Athletes: More Fun in the Philippines (Part 2)
This is Part 2 of a series of posts about the curious case of celebrity among Philippine athletes. You are encouraged to read Part 1 of the series.
In my previous post, I introduced on why do a number of Filipino athletes are treated like celebrities. In the example of the Philippine football scene, the recent successes of the Azkals national team came fruit due to talented and incidentally good-looking players. In basketball, the arrival of Chris Tiu and Kiefer Ravena in the national side started a new generation of gwapo in the hard-court since the Alvin Patrimonio generation.
Now we continue the series with the case of our rugby and racing scene.
The Philippine Volcanoes and the Explosion of Rugby
Rugby football or simply "rugby" is little-known in the Philippines. It isn't as prominent or as widely-preferred as football or soccer, although they are both originated from England. But it gained so much attention when, in mid-2011, the national rugby union team, nicknamed the Volcanoes, made airwaves when some of its members posed in underwear for a local clothing brand, as part of a campaign in which the football national team captain Aly Borromeo was involved as well. It was shown in billboards in a major thoroughfare in Metro Manila which made some passersbys raise eyebrows. It was soon taken down by the authorities citing indecency.
Controversy aside, the rugby team soon gained a female fanbase as it happened that these players are also of mixed heritage like the Azkals. Most of them come from nations considered as rugby hotbeds: Australia and New Zealand. Like the Azkals, most of them have foreign fathers and Filipina mothers, although some are wholly Filipino who happened to grow up in these countries. With this, they finally got some attention from those who admire beautiful athletic bodies, and handsome faces. But for sporting pundits, it was perceived in another light.
At that time, the rugby team was promoted to Division One for the Asian region after winning the Asian5Nations Division Two tournament. And it has been doing decent performances in regional competitions. Soon they also got some support from the private sector so as to have them participate in these international matches. This year, they are now vying for promotion to the Elite Five of Asia in order to qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the prestigious competition for rugby football, to be held in England. And that could be made through winning the Asian5Nations Division One tournament in which the Philippines is host.
Now the sport of rugby is being introduced to the country as a grassroots program is being developed. Interested kids are also being taught in free clinics organized by the rugby team. Rugby supporters are being formed. And a national rugby league is being planned as well.
In my point of view, the Volcanoes could be considered as another source of Pinoy pride in team sports, like the Azkals. Behind the incidentally good-looking boys are men who play for the nation's pride and honour. As they venture in better grounds, they need the support of the Filipinos as well.
Who knows? While we still anticipate the Azkals to have a breakthrough in qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, aren't we even prouder if the Volcanoes who play "soccer's cousin" would qualify for their sport's World Cup?
Pinoy Auto Racers Can be Glamour Boys, Too.
Many thought Filipinos don't have an advantage in auto racing. Its streets are crowded with traffic, a few expressways here and there and there isn't much big racing circuits to go into.
But here came a surprise package. Still considered young to drive, 21 year-old Marlon Stöckinger gained the attention of racing fans all over South East Asia. Why? He is the first Filipino to win a formula race in Europe.
The lad, who has a Swiss father and a Filipina mother, was born and raised in Manila, but had experienced being trained in auto racing through his father, a businessman and a racing enthusiast back in Switzerland. Growing up, he was exposed to kart racing, and even became a fellow of now actor and commercial model Matteo Guidicelli, whose Italian father was also a racing enthusiast.
Although Guidicelli moved on to showbiz, Stockinger pursued a more prominent career path to become a professional auto racer. He moved to Europe when he turned 17 to compete in the Formula Renault series. In 2009, Stockinger made his debut in the UK in the British Formula Renault Series alongside promising newcomers Harry Tincknell, Matias Laine and Will Stevens. He placed 20th in his debut and eventually made his best record in that level as 11th place in Round 8.
In the following season in 2010, he was able to finish third at Rockingham Motor Speedway, his best result ever in two seasons. At the Croft Circuit in the 8th round, he started from pole and finished the race first, becoming the first Filipino to have won a formula race in the continent. He moved to the GP3 series in 2011 and is continually climbing up the ranks.
Here's the thing: auto racing is a very mentally and physically-demanding sport. It requires hand-eye coordination, upper body fitness and quick strategy. Aside from that, auto racing is considered a glamour sport, mainly supported by the higher class. And with that glamour comes fame and women. Yeah, you're thinking popping up a bottle of champagne over skimpy women in revealing dresses. Well, that happens in Europe. But in the Philippines and the rest of South East Asia? Women regard him as a gwapo boy made specifically for teenybopper publications. He has graced full spreads of teen magazines more than he does racing magazines the country. This guy actually has a fanbase in Malaysia and Singapore. He has guested in showbiz shows and was even linked to a teen actress-model.
Why the buzz, you see? Should he progress in this series, he progresses to more prominent motor-racing tiers until he reaches Formula racing status - and maybe make into Formula One. Who knows when?
Next in the series is the emergence of attractive Filipina athletes. Stay tuned!
KENNETH
 |
| Volcanoes strut their stuff shirtless. |
Now we continue the series with the case of our rugby and racing scene.
The Philippine Volcanoes and the Explosion of Rugby
 |
| Ned Stephenson of the Volcanoes in Bench undies. |
Controversy aside, the rugby team soon gained a female fanbase as it happened that these players are also of mixed heritage like the Azkals. Most of them come from nations considered as rugby hotbeds: Australia and New Zealand. Like the Azkals, most of them have foreign fathers and Filipina mothers, although some are wholly Filipino who happened to grow up in these countries. With this, they finally got some attention from those who admire beautiful athletic bodies, and handsome faces. But for sporting pundits, it was perceived in another light.
 |
| Another English game is gaining ground in Filipino soil. |
Now the sport of rugby is being introduced to the country as a grassroots program is being developed. Interested kids are also being taught in free clinics organized by the rugby team. Rugby supporters are being formed. And a national rugby league is being planned as well.
In my point of view, the Volcanoes could be considered as another source of Pinoy pride in team sports, like the Azkals. Behind the incidentally good-looking boys are men who play for the nation's pride and honour. As they venture in better grounds, they need the support of the Filipinos as well.
Who knows? While we still anticipate the Azkals to have a breakthrough in qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, aren't we even prouder if the Volcanoes who play "soccer's cousin" would qualify for their sport's World Cup?
Pinoy Auto Racers Can be Glamour Boys, Too.
 |
| Marlon Stoeckinger: next Asian F1 superstar? |
Many thought Filipinos don't have an advantage in auto racing. Its streets are crowded with traffic, a few expressways here and there and there isn't much big racing circuits to go into.
But here came a surprise package. Still considered young to drive, 21 year-old Marlon Stöckinger gained the attention of racing fans all over South East Asia. Why? He is the first Filipino to win a formula race in Europe.
 |
| Matteo Guidicelli was a champion racer before showbiz. |
The lad, who has a Swiss father and a Filipina mother, was born and raised in Manila, but had experienced being trained in auto racing through his father, a businessman and a racing enthusiast back in Switzerland. Growing up, he was exposed to kart racing, and even became a fellow of now actor and commercial model Matteo Guidicelli, whose Italian father was also a racing enthusiast.
Although Guidicelli moved on to showbiz, Stockinger pursued a more prominent career path to become a professional auto racer. He moved to Europe when he turned 17 to compete in the Formula Renault series. In 2009, Stockinger made his debut in the UK in the British Formula Renault Series alongside promising newcomers Harry Tincknell, Matias Laine and Will Stevens. He placed 20th in his debut and eventually made his best record in that level as 11th place in Round 8.
In the following season in 2010, he was able to finish third at Rockingham Motor Speedway, his best result ever in two seasons. At the Croft Circuit in the 8th round, he started from pole and finished the race first, becoming the first Filipino to have won a formula race in the continent. He moved to the GP3 series in 2011 and is continually climbing up the ranks.Here's the thing: auto racing is a very mentally and physically-demanding sport. It requires hand-eye coordination, upper body fitness and quick strategy. Aside from that, auto racing is considered a glamour sport, mainly supported by the higher class. And with that glamour comes fame and women. Yeah, you're thinking popping up a bottle of champagne over skimpy women in revealing dresses. Well, that happens in Europe. But in the Philippines and the rest of South East Asia? Women regard him as a gwapo boy made specifically for teenybopper publications. He has graced full spreads of teen magazines more than he does racing magazines the country. This guy actually has a fanbase in Malaysia and Singapore. He has guested in showbiz shows and was even linked to a teen actress-model.
Why the buzz, you see? Should he progress in this series, he progresses to more prominent motor-racing tiers until he reaches Formula racing status - and maybe make into Formula One. Who knows when?
Next in the series is the emergence of attractive Filipina athletes. Stay tuned!
KENNETH
