Disclaimer: This is NOT A PAID POST, nor is this a political campaign material. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are my personal thoughts on the matter and does not, in any way, represent the views and opinions of any Company I’m connected with.

In the interest of full disclosure, please know that I was born and raised in Davao City and have lived there for more than twenty years of my life. Since I was eligible to vote in the elections, I voted Rodrigo Duterte once as vice mayor in the 2010 elections and as mayor in the 2013 elections. If ever he will run again in the local post come the 2016 election season, without a doubt, I would still be voting Duterte. For everyone’s information, Duterte has served as mayor of my city from 1988-1998 and became the vice mayor in the May 2010 elections and gave way to his daughter Inday Sarah Duterte for the top local political post. Yes, in case this needs special mention, I voted Inday Sarah also and I love what she has done in the city. Rody Duterte regained his mayoral post in the 2013 interim elections.

Needless to say and without batting an eyelash, I am a satisfied voter and a staunch supporter of Duterte.

Credits: TV5 News Media

Digong, as he is more fondly called in Davao, is known to be feisty, straightforward and no non-sense talker-type of politician who already witnessed many political fiascos in his decades of service in the political arena. These past few weeks, Mayor Duterte’s name has spread like wildfire on national television, broadsheet papers, local tabloids and all over social media. With his ongoing heated exchange of tirades with DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima and CHR Etta Rosales, he became controversial and is the favorite topic of many, from tricycle, jeepney drivers and parloristas to Starbucks baristas and yuppies working in Ayala – Makati Central Business District.

Known as the ‘proud Dabawenyo’ in our office, I often receive random Lync chats from random people asking me random stuff about Digong. While there are those who became instant fans after his expose on the rice-smuggling controversy where he was summoned by the Senators, there are those who are utterly disturbed by his recent strong remarks. Being the pro-Duterte that I am, I felt obliged to defend my mayor against all the unfounded criticisms and baseless accusations being bombarded at him especially on how he manages Davao City with strict ordinances being implemented all throughout his jurisdiction. Continue Reading →

Patrik’s note: This is the second post of my #LabanPilipinas blog series, which wraps-up the recently concluded Asian Under 23 Women’s Volleyball Championship held from May 1-9 at Philsports Arena in Pasig. The first post “#LabanPilipinas: Call for unity and support for PH volleyball’ pretty much speaks for itself.

After a decade-long absence in official international meets, slowly but surely, the Philippines is back on track and is inching its way to the top.

The Philippines’ rise and 7th place finish in the recently concluded inaugural Asian Under 23 Women’s Championship proves that we are now taking the sport seriously again. It’s a clear message to our neighboring countries that we are working on regaining our lost glory. For the uninitiated, the Philippines used to be an Asian powerhouse in women’s volleyball during the 90s until 2005 where the country played host to the Sea Games and the women’s volleyball delegation grabbed the bronze medal.

The twelve brave Filipinas who represented Philippine volleyball in the international taraflex. Photo credit: Leo Lopez of Volleyball PH Photo Album

We witnessed twelve young volley belles both from the UAAP and NCAA who heeded the call to represent and don the country and the flag in the Under 23 tourney; we saw them battle their hearts out to the more powerful Asian countries inside the court; no matter how stiff the competition is, we witnessed their ‘never say die’ attitude and they showed the world that Philippine volleyball is no joke by giving the foreign teams a sure fright and run for their money.

Thanks to team captain Alyssa Valdez, Gretchel Soltones, Myla Pablo, EJ Laure, Jho Maraguinot, Bea de Leon, Jaja Santiago, Jia Morado, Risa Sato, Ella de Jesus, Ria Meneses and of course libero Tin Agno. Huge thanks also to the coaching staff led by head coach Roger Gorayeb and Edjet Mabbayad and consultant Ateneo women’s volleyball coach Tai Bundit. As coach Roger always say during huddles.. “I LAB YOU ALL!” Continue Reading →

I woke up early morning yesterday and stumbled upon a trending viral picture showing a couple (in case you didn’t notice, they’re both gays) both on my Facebook and Twitter feeds. Many friends asked for my reaction, and truth be told: I was “inggit” and somehow surprised. Envious because I’m still single and surprised with all the antiquated hate comments full of bigotry and downright stupidity from people privy to their story.

Apparently, the couple in the photos is Naparuj Mond Kaendi, a Thai creative director and booking agent at Bacca Model Management and Thorsten Mid, a model from Germany.

Image credit: BV Patrol Facebook Page Contributor

While the pictures received a lot of positive comments showing support to the couple, these also drew flak as the pictures didn’t quite sit well with some netizens who chose to bombard the couple with unwarranted hate and discriminating comments which is something uncalled for and is completely unnecessary. True, some gay and even straight people are at the forefront asking for gender equality, but upon seeing stuff like this, they go gaga all over their social media accounts criticizing what they think is grossly unacceptable for them just because, as others put it, it’s not the usual kind of relationship they have always perceived. Continue Reading →

The UAAP Season 77 Women’s Volleyball Tournament has not closed the curtains just yet today, not until JANPATRIK.COM releases this annual blog post wrap-up. Char! Hahaha

Image credit: Gatorade PH Twitter Page

There is the saying that goes: “”Love is sweeter the second time around.” I couldn’t agree more as the back-to-back championship of the Ateneo de Manila Lady Eagles is indeed sweeter! Just a year ago, the Lady Eagles were struggling early on in the standings following the graduation of Philippine volleyball’s most celebrated players in the Fab Five’s Fille Cainglet, Jem Ferrer, A Nacachi, Dzi Gervacio and Gretchen Ho. But with Coach Tai Bundit at the helm of the squad and “heart strong” as the team’s battlecry, we saw the Lady Eagles succeed all the way to the top. Bring back season 76 memories in my post last year Heartstrong: A UAAP Season 76 Women’s Volleyball Wrap-Up!

Unlike the long and winding journey of the Katipunan squad in a seemingly Cinderella run last year, the Valdez-led Lady Eagles were pretty much in control of the entire season as I have documented in my Review: Ateneo Lady Eagles First Round. The ladies clearly showed dominance even at the start of the season showcasing a performance like well-oiled machines on the taraflex. As far as I know, they only dropped two sets against the UP Lady Maroons, two sets to the Adamson Lady Falcons, and three sets to the DLSU Lady Spikers.

Finishing the elimination round with a clean 14-0 card is such a feat and finishing off the entire season spotless and topping it all off with 25-22, 25-17 and 25-23 easy victory over the De La Salle Lady Spikers. While Ateneo is the second team to have swept the elimination rounds with a clean 14-0 card, next only to La Salle in Aby Marano’s last playing year, Ateneo is the only team to have swept the entire season with a 16-0 card! Continue Reading →

In my previous January 11 post “Review: Ateneo Lady Eagles on UAAP First Round”, I started by writing the following:

“Is Ateneo well on its way towards getting its second crown? Is Ateneo, the new La Salle back in season 75 and 76 that commands intimidation against any opponent that it faces? Is the Lady Eagles really unstoppable this season?”

Little did I know that I’ll be writing this post a month after with Ateneo finishing the second round with an untarnished record, completing a historic 14-0 card elimination sweep this season! Time and again, the Queen Eagle Alyssa Valdez has proved why she’s the number one volleybelle in the country today with numerous awards up her sleeves (Season 75’s Best Scorer, 76’s Best Scorer, Best Server, League and Finals MVP) and more awards are looming for this Lady Eagle as UAAP Season 77 Women’s Volleyball Tournament second round come to a close in the coming days and Alyssa with her hands full of awards again. *crosses fingerS*

The Ateneo-La Salle game yesterday, in the usual hands-clasping, breath-stopper, is again one for the books. It’s actually a Finals-worthy game and pretty much shows us a preview of what we could expect come the Finals. As Boom said in the fifth set of the first Ateneo-La Salle meeting this season, this is the time where you’ll see the “Galangs and Valdezes of the world takeover”. And as I always say on my Facebook posts: at this point in time, you can not take away anything from Ara Galang and Alyssa Valdez as the two have clearly solidified their statures as premiere volleybeles the Philippine volleyball arena has ever witnessed. I think the more appropriate question that needs to be answered is who gets the better support system, which deserves another full-length blog post altogether.

Ateneo’s deep bench

Gone are the days when haters usually tout ADMU as Alyssa de Manila University, due to Alyssa being the carrier of much of the load during games. Thanks to her strong support system in the sophomores Michelle Morente, Kim Gequillana and steady setter Jia Morado who is a strong contender and currently leading in the Best Setter race this season. Also adding to Ateneo’s deep bench is super rookie Bea de Leon, who is also a strong contender for the Rookie of the Year award and first year player Jhoanna Maraguinot, who proved that she deserves the first-six starter slot with her clutch performance at the tail-end of the game where it mattered the most. Continue Reading →

“Is Ateneo well on its way towards getting its second crown? Is Ateneo the new La Salle back in season 75 and 76 that commands intimidation against any opponent that it faces? Is the Lady Eagles really unstoppable this season?” Those are just some of the many questions by various people on Twitter as the Lady Eagles remain on top of the standings ending the first round of the UAAP Season 77 Women’s Volleyball Tournament with a 7-0 card.

Coming into this season, the Ateneo Lady Eagles already have one major advantage: championship experience. May or may not be as solid as UST’s 27 and FEU’s 19, it is no doubt that the Katipunan-based squad is the much favored team to win the crown this year. Spearheaded by my idol Alyssa Valdez, who just became more beast-like in her stellar performance in the previous games *whoever said she already peaked at S76 should seriously hide now*, Ateneo seems to be the team-to-beat this season and hopefully end this season with yet another title!

Credits to Jhona Mae Dela Cruz via the GetBlued Facebook Page. 18,489 official crowd count for a first round elimination ender!

Alyssa Valdez is ALYSSA VALDEZ. Enough said!

Ateneo’s game against UP is one for the books. The UP Lady Maroons gave the Lady Eagles their first two set losses for the season. Not to discredit the Tiamzon-led spikers, but the Lady Eagles’ off-game performance was also a major factor in that game. But I’m loving what I’ve been seeing on both defense and offense of UP. Should their performance continue to deliver like that, there will definitely be a major shake up in the team standings.

The game against UP saw consistency issues against the Lady Eagles especially Valdez who committed so many errors in that game. But she basically did a Kobe Bryant given that as human as she is, she delivered the much-needed and highly-important points at the fifth set of the match like a true clutch and veteran player. Of course, she wouldn’t be Season 76’s Best Scorer, Best Server, League MVP and Finals MVP for nothing bitches! She pretty much showed us why she is currently the most important volleybelle and Queen of Philippine Volleyball today! Continue Reading →