3 Time Super Bowl Champion Tedy Lacap Bruschi Announces His Retirement
On Monday, August 31, 2009, New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Lacap Bruschi announced his retirement from professional football. Tedy played a key role in the three Patriot Championship teams of 2002, 2004, and 2005. His leadership on the field was rewarded by his teammates as he was chosen to be the Patriots’ defensive captain. In 2005 he suffered a mild stroke only to return months later to be a contributing defensive player to his team and earn the award for NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Bruschi was truly one of the best that ever played on the gridiron and has earned his place in Filipino American history as one of the elite athletes in American pro football.
Working-class hero Tedy Bruschi bows out - Boston Herald
Tedy Bruschi’s Wikipedia entry
The Home Runs, Check Swings, & Strike-Outs of Filipino Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium
The official My Town Philippines souvenir shirt from the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo taken by Jon Bareng which I took from him off Facebook)
On Tuesday, August 18th, the Los Angeles Dodgers put an end to the St. Louis Cardinals’ 5-game winning streak with a 7 to 3 victory. Over 49,000 baseball fans were in attendance at Dodger stadium that night to witness an action filled game complete with overpriced food and liquor.
For the Filipinos that went to the game that night, the evening’s story wasn’t just about a night at the ballpark. The Dodgers marked that specific evening as Filipino Heritage Night. To celebrate this special night, the right field reserve section was decorated to say My Town Philippines and the 800 people that got tickets for that special area were given access to all you can eat concessions, a special Filipino food menu and a souvenir t-shirt that said “This Is My Town, Dodgertown Philippines”.
Manny Said Knock You Out!
Manny Pacquiao introduces world class speed and punching power to Ricky Hatton. Wally Skalij – L.A. Times
I had a plan to do some gloating last night. My Filipino flag was ready and I had a few spots in L.A. scoped out to wave it in the event that Manny won the fight.
Manny made short work of Ricky “Hitman” Hatton with a devastating knock out punch in the 2nd round. I predicted Manny would win but I wasn’t expecting the fight to end so soon. Everything was said and done by 8:45 pm!
The brutal knock out made me rethink the gloating plans. Hatton fans didn’t deserve anymore grief as their fighter was a class act. I decided to scrap the gloating plans and just enjoyed a victory drink at Tiki Ti – a local Filipino American owned bar.
Prediction on Pacquaio vs. Hatton
I’m going to make this as simple as possible. Manny should win this fight. I’m not saying this because I’m Pinoy and blindly nuthug the Pac-man like the majority of the ignorant drones on Manny Pacquiao’s website forums. I do watch non-Manny Pacquiao boxing and have been following the sport for many years. There is a short list of names when you want to have a conversation about active boxers that can lay claim to being considered an elite fighter. That short list should include Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins, Paul Williams, Miguel Cotto, and Manny Pacquiao. Ricky Hatton is not on that list.
Charice Sings the Star Spangled Banner on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium
by A Very Opinionated Pinoy Dude
(Disclaimer: Here at Pinoylife, we may be a bit L.A.-biased when it comes to pro sports teams, so I’m afraid you’re gonna have to deal with it.)
I got a chance to ditch work on Monday and go to Dodger Stadium to see the Dodgers home opener vs. the hated Frisco Giants. I know a lot of Frisco fans have cum in their pants (pun intended) lately due to a certain half-Pinoy pitcher, but us Dodger fans have our perks too. For Opening Day the sellout record crowd of 57,099 were treated to none other than 16-year old singing sensation (wait, wasn’t she the 15-year old singing sensation last year?) Charice Pempengco, singing the “Star-Spangled Banner” as the big-ass American flag was unfurled.
There was also an international theme as flags of 30 nations (including the Philippine flag) of which the Dodgers have had some relationship with were carried into the infield.
Missed it? My infamous video camera caught the performance!
Okay yeah, she’s not even a U.S. citizen, but you gotta admit, she can rock the anthem better than most citizens could. Speaking of which, she’s spent an awful lot of time here in the States lately. And one of the songs played before the game was AC/DC’s “T.N.T.” Coincidence?
After her performance, a B2-stealth bomber flew overhead, hundreds of doves were released, Vin Scully threw out the ceremonial first pitch to open up a game which had Dodger outfielder Andrew Either hit two homeruns, pitcher Chad Billingsley throw 11 strikeouts, and new infielder Orlando Hudson hit for the cycle with a homerun, a single, a double and a triple all in the same game – a rare feat not accomplished since 1970!
Oh yeah, the Dodgers won 11-1. Sorry Frisco fans. Tsk, tsk.
At this rate, we should have Charice sing the national anthem every day.
Pacquiao – Hatton 24/7 Episode 1 : More Blog Fodder!
The promotional juggernaut of HBO’s Pacquiao – Hatton 24/7 has begun and I am officially excited for the upcoming fight. Episode one of the four part series aired on Saturday, April 11. As always, HBO’s sports documentary team did an excellent job telling the stories of Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton as they prepare for their big fight on May 2 in Las Vegas.
I did have a few thoughts about the first installment of 24/7.
Jabbawockeez and Shaq are the highlight of the 2009 NBA All Star Game
In case you missed it, Shaquille O’Neal came out with Pinoy dance crew Jabbawockeez as he was introduced for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game.
Whoever is managing the Jabbawockeez is doing an incredible job. Congrats on the All Star gig and the Gatorade commercials.
Pia Quijada pleads Not Guilty for stealing from Manny Pacquiao
Various news outlets are reporting on the story of Pia Quijada who has recently pled “not guilty” for siphoning more than $89,000 from Manny Pacquiao. The link between the woman and the boxer is Pia’s husband (maybe ex-husband now) Joseph Jose, Manny Pacquiao’s driver.
According to the L.A. Daily News and the Manila Standard Today, Manny asked for Joseph Jose’s help in setting up a bank account in the United States. It is alleged that Pia used that knowledge to forge at least 32 checks to access the money from Manny’s bank account.
Here’s a photo of the couple (Thanks Manila Standard for putting this online)
Pia Quijada and Joseph Jose
It is innocent until proven guilty so I cannot say whether or not Pia Quijada actually did the crime nor do I have any inside knowledge of whether or not Joseph Jose was aware of these actions.
The crack staff here at Pinoylife.com tried to find anything online about Pia Quijada and a Facebook link did come up but it led to a cancelled Facebook page. However, a hacker friend did manage to dig up a “25 Random Things About Me” Facebook post written suspiciously by someone named Pia Q. Here’s what it read:
Fightwatch: Pacquiao vs. Hatton – It’s official!
Update as of January 28 2009 10:55 AM Pacific Time:
Lance Pugmire from the L.A. Times has posted that both Pacquiao and Hatton have signed the contracts for the May 2 boxing event in Las Vegas. FINALLY!
It’s official: Ricky Hatton signs and fight with Manny Pacquiao is on - L.A. Times
Update as of January 23 2009 8:45 AM Pacific Time:
ESPN reports that Manny has reversed his position on the fight and has agreed to the terms. Nothing has been officially announced by Top Rank or Golden Boy but it looks like the fight is back on. Way to go you greedy assholes! 
Hatton, Pacquiao headed for May 2 bout – ESPN.com
Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton bout may be back on – L.A. Times
Pacquiao confirms fight with Hatton ‘is on’ – FOX Sports
Update as of January 21 2009 12:00 PM Pacific Time:
As of right now, this fight isn’t going to happen. Way to go you greedy assholes!
Pacquiao won’t sign; fight called off – ESPN.com
Ricky Hatton’s rejection of Pacquiao fight came down to the contract – L.A. Times
Update as of January 13, 2009 4:55 PM Pacific Time:
The fight is in limbo right now. The L.A. Times is reporting that Pacquiao has backed away from a 50/50 purse split and is looking for a 60/40 split. Let’s hope people come to their senses so that this fight can happen.
Purse spat jeopardizes Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton fight – L.A. Times
Update as of January 6, 2009 2:22 PM Pacific Time:
The fight date looks to be May 2nd in Las Vegas. Only thing being published online is that a Pacquiao vs. Hatton fight deal is almost complete. The contracts haven’t been signed yet but news sources are saying that the fighters are on board with making it happen. Stay Tuned.
Pacquaio-Hatton Is On, 99.9% On – The Sweet Science
Hatton set to fight Pacquiao in May – The Guardian (UK)
Boxing Still Alive as Pacquiao, Hatton Close to Deal - TalkingBoxing.com
Ricky Hatton “on board” with Pacquiao fight being in Vegas – L.A. Times
Pacquiao imitation knockoffs are now available
Pinoylifer Dr. Phil sent me a link off an MMA forum that showed pictures of a guy at a club posing with someone who he thought was Manny Pacquiao. Check them out:
I think it’s pretty funny that these folks fell for the fake Pacquiao at the club without even noticing that he didn’t have any members of his entourage with him. Double funny if any of those girls went home with him that night! So when you’re out at the club and you think you see Manny Pacquiao, make sure to do a double take.
As a challenge to all of you, I need some suggestions as to what to call the fake Manny. Comment up!
Link to original post on MixedMartialArts.com (Warning, there’s a camel toe shot at the club)
