Eduardo Pontaoe
21 Aug 2007

 

 

The people were cheering him. They tried to encourage him because what they saw was not good. Jazy Fernandez was at the end of his race. He was too far behind by his lonesome . . . struggling, fighting the demons of defeat. Ms. Ric and the bystanders were shouting at the top of their lungs, to give him boost, that extra energy thinking it might help to no avail.

The end of Jazy’s Olympic try. A foreboding feeling he was not coming back. Like those cyclists who did not make it, swept under the rug of brutal . . . intense . . . unforgiving athletic competition.

She was right, Ms. Ric, she is. Setting on a stationary bike ain’t pretty. It’s not moving though given that encouragement to do the extra minutes to sweat it out. Jazy Fernandez was in a stationary bike, immobile, his legs give up on him. Like Ms. Ric getting off her bike, peeved, and realizing . . . that stamina . . . is long gone.

It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, ain’t it, Ms. Ric?

Jose Ceralde
21 Aug 2007

 

 

Eduardo Pontaoe,

Thanks for clarification. I am aware of the UN resolutions on the territories and evolvement of the commonwealths. I was not sure how they get to the Games because I thought they have to be a country to compete.

You and Ms, Ric clarified it well. I did not have time to check although I was curious because I lived in Guam in the ’70s as a military dependent and eventually stationed there as an airman.

I do not even remember my relatives in Guam talking about the Olympics as they do in the Philippines even during the Games. I always take it as us Americans’ indifference to the Games as a given and does not enjoy broad public support. Unless it is the sports widely followed by the press because of certain stories or dramas. I can not even follow my favorite sport and team from my home because the media jump from clips to clips of many different sports.

This Fil-Am almost stayed as a Guamanian but like most islanders we would have told anybody that ask that we are Americans. Why not?

During my stay there, Guam has the highest casualty rate in Vietnam than any other entity of US of A. Anyway clear skies and beautiful breeze is what almost got me unlike the big state of smog I left behind.

Jess Delfin
21 Aug 2007

 

 

More on Jazy Garcia:

The fact that Jazy Garcia and others are proud of his participation (racing) in the Olympics twice is understandable. BUT, he called attention to himself when he CLAIMED to have RACED against the cycling greats like Armstrong, Ulrich, etc in the 1992 and 2000 Olympics when the facts show that he DID NOT FINISH THE TWO RACES.

In my humble opinion, he padded his claims and now is getting these attention. He led the readers to believe that “as one of the participants”, he then “is considered one of the best in the world” (his words) and was up there pedal to pedal, wheel to wheel with world’s best cyclists, FINISHING THE RACE.

I would love to see a fellow Pangasinense put up a fight (or just finish the race) with these cycling greats. BUT, HOLLOW CLAIMS?

Even before the first question was posted to clarify his claims, I too checked the Olympic records of the races he claimed, sent him two emails of what I learned and advised him of the inconsistencies. I was hoping that he would post a message to clarify his earlier statements to satisfy the now curious.

He responded “I understand everything you say.” Maybe now spare us a few moments and clarify what you really meant earlier, Mr. Jazy Garcia?

Edwin
21 Aug 2007

 

 

Isidro Ramos, I’m o.k. with the IRS. I’ve been married to my Dagupan sweetheart for 42 years and (surprise!) I’ve always been completely faithful all that time. I don’t have any hidden skeletons in my closet. There are no nefarious reasons for me not wanting my last name printed. I’m proud of my Portuguese surname.

The main reason most of us who write to the Forum do not use our last names is that we leave ourselves open for someone who wishes to use that information for misdeeds or just to harass you.

With the use of the internet, a little patience and by using of a person’s first and last name it is very easy to find addresses, telephone numbers and the names of your family members.

Mr. Ramos, do you want someone you don’t know having access to that information? I don’t think so.

I hope this answers your question and thank you for being a gentleman by respecting my desire to keep a certain amount of anonymity.

Eduardo Pontaoe
21 Aug 2007

 

 

“It does not matter how you played the game, it does matter how you portrayed yourself”. The way he took himself to be of what he was not, was an insult to all Pangasinenses who had no knowledge what’s the Olympics is all about.

Jazy Garcia’s post on the 16th flaunting how he competed with the best and not almost great, was chutzpah at its worst. He gambled nobody will find out . . . that we would be in awe . . . nobody will check . . . on what he did at the Olympics. He got burnt to cinders.

He did participate, alright, like anybody who went to the Olympics to see the games. Jazy Garcia was there for show. He knew he couldn’t compete, but putting his name in the no-shows at the finish line . . . was enough to claim he raced with the greats.

He almost made it! He almost pulled the impossible when almost everybody were stumbling on each other throwing flowers at his feet, cheering his feat which is in character for the adoring few, which I am not.

Look how he lied from the get-go. He did not tell his real name to the Olympic committee but his maternal name. Why? Was he not proud being a Garcia? Or, if he won’t make it, he would be known as Fernandez and hide in it in shame.

That’s why, I got lost trying to find him in the Olympics’ cycling roster not knowing he was hiding in Fernandez’s name.

Ms. Ric, trying to idolize him, gives him away.

Ms. Ric
21 Aug 2007

 

Bear with me kabaleyans, I have a part two.

Mr. Pontaoe actually gives a hoot why those people were chanting his name. The point is, they were cheering, period. They were chanting his name as any “go fight team” cheering squad would do and again, I bet, these people were happy for this lone guy who managed to lap six, is it?

Making it to the Olympics alone is already a huge deal to any athlete, winner or not. I don’t know about you, Mr. Pontaoe, but whenever I get on my stationary bike, it ain’t pretty. I can appreciate the effort, the discipline, and the collateral Mr. Jazy Garcia must have poured into this sport.

Eduardo Pontaoe
21 Aug 2007

 

Mr. Jose Ceralde:

I’ll try my outmost to answer your query. It might not be to your satisfaction, but here it is.

Chapter 5, Article II, Rule 42, Nationality of Competitors . . . of the Olympic Charter states unequivocally;

1- Any competitor in the Olympic Games must be a national of the country of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) which is entering such competitor.

2- All disputes relating to the determination of the country of the country which a country may represent in the Olympic Games shall be resolved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board.

Guam is a colony of the US and under the charter have the right and qualification to have an Olympic team or any athletic team independent from a US team. Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, though have more highly established relationship with the Federal Government, have the same right as Guam.

However, Guam is a territory while the Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth. The difference . . . on what I know . . . between a territory and commonwealth is in the application of statehood.

A commonwealth can apply for statehood while a territory like Guam can’t. In the 1990’s there’s a significant movement in Guam for commonwealth, which will give a political status like Puerto Rico and Northern Mariana Islands but the federal government did not respond to Guam’s request because the Feds deemed not realistic, which argues Guam does not have the financial stability or self sufficiency to warrant such status, due to the fact that Guam until now . . . is reliant on federal dole.

Ms. Ric
21 Aug 2007 

People new to this forum would think we’re all related with the way we go at it even with the most mundane stuff.

Mr. Pontaoe, I’m not much for these volleys. I’m still crossed eyed from the last one, but here’s my take on this “country” deal.

First off, your “FYI, Guam is not a country. It is a small speck of land in the US Trust Territories in the Marianas’ chain. The people are US citizens but can’t vote in a presidential election.” comment to Mr. Jazy is a little unnerving to me.

Residents of Guam with a third grade education and up would know this fact. It’s taught in their curriculum that early if not even earlier. And to the general public, if they’re smart enough to read the Punch Forum, I’m deducing they’re smart enough to know that Guam is a US territory.

Now, is it a country or is it not? Here’s what Mr. Webster’s big book of words say about country: – a large area of land regarded as distinct from other areas, for example because of its natural boundaries or because it is inhabited by a particular people, – an area that is farmed or remains in a relatively undeveloped state, as distinct from cities, towns, and other built-up areas – a region that is distinguished by particular characteristics or is associated with a particular activity, person, or group of people. Guam has the Chamorros, its indigenous people, I say it’s a country.

Now, FYI, Guam is an unincorporated organized US territory to be exact. Incorporated organized territory is where you and I currently reside. Incorporation would mean living with the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independent in its entirety. Guam doesn’t have to. Congress has determined that only select parts apply.

Yes, we share the same president and it’s not a commonwealth, but not for the lack of trying. They’ve been wanting their commonwealth for the past 25 years but Congress sat on this issue in the eighties and they haven’t lifted a finger, yet. I live in an unincorporated district of a county within the incorporated organized state of California in the US of A. Do I go around saying this when I’m asked where I’m from? Heck no! I say I’m from this certain city or town although we don’t have a mayor which to some identifies city hood or township.

Your lexicon may limit this beautiful little island of Guam and say it’s not a country, but I bet you’ll be hard pressed to find residents of this island to not claim it as their very own country.

Now let’s get back to Philippine news, shall we?

Eduardo Pontaoe
20 Aug 2007

 

 

Sir Abe Tiongson. . . Sir General Leopoldo “Too Many Stars” Bataoil. . . Sir Jun “Prolific Columnist Extraordinaire” Velasco. . . Sir Rafael “Excuses” Baraan. . . Madam Dindin ” Legal Chicken” Baniqued . . . Sir Benjamin ” The Benjie” Lim . . . Sir Guvnor Amado “Espin-off” Espino.

Since when the Philippines became an absolute monarchy?