Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and other lawmakers couldn’t hide their excitement on the impressive performance by Gilas Pilipinas against China during their FIBA World Cup match on September 2.

Dela Rosa, with Senate President Migz Zubiri, Senators Joel Villanueva, Sonny Angara, and Pia Cayetano could be seen celebrating the shots made by Gilas player Jordan Clarkson during the game.

The senators also wore a ‘West PH Sea’ shirt to express their support to the country amid the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China.

Netizens couldn’t stop themselves from reacting after they saw Dela Rosa’s dance.

“Lambot pala kumembot ng BATO hahahaha,” netizen Julian said.

“Si bato kala mo laruan na de susi yung likod eh HAHAHAHAHAHA,” netizen Jeff commented.

It can be recalled that the territorial dispute between the two countries intensified after the Chinese Navy used water cannons against the ships owned by the Philippines.

According to the senators, they wanted to be friends with China, but the recent behavior of the said country disappointed them.

“We cannot let this slip. This is too much already! Nakakapikon na ang Tsina! Sobra na ang pambabastos ng Tsina sa ating Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, at mga mangingisda. Teritoryo, seguridad, at kapayapaan na ang nakataya rito!” one of the senators said.

The Philippines won against China with 96 points against China’s 75.

Joel Mondina, a.k.a Pambansang Kolokoy, admitted that he was sometimes regretful of the fame he achieved as an internet celebrity.

In an interview with Luis Manzano, Joel said that while he sometimes regretted becoming an influencer, he was still thankful to God for giving him a chance to become famous.

According to him, no one took him seriously now because of his fame.

“Siguro nga, ginawa ako ng Diyos na ganito. So, nagpapasalamat pa rin ako siyempre,” Joel said.

‘Yun bang napakaseryoso ng sinabi mo, ‘yun bang kulang na lang sabihin mo, nadisgrasya si Pambansang Kolokoy pero tatawa pa rin sila,” he added.

It can be recalled that Luis also interviewed Joel’s former partner Grace Mondina.

Grace revealed several information about her current relationship with Joel and she also admitted that she’s only communicating with the internet celebrity because of their children.

“We’re just like friends, parang noon na naglolokohan lang kami,” she said.

Grace never answered if there’s a chance for them to reconcile with Joel.

Veteran showbiz reporter Jobert Sucaldito revealed the effects of Jake Zyrus, formerly Charice Pempengco’s fading career as an artist.

In an interview with Snooky Serna, Jobert said that he was saddened by the career decisions made by Jake who decided to become a transman in 2017, losing his signature high voice that made him popular internationally.

“Sayang.. Ako nanghihinayang talaga kung nanonood si Charice ngayon, she was of all [ng] mga Filipino artist, siya ang pinakamalaking international star na na-produce na sana natin,” said Jobert. “Nakapasok na siya sa merkado ng international, kasi ‘yung pyramid na album, being managed by Oprah Winfrey and David Foster is not a joke,”

According to him, it was understandable for Jake to reveal his real identity, but Jobert believed that it was better if the singer didn’t make changes in his body, which affected his voice.

He also gave some updates about Jake, saying that the singer was forced to sell the properties he bought during the height of his career as Charice.

“Nakakaawa siya ngayon, ‘yung pinundar niya tuloy dito mga bahay, apartment parang naibenta na, tapos pumunta sa America, tinanggihan na nila Oprah, tapos nagsho-show nalang sa maliliit na bars, hindi na tinatao,” he stated.

“Nakakaawa, but you know, ginusto mo to eh.. Alam mo naman ang pagsisisi laging sa huli,” he added.

Jobert wished that Jake would retain his career.

Veteran actress Janice Jurado revealed an important detail about the last moments of the one and only ‘Da King of Philippine movies’ Fernando Poe Jr.

It can be recalled that Poe passed away seven months after his controversial defeat in the 2004 elections against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

According to Jurado who claimed to have a relationship with FPJ said that the late action star was talking to someone on the phone before collapsing.

She said that they were celebrating when FPJ suddenly passed out when he was informed about something.

“Kasi victory noon akala namin panalo na siya. Nandoon kami sa kanyang FPJ Compound. Pagka-receive niya ng call, hinawakan niya ‘yung batok niya. Alam namin panalo na siya eh. Celebration na ‘yun eh, nag-iinuman. Tapos iniikutan niya kaming lahat. Tapos sabi nung ano, ‘Bossing mayroon pong phone call’,” she said.

“First time ko siyang narinig nagmura tapos hawakan niya ‘yung batok niya… collapsed. Bumagsak na,” she added.

People still believed that the result of the election in 2004 was rigged and the speculations were fueled when a conversation between Arroyo and a Commission on Elections (COMELEC) official had been leaked to the media.

The conversation was dubbed as ‘Hello Garci’ and it forced Arroyo to apologize to the public, but never admitted that she asked COMELEC to manipulate the result of the elections.

Gilas Pilipinas Coach Chot Reyes took full responsibility for the disastrous performance of the Philippine National Basketball team at the FIBA World Cup.

It can be recalled that despite being one of the hosts of FIBA and the full support of the Filipino crowd, Gilas Pilipinas remained winless in all of their games.

Experts considered it the poorest performance of the Philippine Basketball team for decades.

During a press conference, the apologetic coach said that they’re supposed to show the result of their ‘learning experiences’ during the World Cup.

“I’ve already said I’m really sorry that we were not able to deliver and I take full accountability. I take full responsibility,” said Reyes.

“This was a time for us to win, to execute the learning. It was supposed to happen way back. This was a time for us to win and execute and like I said, we didn’t get the job done,” he added.

He also admitted that the morale of his players was so low but they still need to prepare for their final match against China.

“Our job is to get everyone ready now for the next game, and that has to start with our mindset and our emotional hearts as well. We just like to say that as difficult and as disappointing the campaign has been so far, I’m still very proud of the effort,” he said.

Reyes said that the decision to remove him as Gilas coach was up to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) chaired by Manny V. Pangilinan.

Despite its disastrous performance during the FIBA World Cup 2023, it seems that the players who represented the Philippines were still expected to receive a fat paycheck.

According to several reports, NBA Player Jordan Clarkson, who also plays for Gilas was earning around P9.5-M a day.

“Sabi sa akin ng aking ‘bubwit’, pumapatak na nasa close to P9 million a day, baka ‘yung per day na iyon ay ‘yung pagdating niya sa Pilipinas,” basketball coach Gerry Esplana said.

Another report posted by Full Court disclosed that Clarkson received a total of P56,781,000 to represent the country, while the 7′ 2″ player Kai Sotto was paid P11,356,200.

However, even the highest amount of money didn’t change the outcome of Gilas’ games and they’re now currently suffering from a 0-4 result.

They’re also considered one of the poorest performers during the FIBA World Cup even if they hosted the tournament.

Even Nesthy Petecio, one of the medalists last Olympics couldn’t hide his envy after reading the paycheck received by Clarkson and Sotto.

“Sana all,” said Petecio.

It can be recalled that Petecio was one of the athletes who pushed the government to increase its funding for its national athletes.