All Blacks vs. Lions

Photo c/o rnzys.org.nz

As I write this post, the 3rd and final test match between the NZ All Blacks vs the British & Irish Lions in Auckland has started.  The series is locked at 1-1, as the All Blacks return to their spiritual home, Eden Park.

The All Blacks had a resounding 30-15 win in the 1st test in Auckland which was broken by the Lions 24-21 win in Wellington, which makes this test match a make or break one for either teams.  As a Kiwinoy, of course I support our national team, the All Blacks.  It is not just a matter of pride for this national treasure, it is more of a deep-seated emotional connection that I've learned to appreciate and believe in.

Most of my Kiwi friends, especially the fathers, would always have that gleam in their eyes, that someday their son would be an All Black.  I guess it's akin to Filipino parents who wish that someday their sons and daughters would shine and excel in basketball.  I always explain to my Kiwi friends that for short people like us, we love and are passionate for basketball.

With the recent win of Team New Zealand in the America's Cup, the All Blacks winning tonight's final test match would be sweet as.  Go the All Blacks!

7-7-7

Photo c/o mayhemtheatrearts.co.uk

There is something about birthdays---it's a rebirth, a milestone, a celebration, a testament, a great journey, a manifestation, an awakening. Today is extra special because my youngest turns 10 years old.  His birthday is very significant because he was born on the 7th day of the 7th month in 2007, which numerically means 7-7-7, hence the title of this post.  A minor quirk to that day was when my wife who was in labor and she was in the lounge of the delivery room, lost her mobile phone.  No, not lost, but it was stolen from her.

She had it with her so that we can communicate since I wasn't allowed inside the lounge.  She's pretty sure that it was one of the doctor-interns who took it because he was the only one there.  And to think that the guy comes from the university I graduated from.  Shame on him.  He must be a doctor now.  We filed a complaint to the medical center but was given the run-around until we lost interest.  It is located somewhere in QC and please don't go there.

Anyway, I don't want this post to be about that incident.  This is a happy post, a happy occasion for my family.  It is the first decade of my son, one of many in the years to come.  Happiest of birthday Jacob.

National Bikini Day

Photo c/o compellier.com

Today is National Bikini Day, a grand celebration of that tiny piece of swimwear that generally would cover the private parts of the female anatomy.  This revealing two-piece bathing suit traces it's origin to July 5, 1946.  It was the perfect companion for those going to the beach, especially in the tropical islands and regions.  From then on it slowly made it's way to the different beaches all over the planet, and today, 71 years later, it is still making heads turn.

It was Parisian engineer Louis Reard who is credited for having named and designed the bikini in 1946.  He named it after Bikini Atoll, a speck of land in the Pacific Ocean where testing on the atomic bomb was being made.  At the beginning, it was banned from beaches and public places because it was controversial and was very revealing.  It gradually became popular, most especially when film stars like Brigitte Bardot, Raquel Welch, Ursula Andress, and many others began wearing them.  I remember almost all of the Bond girls, those who appeared in the 007 films, would be wearing bikinis in all its colors and designs.

Nowadays, there are stylish variations to this swimwear - thongs, g-strings, even men's underwear.  They are generally found not only in the beaches but also in sports events like beach volleyball.  There is even a growing sports trend in the USA called the Bikini Basketball Association.  This garment has definitely arrived.

America's Cup

Photo c/o RMO

We just won the America's Cup recently held in Bermuda and the boys are bringing the cup back home to Aotearoa New Zealand tomorrow with a ticker-tape parade in the Auckland CBD.  Some people say that the cup is no longer about how well your skills are in sailing a boat because it involves heaps of technology nowadays.

They may be partly right, but as I noticed in the area of the New Zealand Maritime Museum dedicated to the America's Cup, there is a certain amount of human skills and strategies in order to sail the boat properly.  This is very evident in the team challenge section, wherein 4 people had to synchronize their movements in maneuvering the boat.

Photo c/o RMO

The original race was more about sailing rather than about using the technology.  You could see the difference from the design of the boat itself (photo above is a new one, while the one below is the original one).  I guess it relied more on the skills of the crew and the wind; and not the gadgets to sail and speed up.

The Kiwis are truly grateful for this present day crew who brought the pride and glory of winning the cup back to the country.  And what I heard is the next race will be held here, probably, again in Auckland.  This will mean not only fame for us but it will also bring heaps of tourists and spectators who will tremendously contribute a lot to our economy.  Congratulations and all the best.

American Independence Day

Photo c/o fisu.net

Happy Independence Day, the 241st one.  It is a big celebration in the United States of America - food (especially barbecues), music, dance, festivities, and parades.  It's a great day to celebrate since it's summer in the Northern Hemisphere, with normally good weather, a little bit hot maybe, but at least no one is raining on one's parade.  The USA may have it's own faults and deficiencies, but it is still the bastion of freedom and democracy.  The vision of the forefathers have gotten stronger as the years went on.  She may be threatened from all sides: left, right, front, center, north, south, east, west, financial, economic, military.  But none of these will ever bring her down.  You know why?  It's because of the American people, a freedom-loving, independent-spirited nation.  I don't like much of the politics of this country but I have great respect and admiration for the American people.

NZ Maritime Museum

Photo c/o RMO

I recently took my Supported Learning students to the New Zealand Maritime Museum in the Auckland CBD area.  We took the train going to and from the city.  It was my very first time to do so and for some of my students too.  That would be for another future post.

The place was teeming with the maritime history of Aotearoa New Zealand.  There were replicas of all types of boats, ships, wakas, that sailed to the shores of our country.  We were particularly excited about the team challenge on how to steer the yacht used in previous America's Cup.  Now we know that it's not only the technology that makes for a champion but the brains and muscle-power of the men who comprise the crew.  It's all about skills and teamwork.

There was so much that the museum had to offer, in terms of pictures, drawings, paintings, and some were even interactive.  There was this room wherein you would be seated in this deep, huge armchairs as you listened to pre-recorded stories of those yesteryear's sailing the high seas from Europe to The Land of the Long White Cloud.  It was a great experience for all of us to enjoy what the museum had to offer.  And it's all for free if you're an Auckland resident.

Manny Pacquiao

Photo c/o thefamouspeople.com

And so it had to happen to Manny Pacquiao before 50,000 people in Brisbane, Australia.  He lost to former school teacher Jeff Horn, who won the WBO world welterweight title with a unanimous points decision.  Manny, who is 38 years-old, respected the three judges decision who scored the fight 117-111, 115-113, 115-113 to Australian Jeff Horn, who is 11 years younger.  Manny has now lost four of his past nine fights.  Some people say that this is one of the biggest boxing upsets in recent history.  Perhaps it is time for Manny to retire, now that he is a senator in the Philippines.  He can now concentrate his time to lawmaking and training other young boxers who look up to him for inspiration. Many thanks Manny for everything, you are still and will always be our Pambansang Kamao. 

Dry July

Photo c/o 

Without us knowing or realizing it, July is now here, and it's time for Dry July---an online challenge for people to abstain from drinking alcohol the whole month of July to support adults living with cancer. It's been 9 years since the 1st one and every year more and more people are participating to help raise awareness and support to more than 50 different cancer support organisations across Australia and New Zealand.

This would be really challenging for drinkers because it happens at a time when it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, in New Zealand. According to the Ministry of Health in it's Annual Update of Key Results 2015/16: NZ Health Survey, the hazardous drinking rate has increased since 2006/07, which can only contribute to the general deterioration of the overall health of drinkers.  Furthermore, in the same report it states that "Maori, Pacific peoples and those living in the most deprived areas generally report poorer health than others.  However, Asian health is generally good."

As a Kiwinoy, I can only speak about my first-hand experiences with Filipino drinkers in Aotearoa New Zealand.  I know of kababayans who generally engage in binge drinking, especially during Fridays and Saturdays.  They will rotate the house where they'll do the drinking.  That's one thing about us, we do drink, but it is often inside one's house and not the pubs.  And of course, with the alcoholic drinks comes the pulutan (appetizer) i.e. lechon, sisig, crispy pata, inihaw na isda at baboy, porkchop, BBQ, dinuguan, nearly all types of Filipino food.  It will also be the occasion, when one's regional roots comes into play with the various dishes cooked, most often substituting the ingredients with what is available here.

I wonder how Kiwinoys will work out this Dry July challenge.  Please do share your experiences with me.  Let's have one for the road.  Isa pa nga.