The Filipino Migrants: OFWS in Abuja: Sportsfest Part 2

OFWS: Sportsfest
October 14, 2012 at 7:00am
National Stadium, Abuja

Proud to be Pinoy

...a united PPA - pang-porma pa rin!

Part 2 of the Sportsfest was still going strong...that's something OFWS here in Abuja look forward to every Sunday. Where the Pinoys normally laze around on Sunday mornings, this time is different - athletes and supporters of each team and friends rise and prepare for the games ahead.
The BLUE TEAM syempre lahat ng naka-blue - Archie (JBN), Ronnie (Churchgate), Botch (JBN), Rami (JBN) Renz (JBN) Sherwin (D and S), and Raymond Chen and chess player Ofili posed with Manager Tickboy Mercado. Officials officiating BLUE vs YELLOW in green: TJ (Churchgate) and Efren (JBN), in red Gel and Danilo - the referee (with sunshades) of US Embassy.

...the BLUE TEAM

The Yellow Team obligingly posed as requested for the records - Mike of the Philippine Embassy, 'Atoy Co', Vernie of JBN, John (PPA el Presidente also of JBN), Mark of Philippine Embassy, Doods of JBN and Ness...

The YELLOW TEAM

...and as the game is about to commence, another sitting for the officials of the game - Danilo, TJ, Efren and Gel (syempre porma muna). Jump ball between cousins (of the opposing teams) Renz of the Blue ably supported by Archie and Doods of the Yellow also supported by teammate Mike...

...and the game starts....

Blue vs Yellow: skills in array...

Janette and Weng...supporters of Yellow jersey no. 15 'Atoy Co' and the ladies in yellow: Rose Aton and Cris Chico and Emma (seated at the back) of Igbenedion with Elsie Ababon (Xcell Plus Salon)

...in action! ...aaaaaannnnnd no matter how the blue supporters yelled, the Yellows prevailed...

GREEN vs RED

...another exciting game....hhhhhrrrrrrmmmmppppp Green won AGAIN!!!

VOLLEYBALL Match: BLUE vs YELLOW

AND the photos showed how the 'epic' battle was won by the BLUE TEAM - the Blues lost the first match; won the second; and THEN.... got the upper hand in the final match!!!

...a very breath-taking game...that's Maris (of the Austrian Embassy) at the center of the Blues...

...and Doods of JBN (Maris' son) at the center of the Yellows...

...break even...


GO GO GO BLUES....

...the inspiration of the BLUES? our MVP - Maris!

...the faithful, loyal and true supporter of Maris - KIKO!

THE BALL GAMES ended for the day and the Pinoys trooped under the tree locally known as Orishi, the tree of life as explained by the Nigerian priest Fr. Chibueke Ojilere. Quite literally taken, the hungry and thirsty sports people and supporters gathered under this very tree as the cool shade provided relief from the scorching heat. Coupled with the entrepreneurial spirit of Pinoys, the spot became a little plaza - some wares for sale, there were puto and kutsinta, pansit and adobo, bar-b-que and the Pinoys' favorite HALO-HALO!

...there's Clifford and Islao; Emie and Ef at the back; Maebs, Rose, Sheen, Elsie...

AND while having a very good time under the tree, Ambassador Alex V. Lamadrid arrived with Fr. Ojilere. The Reverend Priest stayed in the Philippines for 10 years and became fluent in Tagalog. His first mission was in Mindanao with the poorest of the poor, where he also experienced the harsh reality of being in poverty - he became a teacher, a carpenter, a doctor, an engineer, a jack-of-all-trades rolled into one just to help the villagers. One Sunday while he was officiating in the mass, gunshots were heard and the villagers run for their lives. Standing all alone he came face-to-face and was taken by the Abu Sayyaf. He was held captive for 3 days. It must have dangled in his mind the kidnapping and killing of an Italian priest around that time, too. He was released for the fact that some of the kidnappers belonged to his 'village' where everybody is treated equally. And from that poorest end, he was transferred (not before erecting a church in the village and dug a borehole which somehow improved the quality of life in the village) to the creamiest village - in Ayala-Alabang Parish.
And so, he has become a 'Pinoy' - shown in the picture with Fely, Amba, Clifford, Jun Robles, John, Maris, angie, Sheen and Lito:

Orishi, the tree of life

...the 'indoor games' continued - Scrabble between Weng of the Yellow and Lito of the Blue; nagkaroon ng nose bleed si JT (kahit sinasabihan pa ni Mare Maris ng 'kaya 'yan') sa pag-iisip kalaban si Lolit of the Red Team; Red vs Green (Andrea) habang 'feeding' the brain with bar-b-que...

...CHESS aficionados - Shiela, James, Sean, Jess, Edna, Clifford, Angie, Marlyn, Rami, Jesslyn and Jabar : Yellow vs Blue Ofili Akponor (Nigerian Father and Pinay mother from Leyte - Nelinda Itig). And this is Chess with Halo-halo to cool the minds...

Indeed, this tree really 'housed' the Pinoys - happily discussing the previous matches, re-acquainting with friends, or just plain enjoying the cool shades...

...there's Fely, Edna, Marlyn and James...and peeping through at the back - Sheen, in-between space is Lolit and Andrea; and who would beat that?...Densyu - in the most comfortable way of eating...

Dennis Banasihan of Regent School has always made Pinoy events lively with his role as Emcee and coordinator. He also plays volleyball...