Senator Miguel Zubiri assured that the host country the Philippines is upholding its integrity in judging the athletes competing for the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

To prove that the judges are having fair with other competitors, Zubiri mentioned a case where a Filipino athlete was stripped of a victory in Arnis after the jurors reviewed the protest made by the camp of Cambodia.

After reviewing the fight carefully, the judges saw that the opponent of Yalong, Veannsonita Si, made more effective blows than the Filipino athlete.

“Lumapit sila sa akin and they wanted to question the result. Bilang host country, kailangang ipakita natin na patas tayo. We’re fair. Pati ako, nakita ko, medyo dehado yung ating atleta. So I said, ‘let’s take it to the jury’. I-replay natin yung fight. Mayroon tayong system, na kapag may protesta, iri-replay yung fight, bibilangin in slow motion. Unanimous, panalo yung taga-Cambodia,” said Zubiri.

According to Zubiri, Cambodia is “hesitating” to file a protest, however, the Senator encouraged them.

He pointed out that like the Filipino athletes, other nations also prepared for the 2019 SEA Games so they should be given fair treatment.

“I’m happy for them. Naghirap rin silang mag-training ng ilang buwan at pumunta dito. Ayaw kong sabihin nila na Lutong Macau ang Pilipinas. Walang Lutong Macau dito. Let’s take it as sportsmen and women. Kapag talo, talo. Kapag panalo, panalo,” said Senator Zubiri.

“In this case, nanalo yung Cambodia and I’m happy for them. We want to show that this sport is fair, our judging is fair. There’s a protest system that we’re using, we have our playback system. Makikita talaga kung panalo or talo. We let the system work. We checked it on the play back system and we had our board of jurors who checked it out at nakita talaga, panalo si Cambodian. So let’s give it to her.”

He also has a message to Yalong, who got devastated by the reversal of the decision.

“I didn’t have a chance to talk to her (Eza). Pero alam mo, ako naging atleta rin ako. Even if manalo ako at hindi mo deserved, masakit rin yun. Hindi ka makakatulog. Gusto mong lapitan yung kalaban mo at sabihin sa kanya na you won. This is martial arts. Honor system yan,” said Zubiri.

It was reported that Yalong still couldn’t believe that she lost her match against Si.

“I was not properly informed of what happened. Feeling ko ako talaga yung nanalo,” said Yalong.

Actress Leah Navarro suggested that the organizers of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games opening ceremony should pick her own song “Isang Mundo, Isang Awit” instead of “Manila”.

“LOL. Pardon the self-promotion, but they could’ve used my song, “Isang Mundo, Isang Awit” instead. Je t’aime, te amo, I love you, Watashiwa anata-o aishtemasu, Ich liebe dich, iniibig kita, Gua ai di, Paano mang sabihin, ang mundo’y turuan natin, Tanging lunas ang pagibig,” Navarro wrote.

LOL. Pardon the self-promotion, but they could’ve used my song, “Isang Mundo, Isang Awit” instead.

Je t’aime, te amo, I love you
Watashiwa anata-o aishtemasu
Ich liebe dich, iniibig kita
Gua ai di
Paano mang sabihin, ang mundo’y turuan natin
Tanging lunas ang pagibig! ? ??

— Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) December 1, 2019

Navarro made the tweet amid the criticisms threw by Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte against the decision of the organizers to play the song Manila while presenting the athletes of the Philippines.

At saka susunod na kakantahin ay “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” ni @Jimparedes. Ano kaya feeling ng mga DDS?

— RSR (@rsrindo) December 1, 2019

One netizen even suggested that organizers could also pick the song “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” of Jim Paredes, another critic of the President Rodrigo Duterte.

The song Manila became popular again after it was used during the representation of the Filipino athletes and even President Duterte danced to it.

However, a few days ago, Davao City Mayor Inday Sara said that the song “Manila” is not representing the Philippines.

“Di po ba Philippine flag ang dala? Why would you play the song Manila?” Inday Sara said.

“Wag po natin gawing excuse ang upbeat danceable song. Kami nagimbento ng budots. Kaloko man oie,” she added.

“We should be inclusive when we want to encourage our countrymen to cheer. Yes, nega ako, bakit? I am a Filipino but I don’t have one drop of Tagalog blood in me. Pure Vismin by birth and Ilocos by marriage,” Inday Sara explained.

Do you think Leah Navarro’s song fits better than the famous single by Hotdogs?

St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) released a statement to deny their connection with Doctor Tomas Mendez who became infamous on social media after getting involved in a road rage incident a few days ago.

In a statement, St. Luke’s said that Mendez is not connected with any hospitals affiliated with SLMC.

However, they didn’t deny that Mendez has a history of being a trainee of the medical center, but not as a physician.

“Upon checking our records, Dr. Mendez was a former ENT resident trainee and he was never a part of St. Luke’s roster of practicing physicians,” SMLC said in their statement.

“Recognized as the leading and most respected healthcare institution in the Philippines, St. Lukes will never condone this type of behavior,” they added.

Meanwhile, another video has been circulating on social media featuring Mendez wearing a St. Luke’s uniform while performing a song in front of other employees of the hospital.

Yesterday, Mendez became well-known on social media after two videos showing him having an argument with motorists has been uploaded.

“Operator ka lang, anong number ng boss mo?” Mendez told the driver in the road rage video.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) already reviewed the video and ordered the Land Transporation (LTO) to summon Mendez to explain his behavior.

“Kami po ay nananawagan rin sa iba pang ahensya ng pamahalaan katulad ng Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) at pati na rin sa Philippine Medical Association (PMA) na kung maari po ay aksyunan ang insidenteng ito bago pa lumala ang sitwasyon o problema,” DOTr said on a social media post.

“Inuulit po namin ang paalala sa mga motorista na maging mahinahon at huwag daanin sa init ng ulo o sa antas ng pamumuhay kung sakaling masangkot sa isang traffic incident,” they added.

The camp of Dr. Mendez is not yet speaking as of writing.

Tomas Mendez, a doctor who became infamous on social media after he got involved in two road rage incident has been ordered by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to explain his behavior.

Yesterday, netizen Fran Rusti posted two videos showing a doctor having an argument with some vehicle owners.

In the first video, Mendez can be seen confronting a driver and shouting at him after a small traffic incident.

“Operator ka lang, anong number ng boss mo?” Mendez told the driver in the road rage video.

According to the victims, Mendez threw something at their vehicle’s window which resulted in the confrontation.

Meanwhile, Mendez accused the victims of trying to disrupt his attempt to change lane.

In the second video, the discussion between another driver and Mendez cannot be heard, but it can be seen the rage of the doctor.

Both videos already reached millions of views on social media.

Some netizens even did some effort to trace the identity of the doctor.

The officials of LTO already watched the video and told the netizens that what Mendez showed is an example of bad behavior.

“Sa mga panahon po na tayo ay biglang ma-involve sa isang traffic incident, huwag po sanang pairalin ang init ng ulo at umabot pa sa punto na tayo ay makikipagmurahan, manlalait, o mananakit ng ating kapwa,” The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on their social media post.

“Ang mapapanood nyo pong video ay isang halimbawa ng maling asal at gawain ng isang motorista,” they added.

“Umabot na po sa kinauukulan ang insidenteng ito at sa kasalukuyan ay gumagawa na ng hakbang ang ating Land Transportation Office-Philippines (LTO) upang maipatawag at mahingan ng paliwanag si Dr. Tomas Mendez, ang road rage suspect,” they also said.

The DOTr already asked the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and Philippine Medical Association (PMA) to take action against Mendez’ behavior.

“Inuulit po namin ang paalala sa mga motorista na maging mahinahon at huwag daanin sa init ng ulo o sa antas ng pamumuhay kung sakaling masangkot sa isang traffic incident,” they said.

The camp of the doctor or the hospital where he’s working is not yet releasing a statement over the incident.

A netizen who observed President Rodrigo Duterte during the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games opening ceremony wrote a lengthy post dedicated to the chief executive.

On a Facebook post, Armand Zarris Manapat said that when he saw Duterte dancing, he realized that the President is showing transparency and described him as a “father of a nation”.

According to him, the President who’s always “misunderstood” and known for his “strong image” showed his soft side to show that he’s enjoying the proud moment of the Filipino athletes.

Here’s what Manapat said on his post:

When I saw Philippine President Duterte dancing proudly and unapologetically to show the transparency of his emotion, I saw not a head of state but a true father of a nation. He reminded me of a strict head of the family, who is always been misunderstood and criticized by his children, and even thrown tantrums at. For all that he cares is for his children to have a better future even if it takes to be hurt and shamed, and question his ways. Behind that strong image, is a selfless father who is ready to dance joyfully and remove any strong image he has created for the world, for his family, and for the nation.

Every awkward sway of his hips, off-beat dance of his hands, and not-a-care-in-the-world sing-along moments are the sweetest show of affection and support coming from a “misunderstood” father. He is ready to let his guards down. He is just watching from behind while his children take the center stage. For this is the proud moment of a loving father, seeing his children rising above their weaknesses and embracing the beauty of their imperfections. For in his heart, it is all about YOU. 

During the 30th SEA Games opening ceremony, President Duterte was spotted dancing in the song “Manila” while he’s beside Brunei King Hassanal Bolkiah.

It is considered as one of the highlights of the opening ceremony as the netizens saw that even the President couldn’t hide his happiness during the said event.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCASIA) expressed their amazement over the opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines so they made a surprising offer to the country.

According to the news, OCASIA was impressed by the opening ceremony so they’re asking the Philippines to bid the hosting rights for the 2030 Asian Games.

Olympic Council of Asia Vice President Wei Jizhong said that after the Philippines made the 30th SEA Games opening ceremony successful, the country already proves that they’re ‘credible’ in bigger sports events like Asian Games.

“The Philippine Arena is perhaps a unique arena in the world. We witnessed the enthusiasm of all athletes, and showed the excellent tradition of the SEA Games so far,” he said.

“This means that the Philippines is capable to organize bigger-scale Games,” he added.

PANOORIN | Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Vice Chair Wei Jizhong, napahanga sa opening ceremony ng SEA Games 2019. | via Merry Ann Bastasa pic.twitter.com/BdIg4pDP0S

— Radyo Pilipinas (@radyopilipinas1) December 2, 2019

The Philippine government is not yet responding to the offer of the OCASIA if they’re going to push the hosting of the prestigious sporting event.

In 2018, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano who’s the Foreign Affairs Secretary during that time said that they’re planning to bid for the hosting rights for the 2030 Asian Games.

“Maybe you should be the first to know outside the small group. We actually want to bid for the 2030 Asian Games,” Cayetano said.

The Olympic Council of Asia is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

The member countries include Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Chinese Taipei, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Yemen.

Meanwhile, SEA Games, the current event being hosted by the Philippines only includes 11 countries.

The Philippines hosted the Asian Games in 1954 with 13 total participants, Japan won the most medal in the said event getting 98, while our country placed second with 45 medals.

Mayor Isko Moreno finally made a statement after four members of Panday Sining got invited by the members of the Manila Police Department to their station after getting caught of doing another ‘art protest’ along the streets of the nation’s capital.

On Sunday, Moreno said that he already warned the members of Panday Sining not to do their ‘art protest’ or vandalism in Manila, but they still decided to continue what they’re doing.

Moreno said that he couldn’t do anything now so the members of Panday Sining have no choice but to face the consequences for what they did.

“You were warned. Nag-abiso na ako. Nananawagan po ako na huwag ninyo nang ulitin. Inulit niyo pa rin. Sinusubukan niyo kung may batas at liderato sa Maynila. Kailangan niyo pong harapin ngayon ang bisa ng batas,” he said.

Manila Police Department confirmed that they caught the members of Panday Sining spraying random walls around Manila City during the Bonifacio Day Rally.

They also published a video which reposted by NEWS5.

It can be seen that some members of Panday Sining are doing their ‘art protest’ and painting the walls of LRT along Manila.

The wrote “Oust DU30” while the others draw a portrait of Andres Bonifacio holding a weapon.

Panday Sining received criticisms from the netizens after they claimed responsibility for the messages painted at the newly-renovated Lagusnilad underpass several weeks ago.

Mayor Moreno couldn’t hide his disappointment over the acts of the group and said that he would let them lick the wall they vandalized to clean it if they got caught again.

“Wag kayong papahuli sakin, human rights? Pag nahuli ko kayo papadila ko sa inyo to, buburahin nyo to ng dila niyo,” he said.

Actress Agot Isidro criticized the disconnection between the Filipino athletes and the controversial cauldron during the opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held at Philippine Arena.

On a Twitter post, Isidro doubts that there’s an athlete who saw the lighting of the cauldron in person because the venue of the opening ceremony is too far from Clark New City.

“There’s a certain disconnect when the participating athletes are in 1 indoor venue and the ceremonial lighting of cauldron miles away. More so, that ceremony was done days before. Did the athletes see it at all? Did anyone? Live?” Isidro said.

She then described the opening ceremony as “mere pomp & pageantry,” which her followers agreed.

According to some reports, the lighting of the cauldron which performed by  Senator Manny Pacquiao and amateur-boxing world champion Nesthy Petecio was done pre-taped.

There’s a certain disconnect when the participating athletes are in 1 indoor venue and the ceremonial lighting of cauldron miles away. More so that ceremony was done days before. Did the athletes see it at all? Did anyone? Live?

Know what it’s called?

Mere pomp & pageantry.

— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) December 1, 2019

She also shared an artwork from @marknealx showing the cauldron standing at shanties.

In honor of tonight’s #SEAGames2019 opening. Art by me.. pic.twitter.com/xe8CURryr5

— Neal (@marknealx) November 30, 2019

Isidro then defended her decision to criticize the SEA Games ceremony.

“I have always been. We need to speak out when discrepancies are blatantly displayed. You would too, if it went against everything you believed in. Magkaiba tayo ng pananaw. Yun lang yun. You can call me Agot. Maria Margarita sounds too formal. But thanks for the formality.” Isidro told her critic.

I have always been. We need to speak out when discrepancies are blatantly displayed.

You would too, if it went against everything you believed in.

Magkaiba tayo ng pananaw. Yun lang yun. You can call me Agot. Maria Margarita sounds too formal. But thanks for the formality.

— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) December 1, 2019

Despite her criticisms of the SEA Games opening ceremony, she cheered for her friends who got involved and performing for the said event.

“Break a leg to my dear friends who are involved with and performing at the #SEAGames2019 opening program tonight! No doubt that this will be a sight to behold! Let’s support our artists and athletes!” she said.

Break a leg to my dear friends who are involved with and performing at the #SEAGames2019 opening program tonight! No doubt that this will be a sight to behold!

Let’s support our artists and athletes!

— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) November 30, 2019