Your man in Manila

kaduku said:
Cuycuy, I'm wondering if you could refresh my memory. One time I went to PBAM (when it was still there) and saw the Bacolod stakehorse backing up a whole bunch of players there. I remember one particular player who was nicknamed "Abu Sayyaf" because he was a Filipino Muslim was playing Warren Kiamco. What was his real name?
Abu Sayyaf`s real name is Panfilo Damu-ag, he`s from Bacolod, i doubt it if he`s a Muslim, it`s just a monicker. He, along with Luat and Corteza are sponsored by Jonathan, also of Bacolod.
 
wahcheck said:
Hi Jay....

Thanks so much for your great reporting......have a safe trip home......! One last question regarding the trip to the Phillippines.....How much did it cost for airfare and hotel?

I was already booked to fly to Hong Kong and go into China. That was nearly 1K RT. To add the HK to Manila (and back to HK) leg was another $250. I had a nice hotel room, as part of the package for $290, about 40 a nite. There are high end hotels here in the $100+ range and bargain places for 20-25 a nite.

You can rent a decent apartment here for $300 a month. a real nice place would go for about 500.
 
bandido said:
Depending on the season, airfare from LAX-MNL can go for as low as US$750 to US$1100. Hotels range from US$40-225/day.

As a conclusion to my contribution to this thread, it was a pleasure to have shared this great event with all that attended. Short but good time with Jay, Mark Griffin, Joe Gonzales and Bobby Hunter. Maybe next time we won't be as busy with our other chores Jay. I'm looking forward to seeing all the players that have expressed intention to return in a few weeks to spend some time here to hone their skills and visit and enjoy the other parts of the city and country. It will be a great time to stay here as the pool boom is starting again. How can I tell? My phone is ringing off the hook for cue inquiries and invites to play!


Nice meeting you to Edwin. The TV stuff kept me pretty busy and when I got off, I usually went over to One Side for a while. Played one night at Rack 'n Roll with Bob Guerrero, but the only players there were from Taiwan. They were just practicing, and I really wasn't too interested in trying to make a game with them. Even tho Bob would have liked to see a little One Pocket. Those guys from Taiwan all shoot too damn straight. I'd rather leave them alone.
 
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cuycuy said:
Hi Jay,

Nice meeting you and Mark Griffin. Sorry if I didn't talk as much, was feeling bad that day and felt I was going to go down with the flu.

Finally, its over. And I can rest. :)

Anyway, I was reading through your posts. Had a good laugh.

Didn't know about the Corey "Long Dong" remark. I'll try to catch it on the replays.

Too bad we never had the time to go around to One Side during the WPC.

Some info on the characters you mentioned in your stories:

Jimmy "Baba" Ching - about Luat's age. He took a year off the game before returning to the fray for the Philippine National Championships placing a decent 12th.

Jarry "Two-Finger" Pelayo - Decent player who lost his ring and index finger on his right hand while playing with firecrackers during New Year's (that's the story I heard). He's being backed by Corteza's manager, who is a fellow provincemate from Bacolod.

I'll try to make it to Derby City and see you there. I'll try getting my bankroll ready to play some serious poker there. :P

Nice to meet you and your Dad. A big hat's off for all your contributions to making the WPC in Manila happen. I heard the whole story of your efforts.
Yes, Corey really said it. I was right there and Nick Halling (his co-commentator) nearly fell out of his chair.

Hope to see you in Derby City. They have a private poker game there every night also. Stay in touch.
 
gopi-1 said:
Have a safe trip Jay! And talking about Manny Pacquiao. If you think the Filipinos will be celebrating like crazy after Ronnie's victory, wait till you see
Manny win over Erik Morales, it will be chaotic!
:D

Which reminds me I need to plan my bank heist that day. LOL. No cops and no cars in the "5th heaviest traffic" city in the world.
 
Just to update actions at one side for Jay, Alex beat Dennis 30-27 for $ 10,000.oo two nights ago then again for $ 14,000.oo last night with a score of 35-31. Alex made 8 rack run after falling behind 9-19 and was able to tie at 22-22. It was nip and tuck from then on until another 5 rack finish by Alex. Also last night, Jerome P. won over Darren A. for $ 6,000.oo race to 30 game of 10-ball.
 
Schon-desi said:
Just to update actions at one side for Jay, Alex beat Dennis 30-27 for $ 10,000.oo two nights ago then again for $ 14,000.oo last night with a score of 35-31. Alex made 8 rack run after falling behind 9-19 and was able to tie at 22-22. It was nip and tuck from then on until another 5 rack finish by Alex. Also last night, Jerome P. won over Darren A. for $ 6,000.oo race to 30 game of 10-ball.
Wow, does that make Alex the new "money king" of the Philippines?
 
jsp said:
Wow, does that make Alex the new "money king" of the Philippines?


If he continues to be Orcullo for the big cash he would have to be considered the new "money king."
 
sniper said:
If he continues to be Orcullo for the big cash he would have to be considered the new "money king."
Before beating Orcullo two in a row, Alex also beat Corteza twice and Gallego once for no less than $ 2,000.oo, some for $ 4,000.00. He s on a roll.
 
The new King

I have to hand it to Alex if he beat Dennis. I love Dennis' game and consider him a great player. But maybe the difference is that Alex can string racks better. I've never heard of anyone stringing racks of Ten Ball like Alex has been doing. I saw him put a seven on Ramil and I was floored. Those are tight tables at One Side.

Sounds like he stepped up his game a notch. I can see all filipinos in the Ring Ten Ball at Derby City. Who can play with these guys? Johnny, Rodney, Shane, Ralf, who??? Maybe Dennis Hatch or Mark Tadd will have a wake up call. They both had BIG games at one time.
 
Jay: Just wanted to thank you for your GREAT and much appretiated posts here during the WPC!!

Can't tell how much I enjoyed your stories. Keep it coming during other great tournaments aswell, you're a talented storyteller!
 
You know, I noticed one big difference after I came home. When I go shopping here, or even to a restaurant, it is not so easy to be served/taken care of. It can actually be quite hard just to pay for something. Sometimes the people that do take care of you have an indifferent or bad attitude.

In the Philipines, which is called a third world country, every place I went I was always greeted with a smile and someone with a pleasant attitude. They were glad to help me and made sure all my questions were answered. And paying was no problem. No computers or credit cards. Just hand them the cash and they give you your change. Ah, for the good old days.

I do understand why so many ex-pat Americans live there. Our dollar goes at least five times as far, the women are friendly even if you are over 50, and most everyone speaks English. The food is tasty too. And contrary to what some may say, it is probably safer than any large city in the U.S. I frequently walked alone at night and yes people would accost me and try to sell me all kinds of things, from cigarettes to their sister. But if I smiled and said no thanks firmly, they left me alone.

Ted Leonard, who is a 12 year ex-pat, said the Americans who get in trouble are the ones that get loud in bars and insult people. You know the kind, the ugly Americans. My experience of the filipinos is that if you are polite to them, they will be very kind to you. All in all, I must say I was treated well everywhere I went, with courtesy and a friendly attitude. For sure, I'll go back if the WPC is in Manila next year.
 
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jay helfert said:
You know, I noticed one big difference after I came home. When I go shopping here, or even to a restaurant, it is not so easy to be served/taken care of. It can actually be quite hard just to pay for something. Sometimes the people that do take care of you have an indifferent or bad attitude.

In the Philipines, which is called a third world country, every place I went I was always greeted with a smile and someone with a pleasant attitude. They were glad to help me and made sure all my questions were answered. And paying was no problem. No computers or credit cards. Just hand them the cash and they give you your change. Ah, for the good old days.

I do understand why so many ex-pat Americans live there. Our dollar goes at least five times as far, the women are friendly even if you are over 50, and most everyone speaks English. The food is tasty too. And contrary to what some may say, it is probably safer than any large city in the U.S. I frequently walked alone at night and yes people would accost me and try to sell me all kinds of things, from cigarettes to their sister. But if I smiled and said no thanks firmly, they left me alone.

Ted Leonard, who is a 12 year ex-pat, said the Americans who get in trouble are the ones that get loud in bars and insult people. You know the kind, the ugly Americans. My experience of the filipinos is that if you are polite to them, they will be very kind to you. All in all, I must say I was treated well everywhere I went, with courtesy and a friendly attitude. For sure, I'll go back if the WPC is in Manila next year.

It's ironic, as we age, what really becomes important to us, the people whom we intereact with on a day to day basis. That is why, no matter what part of our country your in and when there's a nice tournament going on, fun only awaits behind closed doors.
 
Schon-desi said:
Are you referring to Ted Lerner? He sometimes does the play by play for t.v..


YES, thanks. Sorry Ted about misspelling your name. You are a really good guy and I hope we can spend more time together. Maybe you'll come to Derby City.
 
jay helfert said:
Ted Leonard, who is a 12 year ex-pat, said the Americans who get in trouble are the ones that get loud in bars and insult people. You know the kind, the ugly Americans.

Ugly Americans get punished in Taiwan, and I'm glad to hear that they get theirs in the PHI as well. Nothing pisses me off more than an arrogant, disrespectful fellow American overseas.

-Roger
 
jay helfert said:
You know, I noticed one big difference after I came home. When I go shopping here, or even to a restaurant, it is not so easy to be served/taken care of. It can actually be quite hard just to pay for something. Sometimes the people that do take care of you have an indifferent or bad attitude.

In the Philipines, which is called a third world country, every place I went I was always greeted with a smile and someone with a pleasant attitude. They were glad to help me and made sure all my questions were answered. And paying was no problem. No computers or credit cards. Just hand them the cash and they give you your change. Ah, for the good old days.

I do understand why so many ex-pat Americans live there. Our dollar goes at least five times as far, the women are friendly even if you are over 50, and most everyone speaks English. The food is tasty too. And contrary to what some may say, it is probably safer than any large city in the U.S. I frequently walked alone at night and yes people would accost me and try to sell me all kinds of things, from cigarettes to their sister. But if I smiled and said no thanks firmly, they left me alone.

Ted Leonard, who is a 12 year ex-pat, said the Americans who get in trouble are the ones that get loud in bars and insult people. You know the kind, the ugly Americans. My experience of the filipinos is that if you are polite to them, they will be very kind to you. All in all, I must say I was treated well everywhere I went, with courtesy and a friendly attitude. For sure, I'll go back if the WPC is in Manila next year.
For such appreciative words consider yourself an adopted son. Next time, come early and leave later.

Thank you Jay Helfert for joining us in this event and making it a memorable experience in our lives.
 
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Dennis beat Alex in 10-ball last night at Side Pocket 31-27 for 300k pesos (US$6k). Just for those following this rivalry.
 
bandido said:
Dennis beat Alex in 10-ball last night at Side Pocket 31-27 for 300k pesos (US$6k). Just for those following this rivalry.


So can you fill us in on how this works?

How many times would Alex have to beat dennis for him to take the crown?
Would he have to beat everybody else at their level?
How does a player thats a lower level move up?
 
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