Worldwide Balikbayan bowl meet under way

MANILA, Philippines - A brand-new Toyota Avanza car is up for grabs in the 2009 OFW Worldwide Balikbayan Bowling Championship that got under way yesterday at the Paeng’s Midtown Bowl inside the Robinson’s Place in Manila.

Overseas Filipino workers from the United States, Canada, Greece, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates who are in town for the holidays will vie in the two-day kegfest organized by the Filipino Tenpin Bowlers, Eastern Region (Filbowler) in Saudi Arabia and sanctioned by the Philippine Bowling Congress.

“Our mission is to foster unity, friendship and teamwork through bowling among our fellow OFWs not only in the Middle East but worldwide,” said Filbowler president Boy Tuazon of the event, which is also for the benefit of Bantay Bata 163.

On hand for ceremonial roll-off were PBC president Marianito Tamayo, executive vice president Jaime Dychauco, secretary general Bong Coo and Bantay Bata 163 program director Tina Monzon-Palma.

Tuazon said that over P1 million in prizes is at stake in the tournament that is sponsored by GCC Marketing Arabian Testing Services, White Sand Engineerin, Advance Technical and Testing Services Est. HWN Trading, Abdul Rahman Al-Otaishan and Ayala Land, Inc.

“We have been organizing this tournament annually among fellow OFWs, while Filbowler hosted this event the last time in 2007,” said the Al Khobar-based Tuazon.

Aside from the Avanza car and trophy to the champion, there will also be cash prizes and trophies up to the 10th placer, with the runner-up and third placer getting P150,000 and P100,000, respectively, he said, adding that the first to bowl a perfect game of 300 will receive P50,000.