Home : Tournaments : Manila Spirits 2003 : Players Posts

 "SPIRITED"

A five-day diary of a Khao Chao Girl

By:  G  Gamboa

Nov. 13 (Th)

The Manila end of Khao Chao Club began the partying early with a dinner-slash-team presentation practice at Gogo's pad.  We had the privilege of masticating Yosef's Ethiopian food, mmm.  Very, very chilly, but worth all the sniffles!  Of course, Cayo's Revenge graced our mini-party mixed by Yosef, enjoyed by all.

Nov. 14 (F)

After having trouble hailing for a cab in the rain, outside my office building, I finally made it to the Registration Party at Absinth.  Intimidation was the word, after seeing the Shanghai people in their vintage team jackets.  I registered, received my tournament kit and over-sized Adidas jerseys, and mingled my way inside.

I could've just sat down in one corner all night long sipping on my Cayo's,  looking at the beautiful people pass by, and slightly worried that I wouldn't get enough sleep for the night, but I thought this was not going to get in the way of having a great time.  I met many wonderful people from other participating teams, including the rest of my Khao Chao teammates from Bangkok.

It's just so amazing how people of different races, backgrounds, and ages, can come together with a common interest --- to play ULTIMATE!

Nov. 15 (Sa)

I woke up rather early before 7:00am and just lay in bed, with mixed emotions about the whole event.  As I always say to myself, "breathe G, breathe,". My brother pounded on my bedroom door, so I scrambled out of bed, took a quick shower, generously spread Coppertone SPF 30 all over my body, grabbed my gear, and headed for the Manila Polo Club field.

Walking across the wide expanse of soft green grass of the Manila Polo Club, under a cloudless blue sky, I couldn't help but think that it was truly a perfect day for disc.  Despite weather reports of a typhoon in our zone, the sun happily beamed on the sweet, green polo field, which made me dream of layouts that I only watch, but never had the guts of actually doing myself.

And so began the Manila Spirits tournament.  The first point was made by us, the Khao Chao Club, against the flaming Disc Devils, after a quick turnover.  Much to my exhilaration, I chanted the signature Breakfast Club cheer "oy-yoyo" for the first time ever.  We won our first two games, which were well-fought, against the Disc Devils and the Bombproof Dogs. 

With all the excitement going on, I barely had an appetite for lunch, so I just sat around nibbling a banana and licking my free ice-cream, while the opening ceremonies took place.  Our next games were against Huck Rebellion (Philippine Team A), Singapore Freakshow (wow!), and the Beach Bombs (brood from Boracay) in which we lost all, sadly.  At least, I had the pleasure of defending the ever-famous Nami (the chick from Japan, who plays for Freakshow).  Gosh, I wish I played like her!

I hurried home after Day 1 of Spirits and rushed to get dressed for the 80s party at W Grill.  I arrived in a vintage mini skirt and red & white striped leg warmers that my mum used to wear in the 80s (now that's vintage for ya!), suited with a few other garments that I just happened to mix 'n match. 

The food was awesome, especially the finger-licking steaks (which we ended up eating 'till the bar closed!) Something that made the night most memorable were all the 80s costumes!  Hilarious to think that we used to dress like that back then.  Kudos to the winners for that night:  Jack from Shanghai won best 80s outfit for male in his "thuper-man" costume, to Julie from Kennel Club in her 80's as the classic dominatrix-in-punk-leather attire, to Hong Kong Junk for best team costume, and to Khao Chao for best team presentation with our own rendition of Lumidee's "Never Leave You", which actually became a staple cheer during Day 2 of the tournament.

Past 2:00am, after all the 80s dancing, one could still hear the contagious "khao chaoooo" cheer loud and proud!  It was no surprise that the party award went to us!  

Nov. 16 (Su)

Second and final day of the Spirits tourney.  Beautiful weather, two Tylenols gulped down, and arriving at the polo field several minutes before the rest of my hung-over teammates, didn't help us score a single point against the hungry Shanghai folks.  We advanced to our next game against the Beach Bombs, bowed down to them again, and still walked off the field smiling and chanting our new signature cheer "khao chaaoooo" followed by "oy-yoyo".  Those cheers went straight to the final game wherein the Hong Kong Junk upset the Singapore Freakshow with a one-point win made by a fallen Joel.  My pride might have set in, but I think Khao Chao's pink skirts and sideline cheers had something to do with it.  That was probably the best game of Ultimate I've seen, so far!  Amazing!

The awarding ceremonies took place right after, as the HK Junk had flights to catch.  And yes, though Khao Chao Club placed 6th out of the 10 participating teams, we were definitely winners coming out as one of the favourite teams, especially that of HK.  Yup, that was it.  The games had ended, awards given out, people dispersing, the polo field looked bare inspite of its rich green carpet.

But the action was far from over!  The farewell party at Absinth was once again, a night to remember.  Arriving there two hours early with Erin and Sol, from a Khao Chao farewell dinner, we started our own mini-party with Cayo's Revenge.  And so, people poured into Absinth  with Cayo's  in one hand, cigs on the other, ear-to-ear smiles on their faces, the usual mingling and Manila Vice hospitality took place, into the wee hours of the morning.  *Party details omitted to protect the privacy of those involved.*

Nov. 17 (M)

I have no idea how I made it to work!  All I remember was that I had a blast during the party and that no matter how I try to verbalize this fun-filled weekend, I just cannot parallel the actual events that took place.  Hung-over is indeed one word.  Hung-over from the whole weekend, with "Khao Chao" ringing in my ears. 

Spirited with Ultimate, spirited with the people I befriended, spirited with Cayo's, spirited with how the entire event was pulled off in six weeks, spirited that I got both knees scratched, spirited that I watched first-hand an awesome match between Junk and Freakshow, spirited that I pulled off an 80s outfit, spirited that you're re still reading my personal insight of the weekend, etc.  Absolutely SPIRITED, in every sense of the word.

Author's personal note:  Cheers and congratulations to PUA for this fabulous event!  Cheers to the Khao Chao Club, I still think we took home the gold!  Cheers to  the visiting teams for participating in this event, and for making this event a truly memorable one. Cheers to my family and friends who came to watch, despite their busy schedules, much appreciated!  Cheers to my brother Zrs, for introducing me to such as wonderful sport!  To all I have not mentioned, I cannot thank you enough.

Things I learned from the Manila Spirits Tournament...

by Gabby Gaskell, Team Kennel, Philippines

1. That the Bora beach bums still played the same with or without shoes...
2. That after getting creamed 13-0 [twice], I can still afford to smile...
3. That 3 bananas aren't enough to save you from cramps...
4. That we all got the spirit..
5. That Christian is a better rapper than Richard...
6. That Alejando is a phat breakdancer...

and most of all -

7. I learned that we are still the best party people in asia!

From: "Chang, Andrew"  
To: "'info@philippineultimate.org'" <info@philippineultimate.org>
Subject: 
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2003 20:20:23 +0800 
      
Dear Philippine Ultimate:

I just wanted to thank you for organising such a wonderful tournament in the Manila Spirits 2003.

It was one of the most fun tournaments I've ever been to in my experience.  The organisation and set-up of the fields and events were awesome.  The parties were great.  But what I thought was exceptional was the overall hospitality and friendliness of all of the hosts.

Manila is the hotbed of Ultimate growth in SE Asia -- there is certainly the foundation for it there as we all saw firsthand.  And I hope that the Spirits tourney becomes an annual event.  I hope that if it comes around again in 2004 Singapore will be able to send at least two teams! 

After seeing all of the up and coming talent on the field in Manila, I know that there will be more and more strong comptition coming from the Philippines in the immediate future.  We will have to work twice as hard next year to keep up. 

Sincerely,

Andrew (from Singapore)

"Michael Riley" <musicman@l...>
17/11/03 01:54 PM
Please respond to Asian_Ultimate

To: <Asian_Ultimate@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [Asian_Ultimate] Manila Spirits Tournament & Bkk Hat

Hats off to Manila Vice for putting together a fantastic weekend - they truly do have the best fields in Asia!

Congrats to HK & S'pore for an exciting final ... and to HK for winning.

Hope to see you all here in Bkk 28-29 Feb 2004 for the fourth annual Bkk Hat. More details coming soon.

Woof

Michael

From: "Roberto Rojas" <rojasyoris@ho...>
18/11/03 03:51 PM
To: bedes@a...
Subject: thanks!

bart,

on hk behalf (and i'm sure that on all other teams) thanks a lot for a wonderful weekend. victory aside, this has been an amazing tourney. there wasn't a single wrinkle on it. all of you were super welcoming as hosts and we couldn't have asked for anything else. the organization was awesome and well thought: good prices on hotels, close to fields and close to the parties and fields; transportation; party scheme; venue selection; sponsors;prizes; you name it!

i don't know if other agree with me, but i'd say let's bag the hk tourney and put manila instead! between the pricing advantage and the lack of support we have in hk, it's almost a no brainer. it's pulling a tooth here and yet we don't succeed.

please pass my thanks to the rest of the manila ultimate team. sorry for not having a proper goodbye but i had to rush to the airport. nice to meet your family!

too bad we didn't play against. next one

au revoir,

le chinois

From:   Paul Coffey <paul_coffey@y...>
Date:  Tue Nov 18, 2003  11:26 am
Subject:  Re: [discheads-reg] Digest Number 673

Hey Philippines Ultimate,

Congratulations on an excellent tournament from a player whose heart will always be with the vice!

What you have managed to achieve with Ultimate in the short time since I left (less than two years ago when it was just 20 or so expats having a good time on the weekend) is nothing short of amazing.

Hope to see you again soon!

Paulie (ex Vice Player now living in Hong Kong and
occaisonally useful member of the sExpats team!)