Saturday, December 31, 2011

Comebacks...

I'm back...
like the Empire struck back...
like Star Wars in 3-D in 2012...
like Douglas McArthur...
like Arnie in Terminator...
like the 2011-2012 NBA season...
like Tim Tebow's signature come-from-behind miracle plays...
like Barca came back from 1 goal down to win 3-1 over Real Madrid in their El Classico match...
like my mom who recovered from a serious illness...

It's always good to be back.

May the Force be with you all and Happy New Year!





Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The Black Mamba-lorian turns 32 and how I hunted down Kobe Bryant

Happy Birthday Kobe Bryant, my favorite NBA player slash Bounty Hunter slash cold blooded Assassin!

When Kobe first visited Manila in 1998 as a promising NBA sophomore, my brother and I went to Festival Mall in Alabang where Kobe was supposed to make an appearance at the Adidas store (he was still endorsing "the brand with the 3 stripes" back then). I was collecting NBA cards then and had a solid batch of Kobe Bryant rookie cards waiting to be signed by the newest  rising star of the LA Lakers. Alas, a change in schedule led to the cancellation of Kobe's Festival mall appearance, and together with a sizable number of fans, we went home disappointed and frustrated.

Fast forward 9 years later. Fresh from winning his 4th Championship with the Lakers, Kobe visited Manila again in September 2007. Once more, I missed the opportunity of  seeing the Black Mamba in person. It was already too late when I read the news of Kobe's visit, and I also had work that day.

When I learned that Manila would once again be a stop in KB24's Nike Take Every Advantage Tour, I made sure that I would not strike out on the chance of seeing the planet's best basketbal player in the flesh. Filing a vacation leave on July 13, 2011, I headed over to the Nike Fort in Bonifacio High Street. I didn't mind standing 4 hours under the noon heat just to get a good vantage point of the stage where Kobe was supposed to appear.


Much to my dismay however, a cameraman positioned himself strategically in front of the stage where I was standing, partially obstructing my view. But I would not be denied. I didn't wait 13 years just to be frustrated by an ill placed piece of equipment.

When the moment finally arrived, I jostled to get a decent enough of a view. And there was my reward... The Black Mamba right before me very eyes!


Friday, August 19, 2011

Infiltrating The Star Wars Underworld

Hello Carinderia Patrons! It's been a while since my last post, but still I'd like to thank you all for dropping by my blog. I never imagined I'd get 11,200+ visitors already in just seven months!

That being said, I wanted to ask a small favor: Please drop by The Star Wars Underworld Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/swunderworld), "Like" the page, go to the photo album "September 16 Logo Contest" and vote for my entry:


Art used in this logo are from "Star Wars - Boba Fett: Agent of Doom" comic book (Ronnie Del Carmen - Boba Fett foreground, Francisco Ruiz Velasco - Boba Fett background")

Thanks a bunch and May the Force be with you!