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Pinoys send-off Azkals! Philippines vs Indonesia 2nd Leg Suzuki Cup 2010

December 28, 2010

Sorry I know this is quite delayed, since we’ve been so preoccupied with all the holiday celebrations. Anyway after the first leg, we got a text that there was going to be a “pep rally” at 2:30 pm the afternoon of the game at the Sultan Hotel. This was perfect for us, because we wanted to convoy with the team or go with the other supporters so that we weren’t an island in a sea of red like the first game!

Go Philippines! Go Azkals!

Go Philippines! Go Azkals!

We arrived to a sea of blue (Navy blue was the color of the team’s kit for the 2nd leg) at the lobby of The Sultan Hotel, where both the Azkals and Merah Putihs were staying. It was heartwarming that despite not planning  to attend the 2nd leg, many of the pinoys turned up to support the team. I talked to some of the people who weren’t watching live… they said it was mainly because of their negative experiences during the last game (i.e. being thrown water bottles, being booed or given the finger). But there were also many who wanted to watch but it was impossible to get tickets anyway. Sad indeed.

We arrived at 2 pm to a sea of blue

Showing their support in blue

Jason de Jong taking pics with fans

See where that arrow is pointing? That's Jason de Jong taking pics with fans

I only saw Aly Borromeo and Jason de Jong in the lobby, talking to the pinoys and posing with fans. I really should have taken more pics of the players, but I figured, I’d taken so many already, and there were so many others who wanted to meet the team so I just didn’t want to bug them some more.

When Jason saw me, he said he liked my shirt! =D I was surprised and I realized that’s right! The shirt I was wearing was an old Dutch National Team football shirt! (And Jason is half Filipino half Dutch!) I told him it was my husbands and that he’s had it for about 10 or 11 years. Crazy right?

More pics after the jump!

Phil Golfers Assoc. talking to Ace, Askals' coordinator

Phil Golfers Assoc. talking to Ace, Askals' coordinator

To be honest we were all confused as to what was happening. Since we got the text about the “pep rally” from another pinoy diplomat, we thought that the embassy was the one organizing it. However when we asked them they said they only passed on a text they got from the pinoy golfers association. Hmmmmm…. And then someone said that they got a text about a 1pm mass which was moved to 2:30 pm. But there was no priest in sight! It didn’t matter though everyone was willing to wait till the Azkals came down (they needed to rest till right before game time) and cheer for them as they headed to the game!

A picture with Anton del Rosario's parents.

A picture with Anton del Rosario's mom, Tita Bettina and Tito Ted, who by the way were SUPER awesome! More kwento on this in my next post.

picture with Rick Olivares

Finally got to take a pic with Rick Olivares the press officer of the Azkals and author of bleachers brew, awesome blog for Azkal updates and other sports

It was funny because there were also many Indonesians hanging about in the lobby, and when Coach McMenemy came down, it was the Indonesians who crowded around him, not the pinoys. And he was nice enough to oblige and take pics with everyone – seriously it was so nice of him. He basically got stuck in the lobby for a long time accommodating the Indonesian fans.

In the meantime we were approached by this Indonesian fan who wanted to take pics with us. He was really all out painted in red and white so it was quite a sight.

Merah Putih fan posing with Filipino fan All out Merah Putih (Red and White)!
Indonesian fans posing with Filipino fans

Indonesian fans posing with Filipino fans

Getting ready for a lil' cheer rally for GMA 7

Getting ready for a lil' cheer rally for GMA 7

Go Philippines! Go Azkals!

Go Philippines! Go Azkals!

Best outfit of the day!

Best outfit of the day!

The flag/pants can also be worn as a cape (like above) and then also transforms into pants! How cool is that! I want one too!!!

Talking to Indonesian Security

"What happened to the 2nd bus?!?" The 2nd bus for the fans and family of the players did not arrive =(

Tita Betina said we could ride with them in the 2nd bus for the family and supporters so that it would be safer for us, and so that we could sit together with the rest of the team’s family and supporters. After all there is safety in numbers. It’s also more fun to cheer when you’re with fellow pinoys!

But the 2nd bus never arrived. According to the Indonesian liaison officer it was never confirmed.  Here we were even discussing having some of the parents hitch in our car because they didn’t have transpo anymore. Problem was since there was no guaranteed parking, then we couldn’t bring the second car our friend brought. We were already going to be jam packed in our tiny car. =(

At about 4:30 pm the players finally came down…to clapping and cheers from the Filipino community in Jakarta (and some people who flew in for the day just to watch the 2nd leg). Though the players must have been psyched out for the game, they were still super nice enough to take pics with some supporters. Our Azkals are just so nice aren’t they? =)

Here they come! Azkals

Here they come! Down the send-off line

Rob Gier, Azkals

Rob Gier looking serious. Mentally prepping for the game perhaps?

Azkals

Roel Gener is all smiles

Azkals

Nestorio Margarse Jr.

Sorry I had to stop taking pictures because we had to hop on our car and convoy with the team’s bus. Where did the team’s families ride since the 2nd bus didn’t arrive? It was basically standing room inside the player’s bus. It was supposed to be a short 5 minute ride to Bung Karno Stadium anyway.

The ride to the stadium turned out to be an exciting (and a bit scary) 45 minutes! Will have to continue my story tomorrow since it’s bedtime for this DiploWife!

Check out Rick Olivares’ blog, Bleacher’s Brew to get updates on the Azkals and other sports.

  • Watching Philippines vs Indonesia 1st Leg Semi-finals Suzuki Cup 2010 Live!
  • Lunch with the Azkals

5 Comments · What's Happening

Comments

  1. Kaho says

    December 29, 2010 at 10:57 AM

    How exciting that you’ve got to go to the pep rally!! Looks like you guys had a ton of fun!! As always you have great photos!!

    Reply
  2. Kaho says

    December 29, 2010 at 10:57 AM

    How exciting that you’ve got to go to the pep rally!! Looks like you guys had a ton of fun!! As always you have great photos!!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Philippine Footy/Azkals ✪ A once in a lifetime experience – Part I « The Diplomatic Wife says:
    February 9, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    […] post is a continuation of the afternoon pre-game pep-rally for the Azkals at Sultan hotel wherein we found out that the 2nd bus that was requested for by the Azkals coordinator did not […]

    Reply
  2. Philippine Footy/Azkals ✪ A once in a lifetime experience – Part I « The Diplomatic Wife says:
    February 9, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    […] post is a continuation of the afternoon pre-game pep-rally for the Azkals at Sultan hotel wherein we found out that the 2nd bus that was requested for by the Azkals coordinator did not […]

    Reply
  3. Azkals Team Building at Plantation Bay Cebu | The Diplomatic Wife says:
    November 21, 2013 at 6:30 PM

    […] are so many new faces since I met the Azkals here in Jakarta when they competed for the Suzuki Cup! I can barely keep up with the new names. And there are so many more who weren’t in this team […]

    Reply

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Welcome

Hello! I’m Ayessa, trailing spouse to a diplomat, mama to DiploBaby and DiploDog and founder of Declutter MNL. I love talking about how to achieve a minimaluxe lifestyle one step at a time.

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GOOD TO KNOW GUIDE

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HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport? We are very lucky th HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport?

We are very lucky that the Geneva Airport is very near because it is located 4 km northwest of the city centre. It takes us less than 15mins by car & is easier to get to than airports outside the city.

BUT also means that many of the Geneva residents suffer from AIRCRAFT NOISE POLLUTION. 

In some parts of Geneva, like Vernier, Meyrin, Bellevue, Versoix, etc will have the airplane pass on top of you or very near you. This is something to consider when you are MOVING TO GENEVA & looking for a home.

When we were in @bioparcgeneve recently, it felt like airplane after airplane was going overhead every few mins. The poor animals were screaming each time.

A  report by the European Environment Agency(EEA) in 2017 said that 12% or 73,500 Geneva residents have their hearing disturbed by aircraft noise. Probably the figures have risen with the natural increase population & travel?

“The EEA describes noise as a pervasive pollutant that directly affects the health and well-being of humans and wildlife. Populations exposed to high noise levels can exhibit stress reactions, sleep-stage changes, and clinical symptoms like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. All of these can contribute to premature mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) reckons that humans exposed to noise levels above 40 decibels at night experience adverse health effects.

Across Europe it is estimated that noise contributed to at least 900,000 additional cases of hypertension in 2011.” - @le_news_ch 

DID YOU KNOW that owners of homes affected by the noise can request for soundproofing to be paid for by GVA? 

Check if your home meets the conditions for FREE SOUNDPROOFING c/o Genève Aéroport here:

https://www.gva.ch/en/Site/Geneve-Aeroport/Questions-Reponses-FAQ/Bruit#

SAVE or SHARE this now with someone you know who might be moving to Geneva or is already suffering from aircraft #noisepollution. 

#UDWinGeneva #UDWgenevagoodtoknow #expatingeneva #diplofamily #expatlife #genevaswitzerland #expatingeneva #filipinoingeneva #pinoyingeneva #movingtogeneva #movingtoswitzerland #movingtogeneva #genevaexpats #switzerlandexpatlife #geneva #genevaswitzerland
MERCADONA HAUL Whenever we go to Spain, we love t MERCADONA HAUL

Whenever we go to Spain, we love to go to @mercadona. It might be small but has a good affordable selection. It’s my thrifty Spanish MIL’s favorite.

We were so lucky that we had a @mercadona right beside our hotel Marina Badalona. Very convenient.
Our favorite things to bring home are:

☕️ frozen porras (bigger than churros)

🐑 baby lamb chops (the only lamb I eat coz it’s not malangsa & all you need to do is fry till crispy in olive oil with S&P) it’s called Chuletas Cabrito but TD calls it lechal 

🐽 chicharon or crispy pork rinds

🥔 Homemade potato chips. The best potato chips for me are from Spain. I don’t know how it’s so much yummier! The olive oil???

🎣 canned Sardines & tuna for me and Yaya B

TIPS:

🧊 For frozen items, we usually ask the hotel before we buy if they can put it in their freezer until we fly.

✍️ I usually bring different sizes ZIPLOCK BAGS, MASKING TAPE & MARKER when we travel so we can put everything in, label with our name and room number.

📸 then I take a photo so we can just show it to the staff and they can easily find it in their freezer.

✈️ When it’s time to pack, I placed our beach towels around the frozen packages coz I know they will SWEAT & I don’t want our other things to get wet 💦 

What  grocery do you usually like to shop for when in Spain? Where do you buy them?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries #udwtraveltips #udwtraveltip #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW C FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW Calisthenics Park 

📍Chem. des Tuileries 140, 1293 Bellevue

After the lovely BIOPARC we headed across to this chill park with ample PARKING that had so many things for kids & anyone who wants to move & work out:

⚽️ The kids wanted to kick around a football so we borrowed a ball from @boxup.app (they also have pumps, 🏓, 🏐, 🏀, etc) just download the app & turn on your Bluetooth & follow instructions! Return after 3hrs.

👟 Outdoor gym - this was a huge hit with the kids

⚽️ football - this too!

🏀 basketball court

🏓 Ping-pong 

🏐 Beach volleyball court

🤸🏻 Monkey bars

🛝 small playground

Thanks for the wonderful afternoon guys @lidia_otilia_botezatu! 
How lucky are we to have these beautiful, clean open spaces. And the free rental gear is AMAZING! so convenient.

This is in Geneva, about 15mins drive from where we live.

SAVE THIS on your list of PARKS to visit!

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. It’s not as close as the bioparc but bring earplugs/earphones if you are sensitive.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
BIOPARC GENÈVE Yesterday was a holiday in Switze BIOPARC GENÈVE

Yesterday was a holiday in Switzerland (except for Geneva). It was raining & miserable so I wanted to take @diplobaby out for a few hours. Thankfully midafternoon it stopped raining.

We met with our friends @lidia_otilia_botezatu in @bioparcgeneve and had a lovely time in this volunteer run zoo.

TIPS💡

🆓 It’s free for families on your FIRST visit!

🦢 you walk inside animal enclosures so wear shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty/stepping on poop. We wore boots & happy we did

🅿️ there’s parking inside on wood chips, if it’s full there’s another pavement parking (free up to 4hrs) across the roundabout 

🦔 Do not feed or touch the animals no matter how cute they are

🗺️ There are 2 routes (purple & blue) and 1-1.5hrs #diplshould be enough 

❎ Park closes at 4pm

SAVE THIS NOW if your looking for a fun & not too you can do in well und2hrs. It’s nice that you can go inside unlike most zoos so it’s quite unique.

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. @diplobaby who is super noise sensitive did not mind as much as I thought he would because he was so entertained by the animals.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
MARINA BADALONA HOTEL At first we were going to MARINA BADALONA HOTEL 

At first we were going to stay in the heart of Barcelona, where we stayed 8 years ago (I didn’t even know that @diplobaby was already in my tummy at 2 weeks old) but the “hotel” is now expensive with no amenities & small rooms. So TD found a hotel in #badalona - a 20min taxi ride from Barcelona city center - that was so fabulous & slightly less expensive.

SAVE THIS NOW for future trips to Barcelona

WHY I LOVED marinabadalona
🤍 All white interiors was so beautiful & calming
🤍 Gorgeous view of the Marina 
🤍 Everything was so aesthetic, even where you tap your card to enter the room
🤍 Massive bed
🤍 Electric curtains
🤍 Lots of closet space & hangers
🤍 2 TVs
🤍 Refrigerator
🤍 White/cream Nespresso & kettle
🤍 Architecture & interior design is sooooo me!
🤍 Small rooftop pool with unbelievable views (need to do a separate post)
🤍 5min walk to the beach
🤍 Gorg esplanade
🤍 Yummy restos beside
🤍 Mercadona right beside - so convenient!

FEW RECOS FOR IMPROVEMENT:
✌️ Loved the textured wall paper, but it’s difficult to keep clean inside the bathroom
✌️ The bathroom surface area was a bit small & our stuff kept falling off the sink
✌️ Not a single chair in the family room so when we had room service we had to eat standing
✌️ No salt & pepper with room service so we called to ask & were told we would be charged for them taking it up. After TD clarified that there was no S&P with our meal, they said they would bring it up. The person brought a small bowl of of salt & pepper combined. The salt was for DiploBaby’s salmon, but he can’t eat pepper, I wanted both for my pesto. Had to run down in my slippers & the resto staff were very apologetic coz who serves a mixed S&P ever? They gave me individually packaged ones which I really appreciated.
✌️ Since the hotel has a pool & is by the beach, I wish there was a place to hang & dry swim suits. Our suits & watershoes did not dry in the tub.

All in all the value we got from staying in this hotel was so high compared to a more expensive hotel in Barcelona. No hotel stay is perfect.

Now, would I stay there again? YES PLEASE! Would you?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries
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