Azkals trailing Kuwait by 3 goals? Never tell me the odds!

C-3PO: Sir, the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately 3,720 to 1. 
Han Solo: Never tell me the odds. 
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Today the Philippines will host the 2nd leg of the 2nd Round World Cup Qualifier vs Kuwait. After a gallant stand in the first 45 minutes of their away match in Kuwait, where the Azkals conceded only 1 goal to a team 50 places higher in the FIFA World Rankings, the highly touted Al Azraq produced 2 more goals in the 2nd half to own a commanding 3-0 lead going into today's home game at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Again, like many instances in their past games, the Azkals have their backs against the wall. Which suits them fine for they have always been the underdogs, their moniker a stylized version of the Filipino word "askal" derived from two words "aso" (dog) and kalye (street), or mongrels. If the Kuwaiti team thinks they can already snooze and cruise their way  to victory, they will be in for a rude awakening. Now that the Azkals are playing on their own turf, the indomitable Pinoy spirit will be come to fore. This is our doghouse!

I, together with the Kaholeros, the 13,000 people in the stadium and the millions of Filipinos watching on their tv sets tonight, will come together as one to be the Azkals' 12th man. Our battlecry: WE BELIEVE!

To quote Ebong Joson, more popularly known as the Blue Haired Fanatic, the driving force behind the Kaholeros:

 ""When is an askal at its most dangerous?" a foreigner asked me one day.


"When it is down and bloodied," I said. "Just when you think it's over and you are wearing a stupid smile on your face, it will jump up and bite you on the jugular. That is an askal."

Down and bloodied? Down 3-0?

Never tell me the odds! Go Azkals Go!

My Ewoks are achievers!

April 5 was a banner day for my two Ewoks: Gboy graduated from preparatory school with honors (6th place and Best in Values Education) while Yamee was recognized as Number 1 in her Grade 3 class, and received 7 awards (Best in English, Mathematics, Science, Filipino, Computer, Values, Civics). Marissa and I are so proud of you kids!

So here's something that I did to commemorate this wonderful occasion:

Yep, Ewoks were also there during the Yavin 4 Medal Ceremony, alongside Luke, Han, Princess Leia, Chewie, Artoo and Threepio :)

Here are some more pics of the real awarding ceremonies:

My Star Wars Birthday Wish...

I'm turning a year older today, and though I may not be as old as Master Yoda, let me borrow his line:

"When 38 years old you reach, look as good you will not, hmmm?"

Kidding aside, I have a planet full of reasons to be thankful for. I thank the good Lord for blessing me with a wonderful family: a beautiful, loving wife, two smart and adorable kids; a job that squeezes out my creative juices and brings food to our table; friends that have been with me through thick and thin.

On my birthday, may the good Lord grant me:

Anakin's great love for his mom and Amidala...
Yoda's wisdom...
Luke's courage...
Han Solo's swagger and confidence...
Chewbacca's strength and loyalty...
Threepio's mastery of languages...
Artoo's technical wizardry...
Princess Leia's diplomatic savvy...
Grand Admiral Thrawn's intelligence...
Boba Fett's focus and durability...

...and may the Forces of good forever prevail over the Dark Side.

Noong unang panahon, in a galaxy far far away....Cast ng Star Wars Pinoy comedy

Kumusta mga suki ng Carinderia?

First time ko mag-blog in Filipino, meron kasi akong  ideyang maaring ikatuwa, ikagulat or ikainis ni George Lucas at ng lahat ng mga fans ng Star Wars, kaya atin-atin lang muna ito mga kabayan ha!

Kung meron kasing mga parody tulad ng Hardware Wars, Spaceballs at Star Wars Robot Chicken, bakit kaya hindi natin gawan ng Pinoy comedy version ang Star Wars? Heto ang mga magiging bida ng ating intergalactic sarswela:

Luke Skywalker - Ang bidang mahilig sa basketball at iniidolo si Samboy Lim

Princess Leia Organa - Ang kakambal ni Luke, nahiwalay nung ipinanganak at napunta sa mayamang pamilya ng mga musikero. Pinag-aral sa Berkley School of Music at nagdalubhasa sa pagtugtog ng piano

Obi Wan Kenobi - Ermitanyong Bisaya, nagtitinda ng Ube halaya. Siya ang may alam na si Luke at Leia ay magkakambal

Han Solo - Feeling cool na sigang playboy, pero ang totoo'y virgin pa at 35 years old.

Chewbacca - Mutated talking cow, besfren ni Han

Darth Vader -  1/3 man, 1/3 robot, 1/3 dart board. Meron siyang hika, kaya parang laging hirap huminga.

Threepio - Robot na madaldal. Totoong pangalan niya ay "Popopo", pero mabantot pakinggan, kaya ginawa nya na lang Threepio para maging cool

Artoo - Robot na pandak, pero di hamak na mas astig at mas matalino kesa kay Threepio. "Rrrrr Rrrrr" nga lang ang alam niyang salita.

The Emperor - Bossing ni Darth Vader. Ang totoong pangalan niya ay Palpatine, pero pinalitan niya dahil sa daming palpak na nangyari noong kabataan niya. Also known as Darth Sidious, dahil kahit may katandaan na'y mahilig pang magpa-cute sa mga kababaihan.

Stormtroopers - Mga alalay at goons ni Emperor, susugod sa bagyo at lulusong sa baha para kay bossing

Boba Fett - Babaeng bounty hunter na mali-mali

Abangan ang mga susunod na episodes...