NEWS
GoClark returns to New Clark City
July 13, 2022 2:42 p.m.
Pursuing their shared vision of positioning Clark as the premier destination for cycling and running, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), and GoClark Sports and Events will be hosting the first New Clark City (NCC) Duathlon race this July 17.
Around 650 professional and amateur duathletes are expected to participate in a test of strength and endurance, with New Clark City’s iconic sports facilities and extensive road network as backdrop.
The event signals GoClark’s return to New Clark City after two and a half years, following the hosting of the New Clark City Triathlon back in October 2019.
It is the first of three GoClark-organized events lined up in New Clark City this year, to be followed by the Clark Cycling Classic on August 27 to 28, and the New Clark City Multisport Weekend on September 24 to 25.
“The New Clark City Duathlon will be our inaugural duathlon race with New Clark City as the venue partner. It will also be the third leg of Clark’s Duathlete of the Year Race Series,” said Jumbo Tayag, GoClark race director.
“The series is aimed at supporting and highlighting Duathlon Elites and is part of GoClark’s program of developing and finding grassroots talents in the sport. Through the series, we also aim to highlight Clark and New Clark City as premier training and racing destinations for cycling, running, duathlon and triathlon,” he added.
BCDA Senior Vice President for Corporate Services Arrey Perez welcomed GoClark’s return to New Clark City, as well as the hundreds of athletes who will compete during the event.
“We hope this exposure will stir up more interest in the sport and expand the talent pool to choose from for decades to come. Our country abounds in talent; and that talent just needs to be nurtured. And what better place for this to happen than here in New Clark City–the home of future champions,” Perez said.
The New Clark City Duathlon will have three categories: NCC Long, a 12 kilometer (km) run-50 km bike-six km run race; NCC Short, a six km run- 25 km bike- 3k run course; and the NCC Long Two-Person Relay.
Duathletes will compete in different age groups. All finishers will receive a four-inch Finisher’s medal, while the top three of each group will receive additional plaques. The event will be highlighted by the ELITE races, to be joined by members of the National Team training pool.
The run course will take participants around the whole National Government Administrative Center compound and will feature the River Park and the New Clark City Athletics Stadium. The bike course, meanwhile, will cover the New Clark City to Clark International Airport and the New Clark City to Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway access roads, which were constructed even amid challenges brought about by the pandemic.
“Since New Clark City played host to the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, the facilities are world-class. The BCDA also built a massive network of roads that can be used for cycling, duathlon and triathlons,” Tayag said.
Comeback of multisport events in Clark
GoClark Sports and Events aims to promote an active lifestyle by organizing a series of endurance and multisport events in Clark, which is now dubbed as the “Duathlon Capital of the Philippines.”
This year, GoClark has already organized three events at the Clark Freeport Zone–Clark Duathlon Classic, Clark Triathlon Classic and TriFactor Philippines Duathlon–all of which got strong participation from duathletes and triathletes.
“All three prior races have been well-participated and this is a good sign that people are starting to get comfortable with these events. Nevertheless, the virus is not going anywhere, and we still have the responsibility to wear our masks when necessary. Of course, one of our advocacies is getting into an active lifestyle, and this helps combat any virus if we are strong and healthy,” Tayag said.
To keep this momentum going, GoClark will be holding more events in Clark and New Clark City this year.
The Clark Cycling Classic to be held on August 27 to 28 will feature individual and team trial cycling courses and a Gravel race. The New Clark City Multisport Weekend, which will take place on September 24 to 25, will be highlighted by the return of the New Clark City Triathlon.
“We hope that through this race and upcoming sporting events, more homegrown athletes will emerge as stronger individuals who can serve as examples to their families, communities, and the Filipino nation,” Perez said.
NEWS
100 days to go before world’s best play in front of world’s best fans
May 18, 2023, 2:16 p.m.
In 100 days, the best players from the Philippines and all over the world will converge i Manila for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
The Philippines – and its well-renowned most passionate fans – will play host to the USA and Serbia, as well as Lithuania and Greece, as four of the top ten-ranked teams in the world will be on our shores for the Group Phase in the world meet running from August 25 to September 10. Angola, Dominican Republic, Italy, South Sudan, China, Puerto Rico, Jordan, New Zealand, Egypt, Mexico, and Montenegro round out the visitors who will enjoy Filipino hospitality, with games set to be played at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
At the same time, Filipinos will grant enviable homecourt advantage to the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s Team, as the team commences its campaign in the tournament’s first game at th colossal Philippine Arena on August 25.
To mark the countdown and engage the local market in the Philippines, a 100 Days-to-Go TVC will be aired on key channels & social media platforms while LED billboards along key sites in the Metro will also feature materials on display. Features on key news programs and video callouts from local ambassadors of the FIBA Basketball World Cup will also be shown on tv & social media.
This the first time in 45 years that the Philippines is hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup, albeit alongside Japan and Indonesia, and the co-hosts are promising the most memorable world meet yet.
According to Al S. Panlilio, President of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, “The event will be tremendous – the fan experience will be unprecedented, unmatched in its impact and truly memorable for all.”
Filipinos may very well watch the MVP-caliber play of Serbian Nikola Jokic and Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, as well as a bevy of NBA stars by taking advantage of alreadyavailable tickets with the Follow My Team Passes with access to all preliminary games of your chosen team, the Ultimate Fan & Super Fan passes, which give access to games from the Quarterfinals to the Finals, and the Two-Day Passes, which give fans the chance to watch 4 games on 2 consecutive days.
Single-Day Passes will also be available starting May 25 for basketball fans to get a chance to see their favorite basketball stars up close and personal. Fans can purchase their tickets to the biggest basketball event of the year via philippines.worldcup.basketball.
NEWS
INC Chronicles reboots visuals to better engage youth, public
May 1, 2023 2:42 p.m.
INC Chronicles, a weekly television feature-documentary that delves into the rich history and community-building efforts of the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s various local congregations, has recently undergone tech-driven enhancements to make the show more visually engaging in today’s fast-changing media landscape.
With sharper cinematography, spruced up digital graphics, and creative animation, the re-envisioned program aims to better connect with today’s younger audiences and those yet unfamiliar with the Church’s storied beginnings.
INC Chronicles’ new visually compelling episodes highlight the struggles, lessons, and timeless Christian values that marked the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s formative years in various communities around the Philippines and abroad.
The show seeks to create a deeper appreciation for the Church’s history and how its spiritual and humanitarian activities have been helping drive community growth and empowerment for over a century.
INC Chronicles is broadcast every Thursday at 3:30 p.m. on INCTV, with reruns every Thursday at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10:00 p.m. It is a co-production of the Christian Era Broadcasting Service International Inc. (CEBSI Inc.), the religious media arm of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, and the INC Museum.
In an interview, INC Museum Director, Cornelio N. Cortez, emphasized the value of chronicling the story of the Iglesia Ni Cristo and expressed gratitude for the Church’s continued growth. “The hand of God is present during all those decades. We are thankful,” he stated.
According to Cortez, the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s dedication to preserving its history and cultural heritage is also reflected in the INC Museum which houses over 17,000 protected catalog items inside temperature-controlled and humidity-monitored rooms.
From its humble beginnings of preaching at riversides and small town houses in the Philippines to becoming a global religious institution, the Iglesia Ni Cristo has millions of members in over 7,000 congregations spread across 164 countries and territories worldwide.
NEWS
FIBA ambassador Luis Scola, US rapper Saweetie to banner FIBA World Cup Draw 2023
April 24, 2023 3:51 p.m.
The world’s biggest basketball tournament is about to unfold in Manila at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, with basketball legend Luis Scola gracing the much-anticipated draw with performances by American rapper Saweetie, Sarah Geronimo, and Billy Crawford this Saturday, April 29 at the Smart Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.
Scola has won multiple medals as a member of the national men’s basketball team of Argentina. He played for Argentina’s national squad from 2001 until 2019, winning two silver medals at the FIBA World Championships, one each in 2002 and during his final tournament in 2019 at the age of 39. During the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship tournament, Scola became the all-time leading scorer in FIBA AmeriCup history and won his 4th tournament MVP.
On the live performance side, Saweetie is an American rapper who made a name for herself by rhyming over iconic tracks, giving a nod to those who came before while building her own catalog of fiery hits such as “My Type,” “Tap In,” and “Best Friend,” a collaboration with Doja Cat.
Meanwhile pop superstars Sarah Geronimo and Billy Crawford are expected to represent the Filipino side at the international event happening on Saturday, 7:30 at the Big Dome.
Ranked #40 in the world, the Philippines has gained an outright berth in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Games by being one of the host nations alongside Japan and Indonesia. This is the sixth time that the Philippines is playing on the world stage, and its second time as host nation following its hosting in 1978 where it finished in the top eight.
As a FIBA global partner, Smart is going all-out for the FIBAWC 2023 Draw Event as anticipation reaches a new high with all the 32 qualified nations receiving their country assignments during the spectacle. This year’s much-anticipated FIBA draw will finally announce the matchups and finalize which countries will be playing in the Philippines, giving Pinoy basketball fans time to plan which games and basketball greats they wish to see live in action.
Catch Ben&Ben live and win prizes from Smart at ‘FIBA in Manila’ in BGC
Basketball fans can also join the all-day festival party, “FIBA in Manila,” at BGC Uptown area, corner of 9th Avenue and 36th Street in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) from 10 am onwards, also on April 29.
Ben&Ben’s performance at the “FIBA in Manila” will be streamed live via Smart’s official Facebook page at 2pm.
Never miss a moment with the Smart LiveStream App
Smart subscribers can get hyped with non-stop FIBA basketball action by catching all the exciting happenings and the games, including those played in the previous windows, via the Smart Livestream App.
Using the app, fans can catch every minute of live basketball action at the 2023 FIBAWC from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10.
The Smart LiveStream app is downloadable on the App Store and the Google Play Store, and subscribers will only need to enter a valid Smart Prepaid or Postpaid mobile number to enjoy all the sports action.
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