Converse Block Party Philippines : I★>PHL

Last Saturday May 28, 2011 Converse treated its loyal Filipino enthusiasts at the SM Mall of Asia with a fusion of Basketball, Skate, Dancing, Beatbox, Music, Arts and Graffitithrough The Converse Block Party.

Amidst the afternoon shower, people came in droves as the crowd was Awed through a variety of collegiate and celebrity basketball games, The daredevil stunts of the skaters. The moves shown by the Flip Ballers and the Philippine all stars left the crowd mesmerized. Finally, the event was capped with Musical and Beatboxing performances by Krump Philippines, Gloc 9 and DJ Sanya Smith.

The event is part of Converse's Global I★> campaign to infuse the converse culture around the world. As we speak, Converse also held block parties through places like Malaysia, China, Brazil and Prahran.

Click below for a more detailed coverage on the event

Figure Fridays: Bret Hart by Jakks Pacific

The Best there is,
The Best there was,
The Best there ever will be.



Last Sunday's Over the limit was a comeback of sorts for Bret the Hitman Hart. Hart Interfered and played enforcer in Jerry Lawler's and Michael Cole's kiss my foot match. Bret Hart and Jerry the King Lawler were the combatants in the original kiss my foot match back in 1995.

Bret also came back to RAW the day after and became the special guest referee in the main event of Monday night RAW. The event featured Cena and Mysterio against R Truth and CM Punk in a Macho Man homage. After the match, we say the sharpshooter.

This is why the Excellence of execution is our feature this Friday.

I got interested in unmatched fury figures when they were already phasing out the Jakks Pacific figures, there's no available figures of the UMF Hitman for sale locally. Luckilly, a fellow collector helped me out in acquiring one through Ebay.

The details are great and realistic, even though the Jacket and the Unitard seems to be on different timelines of the Hitman's Career.The facial expression and the trademark pose represent an aura of 90s Pre attitude nostalgia.

Accel Barangay Ginebra Kings Jersey (Sublimation) Review.

3rd Quarter year 2000, the PBA decided to enter into merchandising to help reach out to the fans. The move started with the major redesign of team logos and jerseys. The Design firm responsible for the Raptor's logo was hired to tweak all of the 10 teams logos. This resulted to the more cartoony and catchy logos for the PBA. This was also the reason why the PBA logos and jerseys back in the 2000s reminds you of logos and jerseys of the NBA back in the 90s. Monickers were also changed like the Alaska Milkmen to the Aces, the Pop Cola 800s to the Pop Cola Panthers and so on.... The PBA then went on to merchandising with the 3 stripes but then switched to Accel a couple of years after.

With the switch, Local Basketball fans finally got something long overdue. The league finally producing replica jerseys. Back in the 80s and 90s, the only way to cop a PBA jersey was to either get a really poor quality replica at street vendors or Ask a game worn one from the player itself.

Fast forward 11 years later from the original merchandising era of the league, only 2 teams have retained their logo from the switch. The Alaska Aces and Ginebra Kings.



Since then, the brand has released several Jerseys with different printing styles, some are rubberized, others have glossy print, others are printed in air cool fabric. Around 3 years ago, Accel released PBA Jerseys for 3 teams (TNT, BGK and SMB) Using the dye sublimation process. The process involves having a computer printout design using sublimation ink/dye and is transfered using heat. The result being the design being directly infused into the fabric, reducing rubber prints and fabric cutouts therefore making the Jerseys lighter. For actual game Jerseys , Only the Powerade Tigers use the Sublimation Jerseys (the Kings use Air cool fabric with Rubber print).

Overall, the print and details are nice, the black detail on the lower part of the jersey is now printed instead of being another stitched fabric. The moisture absorption is nice, since this is the material and process used in producing the gear for triathlon and sometimes running uniforms. The other details are good as well.



If there is something that's a negative about the product, this is because it does not feel like a jersey during a game but feels more of a shirt or a tanktop.

Greentennial

Converse Block Party

THE CONVERSE BLOCK PARTY: SUMMER’S LAST, BIG BLAST WITH GAMES, MUSIC AND DANCE!

CONVERSE BRINGS AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY together for an entire day of street games, basketball-skateboard-and-dance exhibitions, musical performances and the chance to win fun prizes—it’s time for the Converse Block Party at the SM Mall of Asia! The Converse Block Party unites our community to celebrate and achieve worthy goals.

Run for Integrity

Looking for good medal Runs in May, I came upon this race

The medal looks pretty Fresh as well.

For More info, Click here http://www.eccp.com/calendar-page.php?cal_id=19&category=4:

Converse Star Tech

Before the weapon, the Star tech was Converse's flagship basketball shoe brand in the 80s. Dubbed as one of the 4 greatest stars in Basketball alongside Julius Erving, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, it was one of the most anticipated shoes back then. Approximately 18 years later, Converse is bringing back these classics from the 80s. with the 2011 release of the star tech 2011.


The Converse Star Tech TV AD




The Star Tech is for Converse is like what the Air force 1 is for their sister company, Nike. Like the latter, It is one of those shoes which is relegated to both  performance and fashion footwear. And like it's sister company's counterpart shoe, It still has what it takes to take on the full 48 minutes of action of the hardwood game, How does it work out? Read after the Jump. .

Figure Fridays: McFarlane Sportspicks Tom Brady

When you speak about Boston Heroes, you usually hear the names Bird, Rice, Cousy, Speaker and many more. You probably heard about Tom Brady. Brady, One of the most recognizable athletes over the past decade is the gutsy pin point passing quarterback of the New England Patriots which delivered super bowl after super bowl in the 2000s.

I have been seriously looking for a Brady figure here in the Philippines, Sadly, this is a country where NFL is only known by some hardcore sports buffs and some fil ams. Luckily I got one at one of the Specialty stores here in Manila. Though It was supposed to be some factory prototype from China since there are Chinese Characters, Signature and OK signs written in the figure. After getting the fig for 6$, I decided to repaint it and give some sort of decency to the figure.

Pardon with the Curtis Martin figure defending him, as I said, there is a scarcity of Sportspicks figures in this country, Unless its the NBA since Hoops is a religion here.

Are You Ready?

getting ready for the greentennial half marathon this sunday.

Philippine Launch of Captain America Movie Toys

Toy Launch:
Date: May 21-22, 2011
Venue: Toy Kingdom, Basement, SM Megamall

Aside from Captain America Movie Toys, you can see the following items during the event.

Marvel Universe Series 3 Wave 2 - set of 5 (2,499.75)
Cable
Wolverine (1st appearance costume)
Apocalypse
Cyclops (Jim Lee costume)
Gladiator

G.I. Joe POC - set of 6 (2,999.75)
Snake Eyes
Crazy Legs
Croc Master
Rock Viper
Cobra Viper
Iron Grenadier

there will also be star wars goodies.... let me verify which ones are these.

Captain America Movie case assortment to follow.
Yup, this will run side by side with the Philippine Launch of TF:DOTM Toys in SM Megamall

Pretty Interesting Launch  considering the only Cap figures I'm interested in are from Marvel select.

Finisher

My second Running Finisher's Medal. Run with the Masters was a fun run to raise funds for the Philippine team to the world masters athletics championships this June. The top 50 3k finishers, top 300 10k finishers and top 700 21k finishers were given medals.

Figure Fridays: Rafael Marquez by FT Champs

The recent futbol fever hitting our country got me interested in the sport and hooking up Fifa 11 on my Playstation. Next up, is getting some figs to shoot. I recently got the Marquez Fig at a sale bin in Greenhills for 4 US$ And the Chelsea booter fig for 3 US$.

Marquez is the captain of the mexican national team and was a fixture in La Liga's FC Barcelona. He now plays for the new york red bulls in the MLS.

Considering their price, FT Champs Futbol figs are a steal, the lifelike sculpt and the intricate manual paintjob are definetely worth it. Too bad though that the licensing for the Kit outfitter and sponsor (Nike, Unicef) are missing. Another issue is that the ball does not fit on the Peg like other sports figs do so.

The Talk and Text Grandslam Question

1998, during the Centennial Team formation, the Alaska Aces (Then Milkmen) were on a roll. The Milkmen won 2 straight titles at the expense of the Beermen (1998  All Filipino Cup and Commisioner's Cup) and was nearing a grandslam. However, their core of the Flying A, Jolas and Captain Marbel including their  coach went up  went up and compromised the core of the PBA Centennial Team. While the Sacrifice was moderately Successful, (1998 Asian Games Bronze Medal) It did tamper Alaska's bit for the governor's cup championship as Davis, Chambers and their role players clearly weren't enough. As Shell and Mobiline (Talk N Text) dominated the Governor's Cup and the Pocket tournament Centennial Cup.

Now in 2011, The Tropang Texters are facing the same dilemma. The Texters will loan key players Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams to its Sister team Smart Gilas Pilipinas as they go battle in the Fiba Asia Championships later this year. The last time they loaned their players to the national team, they wounded up second place in the 2007 Fiesta Conference.

Record in PBA tournaments with loaned stars:

1998 Centennial Cup: Champions
1998 Governor's Cup: 1st Runner Up
2002 Governor's Cup: quarterfinals, eliminated by 8th seed SMB (but was top in win loss rankings)
2002 Commissioner's Cup : 1st Runner Up
2007 Fiesta Conference: 1st Runner Up

A decent showing, However, Key players from other teams were also pulled out from the squad back then. Unlike now where only 3 teams will be affected. Competition will be tougher for sure, even with 20 minutes a game from a rumored "answer" or even from a former NBA journeyman would be a guarantee.The Texters, even without 2 key players would still be a formidable team. heck, with how imbalanced the league is today, It's reserves can even be starters or star players for the lower tier teams. As for accomplishing a grand slam the first year the league has reformatted back to the 3 conference format remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, they have a legitimate chance at it.

TF DOTM Launch

 From Cybertron Philippines

Philippine Launch of TF:DOTM Toys

Main Toy Launch:
Date: May 14 and 15, 2011
Venue: SM Makati Concourse Area

Follow-up Launches:

Date: May 21-22, 2011
Venue: SM Megamall

Date: June 4-5, 2011
Venue: SM City The Block

Date: June 11-12, 2011
Venue: SM Pampanga

Date: June 18-19, 2011
Venue: South Mall

Date: June 25-26, 2011
Venue: Robinsons Ermita

Date: July 2-3, 2011
Venue: SM MOA

Date: July 9-10, 2011
Venue: Robinsons Galleria

Yes! Instead of just one launch event, we will have eight (8)! Please feel free to post this information

The Items to be launched after the jump

Suntok Ginto

Don't you get pissed when every time the Olympics are being shown, we always end up with a big fat zero? Pseudo "Internet Coaches" would rather turn and discriminate our own athletes as laughing stocks while drooling over the Nadals, the Phelps and the Bryants?. Or how about when going to a mall and seeing people in jerseys of other countries rather than ours.

How about being a weekend warrior and seeing all those folks in the gym wearing the latest equipment, going to a Saturday basketball game with your teammates repping the freshest limited edition PE kicks they camped five days and four nights for. Or in a bright Sunday morning when you are about to have another half marathon equipped with your minimalist shoes and compression tights while you grace away onto your new PR. It sure is more inspiring to perform when you got the gear, support and encouragement right?

Wouldn't it be as fun if our national athletes got even a quarter of that support?

Suntok ginto is a fund raising campaign to help our national boxers get that Elusive Olympic Gold. Sure we had our opportunities to have it (If Onyok and Villanueva wasn't robbed, If the Wushu event in Beijing wasn't a demonstration sport and if Victoria Manalo- Draves was still a Filipino citizen when she won those 2 golds). But the past is gone and all we can do is help the present (and the future).

Stranded Development

No time to go out and have them developed

PBA Exhibit

Last April, I was able to glance upon the PBA memorabilla exhibit at galleria sports loop. The exhibit featured used shoes, game used balls, Standees, Handprints and trophies for the public to see.

25 days to go

Philsports Arena
Capt. Henry Javier Street
Pasig, Philippines

Groups:

GROUP A
Smart Gilas Pilipinas
Japan (BJ League champion TBA)
ASU-Jordan
Westsports KL Dragons-Malaysia
representative of Middle Asia (TBA)

GROUP B
Mahram-Iran
Sporting Al Riyadi-Lebanon
Al Rayyan-Qatar
Syria
Al Shabbab-United Arab Emirates

Can't Wait for this. First local major fiba tournament in 6 years.
Here's to hoping Gilas to kick some ass and bring a 15 year champion's cup title drought to an end.

First attempt at HDR

This was a shot I took in NYC back in 2009. An elevated Hotel in NYC near Soho known as the Standard Hotel.

Christian finally wins the world title.

Christian finally wins the world title.

I admit, he was kinda annoying at first as a member of the brood, but he started to get more and more entertaining since the surfer boys image. But through the years, he has proven to have what it takes to be a champion.

On the other hand, Morison and Truth should've been given a title push rather than another midcard friends turned enemies rivalry.