From Azkals to rascals

No question the Philippine Azkals have been successful in making football popular among ordinary Filipinos, with the national football team (before its incarnation as the Azkals) ranking way at the bottom for so many years, failing to qualify for major competitions even in the region. That is, until 2010 when the Azkals team came to prominent attention when they defeated the powerhouse of AFF Suzuki Cup defending champion Vietnam in the latter’s own turf in front of 40,000 shocked fans. It was a historic moment no less, with the upset becoming a turning point in the popularity of football in the country.

But while the Azkals team is making a lot of inroads in football, it seems the members are not doing so well in the manners game. Former Philippine Olympic Committee president and FVR daughter Cristy Ramos-Jalasco has just filed a sexual harassment complaint against two of the Azkals team members. In her complaint addressed to the Asian Football Confederation disciplinary committee, Cristy recounted the incident at the locker room of the football team prior to the friendly match between the Philippines and Malaysia last week where the boys apparently displayed very naughty behavior.

One of them was said to have made a crude remark about Cristy’s bra size while another deliberately did not attempt to cover his underwear while the lady sports commissioner conducted the pre-match inspection. Granted that the boys were just in a boisterous, bantering mood to channel nervous energy before a match, the behavior and the remark was still crude and uncalled for, said irate female observers who were not amused at all.

Not surprisingly, several women’s groups like Gabriela have indicated their displeasure at the reported incident. After all, there is indeed a law in this country against sexual harassment – and although many of the players are of mixed blood, the fact is they represent the Philippines and as such, are expected to exemplify the best of Filipinos not only in sports but even in the way they conduct themselves, the same female observers noted. We were told this is not the first time that the Azkals have figured in this kind of controversy, with several members implicated in an alleged rape involving a model sometime last year. Perhaps the team manager and other officials should make sure the boys behave and avoid any more controversy of this nature. Soon they will be known as the rascals, not Azkals.

Armscor hits triple target

Local arms and ammunitions manufacturer Arms Corporation of the Philippines – more popularly known as Armscor – had a very successful triple celebration at the Manila Polo Club commemorating “50, 60, and 70” years in the industry with well-known personalities in attendance, among them former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, Senator Bongbong Marcos and wife Liza Araneta and one of President Noy’s closest Cabinet officials, DILG undersecretary Rico Puno. Gun enthusiasts familiar with Armscor know the company was started by Don Celso Tuason who bought Squires Bingham from its American owner in 1941, turning it into a Filipino-owned company for 70 years now. In 1952, then president Ramon Magsaysay gave the company its first license to manufacture firearms and ammunition as Squires Bingham Manufacturing Company or Squibman which accounts for the 60 in the triple celebration. As for the 50, the number represents Demetrio “Bolo” Tuason’s successful years of leadership.

The occasion also marked the eventual turnover of leadership to the younger members of the Tuason family, with Bolo’s son Martin to assume the position of Armscor president and CEO next year. Bolo’s brother Conkoy will sit as chairman of the board while Conkoy’s son Gutsy will assume the presidency of Squires Bingham. Over the years, the Filipino-owned company has developed a reputation for being the biggest firearms and ammunition manufacturer in South East Asia distributing to over 60 countries.

Those in the know say the success stems from the fact that the Tuasons continue to be united – unlike other families whose wealth is being dissipated by internal (and sometimes very publicized) squabbles. Of course, it definitely helps when you have a trusted and fiercely loyal executive like Gina Angangco helping the family run the business. We were told that a coffee table book is in the pipeline detailing the Armscor legacy – something that firearms aficionados will certainly appreciate.

Small-scale mining should be regulated

The recent mining conference at the InterCon generated a lot of buzz via Twitter, showing the pro-mining and anti-mining advocates airing their perspectives frontally – which is actually a positive development since both sides have legitimate concerns that must be addressed. Despite the “konfrontasi,” it was evident that the opposing sides agreed that mining can be done – provided that it is done responsibly, taking into consideration its impact on the environment. Several observers noted there is sense in confining mining – especially small-scale – to areas where the ecosystem will not be jeopardized.

One of the biggest shockers is the revelation that small-scale miners contribute 68 percent of the country’s overall gold production of 30,000 kilos a year – and these operators have been cheating the government of excise taxes. Apparently, small-scale mining is the “new jueteng” with corrupt local government officials allowing illegal miners to operate – so perhaps the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas should just stop buying gold from them. 

Small-scale mining has been unregulated for so long with the areas prone to environmental disasters such as landslides. Government should really push through with the plan to predetermine areas for small-scale mining and turn them into a “minahang bayan” with government supervision to make sure the activities are compliant with the mining laws of this country.

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