August 1 - 20 , 2017 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY 29
12 Blake Tingzon
“ It ’ s in the blood .”
This was how Rodolfo “ Totoy ” Tingzon , acknowledged as the father of youth baseball development in the country , described the rise of his young , 15-year-old Fil-Am grandson Blake as an up-andcoming star in the American gymnastics scene .
Blake is the eldest of the brood of three of David and Sharil Tingzon . David is the son of Reynaldo “ Baby ” Tingzon , younger brother of Totoy , who played baseball for the University of Santo Tomas during his UAAP playing days in the 70s .
“ It ’ s all in the family , Pare ,” Totoy ,” who himself played baseball for the National University , proudly told this writer last week in a talk over a cup of coffee at the Fort . “ Blake , kumbaga , is just reliving the family ’ s athletic history that was started by my father but cut short in the 70s .”
Totoy , whose legacy includes leading the legendary Canlubang Sugar Barons of Calamba dominate the local baseball scene by winning all here was to win in their era , including 11-straight-year in the elite Manila Bay Baseball League ,
was referring to the baseball-playing family patriarch Julio , a former University of the Philippines standout from Tacloban City who was to become a top notch coach .
Blake caught the fancy of the the California Fil- American sporting community when he marched triumphantly to a rare gold-silverbronze finishes in the recent 20thWorld Maccabiah Games held in Israel .
On the way to his sterling performance that earned for him praises from members of the national coaching staff , the younger Tingzon ruled the pommel horse event while nearly dominated , too , the floor exercises where he ended up third , losing only to local bets .
His silver medal harvest came in the team event .
He was actually already making waves in the Bay Area by winning gymnastic competitions after competitions that earned for him the right to hone up his skills at the Gymnastics USA training facilities in Van Huys , CA , thus , graduating to a level 10 gymnast and eventually chosen as member of the six-man U . S team to the Israel sojourn .
Totoy disclosed that is grandson s looking forward to continuing his gymnastics career and hope to see action in the Olympic Games as a member of the U . S or Philippine team .
“ Bakit hindi ? Mas maganda nga if he can carry the country ’ s in future international competitions . He can probably apply for a dual citizenhip to attain that dream . Sabi ko nga nasa dugo nya ang pagiging atleta so hindi masyadong magiging mahirap sa kanya ,” the elder Tingzon averred .
“ I just told him to pursue and finish a college degree . Contrary to what many believe , gymnastics is dangerous sport . One false move , maaring mabali ang buto nya at tapos athletic career nya ,” he said , adding that Blake ’ s
Pacquiao wishes athletes good luck !
Eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao wished members of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games delegation the best of luck and at the same time urged them to keep afloat the flame of sportsmanship , friendship and the ideals for which the Southeast Asian Games was founded .
This was the message the now 38-yer-old Senator imparted to the Filipino athletes and officials of he national contingent that will carry the country ’ s colors in the 29th edition of the SEA Games which unfurls its curtains this coming Sunday in Kuala Lumpur .
“ Of course , I , for one will be praying for you to bring home the bacon ,” Senator and Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao said by way of wishing the athletes vying for honors to themselves and country in the 10-day gathering of the region ’ s finest and brightest from 11-member nations the best of luck .
“ But most importantly , as our country ’ s ambassador of goodwill , let our tri-colors fly high in all the venues , not only in terms of engaging in battle , but , likewise , in once more showing to all and sundry what our country is and what kind of people Filipinos are in character and values ,” the chair of the committee on sports and youth development in the Upper House said .
“ Kapag kayo ’ y nandoon na at makikipagtagisan ng lakas at talino sa mga kalaban , generate lasting memories and bring about closer international relations sa ating mga kalapit bansa ,” he said .
“ Masuwerte kayo at kayo ’ y napili para maging kinatawan ng bansa sa isang malaking pagtitipon gaya ng SEA Games ,” Pacquiao remarked . “ Few activities can beat sports as far as engendering the many things that come in the wake of hardfought competitions . Take pride when national anthem is played and our flag displayed .”
The Pacman assured the athletes na “ kaming maiiwan dito sa Pilipinas will be following your exploits , praying for your safety . Na kayo , minsan pa ang magiging catalyst of our nation ’ s unity . Gaya noon na kapag lumalaban ako sa ibang bansa , kasama kayo ng ating mga kababayan na hindi lumalabas ng bahay . Nanonood sa tv , nakikinig sa radyo sa paghihintay ng resulta .”
The message of the only man to win world championships in eight division was echoed by Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “ Peping ” Cojuangco , Philippine Sports Commission chair William “ Butch ” Ramirez , International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski and SEA Games Task Force head Tom Carrasco .
“ When the Southeast Asian Games was established in Bangkok in 1959 , its goal was to encourage a better understanding among nations in the region through the linking of sports , education , art and culture ,” Cojuangco recalled . “ The SEAF movement evolved from the ideals celebrated by the ancient Greeks in hosting the very first Olympic Games as an expression of the peoples ’ values through the display of excellence via harmonious physical , moral , cultural and art .”
“ Kung kaya nga ang pagdaraos ng Olympic Games , or even the lower global competitions as
the Asian Games and SEA Games ay upang ipakita ang mga katangiang ito ng mga mamayan sa buong mudo ,” the former Tarlac congressman and younger brother of the late President Cory Aquino explained .
Ramirez , on the other hand , exhorted member of
By : Julian Ray Fortaleza
Answers from last week ’ s issue
eight-year-old younger sister has also started training to follow in her brother ’ s footstep .
“ You know , it ’ s very heart-warming leaning that youngsters like our grandchildren have involved themselves in sports like us their elders . Sports talaga ang buhay naming . Nakapag-aral kami because athletic scholarhips . My brothers and sisters have all been in the U . S . after their studies ,” Totoy stressed . ( EN- DIT )
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New Questions the contingent to maintain the “ respect and adulation the country and our people have gained in the past . We in the PSC did our best to prepare you for this competition so you can be equipped to give our countrymen reason to celebrate and bring patriotic flavour to to the prospects of
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1 . What former champion did Conor Mcgregor spar with ? 2 . Who won the 3rd fight between Ali and Frazier ? 3 . How many NBA players have won consecutive MVP ’ s ?
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