talking from the time they walk to the table, to the time they sit down.

One of my favorite moments in pool is. A few years back Reyes was playing (I think doubles with Busta), he almost misses a shot, stands up and wiggles his shirt to show he's nervous (with that little grin). I dont have any delusions of playing his speed, but I can tell you I felt alot better knowing he gets nervous too. I would have NEVER thunk it, He's to smooth...Sorry Paul, but Reyes could eat 51 hard boiled eggs =)

This really sums it up, A statment from Danny D " He beats you and makes you like it "