Russia Makes Fun of Itself at Sochi Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony

After more than two weeks of competition in the 2014 Winter Olympics at Sochi, Russia, the games have finally concluded with a lavish closing ceremony that features ballet from the Bolshoi, music by Rachmaninov and tribute to Tolstoy and Kandinsky. But the most unexpected scene is the parody of the infamous Olympic ring malfunction as dancers formed themselves into four rings and a small clump. Indeed, Russia had the last laugh.

This is the most expensive Olympics ever with $51 billion spent. The cost could payoff as Russia had the most medals with 33 medals including 13 gold.

The next Winter Olympics will be on 2018 to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

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6 Reasons why michael christian martinez is still a winner

Michael Christian Martinez may have only finished 19th place with overall score of 184.25 points in the recently concluded Figure Skating competition at Winter Olympics.

His score is actually way behind from that of gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu with 280.09, but I  believe he still deserves more than a gold medal. With his gutsy performance after what he has gone through, he is in every word a winner. Here's why:

1. At 17, he is the youngest competitor
2. He is the first Filipino and South East Asian figure skater to compete in Olympics
3. He only trained for about 8 years when his counterparts have received formal training for, on average, 12 years. This is evident in the lack of significant components in his routine like quadruple jump
4. He made use of what he has with an inadequate funding from the government and other private institutions
5. He struggled with asthma when he started to learn skating, but his health improved over the years
6. He was injured four times between 2009 to 2012 but he recovered and emerged

He will be the one to watch in 2018 Winter Games at South Korea.

Truly he is an inspiration to all.  He reminds us that nothing can stop us from fulfilling our dream.

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Filipino Figure Skater Michael Christian Martinez Made It To The Finals at Sochi Olympics

Michael Christian Martinez is making history for Philippines at the 2014 Sochi Olypmics. He made it to the final Top 24 after scoring 64.81, his best ever. 

We, filipinos, should be proud of him. He is the sole representative for the country in Olympics and we haven't sent anyone in 22 years. 

His story will melt your heart. He has gone through a lot of challenges. Fox Sports reported that the family had to mortgaged their house to finance his training. His costume for the competition was just a donation. At some point his mother was his coach because they could no longer afford to pay a professional one.

 In an interview his mother, Maria Teresa Martinez said "We're hoping he makes it and some companies support him. Otherwise he will just have to stop. We cannot afford it anymore. It's just so expensive and we can't do another four years."

Stay tuned for more updates.

Via [ Fox Sports ]

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LeBron James' Amazing Slam Dunk ( Video )

LeBron James may never be able to participate in an official NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest, but that doesn't mean we would not be able to see him show off his incredible talent.

Yesterday, after the team's practice, the 4 time NBA Most Valuable Player, put on a little show in front of some media members, team players and staffers.

Watch "King James" video here. He still amazes us right?







Via [ BleacherReport ]

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Michael Christian Martinez, 1st Filipino Figure Skater to Compete in Winter Olympics 2014

Michael Christian Martinez, "Asia's golden boy of Figure Skating", is another talented Filipino who has given honor to his country. He is 17-year-old from Muntinlupa, Philippines and will be the first Filipino figure skater ever to compete in a Winter Games and the first Olympian since 1992.

So far, he has won over 140 medals in local and international competitions including a gold at 2012 Senior International Ice Skating Competition. Let's all wish wish him well in the scheduled Figure Skating Competition to kickstart on February 14, 2014.

Martinez has overcome asthma in youth. In an interview with TV talk show Kababayan Today ( see video below ), one day he asked his mother to try skating while at a shopping mall and was hooked after just an hour. He has been competing since 2008, but has struggled to maintain the funding to allow him to practice six hours a day — typical for Olympic contenders. 

For now, let's watch the incredible performance below that qualified him to compete in Winter Olympics 2014.

To see more of his videos, you can watch his YouTube Channel here.

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Dazzling Fireworks Display at 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

Sochi opens the 22nd Winter Olympics with Russians showcasing its rich culture and contribution to arts. Overall it was a magnificent 160- minute show. The fireworks was dazzling. The dancing were well executed. But perhaps most will remember the technical glitch where one ring of the five famous Olympic rings didn't light up.

Here are some of the amazing photos.

See BBC's coverage for a complete report.

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Bruno Mars Beats Beyonce and Madonna in Super Bowl Viewers

The acclaimed Super Bowl Half Time performance of Bruno Mars and Red Hot Chilli Peppers' attracted a whopping 115.3 million viewers, the largest audience in Super Bowl history. It surpassed Madonna's record of 114 million views two years ago and Beyonce's 110.8 million last year.

I personally enjoyed the excellent rendition of the "Hooligans" as they sing some of their hits especially Just The Way You Are.

Happy watching!

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Floyd Mocks Pacquiao Anew

Floyd Mayweather Jr. continued to taunt Manny Pacquiao with another edited photo published on social media.

The photo image shows Floyd landing a big jab directly to the face of Manny inside the boxing ring.

The photo has a caption that says "...Now you’re telling me I got to eat Juan Marquez’s leftovers? Let me talk to the IRS about this.”  Obviously, Mayweather was talking about the knock-out defeat of Pacquiao to Juan Manuel Marquez as well as the tax woes that he's going through in the U.S. and in the Philippines.

Manny Pacquiao still mum with the tauntings of Mayweather but the fans of Manny criticized Floyd for coming out of the photo. Some fans commented from the previous taunting:

 “You're a great fighter, but desperate for posting this. That what makes Pac a better man,” said Cindy Agcolicol Lacewell.

“But here's the problem doh Floyd is scared to fight him doh. So fighting washed up and old fighters and fight a real fight,” said Fard Abdullah.

“You're one cocky [expletive] i hope he knocks you off your high horse,” said Devin Black.

“Man ur all talk...if u wanted to fight the Man U would have fought him already. It's just excuse after excuse out of you. Step up to the plate...” said Pawel Sie.

So what do you think of this new taunting of Floyd?

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Philippines' Swimming Gold Medal Turned to Bronze!

The Philippines' Team has celebrated the first Gold medal in the Swimming event of the 27th Southeast Asian Games last Thursday, however the jubilation didn't last long after a protest was raised by the Thai officials claiming that there was a false start happened during the race.

The Filipina swimmer, Jasmine Alkhaldi overcame and snatched the Gold medal from the two Singaporean competitors who have been dominating the race for the last decade.After the awarding ceremony, Thailand officials protested that there was a supposed false start and the Game officials upheld the protest and nullified and stripped the medals previously awarded. Instead a re-race has been set. The Philippines officials objected the decision and filed an appeal to the organizer's officials but it has fallen to deaf ears.

Unfortunately, in the re-swim that was held yesterday, Jasmine Alkhaldi just managed to settle for the Bronze in the 100m freestyle finals, ironically, the Thai swimmer bagged the Gold medal and Singaporean foe cheered the silver.

It was a sorry fate for the Team Philippines who has been struggling so far in the competition, the Nationals has now dropped in the 8th spot with only 3 golds, 5 silvers and 8 bronzes. It will get even worse if Laos will overtake the Philippines from the current standing as they already have collected 2 golds, 5 silvers and 14 bronzes.

For decades, the Philippines has dominated the SEA Games and the Nationals are always one of the top performers but from the recent competitions, its becoming sad that they are now being humiliated that even Laos is outperforming them.

Are we seeing a regression of the Philippine Nationals? or bad lucks are just going their way?

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Jordan's Shoes Sold for Over $100,000!

You heard it right! Michael Jordan's Shoes sell for over $100,000.

Michael Jordan wore the shoes during game 5 of the 1997 NBA finals against Utah Jazz. The game was historic because Jordan was having flu and yet he played incredibly pounding 38 points to win the game. The Chicago Bulls went on to win the 1997 NBA Championship.

According to sources, the shoes that Jordan wore has ended up with the Utah Jazz ballboy. Apparently, Michael Jordan has given his Air Jordan XII's shoes to the ballboy after the game and the shoes was stashed and kept for many years.

Now, after 16 years, the ballboy has decided to auction the shoes. The actual bidding went out this week and after many bids the Jordan's flu game shoes has sold to whopping $104,765. Wow! a lot of money! for a pair of shoes. The previous record of game worn shoes was sold for over $31,000 and guess who wore the shoes? Its Jordan, who used the shoes in his rookie year.

Is it really worth buying a sentimental Jordan shoes for $100,000?

Well, I got my vintage Jordan's shoes for only over $100 and I'm very happy with it!

 

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Spectacular Opening Ceremony of 27th SEA Games in Naypyidaw Myanmar

Myanmar waited for 44 years and finally it witnessed a spectacular opening ceremony of 27th SEA Games in the country's new capital Naypyidaw. I enjoyed the extravagant fireworks display and impressive performances showcasing Myanmar's rich culture.

As is customary, the games were formally opened when an archer-warrior, riding a chariot, fired a blazing arrow to light a flame in a big cauldron. I noticed a flaw in the execution when the cauldron lit up even before the flaming arrow had left the warrior's bow. Well, that's expected. It's a live show.

I also noticed familiar concepts in staging and choreography to that of 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. That is because China has provided technical assistance and financial aid of about $33 million.

Overall it was a great opening night. I love the giant 100m-wide LED screen showing wonderful visual effects.

Stay tuned as we cover the events and bring to you the excitement of 11 countries vying for over 1500 medals with  more than 400 gold medals up for grabs. Mingalabar! Welcome to Myanmar and let the games begin.

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Amazing Basketball Trick Shot by a Two Year Old Titus

Titus, the two year old toddler has become popular when his basketball trick shot video posted by his father in YouTube went viral. The video has now more than 12 million hits.

With his sudden fame, Titus made it on the program Jimmy Kimmel Live and defeated Shaquille O'Neal. The third time he appeared on the show last June, he took on Kobe Bryant.

Now, the little toddler has returned with more incredible trick shots. The new video below shows Titus shooting the basketball from the 4th and 7th floor of a building. We don't know how many times he has done it but the fact that he was able to make the shot way above the rim is really amazing.

Also, on the video, two  Hollywood stars Channing Tatum and Bradley Cooper were  defeated by the trick-shot prodigy in a basketball shooting contest.

The final act of Titus in the video is his first game winning shot during the Wichita State University basketball game.

Titus, indeed, has an amazing gift and he is just two years old. Enjoy the incredible trick shots!

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Manny Pacquiao, Victim of BIR's Incompetence?

Philippine governement's Bureau of Internal Revenue ( BIR ) is again running after our hero Manny Pacquiao. It seeks to collect 2.2 billion pesos ( $50.3 million ) of reportedly unpaid taxes of the boxing idol's winning last 2008 and 2009.

According to government data, BIR is still short of its tax collection target and it appears they are turning to Pacquiao, an easy target, to boost its efforts. They must have been elated when Bob Arum disclosed that Pacquiao's earning in his latest victory over Rios could reach $30 million.

In an interview with the Times, Arum confirmed that they have paid all the required taxes and said "It’s completely not Manny’s fault and completely a government screw-up."

Now since his bank accounts are being frozen, Pacquiao  had to borrow over 1 million pesos to purchase supplies for the typhoon victims. He promised to provide aid to more than 10,000 families.

“I appeal to them to remove the garnishment so that I can move and pay for my staff’s salaries,” Pacquiao told reporters “I am not a criminal or a thief. The money that was garnished by (the Bureau of Internal Revenue) is not stolen. This came from all of the punches, beatings, blood and sweat that I endured in the ring.”

Our government is messing up again. What do you think of this latest harassment by BIR?

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Typhoon Haiyan Victims Celebrate Pacquiao's Victory Amidst Devastation

Amidst devastation, the victims in the storm-hit city of Tacloban, Philippines forgot about their plight and enjoyed the victory of their hero Manny Pacquiao over Brandon Rios. "This not about my comeback. My victory is a symbol of my people's comeback from a natural disaster and a natural tragedy.'' Manny said in the ring immediately after the fight.

For about two hours, those who lost their loved ones and homes joined the nation as they watched a free broadcast of  Pacquiao defeating Rios in a unanimous decision with 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110 on the scorecards at the Venetian casino in Macau, China.

The WBO International welterweight title battle was shown live in four public areas in Tacloban to lift the spirits of Filipinos affected by super typhoon. Despite their troubled conditions, families, even with children, were seen cheering wildly all through the fight.

Herminio Coloma, President Aquino's spokesman said : As our people's hearts and minds were united in facing the challenges of the numerous tragedies that faced our country, just like Manny, we will triumph over our current problems by working together."

Meanwhile, Pacquiao and his team are preparing for a visit to Tacloban in the coming days. He said that 'as soon as possible we will finalize the detail''. As of this writing, there is no word yet as to the exact date of his visit.

This shows how resilient and cheerful, we Filipinos are. This is a good way to temporarily cope with the disaster. I just hope that the government will act fast to implement long term plans to help Filipinos cope with super-disasters in the future as pointed out by an article by Gerardo Sicat in the Philippine Star.

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NCAA Player Scores 109 Points in a Game!

Jack Taylor of Grinelle scored a massive 109 points in their victory game against Crossroads College last Sunday. The Grinelle's total score was 173 points. 

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NFL Player Pays Tribute to Typhoon Victims by Carrying the Philippines Flag

Doug Baldwin of Seattle Seahawks carried the Philippines flag when he got out of the dugout during their game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. According to reports, Baldwin’s act was to give honor to the victims of the typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. 

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Michael Carter-Williams Outshines the Defending Champ!

Certainly, for basketball fanatics the Michael Carter-Williams name is unknown not until the last night’s game against Lebron James and his defending champion team Miami Heat.

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Lebron James, Miami Heat's Greatest Weapon

I feel sorry for some of you who lost in a bet. I personally know someone who did.

I'm not really a huge fan of basketball. But since this is a newsworthy victory I might as well just join the celebration.

So much has been said of Lebron James' amazing ability. In  high school he has shown great potential. He persisted and practiced a lot until he became the great player that he is. See Lebron's execution then and now  :

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