Picking up from where they left off in their game against the Coca-Cola Tigers last Dec. 28, the Beermen made it 3-0 over the Express in their head-on duels in the conference.

It’s Sta. Lucia versus Rain or Shine in the opener and San Miguel against Ginebra for the main game at the start of the best-of-three quarterfinals showdowns Wednesday in the same venue.

“Great players make great plays. Yung mga players ko ang nagpadali ng panalo namin,” said San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen on their conquest of the Express.

Air21 became the fourth team brought out in the all-Filipino tourney after Red Bull, Purefoods and, Coca-Cola. The Express are coming back in the Fiesta Conference playing under the Burger King banner.

Smb”s Lordy Tugade, Dondon Hontiveros, Bonbon Custodio, Danny Seigle and Dorian Pena all fired out in double figures as the Beermen eased out the Express with a torrid shooting.
“I know we’re not expected to be here (wildcard round). But there’s reason for everything and I think God has reason in bringing us here. Going into the quarters, we’ll be a better team after going through the wildcard. We’ll be more confident,” said Tanquingcen.

“Ginebra’s a tough team whether Mark (Caguioa) is there or not. But I’m not taking anything away from my team. We’re coming out and making the best we can,” Tanquingcen added.
Tugade and Hontiveros have 18 points each, Custodio and Seigle added 16 apiece while Pena had 12 as the SMB easily negated Gary David’s 31-point explosion.
Arwind Santos and Don Allado were the two other Express who put in double-digit outputs with the former making 20 and the latter 12.

With a flawless game, the Beermen established control in the second quarter and kept the Express at bay the rest of the way.

Seigle had been hot, having made 10 points when hit by Santos’ wayward elbow opening a one-inch wide cut on his right cheekbone midway through the second period.
The two teams figured in a highly physical contest from the onset with Wynne Arboleda being called an offensive infraction for swinging the ball hard on defender
Tugade late in the first half.Tugade took over from Seigle in the second period, knocking in a triple, a twinner and three charities to help the Beermen get a 48-41 spread at the half.

Custodio, Pena, Hontiveros and Olsen Racela also had significant numbers as the Beermen seized control after engaging the Express in two deadlocks and eight lead changes.
David made 17 points, three rebounds and two assists in the first 24 minutes of play for the Express. (NC)

The scores:San Miguel 105 - Tugade 18, Hontiveros 18, Custodio 16, Seigle 16, Pena 12, Washington 9, Racela 5, Pingris 4, Pennisi 4, Calaguio 3, Baguion 0.

Air21 86 - David 31, Santos 20, Allado 12, Arboleda 7, Baguio 5, Quinahan 4, Cruz 3, Kramer 2, Billones 2, Intal 0, Canaleta 0, Cruz 0.

Quarterscores: 25-23, 48-41, 75-64, 105-86

Romblon is gifted with lush vegetation and mineral resources. Aside from marble, the islands are rich in granite, nickel, silica, mercury, zinc, copper, silver, limestone, sulfide, ores, kaolin, clay, magnesium and quartz. Gold panning sites have sprouted in some of the mountain stream areas in Magdiwang, Sibuyan Island. The fertile soil nurtures varied agricultural crops–like coconut, rice, corn, bananas, rootcrops, fruit trees, vines and many others. Offshore, Romblon is a rich fishing ground. The islands lie on the migratory path of fishes from the Sulu and Visayan Seas, passing the Tablas Strait, Sibuyan Sea, and Romblon Pass.

The town of Romblon still retains vestiges of an important craft in the adornments of old houses and public buildings. The Cathedral of Saint Joseph features fine woodwork done by local features fine woodwork done by local artisans. The massive doors and the Byzantine-style altars adorn the 18th century fortress church that forms a center point for a series of Spanish fortifications. San Andres and Santiago forts lie on two strategic hills above the town.

The decline passed over most of the strong gains made in the previous day’s session, but traders said expectations of an important production cut by OPEC would help keep a floor under prices.

By mid-afternoon in Europe, light, sweet crude for January delivery was down $3.42 to $44.56 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Overnight, the contract surged $4.46, or 10 percent, to settle at $47.98.

In London, January Brent crude fell $2.69 to $44.70 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.

Friday’s data showing that US retail sales fell 1.8 percent in November, the fifth monthly slide in a row, and that wholesale prices dropped 2.2 percent last month escalated concerns about a deepening recession.

While falling prices are appealing to consumers, a prolonged, widespread decline would do serious economic damage, dragging down incomes, cutting home prices even further and shrinking corporate profits.

David Moore, commodity strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney, said comments by Saudi Arabia’s Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi on Thursday that November production by the world’s largest exporter was in line with OPEC’s recently lowered targets indicated it was serious about output cuts.

“There are expectations that OPEC will move to tighten supplies,” Moore said. “Oil prices softened this morning but well within the range we saw last night (despite) worries about falling consumption because of economic weakness.”

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which accounts for about 40 percent of global crude supply, has signaled it plans to reduce output quotas at a meeting Dec. 17 in Algeria.

Many analysts expect a production cut of as much as 2 million barrels a day, which would match the combined reductions of two previous output cuts earlier this year.

But they say the success of any production cuts in stabilizing oil price will depend on how closely OPEC members comply. OPEC’s overall November production was well above quotas agreed to by member states, according to Platts, the energy information arm of McGraw-Hill Cos.

Victor Shum, energy analyst at consultancy Purvin & Gertz in Singapore, said oil prices were adjusting Friday to what was seen as an “overdone” rally. “The biggest factor is still the expectation that OPEC will make substantial production cut next week, with coordination from Russia,” he said.

Russia has said it plans to coordinate production levels with other non-OPEC producers. On Thursday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev suggested that Russia is ready to work with OPEC.

“Both the Russian government and Russian producers have a common interest in higher prices and this is increasing the chance of a coordinated effort to curb supplies,” said Olivier Jakob of Petromatrix in Switzerland.

Oil prices have fallen 70 percent since peaking at $147.27 in July. After hitting $40.50 a barrel last week, some oil traders believe that if the market has not bottomed out, it is close to doing so.

In other Nymex trading, gasoline futures fell 6.38 cents to $1.0148 a gallon. Heating oil dipped 6 cents to $1.4466 a gallon and natural gas for January delivery lost 10.8 cents to $5.49 per 1,000 cubic feet.

La Salle followed rival Ateneo in the 2008 Philippine Collegiate Championship finals after whooping a 62-61 comeback win over reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association champion San Beda in their semifinal match on Saturday at the arena in San Juan City.

JV Casio scored seven of his crucial 11 points in the fourth quarter to lift the Green Archers recover from a horrendous first half.

Casio, La Salle’s top guard playing for Toyota Otis in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), went scoreless but scored the pivotal basket off a Peejay Barua steal near midcourt with 6.6 seconds left in the clock.

This win gives La Salle a second chance of getting back at Ateneo, who swept them in the UAAP finals this year.

Ateneo will defend its PCC title against La Salle in the national basketball tournament finals on Monday, December 8, at 4 p.m. held at the Araneta Coliseum after the battle for third place featuring NCAA rivals San Beda and Letran at 2 p.m.

The Spratly Islands are controversial islands of more than 100 reefs, islets and islands in the South China Sea between the Philippines and Vietnam, the group is claimed variously by Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The island occupies a total less than five square kilometers and spread over more than 400,000 square kilometers of sea. The South China Sea region is the world’s second busiest international sea lane. More than half of the world’s supertanker traffic passes through the region’s waters. In addition, the South China Sea region contains oil and gas resources strategically located near large energy-consuming countries.

South China Sea encompasses a portion of the Pacific Ocean stretching roughly from Singapore and the Strait of Malacca in the southwest, to the Strait of Taiwan (between Taiwan and China) in the northeast. The area includes more than 200 small islands, rocks, and reefs, with the majority located in the Paracel and Spratly Island chains. The Spratlys links the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. All its islands are coral, low and small, about 5 to 6 meters above water, spread over 160,000 to 180,000 square kilometers of sea zone (or 12 times that of the Paracels).

The Spratlys are part of the great sweep of archipelago Southeast Asia of more than 30,000 islands and reefs and which so complicates geography, governance and economics in the region. As these are so small and remote, there would not be much interest in the area - however, Spratlys are more significant as territorial markers than as places of habitation. There are no native islanders but there are rich fishing grounds and initial surveys indicate the islands may contain significant oil and gas.

As a result, a number of different nations have sought to claim some or all of the islands. Taiwan, Vietnam and China each claim the islands in their entirety. Malaysia and the Philippines claim some but not all of the islands, as also does Brunei. In 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone that encompasses Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands but has not publicly claimed the reef; claimants in November 2002 signed the “Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” which has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding “code of conduct”. In March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands. To support their claims, states have placed troops on some of the islands that they have claimed.

In the late 18th century, Malacañang Palace was first constructed by a Spanish nobleman, Don Luis Rocha, and was later the summer residence of the 18 Spanish governors general and 14 American civil governors, before becoming the official residence of the President of the Philippines after independence. Originally built as a private country house, Malacañang was developed into an ornate Spanish colonial palace complete with arches, patios, balconies, grilles, and sliding windows with panes made of capiz shells. Thereafter it was renovated on several occasions including most extensively during the residence of President Marcos.

Malacañang Palace is the official office of the President which is equivalent to the United States’ Oval Office of the White House. It is on the second floor of the Palace itself, while the old Executive Office in Kalayaan Hall has been renamed the Quezon Room. The desk is the presidential desk in use since the Commonwealth of the Philippines, when the official desk of the American governor-generals was brought to the United States; it was used by all presidents from Quezon to Marcos (officially until 1978, then in his private study), restored by President Ramos, used by First Lady Loi Ejercito Estrada, and restored once more by President Arroyo.

Recently, the complex has the Malacañang Palace, the Bonifacio Hall, Kalayaan Hall, Mabini Hall, and the New Executive building. Everyone would find Malacañang Park across the river that has a golf course and the Commonwealth era presidential rest house. The architectural style of the Malacañang Presidential Palace in Manila has undergone several alterations since the last 150 years and has lost its original architectural merit. It is seen with arches, balconies, frills and sliding windows.

Although 3rd placer in Pinoy Big Brother Season 2, Wendy got a big break with numerous offers and contracts, especially from ABS-CBN. She had the lead role as Margarita in Margarita, a teleserye of ABS-CBN. She was one of the original housemates to enter the Big Brother house. She did have a relationship with Bruce Quebral. Wendy was evicted on day 70 but returned to the house on Day 78. She was the most hated housemate because of her over-sensitiveness, but eventually placed 3rd amidst the protests against her by other housemates’ supporters. Her entrance to the Big 4 had spawned a number of negative feedbacks.

It’s been more than a year since controversial sexy actress Wendy Valdez won as the third big placer in Pinoy Big Brother Season 2. She is one of the luckiest among her batch as she was given her own afternoon drama show “Margarita” and played as Cesar Montano’s love interest in PALOS. Up to this day, a lot of fans are still irritated with her pressence especially in the comedy show “I Love Betty LA Fea” where she plays the role of Patricia, the pretty but stupid secretary of Armando played by John Lloyd Cruz.

Pacquiao is eight months pregnant with her fourth child with the Filipino world champion, making it delicate for her to watch a bout expected to be tenser than any of her husband’s previous fights.

It didn’t take long for the 29-year-old Jinkee to voice her objection to that possibility.

“I didn’t like it; I felt like that fight shouldn’t happen,” she told journalists in Filipino late Thursday evening during a Thanksgiving mass and dinner held at the Pacquiaos’ Palazzo residence in La Brea.

“I told Manny that there are other opponents he can fight. I asked him to pick any one of them, just not De La Hoya.”

But Jinkee was eventually reversed by a whirlwind of events that all led to this: On December 6, Manny Pacquiao, the Philippine boxing hero, will climb the ring and face the sport’s biggest name right now and its acknowledged “Golden Boy,” Oscar De La Hoya. Being a supportive wife, Jinkee eventually relented.

Jinkee has never missed watching from the sidelines. She almost did when her husband took on Eric Morales in 2006.

As the “Generals” (as General Santos City residents proudly call themselves) mark Gensan’s 69th Foundation Anniversary on Wednesday, they are expected to flock the city’s major thoroughfares to witness anew the Kadsagayan, one of the highlights of the colorful Kalilangan Festival.

Twelve years ago, the city government, encouraged by the success of Davao’s Kadayawan, Cebu’s Sinulog and Iloilo’s Dinagyang, institutionalized the foundation celebration by introducing the Kalilangan Festival. The city then appointed the Kalilangan Foundation Inc., an accredited non-governmental organization, to oversee the management of the festival. From its humble beginnings, the city was able to hurdle the challenges that goes with a young festival.

For 13 years now, the festival has become a social gathering marked by exchanging of amenities among traditional leaders, elders, allies and subordinates in varying tones.

It is also a pageantry of unique and colorful ethnic rites, rituals and traditions like marriage celebrations, religious ceremonies, anniversaries, funerals, enthronement of royal dignitaries, thanksgiving and other forms of social, political and economic activities.
It is not just an economic activity, but a continuous season of merriment, gaiety and merrymaking accentuated by sharing of gifts, traditional sports competition, dancing, singing and instrumental rendition and other forms of exhibition games, entertainment and amusement.

Kalilangan is also a noble tradition. It is a complete work of art nourished and nurtured by rich cultural heritage that has withstand the test of time from generation to generation.

The Filipino superstar, all set to face the great Oscar dela Hoya at 147 pounds, told Filipino journalists last Wednesday he’d never fight again in the 135-pound division.

“Actually I think I’d never go back down to 135,” said Pacquiao when asked about the possibility of him trying to defend the WBC lightweight crown.

“It’s too difficult for me to get to 135 pounds now. I walk around at 155 when there’s no fight, and 135 is too much a distance for me,” he said.

Pacquiao said whatever happens in his “Dream Match” with Dela Hoya, he’d rather stay at 140 or 147 pounds where he feels a lot more comfortable now.

“There are great fighters at 140 and Ricky Hatton is just one of them,” he said, as he enjoys a plateful of chicken lollipops, fried salmon and crab rice.

Pacquiao saying he’s giving up the lightweight crown also means that he no longer has to pay the WBC an extra $100,000 as sanction fee for the Dela Hoya fight.

A couple of weeks ago, the WBC said Pacquiao owed the body $30,000 in sanction fees for a previous fight and that he needed to pay the extra $100,000 for Dela Hoya bout.

Pacquiao was given 15 days to pay up or he gets stripped of the 135-pound title. He did pay the $30,000 but not the bigger amount.

He no longer had plans of defending the crown, actually the fourth world title the Filipino southpaw had won next to the flyweight, super-bantam and super-featherweight.

Manny Pacquiao is the only Asian boxer to have won four world titles in different weight classes, and also the only fighter from the Philippines to be crowned lightweight champion.

“I feel so drained and reduced at 135 pounds,” he said, leaving behind a division being where Juan Manuel Marquez, Nate Campbell and Michael Katsidis now reside.

But that’s all he has to say about the move. “Because I want to focus on this fight first,” he added.