back from manila

Long blogging absence, but I'm just back from nearly a month in the Philippines, in which I gathered some local color for my book, researched a travel article for the SF Chronicle, and went to see game 4 of the PBA pro basketball championships in Araneta Colisseum, the venue for the famous "Thrilla in Manila" Ali-Frazier boxing match in 1975.


The game was another "thrilla" between the Alaska Aces (formerly known as the Milkmen, as they're sponsored by a dairy company) and the Talk-N-Text Phone Pals (sponsered by a cellphone service provider)

The Milkmen triumphed that night, and hung on to win the seven game series over the hated Phone Pals. Perhaps the Milkmen won because of the spiritual support of their cow mascot (above)? Or maybe by breathing some fumes from their Ethyl Alcohol mascot?!! (below)

Along with mascot-watching, the game and the fans were both good entertainment. Raucous supporters from both sides dressed in team colors, chanted and waved signs (written in both English and Tagalog--sometimes both in the same sign). Contrasting sign insults included "Talk-N-Text...No Signal!" and "Alaska...Breast Milk is Better!"

Following the game, in my typical clueless travelling style, I went out to catch the train back to my hotel in the business district of Makati. Nobody told me train service finished at 10PM. Then I marched out to the main highway of EDSA to suck diesel fumes for a half hour while I tried to catch a cab without success. It finally dawned on me to go back to the stadium and wait in front of the mall for a cab like all the other fans did. Amazing how that works...