Underwater Hockey Memory

You're right dude. That is number 36.

Written last April 12, 2008; at 1:30Pm beneath the scorching sun.

Manila Polo Club, Makati City, Philippines

Under Water Hockey Class

Of Purging and Pucks

Those were the two words that were added to my vocabulary today. Even though the word puck was quite familiar to me already, as I grew up watching the Mighty Ducks.

The word "purge" was something very unique I heard today. It is a snorkeling /scuba diving term - an action- which means to push out/remove water from your snorkeling mask by blowing (pushing) air out through your mouthpiece... it took time for me to learn it.

Finally, I finally had a chance to play one of the most hottest water sport around.

Underwater Hockey.

It was an introductory lesson handled by the Philippine Underwater Hockey Confederation, in their advocacy to make the sport more familiar to the Filipinos.

The class was held at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City. The registration started around 12:30 in the afternoon beneath the smoldering heat of the sun...it was so damn hot, that we had to share the shade of the palm tree located near the registration area. Robbie was the first guy I met, a committe member I believe, he let us sign our names at the registration and asked us to change to our swim attire. He handed out underwater hockey equipments around the newbies { Hi Anna, Notnot, Abe, Mara and the SBMA - businessman guy! } - ( swimming fins, mask and snorkel, glove and a hockey stick) As we went down the pool, we waded for while and he gathered us around again and he told us the history of the sport in the Philippines. The sport was exisiting since the 1990's, but it was only played by a group of swimming and diving enthusiasts from the University of the Philippines. Eventually, they merged with other groups and recruited members and became P.U.H.C.*** And here they are, teaching us! After the short story telling, it was down to action.

At first, I thought the game was easy, as I watched it through the ever reliable video source on the Net, Youtube*, and thought, well, I can cope with since I swim. But it was not! It was more than swimming and holding your breath underwater. Finning, holding your breath and using it wisely, tuck diving and more! It was really hard. But feedback from the coaches say, as all sports, that once you get used to it, you'll find it easy to play.

So were taught again the basics the use of the mask and snorkel set, proper finning, tuck diving underwater, holding your breath underwater and how to use it wisely ( the secret - relax ). We were also taught the basics of the proper handling of the hockey stick and the correct maneuvering of the puck using the hockey stick.

Robbie told us the basics of the gameplay**. "The game set up is basically same as Football....." said Robbie. But here, the game is played in a Olympic sized pool( of course.. ), preferably 7-8 feet in depth. The time of is divided into two halves, 15 minutes each with a timeout of 2-3 minutes in between. A team is composed of ten members, 6 active players and 4 substitutes. 3 of the active players a called the "forwards" a center forward, a left forward and a right forward. They serve as the offense of the team. The other three members are called the "backs" or the "defenders" of the team. "...but in underwater hockey, we have no goalie." was the continuation of Robbie's statement. So, it means its up to the defenders to defend the opposing team. A point is scored when the puck is exactly placed inside the goal.
And we were ready! Let the games begin!

Now this is the fun part. This is supposed to be a non contact sport - but yes.. I do believe it is.

But any ways, it was really intense! You - going down underwater - looking for the puck and your teammates - getting it from your teammates - swimming through the other side holding your breath - with the puck at your hands - your lungs almost bursting - you see the goal all clear- swim to it as fast as you can before you run out of air?

And you get a goal!

One word man, INTENSE!

That was one exhausting, adrenalin pumping, lung bursting activity I've ever had since joining the swimming varsity in college - but it was worth it. I had F-U-N .

I really would give it another try.

Thank you P.U.H.C.***.

I look forward joining your team!





* Youtube is a trademark - www.youtube.com
** These are not the official rules of underwater hockey, only the author's
*** P.U.H.C. stands for Philippine Underwater Hockey Confederation - visit them at www.puhc.com.ph

Introductory Class on Underwater Hockey by P.U.H.C.

"What can I do every weekend that can keep me de-stressed? "is the million dollar question.

Since my theater stint in Trumpets was finished ( and I finally accepted the truth that I cannot dance.. ), I looking for another activity I can engage in. After thorough research and hearing feedback from family and friends, I ended up with six choices:

1. Capoeira

2. Advance Lesson in Acting ( Film and Theater )

3. John Robert Powers Personality Development Course

4. Surfing

5. Wakeboarding

6. UnderWater Hockey

But... there were constraints: A. Experience, B. Cost, C. Location

For number 1 - if I can't dance, what more this? Its all kinesthetic activity. No.

For number 2 - hmmm...No.

For number 3 - mahal. No.

For number 4 - one of the sports I've been dreaming to try. Pero wala naman pwedeng lugar dito sa Manila na pwedeng pag praktisan. Gastos sa pamasahe at Surfboard( $$$$$$ )!

For number 5 - same reason as number 4.

Hmm.. Under water hockey.. ah! I'm a swimmer! ( experience ) Pool entrance fee ( yeah kaya! ) and Location? ( Ultra , M.P.C., La Salle GH.. ) Pwede!

Mukhang best choice and underwater hockey. So thats it!

At nagkataon na may introductory class in Underwater Hockey ang Philippine Underwater Hockey Confederation this Saturday, April 12 2008, from 12 - 3 PM sa Manila Polo Club.

Excited!

Depression Struck Me!

Its been three full months since I posted here.

And what happened yesterday night is really something I need to pour out.

"Putcha, na depress ako ng sobrang sobra kagabi. Yung tipong sa kakaisip mo, hindi ka na na makapag isip. Blankong blankong na yung utak mo. Naghahanap ka ng solusyon sa isang problemang paulit ulit na nangyayari sayo..hanggang ngayon hindi ka pa rin matuto? Paulit ulit ulit na nangyayari sayo..iniisip mo na hindi mo na yung mababago buong buhay. Iniyak ko na lahat kagabi pero yung sakit at sugat na nakatanim sa puso mo, hindi mo pa rin mailabas.

Ang bigat. "

I thought of desperate ways to answer the problem but these solutions will further break me down.

I felt lonely. desperate. helpless. broken.

"Kahit andyan yung pamilya ko para hingian ko ng tulong hindi ko pa din sila malapitan dahil ako lang naman ang makakapagpabago sa sarili ko."

" Nahiga ako sa kama. Pumikit. Nakatulog. Nanaginip. Nagising. "

Ramdam ko pa rin yung sakit.

Another One of Those Nights

Its been a while since I played a computer game after I graduated from college.

So I decided to catch up on the gaming world. So I decided to play Ragnarok Online at a cybercafe near our place. Knowing that my load for the game expired already, I looked for a store where I can buy a prepaid card..but didn't find any ( I was looking for the 20 pesos - 2 hour card ).

Loading now was done electronically.

- Nagmukha pa akong tanga nung sinabi sa akin nung kahera na " Sir, e-load na po tayo ngayon".-

Another one. Anyways, they sent the PIN codes to my cellphone input it to the Ragnarok Top Up site..

Pareho lang pala.

So there, I stayed for two hours playing.


Then I remembered back in my college days that I play this game every time I feel alone or when I'm heartbroken. Or when I feel bad.

I'm just there in a cyber cafe, playing a game, not minding any one and not minded by anyone ; not caring anyone and not cared by anyone.

Will history repeat itself? I thought. I don't want to be uncared and ignored.

I don't want to end up alone.

I don't want to spend my life living on the idea that I can do everything by myself.

Series Mania

Define chilling out.



For me, its pigging out on dried mangoes, cheese popcorn, or any unhealthy food while watching my favorite TV series on television.

And I would like to recommend the following titles:





Kyle XY




I was hesitant at first because this show doesn't seem that big a hit in the Philippines, but a friend recommended it, so I obliged. And after watching the first episode, man, I'm so hooked!

The story revolves on Kyle, a 16 year old teenager with an advanced brain capabilities and has super –human strength and stamina( and he has no belly button). He was found at the woods of Seattle, covered in liquid gel, bare and has no memory of his past. He was adopted by the Tragars and considered him as part of the family. The plot basically involves Kyle and his journey on uncovering his past.


Genre: Drama/ Family values
Age Range: 13 - 17 ( tweens and teenagers)
Comments: Something for the whole family to enjoy





House M.D.




I think this is one of the best TV series I've ever watched!

Gregory House is the genius, but satiric diagnostics head of Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in New Jersey heading a group of young doctors; Dr. Eric Foreman, Dr. Robert Chase and Dr. Allison Cameron. His everyday adventures with his best friend, Dr. James Wilson and the hospital administration Dr. Lisa Cuddy, makes the story more interesting.

Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Age Range: 18 onwards
Comments: Smart! Brilliant!


I've been getting out of the office earlier than usual just to watch 2 or 3 episodes of these series and it was well worth it!

I actually learn few lessons after each episode that I can apply to my everyday life, so its not that bad.

Happy Watching!

I live but in fact I do not.
I see but I'm blinded.
I hear but I cannot listen.
I talk and speak but do not say.

I think but I do not understand.
I search but I do not find.
Emotions are but are not true.

Help me see
Clearer things
To find
What is missing

Inside me
To fill the emptiness
my heart is yearning

To find peace. To find solace.
To find a friend.

To be free.