Blog Posts - fessap

The best POC president the country never had

8/9/2015

Art Macapagal

President Diosdado Macapagal

By: Graham C. Lim

Arturo (Art) Macapagal, 72, died of prostate cancer early Tuesday morning at the Makati Medical Center.

Macapagal, an outstanding shooter during his heyday who represented the national colors during the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics, was an excellent sports leader who would have been the best Philippine Olympic Committee the country ever had if fate had been more kind.

I personally campaigned for Art Macapagal during the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) presidential elections in November of 2008 where the son of the former Philippine president lost by a close vote of 21-19 against the overstaying incumbent. The last minute turnaround 2 votes to the other side were my close friends who later regrets for what they did to us.

Art, as he was known to his close friends, saw action in the pistol event during the 1972 Munich Olympics and 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Art is the eldest son of former president Diosdado Macapagal and half brother of former Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

It was a sad day for Philippine sports when Art finally crossed the Great Beyond. He came at a time when the country was looking not only for a legitimate sports leader that ruled without fear nor favor and would not decide on matters on the basis of political patronage.

Art would have run the POC in a democratic way and certainly his brand of leadership would not have divided Philippine sports into bits and pieces by way of taking over the leadership – through his henchmen – the various National Sports Association (NSA) entities that dared to go against his wishes, let alone caprice.

Art would have been a unifying POC president who would think of the greater good instead of protecting his own interests and playing politics.

Philippine sports is much poorer today with the demise of Art Macapagal.

Our heartfelt condolences go to the family and relatives that Art left behind. May the God Almighty grant him eternal peace!

Interview with Angel Ngu

4/17/2015

Angel Ngu (2nd from right), FFCCCII newly elected president is shown a special recognition award from Senator Antonio Trillanes for his dedication in support to FESSAP projects headed by David Ong (2nd from left), FESSAP president with FESSAP deputy secretary general, Col. Ariel Querubin, a veteran soldier and war hero with the most distinguished Medal of Valor award.

FESSAP Special recognition award given to Mr. Angel Ngu during the dinner reception hosted by FESSAP President David U. Ong.

ANGEL NGU INTERVIEW (April 17, 2015)

Engaging actively in sports activities is essential to a healthy and robust life.

Thus declared Angel Ngu, the President of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. who has been named by the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) as the Deputy Head of the Philippine Delegation to the 28th Summer Universiade in Gwangju City, South Korea in July this year.

The radiant-looking, 67-year-old Ngu has been into soccer since he was 10 and a student at Chiang Kai Shek College. By 14, he was already into competitive football.

“It was my dad who influenced me to take up football,” said the Manila-born Ngu, who also headed the Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation from 2009-11. “My father also played football during his prime and I often tagged along and joined him in the games.”

His fascination with soccer continued even when he attended the University of the East during the mid-1960s. “I was a member of the school team and played my hearts out every time we set foot on the football field and played against teams from other big schools.”

After college, he decided to form the Min-U Football Club (Friends of Manila). Together with his close friends, they would barnstorm the country for friendly matches. They would also showcase their wares overseas. A favorite destination was Taiwan, where their age-group counterparts would welcome them with open arms.

In 1989, Ngu also organized an international football tournament featuring athletes age 40 or older. The inaugural competitions were held in Manila with teams from Taiwan, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and the host country.

Among his veteran teammates at the time were soccer legends Anastacio Co and Bert Honasan, a brother of Senator Greg Honasan.

“I was so proud of the tournament’s success and more so because we were able to bring together teams from Taiwan and China at a time when the political atmosphere between the two countries was a bit frosty,” recalled Ngu.

The international tournament, which is called the Evergreen Cup, has since attracted teams from United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia.

Ngu noted the revival of football in the Philippines when the Azkals entered our national conscience once again in the 2000s due to the presence of Filipino-foreigners with brute physique but matinee idol-like good looks on the team.

“The Azkals have brought back the enthusiasm that the Filipinos had shown for the sport during the 1960s and 1970s,” said Ngu.

Ngu is looking forward to his role as the Deputy Head of Delegation for the Philippine national team that will participate in the Gwangju Universiade.

His advice to the university athletes: “Try your best to excel for the Philippine flag. No matter what sport you engage in, do your best. If we happen to win any medal, then that will be even better.”

The Philippines won a silver medal during the 2011 Shenzhen Universiade courtesy of Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison in men’s taekwondo.

Two years later, in Kazan, Russia, the country snared a gold in men’s chess when Wesley So beat a former juniors world champion from Armenia in a playoff to top an elite group of woodpushers that included young grandmasters from around the world.

Ngu is into his late 60s but until now, he still regularly plays the game of football.

Every Sunday, he and his friends troop to the Xavier School football field in Greenhills, San Juan City to play against teams from their age group and even those from the younger generation.

For Angel Ngu, old footballers do not die … they just continue to play the game.

FESSAP President David U. Ong hosted a dinner reception to newly elected FFCCCII president Mr. Angel Ngu, Senator Antonio Trillanes, FISU's World University Championship (WUC) director Paulo Ferreira and WUC Cycling technical director Luis Miguel Loureiro from Portugal, former Senator Nikki Coseteng, Air 21 Express owner Alberto Lina who is represented by his daughter Donna Lina, FESSAP vice president Christian Tan, FESSAP treasurer Jeane Monteverde, FESSAP deputy secretary general Col. Ariel Querubin, Special Assistant to FESSAP president- Atty. Maria Luz Arzaga-Mendoza, Atty. Leo Luis Mendoza and Francis Go. The reception was held at Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant in Macapagal Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila. (Photo by Henry T. Vargas)

March 30th, 2015

3/30/2015

Universiade News: Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli in Gwangju Universiade opening ceremony

3/5/2015

Andrea Bocelli

Sarah Brightman

Sarah Brightman & ANdrea Bocelli with Popera sensation, Lim Hyung-joo becomes Gwangju Universiade Promotional Ambassador
Issued on December 11, 2014 Universiade News

The South Korean “Popera” star, Lim Hyung-joo will be one of the new Universiade Gwangju 2015 Promotional Ambassadors. Along with Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman, Lim Hyung-joo has popularized the popera genre, a crossover genre combining elements of pop music and classical opera, all over the world.

Lim Hyung-joo will be appointed as a promotional ambassador on December 10th at Gwangju City Hall.

The Korean popera singer was offered the position not only due to his fame and voice but also his consistent philanthropic work which fits the Universiade Gwangju 2015 objective to live up to the value of peace and humanity.

In 1998, Lim surprised the music scene releasing his first solo album when he was 12 years old. He has since performed in many prestigious concert halls around the world, including the New York Carnegie Hall. He has recently dedicated his song, A Thousand Winds, to the passengers of the Sewol ferry disaster which took over 290 lives this April.

Along with his fellow Universiade Ambassadors, K-Pop star Suzy (Miss A), Olympic sports stars, Ki Bo-bae (Archery), Son Yeonjae (Rhythmic Gymnastics), Yahng Hak-seon (Artistic Gymnastics), and Choi- Eun-sook (Fencing) are actively working to promote Universiade Gwangju 2015.

COSETENG IS PH FLAGBEARER IN GWANGJU UNIVERSIADE

3/2/2015

COSETENG IS PH FLAGBEARER IN GWANGJU UNIVERSIADE
By: Graham C. Lim

The Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) formally designated former senator Anna Dominique (Nikki) Coseteng as the Philippine flag-bearer to the opening ceremony of the 28th Summer Universiade in Gwangju City, Korea during turnover ceremonies held last February 27 at the National Press Club building in Intramuros, Manila.

“I am honored to be named by the FESSAP Board as the country’s flag-bearer to the Gwangju Universiade,” said the 62-year-old Coseteng, the daughter of founding Philippine Basketball Association president (the late) Emerson Coseteng and former owner and team manager of trailblazing PBA franchise Mariwasa/Noritake/Honda/Finance/Galerie Dominique, as she received the Philippine flag from her predecessor retired Colonel Ariel Querubin, a bodybuilding advocate who carried the country’s colors during the opening rites of the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russian Federation.

“I humbly accept the designation and hope to be able to inspire leadership among our local university athletes that will compete in the so-called Olympics of University Sports around the world.”

David Ong, the FESSAP president, is elated over Coseteng’s designation, saying that “Nikki is an excellent choice for the position, having been a strong advocate of Filipino youth sports and activism through her involvement with Diliman Preparatory School.”

Senator Antonio Trillianes IV is the Philippine Head of Delegation to the Gwangju Universiade, which runs from July 3-14 this year. Deputy Head of Delegation is Angel Ngu, the Executive Vice President of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII).

Coseteng attended St. Paul’s College, Maryknoll (now Miriam) College and St. Maur’s Convent in England during her early academic years and then enrolled at the Notre Dame College of California in the U.S. and the University of the Philippines in college.

She has been running the Diliman Educational Corporation, which operates the Diliman Preparatory School and the Diliman Computer Technology Institute in Quezon City, since December 2006. The DPS has had a strong academic and sports program under Coseteng, the school’s president and Chief Executive Officer.

Coseteng has actively supported the Philippine Swimming League, which is affiliated with the FESSAP, in the past several years and is no stranger to the biennial Universiade activities.

*She attended the Summer Universiade spectacles in Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China in 2011 and in Kazan in 2013.

The Philippines brought home a silver medal during the 2011 Universiade courtesy of Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison in men’s taekwondo.

Two years later, in Kazan, the country captured a gold in men’s chess when Wesley So beat a former world juniors champion from Armenia in a playoff to top an elite cast of woodpushers that included young grandmasters from around the world.

Also in attendance during the flag turnover ceremony are FESSAP Board chair Alvin Tai Lian, FESSAP executive vice president Robert Milton Calo, Tisha Abundo, Roel Natividad, Jeane Monteverde, Megaworld's Danilo Madlansacay, Park Hyun Mo of the Filipino Korea Ciltural Foundation, Korean Philippine Tourism head Park In Suk.

The Philippine participation in the Gwangju Universiade is supported by San Miguel Corporation,Bestank, H2O Technology Corporation, Megaworld Properties Corporation and Agri Nurture Inc.

The FESSAP is the country’s lone university sports federation that is officially recognized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), which organizes the Summer Universiade and Winter Universiade every two years on an alternate basis.

The FESSAP, which is also recognized by the country’s Commission on Higher Education (CHED), has been a regular FISU member since 2009.

The first Universiade, an international multi-sport event organized for university athletes, was held in Turin, Italy in 1959. It is also known as the World University Games.
(gcl)

Interview with Deputy HoD, Angel Ngu of FFCCCII

2/27/2015

INTERVIEW with Angel Ngu
By: Graham C. Lim

Engaging actively in sports activities is essential to a healthy and robust life.

Thus declared Angel Ngu, the Executive Vice President of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) who has been named by the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) as the Deputy Head of the Philippine Delegation to the 28th Summer Universiade in Gwangju City, South Korea in July this year.

The radiant-looking, 67-year-old Ngu has been into soccer since he was 10 and a student at Chiang Kai Shek College. By 14, he was already into competitive football.

“It was my dad who influenced me to take up football,” said the Manila-born Ngu, who also headed the Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation from 2009-11. “My father also played football during his prime and I often tagged along and joined him in the games.”

His fascination with soccer continued even when he attended the University of the East during the mid-1960s. “I was a member of the school team and played my hearts out every time we set foot on the football field and played against teams from other big schools.”

After college, he decided to form the Min-U Football Club (Friends of Manila). Together with his close friends, they would barnstorm the country for friendly matches. They would also showcase their wares overseas. A favorite destination was Taiwan, where their age-group counterparts would welcome them with open arms.

In 1989, Ngu also organized an international football tournament featuring athletes age 40 or older. The inaugural competitions were held in Manila with teams from Taiwan, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and the host country.

Among his veteran teammates at the time were soccer legends Anastacio Co and Bert Honasan, a brother of Senator Greg Honasan.

“I was so proud of the tournament’s success and more so because we were able to bring together teams from Taiwan and China at a time when the political atmosphere between the two countries was a bit frosty,” recalled Ngu.

The international tournament, which is called the Evergreen Cup, has since attracted teams from United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia.

Ngu noted the revival of football in the Philippines when the Azkals entered our national conscience once again in the 2000s due to the presence of Filipino-foreigners with brute physique but matinee idol-like good looks on the team.

“The Azkals have brought back the enthusiasm that the Filipinos had shown for the sport during the 1960s and 1970s,” said Ngu.

Ngu is looking forward to his role as the Deputy Head of Delegation for the Philippine national team that will participate in the Gwangju Universiade.

His advice to the university athletes: “Try your best to excel for the Philippine flag. No matter what sport you engage in, do your best. If we happen to win any medal, then that will be even better.”

The Philippines won a silver medal during the 2011 Shenzhen Universiade courtesy of Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison in men’s taekwondo.

Two years later, in Kazan, Russia, the country snared a gold in men’s chess when Wesley So beat a former juniors world champion from Armenia in a playoff to top an elite group of woodpushers that included young grandmasters from around the world.

Ngu is into his late 60s but until now, he still regularly plays the game of football.

Every Sunday, he and his friends troop to the Xavier School football field in Greenhills, San Juan City to play against teams from their age group and even those from the younger generation.

For Ngu, old footballers do not die … they just continue to play the game. (gcl)

Coseteng named flag bearer for World University Games

2/8/2015

Coseteng

Manila Times - Former senator Anna Dominique "Nikki" Coseteng has been named the country’s flag bearer in the opening ceremonies of the prestigious 2015 Summer World University Games scheduled on July 3 to 14 in Gwangju, South Korea.

“It’s a great honor to have been chosen to be the flag bearer for the Philippine participants and delegates to the very prestigious Universiade 2015. As recognition for my humble contribution and crusade to democratize Philippine sports, I pray that this year and in the coming years, no athlete will ever be discriminated against and barred from participating in the Universiade by their coaches, and colleges and universities like what we’ve experienced in 2013,” said Coseteng.

The World University Games—the biggest sporting event for student-athletes—will be participated by more that 170 countries in 21 disciplines.

“I look forward to having open tryouts. Meaning, open to all qualified athletes without discrimination. I hope to live to see the day when we are able to put an end to all elements contributing to the death rather than grassroot development and motivation and support rather than stagnation and destruction of athletes in the Philippines,” stressed Coseteng.

The Philippine Swimming League (PSL) will send the biggest delegation to give opportunities to young and talented swimmers to experience a world-class competition, according to PSL president Susan Papa.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we want them to experience this whole thing, learn from it and share it to their families, friends and fellow athletes,” said Papa.

The Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) appointed Coseteng as the flag bearer “for her courageous fight against corruption in Philippine sports and unequivocal support to the Filipino youth.”

A simple turnover ceremony of the Philippine Flag will be held on February 27 at 10:30 a.m. at the National Press Club building in Intramuros, Manila.

It will be headed by Col. Ariel Querubin, who was the flag bearer for the Philippine delegation during the 2013 edition held in Kazan, Russia.

David Ong, the FESSAP president, will announce the designation of the Philippine Flag bearer along with Philippines’ Head of Delegation Sen. Antonio Trillanes, and Deputy Angel Ngu, the Executive Vice President of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Inc.

4th World University Weightlifting Championship

12/5/2014

Philippine Delegation to WUWC

Chiang Mai, Thailand, 05 December 2014 - - The 4th World University Weightlifting Championship (WUWC) was recently held in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP), which is the sole university sports organization recognized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), sent a delegation to compete in the games.

(in photo from left to right) the athletes are Kelle Kay Rojas (female) and Ivan Philip Catingub (male), coach Gary Hortaleno, Mark Rommel Alino (team official), Felix Tiukinhoy (president of Cebu Weightlifting Association as Delegation Official); WUWC student liaison Tanyachanok "Fang" Hemma and Graham C. Lim as Philippine Head of Delegation.

Members of the Philippine Delegation include Cebuano athletes Kelle Kay Rojas (female) and Ivan Philip Catingub (male), coach Gary Hortaleno, team official Mark Rommel Alino, Cebu Weightlifting Association (CWA) president Felix Tiukinhoy Jr., and Philippine Head of Delegation Graham C. Lim.

The country’s participation was made possible through the partnership of the FESSAP president David Ong and the Cebu City Sports Commission under Mayor Michael Rama.

This marked the first time that the Philippines has taken part in the World University Weightlifting Championship" said Lim, who was elated over the performance of Rojas and Philip in the tournament.

Graham Lim also congratulated the Cebu Weightlifting Association (CWA), a FESSAP-affiliated national association which organized the local qualifying tournament for the World University Championship. Sportsman-businessman Lorenzo (Chao) Sy is the FESSAP representative in Cebu City.

Opening Ceremony held at the North Chiang Mai University

Light a candle for King's birthday today December 5

Thai cultural dance performed during the opening

2 PSL tankers bag MOS plum in Royal Bangkok Championship

12/2/2014

by EMIL C. NOGUERA
Reporter

BANGKOK: Diliman Preparatory School’s Daryl Concepcion and Aklan’s Kyla Soguilon copped six gold medals each to lead the Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOS) awardees in the 2014 Royal Bangkok Swimming Championship held at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club Swimming Pool here in Thailand.

Concepcion won golds in the boys’ 11-12 100m free, 50m breast, 50m back, 200m Individual Medley, 50m fly and 100m back then grabbed one silver and two bronzes for 73 points while Soguilon topped the girls’ 9 years 100m free, 100m fly, 200m IM, 50m fly, 100m back and 50m free, and had three silvers for 75 points.

The other Filipino MOS awardees were Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh (44 points), Michel Gabriel Lozada (57 points), Mico Abina (45 points) and Trisha Oliveros (58 points).

“The Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee must wake up. This is sports for all. They are putting too much restrictions like we’re not allowed to use the flag, the name of the Philippines [in international competitions]. That’s ridiculous,” said PSL President Susan Papa.

The PSL earned a total of 58 medals—20 golds, 21 silvers and 17 bronzes.

“These young swimmers are also citizens of our country. They just want to represent and give honors to our country. The reason we are so much behind is because of the system and bullying of these sports head in our country,” added Papa.

“It should be stopped permanently to be able to achieve excellence in sports again. We want to held the state that’s why we develop swimmers through our grassroots program in our own little way without asking for any government financial support,” she stressed.

The PSL resumes its search for talented young swimmers as it stages its 71st Leg Series on December 20 to 21 at the Diliman Preparatory School in Quezon City.

“Why do we have to ask a fellow non-government body (POC), we are not going to the Olympics. We just want to represent and give honor to our country in a very small way,” stressed Papa.

“If they cannot help us, just leave us alone and stop bullying us,” ended Papa.

The PSL is the national sports association for swimming of the Federation of School Sports Associations of the Philippines. It has the longest running swimming grassroots development program in the country. The PSL is also an affiliate to Federation International Sports University.

VACC supports PSL’s fight for corruption

11/23/2014

The Violence Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) vowed to support the Philippine Swimming League (PSL) in its effort to fight for corruption in sports.

VACC President and Founder Dante Jimenez said “you may count on VACC for whatever support we can extend to PSL in this issue, what ever led to this questionable situation of our sports which seem to have been politicized and corrupted.”

PSL President Susan Papa and Senator Pia Cayetano asked the Senate of the Philippines to let the Philippine Sport Commission explain on how the agency’s budget has ben disburse for the past years.

“Among the issues raised, Senator Cayetano wants the PSC to explain include the manner how the PSC allocates monetary support given to the NSAs, athlete groups and individual athletes as well as its method in selecting the sport for funding,” said Papa.

During the Senate Hearing, PSC Chairman Ricardo Garcia and Executive Director Guillermo Iroy Jr. were present.

“We need to know how much is given per NSA and if there are separate fundings given to groups that are not NSAs. We like to have a complete list of these and individuals athletes,” quoted Cayetano as saying.

Cayetano added “I will suggest that we suspend interpellation to give them, PSC, time to put together their data and submit to us.”

Jimenez, for his part, said “it is important that abuses and dishonest practices must now put to stop permanently. The young athletes must not be deprive of their human rights, and you have my full support.”

“We are delighted of allies coming in and we want to thanked the patron and Godfather that has been supporting and giving all the wisdom and grace,” added Papa who was with former Senator Nikki Coseteng at the Senate Hearing.