The Pia Cayetano-Paolo Abrera Affair and re-run of Ninoy Aquino assassination (Companero y Companera, Part 2)

The 24th Southeast Asian Games were held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, from December 6 to 15, 2007.

Development and preparations

Broadcast giant GMA Network, Inc. announced on April 18, 2006 for the formal signing of contract between GMA Network, Inc., Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for the live television airing of 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar on December 1 to 15, 2006 and 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand on December 6 to 15, 2007.

It feels like 1995 for GMA, when the network was branded as a "rainbow satellite" and its slogan was "Where You Belong." GMA was the official network of Pope John Paul II's visit to the 10th World Youth Day from January 12 to 16, 1995.

GMA and sister network QTV (owned by Citynet Network Marketing and Productions, Inc.) will air the games live as the two free-to-air television networks go 24 hours a day on June 14, 2006, in time for GMA's 56th anniversary. The station will spend on airing the two regional sports meets aside from the Manny Pacquiao fights for 2007. The final release of banners and pins and its official merchandise, as well as the radio and television plugs for the coverage to release in August as part of the official 100-day countdown to the 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, on December 6 to 15, 2007.

GMA: The Official Network banner for the 2007 SEA Games

GMA: The Official Network pin for the 2007 SEA Games

PLDT, Jollibee, Unilever, PAGCOR, and PCSO are the sponsors of the television coverage of the two regional games.

Mike Enriquez, Jessica Soho, Mel Tiangco, Jay Sonza, German Moreno, Angelique Lazo, Vicky Morales, Paolo Bediones, Tito Sotto, Ruth Cabal, Nelson Canlas, Arnold Clavio, Mickey Ferriols, Rovilson Fernandez, Mav Gonzales, Ralph Guzman, Rico Hizon, Carlo Ledesma, Jiggy Manicad, Ivan Mayrina, Benjie Paras, Miriam Quiambao, Lhar Santiago, Rhea Santos, Howie Severino, Connie Sison, Emil Sumangil, Valerie Tan, Jay Taruc, Raffy Tima, Mariz Umali, Iya Villania, Ryan Agoncillo, KC Montero, Suzi Entrata, Kara David, Luchi Cruz-Valdes, Ninna Castro, Lyn Ching, Gin de Mesa, Margaux Salcedo, Melissa Gecolea, Gigi Grande, Arnell Ignacio, Susan Enriquez, Jimmy Gil, Lala Roque, Mark Salazar, Melo del Prado, Joel Reyes Zobel, Tisha Silang, Antoinette Taus, Francis Magalona, Dingdong Dantes, Martin Andanar, Butch Francisco, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, Cacai Velasquez, Janno Gibbs, The Eraserheads, Jaya, Michael V., Side A, Verni Varga, Ricky Lo, Lolit Solis, Rudy Fernandez, Bobby Nalzaro, Tek Ocampo, Noly Calvo, Jeja Rose Pornan-Simeon, Orly Mercado, Connie Angeles, Susan Valdez, Mildred Ortega, Gina de Venecia, Rose Clores, Nonoy Zuñiga, Jimmy Santos, Jose Mari Chan and Dolphy situated from the Studio 2 of GMA Network Center and Westside Studio of GMA Broadway Centrum, they are wearing female dresses and male tuxedos provided by SM Department Store and male barong tagalogs provided by Kultura Filipino inside SM Supermalls.

Arnold Clavio and Jessica Soho anchored the papal visit coverage in January 1995 and January 2015.

GMA's 1992 logo without the words "Rainbow Satellite"

GMA broadcasts on 105 analog and digital free-to-air television stations all over the Philippines, broadcasting nationwide via the GMA Rainbow Satellite.

Luzon

• GMA-7 Manila
• TV-7 Batanes
• TV-5 Laoag
• TV-48 Vigan
• TV-7 Abra
• TV-11 La Union
• TV-7 Tuguegarao
• TV-13 Aparri
• TV-30 Apayao
• TV-9 Kalinga
• TV-5 Mountain Province
• TV-7 Santiago, Isabela
• TV-13 Cauayan, Isabela
• TV-21 Ilagan, Isabela
• TV-5 Bayombong
• TV-12 Quirino
• TV-10 Baguio
• TV-10 Dagupan
• TV-5 Baler
• TV-7 Cabanatuan
• TV-35 Llanera
• TV-10 Olongapo
• TV-5 Botolan
• TV-14 Iba
• TV-10 Pampanga
• TV-48 Tarlac
• TV-3 Bagac
• TV-27 Balanga
• TV-30 Angat
• TV-46 Malolos
• TV-26 Obando
• TV-12 Batangas
• TV-26 Tagaytay
• TV-15 Lucena
• TV-48 Patnanungan
• TV-23 Calamba
• TV-26 San Pablo
• TV-44 Jalajala, Rizal
• TV-13 Occidental Mindoro
• TV-11 Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro
• TV-13 Boac, Marinduque
• TV-5 Santa Cruz, Marinduque
• TV-10 Torrijos, Marinduque
• TV-12 Puerto Princesa, Palawan
• TV-6 Brooke’s Point, Palawan
• TV-8 Coron, Palawan
• TV-17 Cuyo, Palawan
• TV-13 Balabac, Palawan
• TV-7 Romblon
• TV-7 Masbate
• TV-7 Naga
• TV-8 Malilipot
• TV-12 Legazpi
• TV-13 Catanduanes
• TV-2 Sorsogon
• TV-8 Daet

Visayas

• TV-5 Calbayog
• TV-9 Catarman
• TV-11 Catubig
• TV-13 Catbalogan
• TV-8 Borongan
• TV-35 Naval, Biliran
• TV-10 Tacloban
• TV-12 Ormoc
• TV-10 Capoocan, Leyte
• TV-12 Isabel, Leyte
• TV-44 Maasin
• TV-2 Kalibo
• TV-35 Malay, Aklan
• TV-12 San Jose, Antique
• TV-35 Culasi, Antique
• TV-5 Roxas
• TV-6 Iloilo
• TV-9 Guimaras
• TV-13 Bacolod
• TV-23 Bais
• TV-5 Cadiz
• TV-30 Murcia, Negros Occidental
• TV-7 Cebu
• TV-26 Bogo
• TV-11 Samboan
• TV-11 Bohol
• TV-5 Dumaguete
• TV-11 Guihulngan
• TV-48 Siquijor
• TV-10 Sipalay

Mindanao

• TV-41 Mambajao
• TV-35 Cagayan de Oro
• TV-30 Gingoog
• TV-12 Bukidnon
• TV-4 Dipolog
• TV-34 Oroquieta
• TV-5 Ozamiz
• TV-3 Pagadian
• TV-11 Iligan
• TV-26 Butuan
• TV-10 Surigao
• TV-2 Tandag
• TV-35 Bislig
• TV-3 Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur
• TV-5 Davao
• TV-44 Tagum
• TV-35 Panabo
• TV-3 Digos
• TV-13 Malita
• TV-21 Baganga
• TV-48 Mati
• TV-30 Nabunturan
• TV-6 Kidapawan
• TV-12 Cotabato
• TV-13 Marawi
• TV-8 General Santos
• TV-13 Koronadal
• TV-30 Tacurong
• TV-2 Ipil
• TV-30 Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay
• TV-9 Zamboanga
• TV-12 Jolo
• TV-44 Tawi-Tawi

By August 1, 2007, the negotiations between media companies GMA Network, Inc. and ABS-CBN Corporation along with TV5 Network, Inc., People's Television Network, Inc. Radio Philippines Network, Inc., Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation and Central Luzon Television together with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to sign a contract for the live television airing of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand from December 6 to 15, 2007.

ABS-CBN, along with UHF channel Studio 23 and cable channel Balls, aired the countdown plugs and teasers for the live nationwide and worldwide coverage of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand on December 6 to 15, 2007.

Contract signing with ABS-CBN executives for the live coverage of the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, on November 12, 2007, at Restaurant 9501, 14th floor, ELJ Communications Center in Quezon City. Spotted at the contract signing ceremony were Chairman, President and CEO Eugenio Lopez III, Chief Operating Officer for Broadcast Cory Vidanes, Integrated Corporate Communications Head Bong Osorio, Vice President for Sports Division Peter Musngi, Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Jr., Former Senator Vicente Sotto III, Solar Entertainment Corporation President and CEO Wilson Tieng, PAGCOR chairman Efraim Genuino, Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Jose Cojuangco, Jr., Tagaytay Mayor Abraham Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Butch Ramirez.

ABS-CBN, along with sister station Studio 23, rival networks GMA-7, PTV-4, ABC-TV5, RPN-9, Q-11, IBC-13, and CLTV-36, are the official Philippine broadcasters of the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand from December 6 to 15, 2007. It also broadcasts live nationwide and worldwide via satellite on all platforms - free-to-air television, AM radio, FM radio, and Internet via Facebook and YouTube on PCs, smartphones, and tablets.

The ABS-CBN's coverage of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand from December 6 to 15, 2007 can be seen simulcast live nationwide on all television stations of ABS-CBN all over the Philippines:

Luzon

• ABS-CBN 2 Manila
• TV-7 Laoag
• TV-11 Vigan
• TV-40 La Union
• TV-32 Dagupan
• TV-46 Alaminos
• TV-11 Abra
• TV-3 Baguio
• TV-11 Mountain Province
• TV-11 Batanes
• TV-3 Tuguegarao
• TV-9 Aparri
• TV-2 Isabela
• TV-11 Bayombong
• TV-13 Cabarroguis
• TV-6 Iba
• TV-13 Botolan
• TV-12 Olongapo
• TV-22 Bataan
• TV-46 Pampanga
• TV-32 Tarlac
• TV-34 Bulacan
• TV-16 Malolos
• TV-12 Meycauayan
• TV-19 Obando
• TV-32 Cabanatuan
• TV-22 Baler
• TV-40 Rizal
• TV-6 Calamba
• TV-46 San Pablo
• TV-32 Tagaytay
• TV-10 Batangas
• TV-38 Lipa
• TV-2 Lucena
• TV-11 Occidental Mindoro
• TV-21 Calapan
• TV-7 Puerto Princesa
• TV-10 Sofronio Española, Palawan
• TV-12 Taytay, Palawan
• TV-19 Brooke’s Point, Palawan
• TV-5 Coron, Palawan
• TV-21 Cuyo, Palawan
• TV-7 Balabac, Palawan
• TV-52 Kalayaan, Palawan
• TV-11 Roxas, Palawan
• TV-12 Taytay, Palawan
• TV-9 Romblon
• TV-10 Daet
• TV-11 Naga
• TV-8 Iriga
• TV-7 Catanduanes
• TV-4 Legazpi
• TV-10 Tabaco
• TV-10 Masbate
• TV-7 Sorsogon

Visayas

• TV-10 Iloilo
• TV-9 Kalibo
• TV-21 Boracay
• TV-44 Antique
• TV-21 Roxas
• TV-4 Bacolod
• TV-8 Bais
• TV-40 Murcia
• TV-7 Cadiz
• TV-26 Sipalay
• TV-3 Cebu
• TV-2 Toledo, Cebu
• TV-13 Barili, Cebu
• TV-7 Siquijor
• TV-9 Bohol
• TV-12 Dumaguete
• TV-13 Biliran
• TV-2 Tacloban
• TV-5 Catarman
• TV-7 Catbalogan
• TV-10 Calbayog
• TV-38 Borongan

Mindanao

• TV-42 Dipolog
• TV-11 Pagadian
• TV-5 Ipil
• TV-3 Zamboanga
• TV-2 Cagayan de Oro
• TV-47 Mambajao
• TV-2 Malaybalay
• TV-4 Iligan
• TV-7 Ozamiz
• TV-2 Marawi
• TV-11 Butuan
• TV-12 Surigao
• TV-26 Tandag
• TV-2 Bislig
• TV-5 Agusan del Sur
• TV-4 Davao
• TV-24 Mati
• TV-23 Baganga
• TV-11 Malita
• TV-50 Tagum
• TV-46 Nabunturan
• TV-3 General Santos
• TV-4 Koronadal
• TV-7 Alabel
• TV-4 Kidapawan
• TV-5 Cotabato
• TV-10 Jolo
• TV-42 Tawi-Tawi

The grand media launch of A Time for Heroes, the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, along with the unveiling of the 100-day countdown clock, was held at the Grand Ballroom of Sofitel Philippine Plaza, attended by entertainment and sports columnists and writers and business, entertainment, lifestyle and sports personalities. The momentous occasion was filled with excitement and anticipation as the esteemed guests gathered to witness the spectacle that would soon unfold. The extravagant event was a true celebration of the spirit of athleticism and camaraderie, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Southeast Asia. As the clock ticked down, the air was filled with a palpable sense of anticipation as participants from all corners of the region prepared themselves for the ultimate challenge. The grandeur of the occasion was matched only by the grandeur of the venue itself, with the elegant Grand Ballroom of Sofitel Philippine Plaza serving as the perfect backdrop for this momentous event. The meticulously planned launch event was a testament to the dedication and hard work of the organizers, who spared no effort in ensuring that every detail was executed flawlessly. The presence of renowned entertainment and sports columnists and writers added an extra touch of glamour to the proceedings, as they eagerly awaited the opportunity to share this monumental event with the world. As the event unfolded, it became abundantly clear that A Time for Heroes was not just any ordinary sporting event, but a true testament to the indomitable human spirit and the power of unity. The grand media launch was a resounding success, leaving those in attendance with lasting memories and a profound sense of pride in being part of such a historic moment. The 100-day countdown clock, a poignant symbol of the time remaining until the commencement of the games, served as a constant reminder that a new chapter was about to unfold in the annals of Southeast Asian sports history. With each passing moment, the excitement and anticipation continued to build, reaching a crescendo that would soon erupt into an explosion of energy, determination, and triumph. The grand media launch of A Time for Heroes will forever be etched in the collective memory of those who were fortunate enough to be a part of it, serving as a timeless reminder of the power and beauty of sportsmanship.

Spotted in the launch were Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Jr., Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Singson, and former Senator Vicente Sotto III, alongside a group of distinguished guests who graced the event with their presence. The notable individuals included respected diplomats, influential senators, and esteemed political personalities, all of whom added an aura of prestige to the occasion.

Also present on the occasion was Atty. Dong Puno, Prof. Cheche Lazaro, Christian Esguerra, Sis. Angelique Lazo-Mayuga, Christine Bersola-Babao, Phoemela Baranda, PAGCOR Chairman Efrahim Genuino, POC Chairman Jose Cojuangco, Jr., Tagaytay Mayor Abraham Tolentino, PSC Chairman William Ramirez, Joaquin Henson, Bill Velasco, Ricky Lo, Boy Abunda, Butch Francisco, Raymond Gutierrez, Joey de Leon, Crispina Martinez-Belen, Jeffrey Espiritu, Dindo Balares, Isah V. Red, Ricky Calderon, Dolly Anne Carvajal, German Moreno, Lolit Solis, Cristy Fermin, DJ Jhai Ho, Richard Gomez, and Kim Atienza.

By the start of September 2007, when television networks, newspapers, and websites would set up their countdown clocks for the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Peter Musngi, Lloyd Oliver Corpuz, Beng Chua, Michael Knight, Terence Khan, and Dennis Antenor, Jr. were carefully handpicked to impart their mesmerizing voices for the countdown and teaser plugs on both radio and television. Their exceptional talent, expertise, and crisp articulation add a touch of brilliance, captivating audiences across the airwaves. With their sonorous voices resonating through the speakers, the countdown and teaser plugs come alive, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement. Through their unwavering charisma and professional dedication, they breathe life into each word, effortlessly engaging listeners and viewers alike. Whether it’s through their velvety tones or dynamic delivery, Peter Musngi, Lloyd Oliver Corpuz, Beng Chua, Michael Knight, Terence Khan, and Dennis Antenor, Jr. elevate the countdown and teaser plugs to new heights, leaving an indelible mark in the hearts and minds of the audience. Their remarkable collaboration in this endeavor ensures that every moment leading up to the main event is adorned with sheer excellence and unwavering passion.

Several prominent broadcasting networks offer comprehensive coverage of various topics and events, including the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

One of the notable broadcasting networks is ABS-CBN. A widely recognized network that provides extensive news coverage, entertainment programs, and a diverse array of content catering to a wide range of viewers’ interests. This network effortlessly balances informative news reporting with captivating entertainment shows, ensuring a well-rounded viewing experience.

Another prominent network is PTV, which stands for People’s Television Network. This government-owned channel is known for its commitment to broadcasting informative and educational content. PTV aims to serve as a platform for delivering unbiased news, informative programs, and thought-provoking documentaries, encouraging viewers to stay informed and engaged.

ABC, or the Associated Broadcasting Company, is another channel and flagship network of TV5 Network Inc., which is owned by MediaQuest Holdings, the multimedia subsidiary of the telecommunications conglomerate PLDT that provides diverse content to its audience. From news coverage to captivating dramas and engaging reality shows, ABC offers a wide range of programming options, ensuring there is something for everyone.

GMA, short for Global Media Arts, is a major Philippine television network that has gained widespread recognition for its exceptional programming. With a focus on delivering top-notch news reporting, quality entertainment, and compelling drama series, GMA has established itself as a pillar in the broadcasting industry.

RPN, or Radio Philippines Network, takes pride in its commitment to delivering relevant news coverage, exciting entertainment, and a mix of local and international shows. With its extensive coverage of news and current affairs, RPN keeps viewers well-informed while entertaining them with a variety of engaging programs.

Q, previously known as QTV, is a television network that offers a diverse range of content, including lifestyle programs, travel shows, and thought-provoking documentaries. QTV ensures there is always something intriguing for viewers seeking unique and captivating content.

Additionally, IBC, or Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, is known for its balanced news coverage, entertaining variety shows, and engaging sports programs. With a wide range of content, IBC caters to the diverse interests of its viewers, ensuring they are entertained and well-informed.

Studio 23, a sister channel of ABS-CBN, focuses on providing exciting sports coverage, youth-oriented programming, and a wide array of entertaining shows. With a youthful and vibrant approach, Studio 23 connects with the younger generation while offering quality content for viewers of all ages.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer, with radio station DZIQ Inquirer Radio 990, served as the media partner of the 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, with the help of the PLDT facilities linking from Manila, Philippines, to Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, via satellite.

The live television coverage of the 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, was aired by the Philippines' ABS-CBN, People's Television Network (PTV), Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC), GMA Network, Radio Philippines Network (RPN), Quality Television (QTV), Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), and Central Luzon Television (CLTV) in partnership with Airtime Marketing Philippines, Inc. and cable sports television network ESPN Asia. During the nine days of the regional sporting event, the said free-to-air television networks preempted regular programming in the morning, afternoon, and evening to give way for the coverage.

The title of the coverage of the 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand is A Time for Heroes, produced by production company Airtime Marketing Philippines, Inc., sports divisions ABS-CBN Sports, GMA Sports, ABC Sports, Solar Sports, and pan-Asian pay television network ESPN Asia and aired on ABS-CBN, PTV, ABC, GMA, RPN, QTV, IBC, Studio 23 and CLTV.

TV network resident announcer Peter Musngi, Lloyd Oliver Corpuz, Eric Galang, also known as Chinapaps, Al Torres, Shirley Escalante, Dennis Antenor, Jr, and Yuel Reyes, are doing the 100-day countdown promotional plug for the 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, while Paolo Abrera, Jenny Almazan, Lia Andanar-Yu, Sol Aragones, Julius Babao, Gerry Baja, Dr. Carl Balita, Bro. Jun Banaag, Phoemela Baranda, Maricar Bautista, Cito Beltran, Jeff Canoy, Raya Capulong, Jorge Carino, Jing Castaneda, Angelo Castro, Jr., Willard Cheng, Ginger Conejero, Karmina Constantino, Nina Corpuz, Cheryl Cosim, RG Cruz, Ron Cruz, Bea Cuadra, Karen Davila, Karen de Guzman, Vic de Leon Lima, Katrina Domingo, Ces Drilon, Mario Dumaual, Alvin Elchico, DJ Richard Enriquez, Ted Failon, Gretchen Fullido, Gigi Grande, Agatha Gregorio, Pia Gutierrez, Mico Halili, Paul Henson, Zen Hernandez, Pia Hontiveros, Jon Ibanez, Mon Ilagan, Paige Javier, Lynda Jumilla, Ed Lingao, Maan Macapagal, Twink Macaraig, Johnson Manabat, Tina Monzon-Palma, Henry Omaga-Diaz, Apa Ongpin, Patrick Paez, Stanley Palisada, Amy Perez, Anton Roxas, Kaxandra Salonga, Korina Sanchez, Marlo Sanchez, Alex Santos, Lexi Schulze, Bernadette Sembrano, Boyet Sison, Christopher Sitson, Anthony Taberna, Sherrie Anne Torres, Nadia Trinidad, Bill Velasco, Tony Velasquez, Freddie Webb, Pinky Webb, Luis Pantoja, Mike Navallo, Angel Movido, Ryan Ang, Ina Reformina, and DJ Chacha situated at the Studio 7 of the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center, Mike Enriquez, Jessica Soho, Mel Tiangco, Jay Sonza, German Moreno, Angelique Lazo, Vicky Morales, Paolo Bediones, Tito Sotto, Ruth Cabal, Nelson Canlas, Arnold Clavio, Mickey Ferriols, Rovilson Fernandez, Mav Gonzales, Ralph Guzman, Rico Hizon, Carlo Ledesma, Jiggy Manicad, Ivan Mayrina, Benjie Paras, Miriam Quiambao, Lhar Santiago, Rhea Santos, Howie Severino, Connie Sison, Emil Sumangil, Valerie Tan, Jay Taruc, Raffy Tima, Mariz Umali, Iya Villania, Ryan Agoncillo, KC Montero, Suzi Entrata, Kara David, Luchi Cruz-Valdes, Ninna Castro, Lyn Ching, Gin de Mesa, Margaux Salcedo, Melissa Gecolea, Arnell Ignacio, Susan Enriquez, Jimmy Gil, Lala Roque, Mark Salazar, Melo del Prado, Joel Reyes Zobel, Tisha Silang, Antoinette Taus, Francis Magalona, Dingdong Dantes, Martin Andanar, Butch Francisco, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, Cacai Velasquez, Janno Gibbs, The Eraserheads, Jaya, Michael V., Side A, Verni Varga, Ricky Lo, Lolit Solis, Rudy Fernandez, Bobby Nalzaro, Tek Ocampo, Noly Calvo, Jeja Rose Pornan-Simeon, Orly Mercado, Connie Angeles, Susan Valdez, Mildred Ortega, Gina de Venecia, Rose Clores, Nonoy Zuñiga, Jimmy Santos, Jose Mari Chan and Dolphy was at the Westside Studio of GMA Broadway Centrum and Studio 2 of GMA Network Center, Deo Macalma, Angelo Palmones, Dely Magpayo, Joe Taruc, Andy Verde, Ruth Abao, Malou Cabral, Morly Alinio, Bing Formento, Regi Espiritu, Rey Sibayan, Rommel Fuertes, Edmar Estabillo, Florante Rosales, Dennis Antenor, Jr., Sherwin Alfaro, Dr. Cesar Chavez, Prof. Dody Lacuna, Atty. Cherryl Adami-Molina, Atty. Dodo Dulay, Boy Gonzales, Val Gonzales, Atty. Rica Herra, Thea Pecho Corpuz, JV Ejercito, Teddy Boy Locsin, Atty. Boying Remulla, Henry Uri, Karen Ow-Yong, Jana Abejero, Niño Padilla and Atty. Rhina Seco from the MBC Media Group (MMG) Building, Star City, Vicente Sotto Street, Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay while the color commentators reporting live from Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand were Marco Benitez, Migs Bustos, Dyan Castillejo, Sam Coloso, Sam Corrales, Sydney Crespo, Apple David, Paolo del Rosario, Andrei Felix, Pauline Gaston, Boom Gonzales, Martin Javier, Ian Laurel, Cesca Litton, Gianna Llanes, Chino Lui Pio, Gretchen Malalad, TJ Manotoc, Angelique Manto, Rox Montealegre, Marc Nelson, Mozzy Ravena, Anne Remulla-Canda, Mikee Reyes, Tricia Robredo, Lance Santiago and Sharon Yu and sports correspondents Gretchen Ho, Renz Ongkiko, Chiqui Roa-Puno and Chino Trinidad.

"Fight for SEA Games crumbs underway."

Peping sees Thai victory, Philippine athletes check in

By Ernesto A. Gonzales, Sports Feature Editor

Published on page A29 in the December 6, 2007 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Nakhon Ratchasima—At least, the overall winner of the two preceding Southeast Asian Games started to shape up midway through the competition.

This time, however, everybody acknowledges a runaway victory for host Thailand—long before the opening of the 24th edition of the Games, which is set for Thursday at the main stadium of the Nakhon Ratchasima Sports Competition Center here.

"There's no way they're going to lose. It's the birthday of their King," said Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, Jr., who led the first big batch of 591-strong Philippine contingent that arrived here Tuesday

"The fight is for second place."

It was an uninspiring but realistic assessment of the Filipinos' chances in this biennial sports festival, which they finally dominated for the first time two years ago on their third stint as hosts.

Like Vietnam, which prevailed in 2003 while setting a record of sorts as the first home team to win on its first hosting stint, the Philippines did not emerge as a serious title contender until after the first few days of competition.

This time, Thailand, the overall runner-up in the last two editions, has been awarded the championship. And it could yet serve as the highlight of the nation's year-long celebration to mark the 80th birth anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The King, who occupies a revered place in the competition's history, was a sailing champion of the Games when it was still known as the Southeast Asian Peninsular Games until 1977-celebrated his birthday on Wednesday.

With action going full blast here and in Bangkok and Pattaya on Friday, the Thais are already in command with 18 golds, 19 silvers, and seven bronzes in shooting. Singapore was in second with 10 golds, followed by Vietnam with eight victories and Malaysia and Myanmar with two each.

Meanwhile, a 139-man group headed by Philippine Sports Commission chair William "Butch" Ramirez, and including 51-man athletics contingent and the women's basketball team, planed in Wednesday. The third and largest group of 155 will check in on Thursday.

After winning 113 golds in 2005 on top of 84 silvers and 94 bronzes, the Philippines hopes to win at least 485 events to be disputed in 42 sports to secure second place over Vietnam.

Admittedly not as prepared as in 2005, when the president's husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, raised P 160 million to fund their training, the Filipinos hope to somewhat make it a merry Yuletide season with victories in, among others, both divisions of basketball, which was not held two years ago because the country was under FIBA suspension.

The Filipinos also look forward to churning out outstanding efforts in the pool when Erica Totten, Jaclyn Marissa Pangilinan and Maria Georgina Gandionco will go for Olympic berths; in billiards where Asiad champion Antonio Gabica joins former world 9-ball king Ronnie Alcano and other traditionally rich medal sources like taekwondo, boxing, wushu, traditional boat race and athletics.

The Philippine women's football team took a 0-10 beating at the hands of Vietnam and put its fate in the hands of the defending champions.

Joey Berba finished second in the seeding run of mountain cycling behind a Thai, while the two sepak takraw squads in the hoop event were in the middle of the pack after Wednesday's initial action.

The men's team of Danilo Alipan, Harrison Castanares, Joel Carbonilla, Hector Mencarion, and Metodio Suico, Jr., was fourth after two rounds. At the same time, the women's squad of Irene Apdon, Desere Autor, Sarah Jane Catain, Gelyn Evora, and Rhea Padrigo also held forth.

The Opening Ceremony will be held on Thursday at 6 p.m., with Crown Prince Maja Vajiranlongkorn as the guest of honor.

"Missing forms delay Philippine bets in Bangkok"

By Musong R. Castillo

Published on page A29 in the December 6, 2007 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Nakhon Ratchasima- Several Filipino athletes, part of a big 151-athlete wave to arrive here for the 24th Southeast Asian Games, were held for more than three hours at the Bangkok International Airporton  Wednesday because of a mix-up with the local accreditation force.

Photos and application forms needed for the athletes' accreditation could not be found, and the Reception and Protocol Committee of the Games scrambled to give them identification cards at the last minute.

At the Philippine International Convention Center in CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay, Metro Manila, some of the local media journalists needed for accreditation.

That development delayed the Filipinos' arrival at the Olympic Village on the Suranaree University of Technology campus here. They checked into the village well into the night.

Members of the Philippine secretariat, led by Eleanor Navarro and Queenie Evangelista, facilitated the acquisition of new accreditation passes for the athletes, who touched down at the Bangkok airport together with Philippine Sports Commission chairman William "Butch" Ramirez.

Ramirez was whisked away by the VIP welcoming committee and was the second top sports official after Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco.

Cojuangco planed in with more than 140 athletes and officials on Tuesday. They arrived in Korat about 10 p.m. (11 p.m. Manila time).

Update: 

"Kahit walang tulugan dito sa PICC, mga kasapi ng media mananatili dito sa Sofitel Philippine Plaza hanggang sa pagtatapos ng 24th Southeast Asian Games sa ika-15 ng Disyembre. Sinusubokan namin na ma-contact ng GMA News." - from Saksi, December 6, 2007 episode

Before the live airing of opening ceremony of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, some of them who spotted at Level 1, Central Atrium fronting H&M, SM Mall of Asia are SM Prime Holdings, Inc. president Hans Sy, SM Supermalls president Annie Garcia, Steven Tan, some executives from PLDT, Smart, Maynilad, Meralco, Facebook, Friendster, Multiply, Myspace, Twitter, Tumblr and YouTube as well barangay officials and residential families from 5th and 6th districts of Manila, 1st district of Makati, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas and Bacoor in support of Filipino athletes during the 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

SM Supermalls president Annie Garcia

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. president and CEO Hans Sy

December 6, 2007 - At noontime, few hours before the grand opening ceremony of the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, Level 1, Central Atrium fronting H&M of SM Mall of Asia was transformed into a live viewing area occupied by a LED screen and more seats for various residents and barangay officials of Manila, including the districts of Ermita, Malate and San Andres, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa and Bacoor were arrived. Also spotted was Pasay Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad. According to Mr. Sy, the coverage would be broadcast at 6:30 p.m. via wide screens at SM Supermalls: SM North EDSA, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM Megamall, SM City Cebu, SM Southmall, SM City Bacoor, SM City Fairview, SM City Iloilo, SM City Manila, SM City Pampanga, SM City Sucat, SM City Davao, SM City CDO Uptown, SM City Bicutan, SM City Lucena, SM City Baguio, SM City Marilao, SM City Dasmariñas, SM City Batangas, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Valenzuela, SM City Molino, SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Clark, SM Mall of Asia, SM Center Pasig, SM City Lipa, SM City Bacolod, SM City Taytay, SM Center Muntinlupa, SM City Marikina, SM City Rosales, SM City Baliwag, SM City Naga, SM Center Las Piñas, SM City Rosario, SM City Tarlac, SM City San Pablo, SM City Calamba, SM City Novaliches, SM City Masinag, SM City Olongapo Downtown, SM City Consolacion, SM City San Fernando Downtown, SM City General Santos, SM Lanang, SM Aura, SM City BF Parañaque, SM City Cauayan, SM Center Angono, SM Megacenter Cabanatuan, SM City San Mateo, SM City Cabanatuan, SM Center Shaw, SM Center Sangandaan, SM Seaside City, SM City San Jose Del Monte, SM City Trece Martires, S Maison, SM Center Congressional, SM City East Ortigas, SM CDO Downtown, SM Center Antipolo Downtown, SM City Puerto Princesa, SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown, SM Center Pulilan, SM Center Lemery, SM Center Imus, SM City Urdaneta Central, SM City Telabastagan, SM City Legazpi, SM Center Ormoc, SM City Olongapo Central, SM Center Dagupan, SM City Butuan, SM City Mindpro, SM City Daet, SM City Grand Central, SM City Roxas, SM City Tanza, SM City Sorsogon, SM City Tuguegarao, SM City Bataan, SM Center San Pedro, SM City Santo Tomas, SM City Caloocan, SM J Mall and SM City Laoag.

"Olympic berths stir well-honed RP swimmers"

By Ernesto Gonzales

We'll do better this time. 

With three stalwarts already clinching Olympic berths and three more expected to join them by qualifying here, the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association expects to easily surpass its previous four-gold effort at the 24th Southeast Asian Games, which begins in earnest here Friday. 

PASA president Mark Joseph said the swimmers could win as many as six golds with female tankers Erica Totten, Maria Georgina Gandionco, and Jaclyn Pangilinan now looming as strong golden bets as they pursue slots in next year's Beijing Olympics. 

"I think these girls will hurdle the Olympic qualifying standards in their respective events, and to achieve that, they have to win," said Joseph, a former crack swimmer himself who is also the deputy secretary general of the Philippine Olympic Committee. 

Miguel Molina, who won three of the four golds two years ago at the Trace Aquatic Center in Los Baños, Laguna, remains the cornerstone of RP's aquatics drive, but he will get able support this time from James Walsh and Ryan Arabejo. 

The three became the first three Filipinos to secure Olympic slots, with Molina surpassing the standard in the 200-meter individual medley, Walsh in the 200-meter butterfly and Arabejo in the 1,500-meter freestyle. 

Also seeing action for the national team that also picked up five silver and six bronze medals in 2005 are Daniel Coakley, Nikita Dacera, Lorenzo Dee, Ronald Guiriba, Kendrick Uy, Denjylie Cordero, Anna Celina Gonzalez and Nicole Santiago. 

The country actually finished with a 9-7-8 gold-silver-bronze performance two years ago with the divers responding with five victories, three by Sheila Mae Perez, and water polo again contributing a silver medal. 

The diving team is virtually intact but Joseph said Sheila and Co. face the prospect of performing before judges expected to be biased to please the host country. 

"You never know, but winning is expected to be harder this time," he said. 

As for water polo, Joseph said only the lack of exposure prevents the country from ending Singapore's long domination of the sport. 

"We have the talent, the Singaporeans fear us, but we cannot win. Why? Well, our water polo team saw action in Australia and fared well, but that's just one meet, while the Singaporeans have competed in 12 international meets so far."

It feels like 1995, for ABS-CBN, GMA, PTV, ABC, RPN, IBC, QTV, Studio 23, and CLTV served as the official network of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Inquirer Lifestyle Series: Fitness.Fashion with Samsung fashion show's guest model Enchong Dee before the in the finals of men’s 100-meter butterfly and he was placed eighth in the finals with the time of 56.87 seconds during the 2007 Southeast Asian Games swimming events in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand last Sunday, December 9, 2007. Photos: Lourise Gandionco-David/Multiply.com and courtesy of Bench

December 8-9 and 11-12, 2007, During a five-day swimming competition for the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand with national swimmer and then University of California swimmer Miguel Molina and the fashion show's guest model turned De La Salle Green Tanker Enchong Dee, the Senator Pia Cayetano-Paolo Abrera-Marco Protacio affair and the riots at Dee residence in Barangay Horseshoe, Quezon City. A 25-hour overnight vigil was held at the Greenbelt Chapel in Makati City, held on the same day starting at 7:00 p.m. and ending at 8:00 p.m. of the same day.

Results

Sunday, 9 December, 18:29

Men's 100m Butterfly Finals A

Event Record	Mark	Name	Location	Date
Asia	52.27	JPN  - YAMAMOTO T	Barcelona (ESP)	26 June, 2003
SEA Games	55.04	MAS  - KENG LIAT Lim	Hanoi (VIE)	30 July, 2003

Rk	Lane	Name	R.T.	50 m	100 m	Tbh.	Rec. Ind.
1	1	MAS  - BEGO Daniel		[1] 25.16 25.16	[1] 54.33 29.17		GR
2	5	PHI  - WALSH James		[4] 26.12 26.12	[2] 55.47 29.35	1.14
3	4	INA  - WIBOWO Andy		[2] 25.80 25.80	[3] 55.59 29.79	1.26
4	6	SIN  - TAN Xue-Wei		[5] 26.37 26.37	[4] 55.79 29.42	1.46
5	3	INA  - UTOMO Donny		[3] 25.95 25.95	[5] 55.81 29.86	1.48
6	2	THA  - MATJIUR Radomyos		[7] 26.63 26.63	[6] 56.61 29.98	2.28
7	7	SIN  - SY Shirong Jeffrey		[6] 26.61 26.61	[7] 56.68 30.07	2.35
8	8	PHI  - DEE Ernest		[8] 26.65 26.65	[8] 56.87 30.22	2.54

Dee was in the finals of men's 100-meter butterfly last December 9 and lane 1 of men's 200-meter butterfly finals last December 11, and he was the eighth place finish in the said event with the time of 2 minutes, 11.47 seconds and he lost to Filipino-American James Bernard Walsh, the gold medal winner of men's 200-meter butterfly finals.

“We are being chanted together, “Pia-Paolo, Hindi kami nag-iisa! (We are not alone!)”, Mr. Protacio says in front of marching supporters of the Cayetano Family before the SEA Games swimming finals at 7 p.m. Manila Time. But Abrera's mother and son, along with Aurora Silayan-Go, her daughter Rina, husband Jonathan Dean Thorp, and granddaughter Aurora Nicole Thorp marched from Roxas Boulevard, Manila to The Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati.

“Rebels seize the TVB studios in Legaspi Towers 300, Roxas Boulevard, Manila during the Nakhon Ratchasima Southeast Asian Games swimming finals at past 7:29 p.m. in a military coup against President Pascual.”

A re-run of the August 21, 1983 assassination of former senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. aired by GMA Network. (In 1983, Channel 7 was the first to break the news of Ninoy Aquino's death, and later would be the only television station to broadcast his funeral.)

The video conversation starts with the sound of the plane landing and people talking among themselves.

• “Everybody remains on board,” one of them says.

Moments later, a single gunshot rings out, and women are wailing.

• “What happened? What was that?” a woman’s voice asks.
• More gunshots. The wailing becomes louder.
• Then an order from several men: “Inside, inside, inside!”
• “The soldiers… shot Ninoy. He’s dead out there,” a woman cries out.

Burton’s tape records faintly the sound of someone saying, “Eto na (This is it).” Footage shot by a foreign TV crew captures the words by now familiar to Filipinos who lived through the events surrounding the Aquino assassination. “Eto na, eto na! Ako na, ako na! Op! Pusila, pusila (This is it, this is it! Let me, let me! Shoot, shoot)!”

And then, the gunshot.

What is significant about the tape are the reactions of Aquino’s fellow passengers and the conversations Burton had with them.

Burton apparently kept recording as she discussed with fellow foreign journalists what happened.

Some eight minutes into the tape, Burton says, “It’s very confusing, I mean, I don’t know.” She then answers more questions from someone who sounded like an American.

• Man: “They shot Ninoy?”
• Woman, presumably Burton: “Yeah.”
• Man: “Where?”
• Burton: “Right at the bottom of the stairs.”
• Man: “When Ninoy was still on it or when…”
• Burton: “No, when he got off. I’m sure he’s dead.”

The tape also captures Burton and her fellow passengers after they had disembarked and ran into people waiting to meet the passengers from the China Airlines flight.

Local journalists who covered the airport at the time had been herded by military men to the entrance to the tube, where they were to await Aquino. When they learned of the commotion at the tarmac, they interviewed the disembarking passengers to ask them what happened.

One conversation was that of Burton and a Filipino.

• Man: “What did you see? Who did it?”
• Burton: “Soldiers.”
• Man: “How many of them?”
• Burton: “I don’t know. I think we’d better wait.”
• Man: “Did you recognize him? Aquino?”
• Burton: “Yeah.”
• Man: “What’s your name?”
• Burton: “No, I’m not gonna… this is not the place to talk. We had just seen two assassinations take place right outside our window.”

The tape then records what sounded like Burton comparing notes with fellow foreign correspondents, everyone recalling what they heard and trying to reconstruct the moments when they listened to the shorts.

In one portion of the tape, the conversation turns to who killed Aquino, and Burton points out that a Japanese reporter had seen one of the men in khaki, referring to one of Aquino’s escorts, who was the gunman.

But a man contradicts her, saying, “I did not see a man in khaki uniform shoot Aquino.” To this day, the question of who shot Aquino remains subject to debate.

Go, Abrera, Samson, Reyes, Claparols, and Eala stayed in the same place for the event for fifteen days between December 6 and 15, 2007. They were followed by her father, the late former Senator Atty. Renato “Rene” Cayetano's 73rd birthday celebration at his tomb in Pateros, the Thanksgiving dinner party at the NBC Tent in Taguig City on December 12, 2007, and the welcome to the new millennium in 2008 between December 31, 2007, and January 1, 2008.

While President Karen Lourdes “Tito Keren” Pascual was on state and working visits to Spain and Kuwait, Vice President Manuel “Noli” de Castro, Jr. served as Acting President from December 3 to 11, 2007, because of the military coup attempts on December 8 to 9. Pascual returned to Manila for the late former Senator Atty. Renato “Rene” Cayetano's 73rd birthday celebration at Garden of Memories Memorial Park in Pateros and Thanksgiving dinner party at the NBC Tent in Taguig City on December 12, 2007.

December 12, 2007, one of Enchanted Kingdom's attractions, the Space Shuttle roller coaster, stalled between the tracks, where school children from Bulacan, Laguna, and Batangas were included.

Makalipas na walong taon, kamusta pa ba ang aktor at dating pambansang atleta na si Enchong Dee pagkatapos ng 2007 SEA Games swimming competition sa Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand noong ika-7 hanggang ika-11 ng Disyembre 2007, 2008 ASEAN University Games sa Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia noong ika-11 hanggang ika-21 ng Disyembre 2008 at 2009 UAAP swimming championships noong Setyembre 24 hanggang 27, 2009 sa Trace Aquatic Center sa Los Banos, Laguna, siya ay naging contestant sa reality show na Pinoy Big Brother na may edisyon na "737" noong Hunyo 2015 at host ng reality show na Pinoy Big Brother na may edisyon na "Gen 11" noong Hulyo 2024 at "Celebrity Collab Edition" noong Marso 2025. 

(Eight years later, how is actor and former national athlete Enchong Dee after the 2007 SEA Games swimming competition in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand on December 7 to 11, 2007, 2008 ASEAN University Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on December 11 to 21, 2008 and 2009 UAAP swimming championships on September 24 to 27, 2009 at the Trace Aquatic Center in Los Banos, Laguna, he became a contestant on the reality show Pinoy Big Brother with the "737" edition in June 2015 and host of the reality show Pinoy Big Brother with the "Gen 11" edition in July 2024 and "Celebrity Collab Edition" in March 2025.)

Epilogue

"In my proposed diary regarding my re-enactment of episode 3, part 3, sequence 1 of Your Song presents Boystown, without Coach Daniel, as a solo artist along with my sister Maria Angelika "Anj" Dee, Sabrina Ingrid Ilustre, Johansen Benedict "Johan" Aguilar and Joshua Desamero, I am the highest-paid product endorser, professional movie and television actor, blogger, comedian, dancer, fitness instructor, TV commercial, fashion, print, and ramp model, events and TV show host, singer, songwriter, college student, competitive swimmer, runner, biker, duathlete, and triathlete."

For the 20-year-old Enchong Dee, playing Arnel in the ABS-CBN’s Sunday mid-afternoon drama mini-series, Your Song presents “Boystown”, is seated, using Cofta Ruby 1 Monoblock – Plain White and a starter pack for his hair styling includes Bench Fix Hair Gel, Normal Hold 135g and Bench Fix Hair Wax in Rock Steady 80g, it wears Arena ARN-6015 DGRN Rimic Nux-F, size M and holding Arena AGL-1400 EMBL swimming glass (mirror Swedish type), he does a hair styling and portrait session with hair & makeup artist Nilo Cruz before proceeding to the climb at the swimming block, where he is adjusting the Arena AGL-1400 EMBL swimming glass (mirror Swedish type) to do a men’s 400-meter individual medley, men’s 200-meter butterfly, men’s 100-meter butterfly, men’s 50-meter butterfly, men’s 200-meter individual medley, men’s 800-meter freestyle and men’s 1,500-meter freestyle then Enchong Dee as Arnel was in lane 4 wearing Arena ARN-6015 DGRN Rimic Nux-F, size M and adjusting his Arena AGL-1400 EMBL swimming glass (mirror Swedish type) and Johan Aguilar is in lane 5 wearing Agonswim University Athletic Association, University of Florida Mesh Training Suit Fully Front and Back Lined (ACX111510TRS2MES) and adjusting his Speedo Speedsocket Mirror Goggle – Black (8-705893515) to do a men’s 400-meter individual medley, men’s 200-meter butterfly, men’s 100-meter butterfly, men’s 50-meter butterfly, men’s 200-meter individual medley, men’s 800-meter freestyle and men’s 1,500-meter freestyle when Arnel will training with us, before warm-up, to watch a one-on-one game, photo by Ronnie Salvacion, styling by Bang Pineda, makeup by Renato Lu, shot on location at the 50-meter Olympic-size swimming pool of Makati Aqua Sports Arena.

P.S. Big thanks to Dimo for lending his underwater housing!

It uses the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Canon EOS C100 Mark II with Dual Pixel CMOS AF & EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Zoom Lens Kit, Ewa-Marine Underwater Housing for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, and Ewa-Marine V102 Underwater Housing for Canon EOS C100 or C100 Mark II.

“Then, yours truly, Johan Aguilar, Fahad Alkhaldi, Tim Yap, Jheg Gonzales, Roch Santos, Sage Yabut, Aidan Kyle Paggabao, Adrian Dionisio, Joshua Desamero, Zach Maranon, Berber Berino and Sacho Ilustre, FAST – Ateneo Swimming Team members Jessie Lacuna, Axel Ngui, Marco Daos, Wacky Santos, Sean Tan, Evan Brian Uy, Janjan Chiu, Jonas Ramos and Chico Gueco, University of the Philippines (UP) Varsity Swimming Team (UPVST) members Gabe Castelo, Gian Berino, Joseph Gaston Beloso, Tenten Mercado, Yani Reynoso, Allan Jovero, Ken Uy, and Zeus Magbanlac, and University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigersharks team captain Miggy Carandang and UST Tigersharks members Dexter Docong, Xavier Ilustre, Karlo Salonga, Aljon Salonga, Charles Ivan Yatco and Andrei Nikolai Yambao, have a Goldilocks Mango Dream premium cake with the staff of UAAP Magazine to commemorate the 15th year of my last appearance in the UAAP Swimming Championships holding seven gold medals.”

Swimmers shine again but RP is still 5th overall

By Ernesto Gonzales (Published in the December 12, 2007 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

NAKHON RATCHASIMA--Parading another star in Filipino-American James Walsh, swimming matched the two-gold effort by cycling as the Philippines finished with seven victories Tuesday that did little to get the defending overall champion Philippines out of its fifth place hole Tuesday in the 24th Southeast Asian Games here.

Walsh smashed the six-year-old SEAG record in ruling the men's 200-meter butterfly, then combined with Miguel Molina, Ryan Arabejo and new RP swim sensation Daniel Coakley to secure the sport's final gold in the men's 4x100-meter medley relay. That capped the Filipinos' eight victories overall.

Former bikathon king Victor Espiritu finally crashed the winners' circle for the first time in three SEAGs by topping the men's 40-kilometer points’ race late Monday and defending champion Alfie Catalan kept his 4-km individual pursuit title.

Felicisimo Nierras Jr. salvaged gold for athletics in the men's 400 meters, Amaya Paz retained her women's compound individual title in archery and the men's epee squad scored anew as the Filipinos boosted their golden harvest to 29 with four days of competition left.

But the Filipinos stayed two golds behind Malaysia which captured a pair of golds at the start of the final swim program to keep fourth place. Indonesia was sixth with 25 victories.

As of 8:30 p.m. here (9:30 p.m. in Manila), the Thais moved closer to their overall target of 120 victories with 97 gold medals. Vietnam was glued in second with 46 followed by Singapore with 37.

Walsh shattered by 1.39 seconds the SEAG record of 2:01.84 set by Malaysia's Anthony Ang in September 2001 in Kuala Lumpur.

Donny Utomo of Indonesia won silver (2:00.81) and Daniel Bego of Malaysia won bronze (2:03.97).

Ernest Lorenzo Dee (8th, 2:11.47) also failed in the finals of the men's 200-meter butterfly.

Molina's individual winning streak earlier ended at three as he settled for the bronze in the men's 200 freestyle. But he was a winner when he plunged into action for the last time as the swimmer of the breaststroke leg.

Molina finished with one more victory than his golden output in 2005 to become the most successful RP campaigner so far.

Ryan Arabejo, the 200 backstroke, and 1,500 freestyle winners, took care of the backstroke. Walsh swam the butterfly and 50m freestyle champion Coakley finished off the relay in style.

Boxing, now under pressure to deliver and help avoid an embarrassing finish for the Filipinos, placed three more fighters in the finals for a total of 13.

Experts, however, feel the Filipinos need no less than knockout wins against their Thai foes in the gold medal round starting Wednesday to avoid the infamous hometown decision here.

Bantamweight Junel Cantancio, lightweight Joegen Ladon, and light heavyweight Maximino Tabangcora completed the cast of RP finalists after light fly Albert Pabila was eliminated by Thai Amnat Ruenroeng, 18-8.

The other gold medal hopefuls are flyweight Godfrey Castro, light welter Jerry Semillano, featherweight Orlando Tacuyan, middleweight Junie Tizon, and female fighters Annie Albania, Alice Kate Aparri, Jouvilet Chilem, Annaliza Cruz, Mitchelle Martinez and Ronijen Sofla.

There were mixed results in golf with the women's team, led by Anya Tanpinco, taking a two-stroke lead over Thailand after the first round of the 54-hole competition, 143-145.

But the Putra Cup champion Thais bounced back in the men's division, opening a six-shot edge over Indonesia, 422-428, even as the Filipinos, who led on the first day, tumbled down to fourth at 429 with Anthony Fernando adding a 77 to the 71 of Mark Fernando and the 72 of Ferdinand Aunzo.

Nierras, whose father was a former national standout in the jumping events, succeeded teammate Jimar Aing as 400 champions with a time of 46.56. Ernie Candelario, the winner in Vietnam in December 2003, slumped to sixth in 48.09.

That win gave the athletics team its poorest output of four in three SEAGs. The squad came up with eight golds in Vietnam and nine in 2005 back home.

Paz beat Indonesian Dellie Threesyadinda for the gold, 116-114, while the epee squad won with a team featuring Almario Vizcayno, who took over the old slot of actor Richard Gomez, Armando Bernal, Wilfredo Vizcayno Jr. and Avelino Victorino.

But the fencing squads in foil and saber ended up with silvers.

Also settling for the silver was Earl Benjamin Yap in the men's compound individual in archery, pole-vaulter Deborah Samson, and weightlifting's Renante Briones in the 94 kg.