In his freshman year, he was the only provincial player in the supposedly All City Colleges where he ended up as the team captain. Playing at the amateur Philippine Basketball League (PBL), he was picked due to his resemblance to the face of Blessed Pedro Calungsod. Making “The Saint” as his nickname, although Calungsod is not yet a saint. It is amusing to note that former playmates while growing up are Niño Cañaleta, Paul Artadi and James Yap, who all ended up playing in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Ronald was the youngest among 2002 draftees in the PBL. An enegetic 21 years old, and slam dunking UE Warrior, he played for the Welcoat Paintmasters where he was the 2002 MVP in Finals. Scouts are raving about the hardwork and intensity of Tubid, which give them prospective interest. Ron plays a warrior-like determination and usually does high flying acts that endeared him to the fans. In the previous PBL conference, despite competing for minutes at  Welcoat Paintmasters, he has shown mad games.

Ronald Tubid was the Shell’s 16th overall pick in the 2003 PBA Draft and had an extraordinary rookie year with an average of 8.9 points per game. The following year, he improved his mark to 12.3 points per game where he was named the Mr. Quality Minutes of the PBA Press Corps. He won it again with Air21 in 2005-2006 season where he averages 8.9 points in 44 game with just 11 starts. The role would not change as he’ll come off the bench to play for Barangay Ginebra.

The player with boundless energy, Ronald Tubid landed to a team that plays with so much physical strength and energy mainly because of the support of the crowd. There is no doubt that Ronald’s style of play perfectly suits to the never-say-die squad. The big challenge is how he will respond to the new system of his coach, Jong Uichico and the Barangay Ginebra Team. But “Mr. Fearless” does not mind as long as his team wins.

Joseph Yeo played for the De La Salle Green Archers in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines {UAAP}. He took some of the scoring lead from the most illustrious Mark Cardona during the 2004 UAAP season. He joined the Harbour Centre Portmasters in Philippines Basketball League and led his team to its first Philippine Basketball League (PBL) crown alongside LA Tenorio, an ex-Ateneo star by winning the 2006 Unity Cup Finals against the Toyota Otis.

In 2006 PBA Draft, Yeo was drafted 3rd overall by the Coca Cola Tigers, just behind Kelly Williams and Arwin Santos. He played limited minutes as a reliever to the Coca Cola Tiger’s main man John Arigo. Joseph still manage to average 10 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game and 1.2 assists per game in 26 minutes per contest in the elimination round of the 2006-2007 PBA Talk N Text Philippine Cup, despite the limited playing time. Notwithstanding, this did not stop the critics from calling Yeo a bust and attribute this to his lacking in size to play the No. 2 spot.

The Sta. Lucia Realty, the franchise team believes that the fearless drives, improved perimeter shooting and tenacious defense of Joseph Yeo is what they urgently need to get into the finals. Sta. Lucia Realty did not hesitate to give a pair of FEU stalwarts in Cesar Catli and Mark Isip, when the opportunity opened to acquire trades to get Joseph Yeo a plus to a future draft pick.

Nicknamed “The Ninja”, Joseph Yeo is also known for his squabbles with Ateneo alumnus and rival Enrico Villanueva. It started in a charity game featuring former and current stars of Ateneo and De la Salle, and carried on to a regular PBA game pitting the Barakos against the Coca-Cola Tigers. When they saw each other in the parking lot, they were at it each other’s throat again. Fortunately, no critical injuries were inflicted that could have cost them their career.

Ginebra San Miguel’s Rudy Distrito was nicknamed the “Destroyer”. He played the game of Philippine basketball with a fire in his eyes. But he was never an instrument of war out to cripple an enemy with his sheer power because he was, in fact, rather small by modern day standards. Although he was a dynamite on the court, he is a big blast in a small package. To him, the hard court was a battleground for warriors and not for the faint-hearted.

“Destroyer” played the game in a manner and tone set down and glorified by the supreme architect of the never-say-die spirit. Basketball is a contact sport and making contact was part of the game, if he transgressed beyond what the rules allowed, there were referees to hold him responsible and to impose the corresponding sanctions.

The era of Distrito and Jaworski was consistently a measure of success.  Because of the public support, millions who followed the Philippine Basketball Association during its glory days, which respectably appear to have long gone, worshiped those who played a brand of blood and guts basketball and the never ever surrender no matter how great the odds or how big the margin until the final buzzer sounded.

The “Destroyer” was tough on the hard court, but deep down inside him and off the court, he is a kind and gentle human being. One of his exploits that thrilled millions of fans and one can never forget that incredible off-balance, buzzer beating shot he buried to give Jaworski’s gallant Ginebra a breathtaking history in game 7 of a classic championship series with Formula Shell in 1991.

Distrito went beyond the bounds of the hard court laws many times. But with all due respect, he was more often the victim of perception rather than reality. Whatever it is, many dislike Jaworski and Distrito, probably because they feared them on the hard court and subscribed to a squeky clean, clinical brand of basketball washed in antiseptic rules and their implementation cheered,. When the “Destroyer”, Rudy Distrito was banned for life in the Philippine Basketball Association, majority of the fans lament for the cruel punishment hardly commensurate with his transgressions.

Rudy Distrito, for now is facing a new game in life, not in the hardcourt anymore with colleagues, but isolation in which the entity of life is more important.

A son of a farmer, Danilo “Danny” Ildefonso authored the Beerman’s tight 86-84 escape over Pop Cola when he completed a pressure packed pair of free throws in the final 4.6 seconds for the marginal points. Cool as an iceberg, he completed those charities.

Danny I, played as an amateur basketball player for the National University Bulldogs in the UAAP and for AGFA in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL). He is also a member of the Philippine Basketball Team on separate occasions. He drafted in the PBA pool despite of being underage, thus prompting the PBA to change their age limits, enraging the Philippine Basketball League (PBL). He was eventually drafted as first pick over-all by the Formula Shell in 1988 but was traded to San Miguel Beer Noy Castillo as a second over-all pick. An ironical twist for Danny, when he eventually entered the PBA Draft, he also signed a contract to play for the Pangasinan Presidents of the newly formed Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA ). This forced the San Miguel franchise to buy out his MBA contract to be a future cornerstone of the San Miguel Beer.

In his rookie season he became one of the key players of the Beerman in the Commissioner’s Cup. As the seasons ended, he won the Rookie of the Year Honor with an average of 11.6 point per game in 74 games in 1998. He also won the prestigious Most Valuable Player Award twice in the year 2000 and 2001.

Danny never played in other franchised teams in the Philippine Basketball Association. Until now he remains with the San Miguel Beer where he meted the nicknamed Dunkin DI, the Dyanamite and the mob in the benches would shout “Raise the Roof” whenever he dunks the ball.

The breakthrough began in 2005 for Wesley. In July 2006, he tied for first in the World Youth U12 Festival ahead of chess prodigies GM Neri and WGM Hou Yi Fan, according to his FIDE official rating. in 2006 Torino Chess Olympiad, at 12 years old he qualified for the Philippine Chess Team with a plus score performance in five games at board six.

In the middle of the year he completed his IM {International Master} title requirements before he celebrated his 13th birthday. At the end of the year, he made his first Grand Master Norm with a fantastic performance at Bad Wiessee, Germany, which included a win against Grand Master Pruskin. He was given a Creativity Award by a big Russian website.

As International Master Rodolfo Cordero said, Wesley So is a young lad who would sacrifice a Queen or any other pieces in his arsenal to get a winning attack. As a nine year old determined and wise player, he captured the National Kiddies Tournament for under 14 categories, and at 13 years old he won the National Juniors Open {Open to All}

We may not notice the achievements of Wesley So, because of all these political and economical turmoil in the Philippiones. In the world of chess, come what may, there are still distinguished people who strongly wave the flag with patriotism in the world of sports.

Wesley So indeed is the Renaissance Kid in the world of Chess.

DATE                       OPPONENT                     LOCATION                                WINNER
2008-28-06           David Diaz                      Las Vegas, NV                          Pacquiao TKO 9
2008-15-03           Juan Manuel Marquez      Las Vegas, NV                          Pacquiao W 12
2007-10-06           Marco Antonio Barrera     Las Vegas, NV                         Pacquiao W 12
2007-04-14           Jorge Solis                       San Antonio, Texas                 Pacquiao KO 8
2006-11-18           Erik Morales                    Las Vegas, NV                         Pacquiao KO 3
2006-07-02           Oscar Larios                    Manila, Philippines                  Pacquiao W 12
2006-01-21           Erik Morales                    Las Vegas, NV                         Pacquiao TKO 10
2005-09-10           Hector Velazquez            Los Angeles, CA                      Pacquiao TKO 6
2005-03-19           Erik Morales                    Las Vegas, NV                         Morales W12
2004-12-11           Fahsan Battery                 Rizal, Philippines                    Pacquiao TKO 4
2004-05-08           Juan Manuel Marquez      Las Vegas, NV                         Draw
2003-11-15           Marco Antonio Barrera    San Antonio, TX                       Pacquiao TKO 11
2003-07-26           Emmanuel Lucero           Los Angeles, CA                       Pacquiao TKO 3
2003-03-15           Serikzhan Yeshmangbetov  Manila, Philippines              Pacquiao TKO 5
2002-10-26           Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym Davao Del Sur, Philippines       Pacquiao KO 1
2002-06-08          Jorge Eliecer Julio                 Memphis, TN                       Pacquiao TKO 2
2001-11-10          Agapito Sanchez                San Francisco, CA                  Draw
2001-06-23          Lehlohonolo Ledwaba         Las Vegas, NV                       Pacquiao TKO 6
2001-04-28          Wethya Sakmuangklang      Cotabato, Philippines            Pacquiao TKO 6
2001-02-24          Tetsutora Senrima                Manila, Philippines               Pacquiao TKO 5
2000-10-14          Nedal Hussein                      Rizal, Philippines                 Pacquiao TKO 10
2000-06-28          Seung-Kon Chae                  Manila, Philippines               Pacquiao TKO 1
2000-03-04          Arnel Barotillo              North Cotabato, Philippines         Pacquiao KO 4
1999-12-18          Reynante Jamili                    Manila, Philippines               Pacquiao TKO 2
1999-09-17         Medgoen Singsurat               Nakhon, Thailand                 Singsurat KO 3
1999-04-24         Gabriel Mira                          Manila, Philippines               Pacquiao TKO 4
1999-02-20         Todd Makelin                  Kidapawan City, Philippines       Pacquiao TKO 3
1998-12-04         Chatchai Sasakul              Phuttamonthon, Thailand         Pacquiao KO 8
1998-05-18         Shin Terao                            Tokyo, Japan                         Pacquiao TKO 1
1997-12-06      Panomdej Ohyuthanakorn   Koronadal City, Philippines       Pacquiao KO 1
1997-09-13        Melvin Magramo                     Cebu, Philippines                 Pacquiao W10
1997-06-26        Chokchai Chockvivat              Manila, Philippines              Pacquiao KO 5
1997-05-30       Ariel Austria                            Almendras, Philippines        Pacquiao TKO 6
1997-04-24       Wook Ki Lee                             Manila, Philippines              Pacquiao KO 1
1997-03-08      Mike Luna                                 Manila, Philippines              Pacquiao KO 1
1996-12-28      Sung-Yul Lee                            Manila, Philippines              Pacquiao TKO 2
1996-07-27      Ippo Gala                                  Manila, Philippines              Pacquiao TKO 2
1996-06-15      Bert Batiller                  General Santos City, Philippines       Pacquiao TKO 4
1996-05-20      John Medina                             Manila, Philippines               Pacquiao TKO 4
1996-04-27      Marlon Carillo                          Manila, Philippines               Pacquiao W10
1996-02-09      Rustico Torrecampo                Manila, Philippines               Torrecampo KO 3
1996-01-13      Lito Torrejos                            Manila, Philippines               Pacquiao TKO 5
1995-12-09      Rolando Toyogon                    Manila, Philippines               Pacquiao W10
1995-11-11      Rudolfo Fernandez                  Manila, Philippines                Pacquiao TKO 3
1995-10-21      Renato Mendones                    Palawan, Philippines             Pacquiao TKO 2
1995-10-07     Lolito Laroa                              Manila, Philippines                Pacquiao W8
1995-09-16     Armando Rocil                         Manila, Philippines                 Pacquiao KO 3
1995-08-03     Flash Simbajon                        Manila, Philippines                 Pacquiao W6
1995-07-01     Dele Decierto                           Manila, Philippines                 Pacquiao TKO 2
1995-05-01     Rocky Palma                            Cavite, Philippines                  Pacquiao W6
1995-03-18     Pinoy Montejo          Mindoro Occidental, Philippines             Pacquiao W4
1995-01-22 Edmund Enting Ignacio     Mindoro Occidental, Philippines        Pacquiao W4

In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Fabriga unfortunately didn’t get any medal when he finished 28th in both the Men’s 10m Platform Qualification and Final Ranking.

The young lady from Davao City was described by Reuters as “one of the best divers in the Southeast Asia”. Born on December 10,1985,Sheila Mae grew up in a poor family that she had to dive from cargo ships retrieving scrap metals just to help her family make ends meet .This admirable lady diver holds the record for being the First Triple-Gold Medalist at the Southeast Asian Games (2003 and 2005). She won two gold medals in the 2003 SEA Games and three gold medals at the 2005 SEA Games in the 3-metre springboard, synchronised 3-metre springboard and 1-metre springboard events.

Her achievements bespeaks of her being a competitive athlete. She represented her country at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney where she finished 32nd out of 56.This was her debut as an Olympic athlete. She qualified in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, but was reportedly unable to compete. A gold and a silver medals in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games were won by her but then she did not compete in the synchronised event due to her partner,Cecile Dominios having retired.

1. Ninth in the 2004 Olympics

2. Won bronze medals at the 2001 World Amateur Boxing Championships

3. Won another bronze in the 2003 World Amateur Boxing Championships

4. Competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics, but was knocked out in the round of 16 by Hong Moo-Won of Korea

5. Fought in the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Chicago where he defeated local hero Luis Yanez but lost to favorite Zou Shiming in the final.

Before the Beijing Olympics started in August, he trained everyday in Dumaguete under the tutelage of Jennifer Chan, a female Filipino great archer and a 2000 Sydney Olympian. While training under Jennifer Chan, Mark pushes himself to improve and develop his skill in the recurve event. He trained six days a week in Dumaguete. He lifted weights and jogged for strength. He said, “Competing in the Olympics has been my ultimate dream ever since I became an athlete.” Among the five of the archers for the Olympics, four of them were from Dumaguete.

But did you know that before he got fascinated with archery, he was shooting air guns?

His interest with air guns began when he was only a child as he watched his father shoot regularly. He was 14 years old when he joined his first air gun tournament and won third place. However when he enrolled at Silliman University, shooting wasn’t popular but archery was. So he decided to give up the gun for bow and arrow, and joined the Silliman University Dumaguete Archery Club. Later on he became a varsity archer…quite a great feat for a young man!

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