Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Renren Ritualo

(Photo shows Renren with his wife and baby daughter at an event in DLSU. Behind them is the banner that shows Renren's jersey retirement)

The Ultimate Shooter
A born-scorer who could shoot the lights out, Renren Ritualo also was a proven winner with four UAAP titles.

By Anton Roxas

No other Green Archer can ever wear the Number Four.

Forever enshrined in the Enrique M. Razon Sports Center is the famed jersey of the greatest player in the history of DLSU Men’s Basketball – Renren Ritualo.

Known for his fearlessness, especially in the endgame and his deadly outside shooting, Renren was a vital cog in La Salle’s incredible four-peat from 1998 to 2001. He is also just one of four student-athletes along with Kurt Bachman, Lim Eng Beng and Manilla Santos who have earned the honor of having their jersey numbers retired by the Taft Avenue based university.

Four represents the number of championships won by the man who is one of the four most iconic LaSallians in the field of sports. Symbolic as it may seem, ironically, the number was not his original choice.

Renren was born Florendo R. Ritualo Jr. on June 14, 1979. He is the eldest and only boy among the four children of his parents, Florendo “Dante” Ritualo Sr. and Maria “Baby” Ritualo. Dante was a former PBA player who would have his teammates frequent their home in Pasig City. The presence of these towering figures influenced Renren greatly. In fact, his mother, Baby, says that Renren made his first basket at the age of one. From there, Renren’s passion for the game grew.

“My Mom had to take away all the balls at home because I wouldn’t stop playing,” shared Renren.

“When she would do that, I made my own balls out of paper,” he added.

After entering Preschool at Mother Goose in Kapitolyo, Renren moved on to Preparatory School at the San Beda All-Boys campus in Mendiola. When he reached the fourth grade, Renren tried out for the varsity but failed to make the team.

“Maliit siguro ako. I was not yet ready,” explained Renren. “I felt bad but I was not pressured. Even if I didn’t make the team, I never stopped playing.”

The following year, Renren participated in the school’s intramurals and soon after, he took another shot at making the varsity. This time, he made his mark.

“Nung nakapasok na ako. Yun na. I wanted to score everytime.”

As a member of the San Beda Red Cubs, Renren was an athletic slasher. He made his first dunk in his 3rd year of High School and won back-to-back Championships (1995-Season 71, 1996-Season 72) in the NCAA Jrs. Basketball tournament with teammates Jenkins Mesina, Xavier Nuňag, Mark Jomalesa and Britt Reroma just to name a few. Renren was named MVP during his senior year.

Throughout his time in San Beda, Renren wore the number fourteen, which symbolizes his birthday. But, when he moved on to La Salle for college, he had to make a change.

His freshman year (1997) with the Green Archers was an eventful one. Renren learned that he could not wear fourteen because it was retired by Lim Eng Beng.  La Salle made it to the UAAP Season 60 Finals but fell short against FEU. Afterwards, their head coach, Jong Uichico, who personally recruited Renren, was replaced by Franz Pumaren. It was also during this time that Renren settled for the number four. A legend was born.

“When we lost to FEU during my first year, sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘we’re going to get it next year’,” Renren shared.

True enough, the Green Archers redeemed themselves, sweeping the Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 61 Finals.

In UAAP Season 62, La Salle once again returned to the Finals where they faced a talented UST squad that featured Cyrus Baguio, Niňo Gelig, Derick Hubalde, Marvin Ortiguerra and Gilbert Lao. Renren labels this championship as the most difficult one they won as the series went the distance and ended dramatic fashion. Interestingly, Renren, who had developed his outside shooting in the collegiate level, cites a pass he made as his most memorable play in the UAAP.

With less than eleven seconds left in Game 3, UST led La Salle, 67-64. Renren received a pass from Dino Aldeguer on the right wing. He dribbled the ball to the corner and was ready to rise up for the shot. But, instinctively, because he drew two defenders towards him, Renren passed the ball out to Don Allado on the right wing. Allado subsequently passed the ball to Aldeguer who was situated at the top of the arc. Aldeguer drained the game-tying triple and was even fouled in the process with 2.7 seconds left. It remains as one of the most historic shots in UAAP basketball history. Although Aldeguer missed the bonus free-throw, the game went into overtime, where La Salle outscored UST, 11-8 for a 78-75 win.

“Ang hirap ng championship na yun. Natalo kami sa first game. Match-up wise, lamang na lamang sila,” recalled Renren. “I was ready to take the shot but I’m glad I made that pass. It eventually led to a championship.”

La Salle faced FEU anew in the Finals of UAAP Season 63. Once again, the Green Archers prevailed in two games. During Renren’s final playing year (2001), La Salle finished the elimination round in first place with a 12-2 record. And right before they entered the Final Four, Renren was presented with the challenge of a lifetime.

“Coach Franz (Pumaren) approached me after practice and said, ‘Ren, if we go to the Finals and win the championship, we’re going to retire your jersey. Ganon lang ka-casual. Sabi ko, ‘OK, Coach!’”

UAAP Season 64 featured an Ateneo-La Salle Finals. It was the perfect stage to cement his legacy as it was also the first time the two rival schools faced off for the championship in the Final Four era. Renren embraced the moment and led the Green Archers in a classic series that went the distance. The Blue Eagles were bannered by the likes of Enrico Villanueva, Magnum Membrere, LA Tenorio, Rich Alvarez and Larry Fonacier while La Salle featured BJ Manalo, Mike Cortez, Adonis Sta. Maria, Carlo Sharma, Willy Wilson and Macmac Cardona. But, the player who shined the brightest was the Green Archer wearing jersey number four – Renren Ritualo.

In his final UAAP game, Renren scored all of his 15 points in the second half to propel La Salle to a 93-88 win in Game 3. The Green Archers won their fourth straight Men’s Basketball crown with Renren earning Finals MVP honors, thus, etching his name in the history books.

“I’ve been so blessed. Lahat ng nangyari sa buhay ko, hindi ko pinilit. Binigay sa akin lahat. And it’s all because of basketball,” said Renren.

Upon graduating from DLSU with a degree in Guidance Counseling and Psychology Major in Early Childhood, Renren continued his playing career and in the PBL, PBA and with the Philippine National Team. In 2007, he fulfilled his dream of establishing a school – Children’s Little University (CLU) Preschool. Two years later, he married his long-time friend and classmate, Margaux. Together, Renren and Margaux became proud parents of two beautiful children, Margot and Matteo.

“Si Margot, my daughter,” Renren says with a big smile. “I used to bring her to my basketball camps for kids. She’s really smart! She can dribble two basketballs at the same time! Di ko siya tinuruan nun! Sinasama ko lang siya when I hold camps or do personal training.”

As for his son, Matteo, Renren has other plans for him.

“I want him to be a Pilot.” says Renren. “Gusto ko kasi maging Piloto dati. I thought about doing it after my basketball career but I had kids so I got busy. Kaya si Matteo, kung mag basketball yan, during off-season niya, he’s going to fly. It was my dream and I want him to be better than me.”

Three years have passed since Renren retired from playing professional basketball, but the game still remains as an integral part of his life. Aside from being a TV Analyst for S+A, Renren is also an Assistant Coach of the Adamson Soaring Falcons.

As the UAAP’s 80th Season opens on September 9, 2017, Renren has some words of advice for all the student-athletes who are set to go for great.

“Live the moment. It’s goes by really fast. Practice hard and get everything you can. Lahat ng experience, lahat ng knowledge, kunin niyo lahat because after five years, you won’t be here anymore. You’ll be in the pros o kung saan man, pero matatandaan mo lagi yung pinagsamahan niyo dito. Give it your all. Leave a legacy na matatandaan ng tao.”

UP Concert Chorus, ipinarinig kung paano dapat kantahin ang Lupang Hinirang


Kung ang UP Concert Chorus ang tatanungin, ganito raw dapat inaawit ang ating National Anthem.

Naniniwala silang dapat na igalang ang orihinal na komposisyon ni Julian Felipe, pero merong itong iba't ibang bersyon, may mabilis: "Bayang Magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan, Alab ng Puso sa dibdib mo'y buhay / Lupang Hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting sa manlulupig di ka pasisiil" at merong kasimbilis: "sa dagat at bundok sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw; may dilag ang tula at awit sa paglayang minamahal. Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y tagumpay na nagniningning, ang bituin at araw niya kailan pa ma'y di magdidilim. Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati't pagsinta, buhay ay langit sa piling mo; aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay ng dahil sa'yo."

Ang mahalaga, sundin ang orihinal na himig na ito.

"And then, ang mga umaawit kay Pacquiao, si ating kaibigan, and, sana naman nag-consult muna bago para hindi naman sila magsalita uli, and merong kasing law", sabi ni Prof. Janet Sabas-Aracama, Artistic Director and Conductor, UP Concert Chorus.

Pirme na lang ang isyu ng "Lupang Hinirang" tuwing may laban si Manny Pacquiao, iba't-ibang sikat na singer na ang umaawit na ito pero halos lahat hindi umano sumunod sa orihinal na komposisyon.

"Bayang Magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan, Alab ng Puso sa dibdib mo'y buhay / Lupang Hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting sa manlulupig di ka pasisiil, sa dagat at bundok sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw; may dilag ang tula at awit sa paglayang minamahal. Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y tagumpay na nagniningning, ang bituin at araw niya kailan pa ma'y di magdidilim. Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati't pagsinta, buhay ay langit sa piling mo; aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay ng dahil sa'yo." Di ba? Martial siya? And I think the way we should, that way good itself already," sabi ni Dr. Ramon Acoymo, Associate Professor Voice and Music Theater/Dance Department.

Isa pang bagay na laging na iniiba ng mga singer ay ang dulo ng "Lupang Hinirang".

Kung titignan natin yung original version ng "Lupang Hinirang" ni Julian Felipe, makikita natin na yung nota doon sa dulo parang ganito na siyang maririnig. Pero ang madalas ginagawa ng mga singers sa boxing match ni Manny Pacquiao na ibang-iba doon sa original na melody na sinulat ni Julian Felipe.

"Ang mga kulot, birit, ornament, dekorasyon, o embellishment should only sang the original intent from the music and the words. Kung ang ginawa mo ay nakakatanggal na focus, so dapat i-focus ang tao, masiyadong marami ngayon, it's too much", sabi ni Acoymo.

May kalayaan daw ang lahat na singers ng bigyan ng ibang interpretasyon ng isang awitin, pero sa kaso ng National Anthem, may sapat na dapat sundin, at malinaw sa RA 8491, section 37, na ang tamang pag-awit ng National Anthem ay ang bersyon ni Julian Felipe, dapat 2/4 beat ang pagtugtog dito, at dapat ay nasa 100 hanggang 120 beats per minute sa 4/4 beat kapag kinakanta.

Kapag ito ay narinig, tumayo ng matuwid, humarap sa watawat at ilagay ang kanang kamay sa kaliwang dibdib habang inaawit.

Ito ay pwedeng kantahin sa pandaigdigang kumpetisyon na host ang Pilipinas o may kinatawan ang ating bansa; sa signing on at signing off ng mga himpilan ng radyo at telebisyon; bago ang pagbubukas ng oras ng trabaho at nagtatapos ang oras ng trabaho ng mga emplyeado sa mga opisina; sa una at huling screening ng pelikula sa mga sinehan at bago simulan ang mga teatrong pagtatanghal.

Ang Panatang Makabayan ay dapat na bigkasin pagkatapos ng pagkanta ng pambansang awit sa mga pangunahing institusyong pang-edukasyon. Ang Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas ay maaaring kabisado din, bagaman ang batas ay hindi tumutukoy kung sino ang kinakailangan upang gawin ito.

Ang sinong lumabag nito na babastusin o gagawing katatawanan ang pambansang awit ay mahaharap sa kasong criminal o administratibo o dapat na magmulta ng 5,000 to 20,000 pesos o isang taong pagkakakulong.

Mukahin ng UP College of Music, sana raw ipagkalat ang National Historical Institute ang orihinal na bersyon at masusing ituro ito ng mga mangaawit na hindi na muli pagmulan pa ng kontrobersya.

Maling pag-awit ng Lupang Hinirang, may mas mabigat na parusa

NAKALUSOT na sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa sa Kamara ang panukalang batas na nagpapataw ng mas mabigat na parusa sa hindi tamang pag-awit ng Lupang Hinirang.

Sa ilalim ng House Bill 5224, tinaasan na sa P50 – P100,000 ang multa para sa sinomang hindi maaawit nang maayos ang pambansang awit mula sa dating P5 – P20,000 multa.

Ang pagpapahintulot sa mga security personnel at sa mga usher sa sinehan na hulihin ang sinumang lalabag. Maari silang humingi ng tulong sa mga awtoridad sa pag-aresto sa lalabag.

Mukahin ng UP College of Music, sana raw ipakalat ang National Historical Institute ang orihinal na bersyon at masusing ituro ito ng mga mangaawit na hindi na pagmulan pa ng kontrobersya.

Ibig-sabihin, mahigpit na susundin ng lahat ang tamang pagbigkas ng mga salita at pag-awit sa tamang tono ng Lupang Hinirang na itinatadhana ng Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

Ang tamang pag-awit ng national anthem ay ang bersyon ni Julian Felipe, dapat 2/4 beat ang pagtugtog dito, at dapat ay nasa 100 hanggang 120 beats per minute sa 4/4 beat kapag kinakanta.

Kapag ito ay narinig, tumayo ng matuwid, humarap sa watawat at ilagay ang kanang kamay sa kaliwang dibdib habang inaawit.

Ito ay pwedeng kantahin sa pandaigdigang kumpetisyon na host ang Pilipinas o may kinatawan ang ating bansa; sa sign on at sign off ng mga himpilan ng radyo at telebisyon; bago ang pagbubukas ng oras ng trabaho at nagtatapos ang trabaho ng mga emplyeado sa mga opisina; at sa una at huling screening ng pelikula sa mga sinehan at bago simulan ang mga teatrong pagtatanghal; Ibinigay, na ang mga may-ari at pamamahala ng mga establisimyento ay dapat na utusan upang ipatupad ang tamang pakikitungo at ipatupad ang mga may kinalaman sa batas na ito; at iba pang okasyon na maaaring pahintulutan ng Surian.

Ang Panatang Makabayan ay dapat na bigkasin pagkatapos ng pagkanta ng pambansang awit sa mga opisina at paaralan. Ang Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas ay maaaring kabisado din, bagaman ang batas ay hindi tumutukoy kung sino ang kinakailangan upang gawin ito.

Layon nitong maiukit sa puso’t kamalayan ng mga Pilipino ang diwang makabansa at maituwid ang mga maling kasanayan at paglapastangan sa watawat at Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas. JOHNNY ARASGA

After a decade, construction of MRT-LRT Common Station to begin in September

The coveted project has seen 3 transportation secretaries come and go. Finally, the construction will start on September 29.

Of all of Manila's sprawling megaprojects, the 13,700-square-meter (sqm) common station deal that will connect the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines is perhaps the most controversial and coveted contract.

It took the project a decade since its inception way back in 2007 before construction could finally begin. The culprit is a legal squabble between the government and the group of the Philippines' richest, the Sy family, over the naming rights for the common station, led to the arrest and detention of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the impeachment trial of former Supreme Court chief justice Renato Corona and the multi-million peso pork barrel fund scam.

The project has seen 3 transportation secretaries come and go.

"After years and years of waiting, we will break ground on the MRT-LRT Common Station on September 29," Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said on the sidelines of an event in Taguig City last week.

State-run Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) on September 28, 2009, accepted P200 million from SM Prime Holdings Incorporated to place the common station beside The Annex at SM City North EDSA and name it after the mall. The agreement was signed during the leadership of the late Leandro Mendoza, former transportation and communications secretary.

The SM Group cited the MOA, which states that the common station would be constructed in front of The Annex at SM City North EDSA and would be named SM in exchange for P200 million.

SM added that Section 3 of the MOA specifically provides for the grant of access way or interconnection of the common station via a Bridgeway to the pertinent level of the mall.

Abaya admitted the MOA signed in 2009 indeed specified that the proposed common station location would be located at SM North EDSA. “It is mentioned there, what you have to look at is if the government is obligated to be there. It depends on how you read the MOA.”

3 chiefs come and go

But when Joseph Emilio Abaya took over from Roxas in October 2012, the direction of the project changed. Here is where the problem emerged.

In April 2014, Abaya and his department decided to give the winner of the P65-billion extension of the LRT Line 1 (LRT1) a say in the construction of the common station.

The group that bagged the project was composed of the companies of Manuel Pangilinan and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. Ayala Corporation's TriNoma mall is located in front of SM City North EDSA.

It was also during that year when the transportation department insisted on putting up the common station near TriNoma, saying it would result in P1 billion in savings to the government.

Because of the changes in terms, SM Prime sued the government for allegedly breaching their 2009 "naming rights" agreement.

The company had repeatedly sought an update from the department but was ignored. The latest letter to the DOTC was sent on May 6, a source with knowledge of the matter said. “Then, suddenly, in complete breach and disregard of the terms of the MOA and without any official notice to SMPHI despite the latter’s repeated formal inquiries, the DOTC unilaterally relocated the Station to Trinoma and made the same a mere component of the recently bid out LRT Line 1 Cavite extension project,” SM Prime said.

On July 30, 2014, SM Prime obtained a Supreme Court (SC) order stopping the DOTC and the LRTA from transferring the location of the common station to TriNoma.

Abaya had vowed a compromise agreement to push through with the construction of the badly-needed project as soon as possible. One of his ideas was to put up two small common stations.

But no agreement was reached during the Aquino administration.

A new, costlier compromise deal

When Tugade took office, he vowed to solve the common station issue during his first year as transportation chief. Within his 1st year, a deal was reached: the proposed MRT-LRT Common Station would be built between The Annex at SM City North EDSA and Landmark-TriNoma.

But its price tag? Higher by P200 million – an additional expense for the government.

The new project cost is P2.8 billion – higher than the original price for the 2009 location, which was set at P2.6 billion at 7,200 sqm; and the 2014 location pegged at P1.4 billion at 2,500 sqm.

"The current location is with 13,700 sqm, so it is a bigger station with almost double the capacity of the original 2009 design at only P200 million more," Tugade had said.

Spanning over 13,700 sqm, the MRT-LRT Common Station will have 3 essential components:

  • Area A where the platform and concourse for LRT Line 1 (LRT1) and MRT Line 3 (MRT3) are located between Landmark and existing MRT station with glass window and additional footbridge, the LRT station has three floors with passenger support facility;
  • Area B where the two concourses connecting Areas A and C are located; as well as
  • Area C where the platform for MRT Line 7 (MRT7) is located at SM City North EDSA Skydome

Tugade had said the agreement would pave the way for the filing of a joint motion to the SC to lift the temporary restraining order (TRO).

Once the TRO is lifted, the only headache left would be the right-of-way delivery by the government. If delivered timely, commuters in Metro Manila will experience the country's first common station by April 2019.

https://www.rappler.com/business/182682-construction-mrt-lrt-common-station-begin-september-2017