November 16 - 30, 2018
PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY
durianrepublic
by JJ Atencio
On the eve of our UP Fighting
Maroons Final Four appearance after
21 years, let me share with you some
of my thoughts.
One essential skill for success
in business is the ability to spot
potential winners, those “diamonds
in the rough” that can be transformed
from good to great. The UP men’s
basketball Fighting Maroons is one
such case.
I mean, this team had a
performance record that was pretty
much untarnished by success. They
had to contend with no real funding,
no fans, and very little support from
their school or their community. Year
after year. It’s enough to make you
want to quit.
But no.
Year after year, the UP
Fighting Maroons would come out
fighting. Inspite of losing. Despite
no supporters.
That’s why they
are probably called the “Fighting”
Maroons. Because they never quit
trying. When I got to meet the team,
I realized that despite the limits and
constraints the they had to face, they
were still motivated, deeply dedicated
players, disciplined, humble, heart in
the right place, and
eager to win.
I got to
meet the movers
of noweretogobutUP - Ags, Miej and
Renan who impressed me with their
dedication and conviction in the
winning potential of this team. I got
to meet Robina, who has shepherded
this team for the past eight years
since the days of zero wins and all
loses. She’s seen it all as far as this
team in concerned. But they moved
because they all believed. Success
really starts not from talent but from
belief. And belief, once ignited can be
a contagious thing.
And then there’s the coach.
One of reasons why I support this
team is because I believe in Coach
Bo. Oftentimes, you don’t need to be
the best to succeed. Our coach may
not be the best coach, but he is the
right one for the team. That perfect
fit is what’s bring a team from good
to great.
I liked it that Bo sent in all
the graduating players - Diego, Paul,
Jarrel and Gelo - in the final minutes
of the game against La Salle to let
them be in the court when the final
buzzer rings and finally get that Final
Four ticket after twenty-one years. To
understand that significance of that
LOCAL NEWS
GOOD TO GREAT
move elevates this team from good to
great.
As I’m attracted to underdog
stories and Cinderella finishes, this is
where, as I say in business, to always
trust my ”spider senses” more than
the stat sheets. And so, I just love
it when it all comes together. The
talent, combined with teamwork; the
confidence and focus; the support
and the fans. This team is peaking at
the right time. Win or lose this Season
81, this team has arrived.
And I am grateful to be part
of their magnificent journey.
And that is the magic of the
UP Fighting Maroons. We see what
Breathe Life...
in non-smokers.
Our environment
can also play a role in
the
development
of
lung cancer. Outdoor
air pollution in big cities
can increase the risk of
lung cancer. Indoor air
pollution can come from
burning wood for heat or
cooking with unrefined
oils. Pulmonary diseases
can also increase the risk
of lung cancer. People
infected with primary
tuberculosis or chronic
bronchitis are more likely
to get lung cancer.
The late National Artist Lucretia ‘King’ Kasilag in
It
is
always
a musical interlude at the Palace with President best to consult a doctor
Cory Aquino
for more information
regarding lung cancer.
it is therefore important to familiarize
But
our
awareness
of the risk factors,
yourself with the risk factors of lung
as well as the signs and symptoms,
cancer.
And yes, smoking is the most can help us identify the disease early,
significant risk factor for lung cancer. leading to better outcomes. The most
Almost all cases of the aggressive impactful thing you can do to reduce
SCLC type are diagnosed in smokers. your risk of lung cancer is to avoid
Research has found that smoking has smoking. Non-smokers are least
contributed to at least 80 percent of at risk, but even someone who has
lung cancer cases. Smokers are 10 been smoking for years can reduce
times more likely to be diagnosed with their cancer risk by quitting. This also
lung cancer than non-smokers. Ex- means trying to avoid secondhand
smokers also permanently increase smoke by not hanging out in or near
their chances of getting lung cancer, smoking areas, asking your friends
even after they quit. While smokers and family not to smoke around you,
are at the greatest risk of lung cancer, or stepping away when they do so.
exposure to secondhand smoke also Don’t’ worry, it’s not impolite to step
increases the risk of lung cancer, even away from a smoker. Remember, it’s
your lungs and your
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others cannot see. When everyone
doubts you, the only acceptable is to
believe. Believe you can do it. Believe
that the impossible is a possibility.
Because, if all else fails, then the
only thing that will keep you going,
is believing in yourself. That I think,
is the secret of becoming good to
great.
A final note: After this article
was written, the UP FIGHTING
MAROONS win game one of their
twice to beat battle for a finals slot
against Adamson University. The do-
or-die match happens on Wednesday,
November 28, at 3:30pm Manila
time.