EDUARD SACAPAÑO TAKE A BOW SON

I was at the stands and watched the Philippines Men’s National team take on the Singapore Men’s National team in a friendly enroute to the AFF Suzuki Cup next week.

The Philippines won by 1-0 scoreline, but if it weren’t for Eduard Sacapano’s heroics, Singapore could have won.

I was fortunate enough that I actually captured the Singapore penalty he saved right before the first half ended. 

My London-based classmate and I clearly gave the MoTM award to him, and I am glad that the crowd recognized his efforts, that his name was chanted by everyone at the stands.

To Manong Ed, take a bow! 

#AskPoldi: I'm Really Naughty This Year

I'm naughty. So no gifts for me from Santa then.

When Arsenal made a surprise announcement that they're going to have another Twitter Takeover last Nov. 8, I was in panic to shoot some question on the mystery player they're going to feature on the hot seat.

When they announced that Lukas Podolski will be on board first, I went blank. I can't think of any questions on this guy who I have a crush on since 2006 (That long!). I tweeted some random questions tagging Arsenal with hashtags #AskPoldi and #ArsenalTwitterTakeover but it seems the club didn't notice my questions. (You're question might get answered by the players if the club will click on "Favorite" on your tweet.)In my desperation (Yes I was that desperate for Poldi to take notice of me.), I ask him to be my sperm donor. The club may find my Q offensive, but I got compliments for being such a laugh trip.

Thank you Jady Salonga for the screen shot! Forever cherished!

RE: Weighing Arsenal's Chances

On a fine Saturday morn, I had a chance to read on a column in our local daily regarding Arsenal's chances of winning any silverwear this 2012-2013 season. I promised that author to make a reply, but since Arsenal's form as of late has been dismal, I needed to muster enough inspiration to write my reply.

Arsenal's 7 years and counting trophy drought has been the major talking point among the press and fans alike. To be a big club not just in England and in Europe, but in the whole world, you have to win a major trophy season after season. The last time we won any trophy was the 2005 FA Cup.

After that 2-0 lost against Schalke in the Champion League, Arsenal had a general meeting attended by members of the Supporter's Trust, the board members, stockholders and the manager himself, Arsene Wenger.

The Arsenal board emphasizes on being a club with balanced accounting books and banks on self-sustainability. A major dent into club's cheque book is the payment for their new stadium. Sure an airline company bought the naming rights for it, but I felt the club is somehow short changed with an estimated fee of  £100 million for 15 years (not counting inflation rates during that period). Thus the club have to sell their most prized players to other big clubs both in the UK and in the continent. There are some sections of fans who supported such scheme, but there are also who won't give in to the club's self-sustainability b*llsh*t. In the age where an oligarch or a sheikh can buy a mediocre club success, these Arsenal fans wanted the club to the same since they know that the club has money to burn. Stan Kroenke, the club's majority shareholder, may have the ability to pump in millions to cash on Arsenal's arsenal; but he too embraced the club's self-sustainability philosophy. *I actually read the transcript of the AGM, so that was where I got my information.

On to the trophy thing, during that AGM, Arsene Wenger told everyone that in every season that he is in-charge for the club, we are in contention for 5 trophies; 1. Premier League, 2. Champions League, 3. Champions League qualification, 4. FA Cup, 5. League (Capital One Cup).In the course of his 16 years as Arsenal's manager, Wenger won the Premier League 3 times, FA Cup 4 times (2 double winning seasons), 14 straight Champions League qualification, 1 Champions League runners-up (2006), 2 League Cup runners-up (2007, 2011). The fans' point of view, CL qualifications is not a trophy, we want something tangible. But in Arsene's perspective, qualifications in Europe's elite club competition mean added revenue to Arsenal, as well as attracting players to play for the club. Even fans from beleaguered Liverpool and rivals, Tottenham, can attest how much what is at stake by just merely qualifying for it. Arsenal's league form took a dip after an impressive start having lost thrice already to Chelsea, Norwich and Manchester United. In the Champions League, they lie second to Schalke in Group B with 2 fixtures still to be played. Arsenal will enter the FA Cup this January, while the League Cup is still up-for grabs after a dramatic 5-7 win at Reading.

As a fan, I admire Arsenal frugality, but on this day and age of social media, success in the balance sheet without trophies to boot is not success at all. But season 2012-2013 season is long, anything can happen. I hope Lady Luck will finally smile at Arsenal, I guess that's what this football club needed.

Earrings

A friend of mine made these for me! I super love! Thanks Jo!