http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2006/....town!.html

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Pot Bellied Pigs marauding into town!
By Dennis Dungao

THE word is definitely out... this is what sports and non-sports enthusiasts in Angeles City have been anticipating, The 3rd Fat Boy's 10's 2006 International Rugby.

Characterized by slapstick and good-humored playing style, the Pot Bellied Pigs, the prime movers of The 3rd Fat Boy's 10's 2006 International Rugby, are to Asian Rugby, what the Harlem Globetrotter's are to American Basketball... but perhaps without their physique, agility and skill levels.

The Pot Bellies were originally formed in 1997 with their first tour of Manila in the same year. The idea was to become a touring rugby team with a mission... "Put the PINK back into rugby." This first tour was the "love child" of a drunken meeting of minds between "Freddie the Clock" and "Haughty the Amah- slayer." The touring squad was composed entirely of social (drunkard) players sourced out from Hong Kong's various clubs. The inaugural game was against the Manila Nomads. Since inception, the Pot Bellied Pig's have gone from strength to strength with a formal club structure established in 2001. The Pot Bellied Pigs are now predominantly a touring side, which draws on like-minded rugby players from clubs all over Asia and beyond who adhere to the true amateur spirit of the game. The Pot Bellied Pigs attend rugby tournaments held in many cities in Asia, including, Manila, Jakarta, Phuket, Bangkok, Macau, Bali, Pattaya, Seoul, Phnom Penh, and Hat Yai.

The Pot Bellied Pig's are tournament favorites throughout Asia, resplendent in their tours which is different from every tour, with uniforms always a combination of the club's color pink, lime green, yellow and blue. The recent award of the most "Social" team at the 2004 Manila 10's illustrates the regard in which the rugby community holds the Pigs. Today the Pot Bellied Pig's have developed into an Asian touring club. The club has members living in all the far - flung corners of the world, from the Ukraine to Texas and from the Orkney Island to Tasmania. These absent Pigs do their best to attend at least one tour a year. The Pot Bellied Pig's have recently begun to win a few games on a regular basis reaching the semi final of the Plate competition in the Manila 10's in 2003, winning the Plate Competition in the Jakarta 10's 2002, and in 2004 winning the ball at the Manila 10's and being runners - up in the bowl at the Phuket 10's.

The pinnacle of The Pot-bellied Pigs' potted history is to hold its very own “FAT BOY'S 10'S” tournament in Angeles City, Philippines annually. This is a charity event with the two nominated charities being the Bahay Bata Orphanage, a Rotary for street kids in Angeles City, and the Philippine Rugby Football Union Development Fund.

The 3rd Fat Boy's 10's 2006 International Rugby is an eclectic mix of teams- an international one at that, as the NOMADS RFC, ALABANG EAGLE'S, HKFC LUVANDALS, THE OLD BILL, MAKATI WOLVES, PJ PACKERS, SEOUL BARBARIANS (KOREA), MYSTERIOUS HOUND DOGS, BANGKOK BANGERS, and PHILIPPINE WARRIOR (MARINE ACADEMY OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC) were expected to compete.

The Angeles City Alliance, a unique group of Bars and Restaurant working together to bring the Angeles City tourism at its the best in dining and after dinner partying, led by Subdelicious Restaurant, do welcome the FAT BOY'S 10. They were known to host this comical group every time they're in town. Come and join the Fat Boy's weigh-in on the 2nd floor at SubDelicious on AUGUST 25TH from 7 p.m. till late.

The success of the Pot-bellied Pigs' 2nd FAT BOY'S 10'S 2006 INTERNATIONAL RUGBY last year was so tremendous that this year there is an increase from 10 teams to 16 teams. Watch the fun and learn the art of the FAT BOY'S style of sport. Everybody is welcome, as entrance is FREE!!!! The Kick-off and fun begins on August 26, 2006 from 8am until 6pm; see you all at the Challenger Field, Clark Special Economic Zone.

NOTE THE FB 10’s is about helping the ongoing expences of the BAHAY BATA CENTRE check them out:

http://www.angelesstreetkids.org/library/inaguration.htm

http://www.harrythehorse.com/2006/may.htm

A special fund raiser for the Bahay Bata Street Children's Foundation will be held on Wednesday, 3 May, at 8 PM. The event will be at the Viper Room with tickets costing P1,000 each which will cover drinks and a sit down meal provided by the Bourbon Street Restaurant. There will be entertainment and raffle tickets are on sale as well at P1,000 with 100 tickets available. This is a raffle worth taking a chance on as not only is a motorbike being offered but a 27" flat screen TV has been donated for the event as well. Guess I will make sure to get a raffle ticket as Priscilla and I are building our new apartment and a nice new TV would fit in nicely. The operating costs of the Bahay Bata is running at P300,000 a month and right now those funds are running a bit short. To offset shortfalls, some members of the Clark Centennial Rotary Club are putting in P5,000 a month each but this is not enough to cover costs and they are looking for Corporate sponsors willing to donate ten to fifty thousand pesos a month.

Right now we are housing and educating an average of 28 street children but our goal is to be able to house up to 60 children which would greatly reduce the number of those street kids that you see in the entertainment district. Through the fund raising efforts of people like Peter Bellamy, Ray Kelly, Peter O'Donnell, Mark Smith, Asian Escapades, Go2Phil, and so many others the Center has grown and survived for five years and many are dedicated to keeping it open, no matter what. You folks know that when Ray Kelly promises a fun evening he delivers so put 3 May on your calendar and get over to the Viper room at 8 PM. Guys, we need your help, in my humble opinion, those street kids at the Center must not have to return to the streets from which they came.

http://www.harrythehorse.com/2006/june.htm

A FIELD OF DREAMS

Last month a dream did come true, little league baseball made its first appearance at the Bahay Bata Street Children's Center's newly completed sports field located adjacent to the Center. This property was donated to the Foundation and the thought was to turn it into a multi-purpose sports facility. Two Rotary Club of Clark Centennial members, past president Bill Wright and director Lionel Claydon were key to the successful completion of this project. Bill spearheaded the development and construction of the field and Lionel arranged the construction of a large changing room as well as gathering various sports equipment. This was a Club project but when Bill left for the States it was left to club member George Watson to pick up where Bill left off and to take the time to introduce the kids to little league baseball and to train them. What started out as a sugar cane field was transformed into magnificent sports field where baseball and rugby can be played. The success of this endeavor was realized when the First Philippine Pony League Baseball Tournament was played over a five day period last 9 - 13 May. The tournament was conducted by Boy Tingzon, Jr, the President of the Philippines TOT Baseball Foundation and a member of the Rotary Club of Pasay Silingan. Almost 100 youngsters aged 9 to 12 representing 8 teams participated. Our team, the "Angels" was made up of street kids that had no idea what baseball was until George took them under his wing and developed them into a cohesive, competitive unit within 6 weeks of three times a week training. The visiting teams came from Bacolor, Guagua, Porac, Florida Blanca, Mabalacat, Olongapo, and Morong all of whom had years of experience. The Angels did not win but they earned the respect of the other teams as when they went up against the veteran teams on two occasions they lost by only one run. Additionally, a great moment of pride came about as one of the "Angels" had the honor of hitting the first grand slam home run on their own field. What a magnificent five days it was. The President of RC Clark Centennial, Joey Pineda, extended an invitation to all the teams to come back next year and if possible even before then. Maybe at some time in the near future an international tournament for youth baseball can be held at the Maria Wright field and for sure, by then, our ex-street kids will be ready to show all of the Philippines how good they are. More than anything, sports teaches the children cooperation and helps develop character and strength to face the world when they eventually leave the Center. This, together with the education provided to them, I am sure that their names will be associated with business, military, police and political leaders of the future. I hope I live long enough to see this.

The monthly expense of maintaining the Bahay Bata Center currently runs at P300,000 a month and we are grateful to the many donors that for many years have helped the foundation to meet all expenses but this year they have been struggling and Corporate sponsors are being sought that would be able to commit substantial monthly donations.

http://www.hkrugby.com/hkrugby/news/rugby-talk.cfm

Fat Boys set to roll once more

Fun and funding will once again be the themes when the Pot Bellied Pigs stage the “Third Inaugural, International, Invitational Fat Boys TENS III” at Clarke Airbase in Angeles City, the Philippines, on August 26.

As in previous years, money raised will go towards the Bahay Bata Centre for Street Children in Angeles City and the Philippines Rugby Union Development Fund.

“The Centre for Street Children was opened by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2001 but it requires constant funding to keep it afloat,” says Pigs club secretary Mike Hampton.

“We need to keep reminding ourselves that children are our future and that it is vitally important to help these underprivileged and neglected youngsters who cry out for a little help.”

The Philippines Rugby Union, meanwhile, uses its share of the proceeds to spread rugby among the Filipino community – an initiative that has produced excellent results in recent years.

Last year’s Fat Boys Tens – featuring teams from the Philippines and overseas – raised $HK150,000 for the twin causes.

Pigs chairman Alun Grassick and corporate liaison officer Anson Bailey paid a special visit to the Bahay Bata Centre in December to present a cheque. Says Bailey: “We were treated to a special dance and singing performance by the children and, more importantly, we saw so many happy, smiling little faces.”

Almost all team places are taken for this year’s Fat Boys Tens – SPONSORED BY THE LAW FIRM Tanner De Witt and Clariant (China Ltd) – so Bailey’s advice is: “Act now!” In addition, he is happy to accept individual or company donations.

For more information, contact Anson Bailey on 93825797 or visit www.potbellies.org

http://www.myph.com.ph/myph_at_leisure.htm

August 14, 2006

Fat Boy 10s rugby (& golf), August 25-27

Rugby players and fans from around the Philippines and overseas are heading for Angeles City in Pampanga for yet another rugby festival. This time it’s the annual Fat Boy 10s Charity Rugby Tournament, being organized for the third time by the Potbelly Pigs Rugby Football Club in Hong Kong.

The event has grown from a mainly social outing to the Angeles City nightlife zone by the Hong Kong club, into an international charity tournament that has about 15 teams participating this year. The games are played at the Challenger Field in Clark Economic Zone on Saturday August 26, but the guys and girls make a long weekend out of it.

Part of the event is the Fat Boy 10s Golf Day on August 25 at the Mimosa Golf Club. This is played in four-man scramble format with an entrance fee of 3,000 pesos including all fees and the after-match party at Yats restaurant.

The Fat Boy 10s is very much for charity – last year, 150,000 pesos went to the two nominated charities, the Bahay Bata Orphanage for street kids in Angeles City, and the Philippine Rugby Football Union Development Fund. The golfers alone raised 64,0000 pesos last year.

Information: Rugby, email Mike Hampton; golf, email Richard Asbridge.

http://manilatonight.com/index.php?showtop...3734&st=120

From – “Headroom”

Oooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh Yeeeeeeeeeeeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - good win for the Nomads at the Fat Boy 10's at the weekend - champs last year and again this year.

Pool games were relatively easy but then came up against the Alabang Eagles - the old arch rivals in the Semi's. Was a hard game but won it 2 tries to nil.

The final was a really tough game against the host team - the Pot Belly Heavies. They had some really good players on the team and most were a lot larger than Nomads. Nomads had the fitness though and managed to score a single try with about 2 minutes to go in the final.

Great tournament and thanks to the Pot Belly Pigs for organising such a good day - it is getting bigger and better every year. This year the team numbers were up from 10 to 16 and the quality of the teams has improved as well.

No doubt that the biggest winners of all though are the Bahay Bata Kids and the PRFU which split the proceeds of the weekend.

Big thanks to the Piggies for that!!