I can exceed my limitations!

I am never too old to play. I will forever be active.

When I was a kid, one of my dreams is to become a professional athlete someday.

I tried swimming and swore I will be better than Eric Buhain but my illusion was washed away after a traumatic experience in a creek near our place--- I almost drowned while racing with my friends.

I stayed away from the water and found joy in cycling. My father bought me a brand new BMX bike and I stepped on the pedal towards my goal of joining the Tour of Luzon until I got involved in a road accident.

Just when I thought of hitting the brakes on my dream, I fell in love with the game of basketball. I eat, breath and live the sport and wanted to have a career in it but soon I noticed that my height was stuck at 5’3” at age 21.

Then, I heard that a midget just became a world champion in WWE so I fantasized of being a pro wrestler. However, my effort of undergoing tedious workouts did not give my tummy a six pack abs but six bruises instead.

Today, I am a thirty something family guy who thinks he's a stud but is actually stout. I hate to admit it but am slow, out of shape and the only thing “athletic” about me is my athlete’s foot due to the recent flooding in our place.

Now, can somebody give me a bar of Safeguard? My wife bought a couple of whitening soap last week which she wanted me to try. I can let her get away with the indirect insult but to live without the brand of soap that I basically grew up with is something unbearable.

Speaking of Safeguard, I just find it cool that my favorite athletes can actually be compared with the brand in different aspects.  Below is the list of my sports idols and why I think they are super like Safeguard!


Manny Pacquiao: Pro-Family. I think I don't have to mention how Pacman is considered by many as arguably the best boxer who ever lived. Everyone has witnessed his exploits and know his rags to riches story. From being a cigarette vendor who watched fights of boxing legends like Larry Homes, George Foreman and others along the street, he dreamed and exceeded his limitations and became the first and only eight-division world champion in boxing history. He is a dedicated family man who was able to overcome intrigues and saved his relationship with wife Jinkee and their home. Safeguard is a family bath soap that is affordable and offers great savings from the household budget.


Ronald Tubid: All-around guard. Once known as “The Saint” in the local hoops circuit after being tapped to be the face of the second Filipino saint Pedro Calungsod, this energetic shooting guard from Barako Bull has emerged as one of most athletic players in the PBA because of his all-around game. He maybe just 6'1 but he can score, rebound and dish out assists in the offensive end as effective as guarding his bigger opponents in the defensive side. Because of his never-say-die attitude (something he embraced from former team Barangay Ginebra), he got a new moniker and is now known as Mr. Fearless. Safeguard gives an all-around protection and kills 99% of germs that cause skin infection, bad odor and illnesses.


Phil Younghusband: Fresh and clean. With a face that launches a thousand screams every time he kicks a football (and butts), Younghusband and the rest of the Azkals catapulted the game of soccer in becoming a popular sport among Filipinos. Even with issues of language barrier because some of the players came from different countries,  the Philippine team has proven that there is another team sport in the country worth-watching other than basketball after some upset wins over stronger soccer-crazy nations. With this babyface fresh-looking striker leading the way, expect fans of all ages to continue to troop the arenas for some fast-paced action. Safeguard has a fresh and clean smell that many Filipinos have grown accustomed to. Even if you blindfold me, I can still tell which is Safeguard among soaps.


Paeng Nepomuceno: Certified and recognized greatness. He is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for three amazing feats: (1) for most Bowling World cup wins, 4, in three different decades; (2) for being the youngest ever to win the Bowling World Cup (at 19 years of age), and (3) for having won the most number of bowling tournaments (124 career titles). All of these milestones were accomplished by Nepomuceno despite of little support from the government. He still actively competes up to this day and is the only bowler to have won titles in Europe, America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Safeguard is accepted and recognized by the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET) and it is proven effective in removing skin germs.

Coach Rio Dela Cruz: Trusted name. When you talk about local running, it’s impossible not to mention the name Coach Rio in the conversation. His name has become synonymous to the sports. But before he became the running demigod that he is, Coach Rio has gone through a tough life. At 12 years old, he beat everyone in the tryout while running barefoot on his first attempt at joining his school’s track team. A neighbor took pity on this barefoot runner and gave him a pair of sneakers. From then on, he never stopped running and has become an icon and inspiration to many runners in the country. Safeguard has been the trusted germicidal soap in the Philippines for many generation since it was first introduced in the country in 1966.

Today, Safeguard continues to evolve into a more effective soap as we enter a more active and fast-paced lifestyle. Personally, I may have given up with my dream of becoming an athlete but I still play the sports that I love. I still try to exceed my limitations and prove that age is just a state of mind, that I can still be competitive in every game I enter.  

Good thing, there’s the new Safeguard Active that gives me a 12-hour odor protection every time I engage in sports and fitness activities. Safeguard Active won't let bad hygiene distract you from exceeding your athletic limitations and in beating your personal best.

Here's an inspiring video that you should watch with an invitation to  be one of the many voices in the field shouting, “I can exceed my limitations!”  

Image credits: Pacquaio (latinorebels.com); Tubid (inquirer.net); Younghusband (allstarpics.net); Nepomuceno (jatps.hubpages.com) and Dela Cruz (running.journeyingjames.com).    
 

Manny Pacquiao is a boxing world champion and PLDT myDSL Watchpad is a Knockout!

I used to hate watching boxing matches.

My tatay would always spend the whole weekend scanning almost every boxing card on TV and just bribe me with a few coins for me to get a snack and a bottle of soda while I sob because I missed another episode of my favorite cartoon show.

Also, I find the matches boring compared to those exciting sequences in WWE where people fly out of the ring, hit one another with steel chair and make someone die for a few moments and rise again when the audiences started to chant the grappler’s name.

But my impression about boxing changed because of one man --- the People’s Champ and eight division world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. There is no single adjective to describe this Filipino icon who is considered by many as the greatest boxer who ever lived. Aside from being a great athlete (he also played amateur basketball as a member of MP Warriors in PBL-Liga Pilipinas last year, btw), he has also a string of self-produced films and hit songs (deny or it not, but you have sang with one of his popular tunes either inside a sardine-like FX or while watching his post-fight concert). Of course, we should not forget that he was elected as the Representative of Saranggani province in the most recent national election.

Pacquaio is like a magnet (right, Jinkee?) that can attract even non-believers wherever he goes. He brings the crowd up into the rafters of the venues of his fights whether it’s in Dallas or Vegas (not to mention the local gyms and basketball courts converted to mini theaters for the live broadcast of the Pacman’s exploit against just about anybody who has the balls to share the ring with him. One of the few times that we feel that our Mayor is really doing something after all). Manny indeed is the Big Ticket of the Philippines. He is the face of boxing who has given fans of all ages some of the most exciting fights in the last 10 years. Thus, earning him the “Fighter of the Decade” award from the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA).

This coming November 13 (Sunday), Pacquaio will again showcase to the world the fighting heart and world-class skills of a Pinoy fighter as he battles for the third time Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, the current WBA Super, WBO and The Ring Lightweight World Champion, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

I will definitely watch this fight and have to drop any schedule that will come that day. Everybody takes a day-off when Manny fights. Even hoodlums and criminals keep their guns and ice picks under their pillows during the most anticipated match-up in boxing this year.

One way of getting the best seat watching the Pacquaio-marquez fight is via PLDT myDSL Watchpad Big Ticket. Watch LIVE with no commercial breaks.  Free for myDSL Plan 1995/ 3000 subscribers who are registered to Watchpad. Sign-up now for PLDT myDSL now at 10Mbps and be one of the first to catch this mega fight and celebrate what many predict will be another rousing victory for our very own the People Champ--- Manny Pacquaio. For more information, log on to www.myworldmydsl.com.

Entertainment is better than it’s ever been, it’s awesome! This guarantees that you'll be spared from the almost endless strip of TV commercials after every round of the fight when you watch the delayed telecast with faster live streaming online courtesy of  PLDT myDSL Watchpad, it's a knockout!

Pizza at Yellow Cab is great as their crew

When I like something, I either make a shout out about it on my FB wall or tweet a line about the experience. But if I really really like about it, I blogged about it.

Last May 8 (yup, eight days ago and if not for Blogger's last week vacation mode this could have been posted a little earlier), my wife celebrated Mother's day with me and our 2-year old son Charles Anthony in a place where she least expected.  Our previous celebrations were held in restaurants where you'll feel that it's only us in that place.  But this year, we had a pizza party with dozens of screaming fans watching the Pacquiao-Mosley fight live at Yellow Cab - People Support in Makati City.

I know it's not the place that she has in mind but it went out fine because (1) Manny Pacquaio won (as expected), (2) we gained new friends, (3) we got FREE lunch and other goodies and (4) the crew at the Yellow Cab are so accommodating especially that friendly waitress who even played with my son (the only uninterested individual in the fight).

Thanks for the treat Yellow Cab Philippines, Nuffnang Philippines and PLDT My DSL Watchpad.  

The Big Ticket that is Pacman

When I was young, I hated boxing.

My tatay would always spend the whole weekend watching almost every boxing card on TV and just bribe me with two 5 peso coins for me to get a snack and a bottle of soda while I sob because I missed another episode of my favorite shows like TGIS and Anna Karenina (hey! I was young then so I still don’t know how to tell what was right from wrong).

Also, I find the matches boring compared to those exciting sequences in WWE where people fly out of the ring, hit one another with steel chair and make someone die for a few moments and rise again when the audiences started to chant the grappler’s name.

But my impression about boxing changed because of one man --- the People’s Champ and eight division world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. There is no single adjective to describe this Filipino icon who is considered by many as the greatest boxer who ever lived. Aside from being a great athlete (he also played amateur basketball as a member of MP Warriors in PBL-Liga Pilipinas last year, btw), he has also a string of self-produced films and hit songs (deny or it not, but you have sang with one of his popular tunes either inside a sardine-like FX or while watching his post-fight concert). Of course, we should not forget that he was elected as the Representative of Saranggani province in the most recent national election.

Pacquaio is like a magnet (right, Krista?) that can attract even non-believers wherever he goes. He brings the crowd up into the rafters of the venues of his fights whether it’s in Dallas or Vegas (not to mention the local gyms and basketball courts converted to mini theaters for the live broadcast of the Pacman’s exploit against just about anybody who has the balls to share the ring with him. One of the few times that we feel that our Mayor is really doing something after all). Manny indeed is the Big Ticket of the Philippines. He is the face of boxing who has given fans of all ages some of the most exciting fights in the last 10 years. Thus, earning him the “Fighter of the Decade” award from the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA).

This coming May 8 (Sunday), Pacquaio will again showcase to the world the fighting heart and world-class skills of a Pinoy fighter as he battles former world champion Sugar “Shane” Mosley at MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

I will definitely watch this fight and have to drop any schedule that will come that day. Everybody takes a day-off when Manny fights. Even hoodlums and criminals keep their guns and ice picks under their pillows during the most anticipated match-up in boxing this year.

One way of getting the best seat watching the Pacquaio-Mosley fight is via the Big Ticket which is a PLDT myDSL innovation that boosts Watchpad with an additional speed that can heighten online viewing experience. It makes internet faster in local sites. This is all for just 150/month conveniently charged to your landline bill. There is this great promotions that is currently ongoing where if you subscribe to Big Ticket until May 5, you can watch the fight for free! It’s also free for Plan 1995 and Plan 3000 subscribers or if you upgrade your DSL plan. Wow! That’s what you call an awesome Big Ticket!

Entertainment is better than it’s ever been, it’s awesome! This guarantees that you'll be spared from the almost endless strip of TV commercials after every round of the fight when you watch the delayed telecast with faster live streaming online courtesy of the wonder called Big Ticket only from PLDT myDSL Watchpad.

Subscribe now at www.pldtwatchpad.com/PacmanMosley.html and be one of the first to catch this mega fight and celebrate what many predict will be another rousing victory for our very own Big Ticket--- Manny Pacquaio.

Come Sunday, it's my wife who will hate boxing. It just happened that Mother's Day this year coincides with a Pacquaio fight. Our traditional mother's day date with our son will be a little different this year. For sure, we'll still be dining in a good restaurant but only this time there will be hundreds of screaming boxing fans who who will join us. Hmm... dear, I hope you'll understand (with fingers crossed) and advance happy Mother's day, by the way.