Galing Pinoy

Galing Pinoy showcases the triumph of the Filipino spirit — the Filipino’s innate perseverance to rise above. A double entendre, Galing Pinoy literally translates to both coming from (or brought to you by) the Filipino and Filipino ingenuity.

RP team’s quest for gold

Saturday, 09 August 2008 13:20 Joseph Pimentel/AJPress

AS the whole world is watching the various events at the Beijing Olympics, all eyes are also on the 15 athletes from the Philippines. Competing in the world’s grandest stage against the best the world has to offer, the pressure is not just about winning something – it is about the quest for the elusive gold.

Despite the fact that no Philippine athlete in 80 years has ever won Olympic gold, it’s not going to dissuade any of this year’s representatives from trying. As an incentive, it’s been reported that the Philippine government along with business leaders and other groups has offered a P15 million ($340,000) cash prize to any Philippine Olympic athlete who receives a gold medal.

FilAm Baseball Player Espineli

Saturday, 02 August 2008 13:27 Joseph Pimentel/AJPress

(4 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5)

FILAM Eugene “Geno” Macalalag Espineli is a Giant in more than one way. Standing 6’ 4” the 25-year-old pitching reliever for the San Francisco Giants baseball team is tall for a Filipino, whose average heights are almost a feet short. With that height, you’d think he’s better off as a shooting guard or small forward in a basketball league.

“I was never good in basketball,” he said to the Asian Journal as the Giants were playing the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Keeping Hope Alive

Saturday, 26 July 2008 14:02 Joseph Pimentel/AJPress

LOS ANGELES – Is it serendipity or mere coincidence?

When Director Mark Pellington met FilAm singer/ songwriter Ron Irizarry for the first time earlier this week he noticed a tattoo on Irizarry’s arm that read La Esperanza Muera Ultima.

Filipino Ice Skater goes for Gold

Saturday, 12 July 2008 14:15 Joseph Pimentel/AJPress

(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Having a Filipino in the winter Olympics may sound like an oxymoron given that the Philippines is known more for it’s tropical climate than frigid weather. However, from skating on slushy, chopped ice in the Philippines to a pristine, spotless surface in the US, the 13-year-old Issai will look to become an Olympic hopeful for the Philippines come the next Winter Olympics slated for Vancouver, Canada in 2010 or Sochi, Russia in 2014.

And she’s well on her way.