By The Philippine Star and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Suzuki-Phoenix-YRS Racing Team’s star rider Enzo Rellosa followed another dominant show in the 2013 National Moto ROC (Road Race of Champions) at the Blue Wave Strip Mall Parking Lot, Marikina City recently.

Rellosa completed podium finishes in five of the six categories on race day, including two championship runs in the Super Stock 125 and Novice Expert Open 115.

“I just kept my focus in all my races,” said Rellosa, who is also a multi-titled motocross champion. “Kapag focused ka, tumataas ang chance mo na manalo.”

The 19-year-old find of racing legend and team owner Yoyong Buncio from Iriga City placed runner-up right in his very first race for the day in the Stock 115 Category, before repeating the same finish in the Novice AT 160, using a Nex 115.

Rellosa’s best showing, however, came in his next two races.

He fended off the challenge of John Clyde Pilapil (second) and Roel Rubin (third) to rule the 125 Super Stock Novice, before ruling the 115 Open Novice/Expert Race over Aldeine Valencia (second) and Rubin (third), aboard a Suzuki Smash 115.

He concluded his brilliant performance with a first-runner up feat in the Open 4 Stroke Novice/Expert division.

By ABS-CBNnews.com and U.S. News Agency / Asian

San Mig Coffee Mixers head coach Tim Cone was all praises for the Alaska Aces after his former squad won the PBA Commissioner’s Cup by sweeping the crowd favorites Barangay Ginebra.

Alaska stamped their class against Ginebra in three games of the finals, clinching the title with a 104-80 victory Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

On Twitter, Cone congratulated the Alaska organization, especially coach Luigi Trillo and his staff.

Wow! Just, Wow! What a dominating conference by Alaska, Luigi & his staff, and all the guys. Congratulations. Well-deserved. Best team.

— Tim Cone (@manilacone) May 19, 2013

“Wow! Just, wow!” Cone tweeted. “What a dominating conference by Alaska…Congratulations. Well-deserved.”

He also gave “special congrats” to Finals Most Valuable Player Sonny Thoss. “He was quietly dominant both on the offensive side, and especially the defensive side. Special guy,” Cone tweeted.

Also, a special congrats to Sonny. He was quietly dominant both on the offensive side and especially the defensive side. Special guy.

— Tim Cone (@manilacone) May 19, 2013

The 55-year-old Cone was the head coach of Alaska for 22 years, until he was released on September 1, 2011. He eventually became the new coach of the San Mig Coffee Mixers, then known as the B-Meg Llamados.

Aside from Cone, former Talk ‘N Text and now national team head coach Chot Reyes also congratulated the Aces.

Congrats to Coach Luigi Trillo & d Alaska Aces. He didn’t have the individual talent of d other squads, but he built a TEAM. A title TEAM

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) May 19, 2013

“Congrats to Coach Luigi Trillo and the Alaska Aces. He didn’t have the individual talent of the other squads, but he built a team – a title team,” Reyes said on Twitter.

Reyes also revealed that Thoss was his second choice for Finals MVP, with guard RJ Jazul getting his nod.

My vote for Finals MVP, believe it or not, is RJ Jazul. He was d difference maker in this series

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) May 19, 2013

“My vote for Finals MVP, believe it or not, is RJ Jazul. He was the difference maker in this series,” he tweeted.

By Abac Cordero, The Philippine Star and U.S. News Agency / Asian

The coming Philippine National Games is also open to Fil-foreign athletes hoping to represent the country in future international competitions.

“There are a lot of overseas Filipinos interested in joining the PNG,” said PSC commissioner Jolly Gomez, who is also PNG project director.

Gomez said because of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, Filipino athletes based overseas are now more aware of what’s happening in sports back home.

“We have athletes based in the United States, Australia and Europe, and we may have the edge here compared to those from Thailand and other (Southeast Asian) countries,” he said.

“And some of these are outstanding athletes,” added Gomez in the hope that these athletes may represent the Philippines in the SEA Games, Asian Games or even the Olympics.

They may even end up as part of the Philippine delegation to the Asian Youth Games in Nanjing, China in August where the Phiippines, according to chef-de-mission Tac Padilla, is hoping to send over 50 athletes.

Gomez said they can start with the PNG.

He said the only problem for these foreign-based athletes is where to get the money to spend for their trips.

“We have sent out invitations to a few,” said Gomez, perhaps referring to Fil-American twins Kyla and Kayla Richardson who compete in the 100m, 200m and 400m races and the long jump.

The Richardsons, who are 14 years old, have already surpassed junior records in the 100m dash.

Gomez said the PSC is open to make a deal with these athletes that if they come over on their own and they win then the government sports agency can give their money back.

“We can reimburse them for their travel and accommodation. We also have young girls from gymnastics and some from wrestling and track and field,” he added.

“I hope they come over and compete. We are also hoping that the NSAs (national sports associations) can take the initiative in inviting these people or by looking for sponsors,” Gomez said.

The PNG, set May 24-June 2 in different venues within Metro Manila, is expected to lure close to 10,000 athletes, including members of the national pool.

The stakes are higher for athletes under the 10 priority sports because if they lose in the PNG, they face drastic cuts in their allowances as elite athletes.

Events include archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, beach volleyball, billiards, bowling, boxing, canoe/kayak, chess, cycling, dancesport, dragon boat, football, futsal, golf, gymnastics, judo, karatedo, lawn tennis, motocross, muay thai, pencak silat, powerlifting, rugby, sepak takraw, sailing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting, wind surfing, wrestling and wushu.

By Ian Winrow, Agence France-Presse and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Rafael Benitez insists he has left behind a Chelsea side capable of challenging for the Premier League title next season after ending his six-month reign with the 2-1 victory over Everton that secured a third-placed finish.

Benitez had also masterminded last week’s Europa League final triumph over Benfica, but the interim manager’s absence from the post-match celebrations following the final-day win at Stamford Bridge highlighted his troubled relationship with the club’s supporters.

The Spaniard, though, is adamant he has succeeded in winning over many doubters among the Chelsea fans and in the dressing room during his spell at the club.

And he maintains he leaves Chelsea in a better state for his successor, likely to be Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, than when he took over from Roberto Di Matteo in November.

“It has been a great experience,” said Benitez. “You take a team that was in transition, with young players, and now we have left a good team with more experience, more character, scoring goals, more balance.

“I think it will be good for the next manager, who will have a very good team, and the owner will bring in more players. This team will challenge for the title next year.

“I received a lot of messages on the website, saying thank you very much, people appreciating what we were trying to do, but it (the lap of appreciations) was for the family and players.

“I think the supporters have changed. After the Middlesbrough press conference (when Benitez criticised the travelling Chelsea supporters who targeted him with abusive chants), you could see a lot more support for the team.

“The relationship with the staff and players has been quite good. It’s something you can feel almost every week, a little bit more and more. I can’t say ‘when’ (I felt like I belonged), but when we started changing things at half-time and winning games, it gave us a more sense of union.

“I think the majority of them were very positive in the end, which is good. And I think I changed the opinion of some of them. We tried to do our best to the end.”

Chelsea’s Brazilian defender David Luiz offered support for the outgoing manager.

“We want to say ‘thank you’ because he was an amazing coach for the team and for me personally,” Luiz said.

“I learnt a lot from him and he’s a professional guy. People said bad things about him but not many coaches can do what he does.”

There was less at stake for Moyes and Everton but they competed impressively in a game that was eventually decided by Fernando Torres’ 76th minute goal after Steven Naismith had cancelled out Juan Mata’s early opener.

Moyes is ending an 11-year spell at Goodison Park as he prepares to succeed Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager, but he plans to continue working for the Toffees for the next few days.

“I’ll go into the training ground some of the days next week to make sure everything is in place for the incoming manager, whoever it is,” he said.

“I’m due to go on holiday in a week’s time. So I’ll be doing two jobs for the next week or so.

“I’d like to think what we’ve done has been a success. It was a big shock when we were knocked out of the Cup against Wigan. We’re up there competing to be in the Europa League.

“There are regrets and things could have been better, but there were more plusses.

“We went to Arsenal a few weeks ago and drew, we’ve beaten Spurs recently. We’ve had big games, and we don’t spend as much on transfers and wages than the others. It’s a big achievement for Everton, even if we haven’t had a trophy.”

© 1994-2013 Agence France-Presse

By Charles Tabbu, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau correspondent and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Philippine Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Saudi Arabia Labor Vice Minister Dr. Mofarej Saad Alhoqubani met in Jeddah Sunday for the historic signing of the Bilateral Agreement for the Household Service Worker (HSWs)

“On behalf of the Republic of the Philippines, I have signed today, together with Labor Minister Engineer Adel Bin Mohammed Fakeih, representing the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Agreement on Domestic Worker Recruitment between the Ministry of Labor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Department of Labor and Employment of the Republic of the Philippines,” Baldoz said after the signing of the agreement held at the Hilton Hotel in Jeddah.

In her speech at the ceremony, Baldoz said the agreement came after both countries agreed last year on a Standard Employment Contract which shall govern the employment in the kingdom of Filipino HSWs and which shall be followed by employers and Filipino HSWs in Saudi Arabia.

“The agreement is historic. And today is a very significant day in Philippines-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations,” she added.

This is the first time that the Philippines has signed an agreement of this nature with a labor-destination country which hosts the biggest number of OFWs in this part of the world. It is also the first time for Saudi Arabia to sign an agreement on the employment of HSWs with their country of origin.

“This Agreement heralds an era of stronger bilateral labor cooperation between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia for the better protection and welfare of Filipino household service workers (HSWs) in the Kingdom,” Baldoz said.

Baldoz praised Saudi Arabia for joining the Philippines on its pursuit for a fair, just, and humane treatment of HSWs.

In June 2011, Baldoz and Minister Fakeih, both voted for the adoption of the International Labor Organization Convention No. 189, or the Domestic Workers’ Convention, which offers specific protection to domestic workers.

The Convention lays down basic rights and principles, and requires ILO Member-States to take a series of measures with a view to making decent work a reality for domestic workers.

Baldoz said that by signing the Bilateral Agreement, the Kingdom demonstrates its resolve and commitment in ensuring that international labor standards on the protection of HSWs, as embodied in ILO Convention 189, are observed.

“It also demonstrates its strong leadership in the region, where many countries employ women migrant workers in mostly domestic occupations. The Philippines is confident that other countries of destination of HSWs will emulate Saudi Arabia and, thus, follow its very commendable move. I understand that copies of this Agreement will be circulated to Gulf Cooperation Council members as a reference guide,” added Baldoz.

Baldoz also said that the agreement will increase the number of HSWs employed in Saudi Arabia. She also said that the agreement, which will be effective for five years, may reduce the cases of abuses as it ensures fair and humane treatment of HSWs. The standard contract is further reinforced by the Bilateral Agreement as it now involves not only the government but also the private recruitment agencies.

There are about 670,000 overseas Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia who will benefit from the salient features of the agreement:

(1) a mutually acceptable recruitment and deployment system;
(2) recruitment of domestic workers through recruitment offices that practice ethical recruitment and are licensed by their respective governments;
(3) prohibition to charge or deduct from the salary of the domestic worker any cost attendant to recruitment and deployment nor impose any kind of unauthorized salary deductions;
(4) right of recourse to competent authorities in case of contractual disputes, in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations;
(5) legal measures against recruitment offices, companies, or agencies for any violation of applicable laws, rules and regulations; and
(6) resolution of any issue arising from the implementation and enforcement of the Agreement.

The agreement establishes specific responsibilities of Saudi Arabia and the Philippines.

For Saudi Arabia, these responsibilities include the authenticity of the employment contract; opening of a bank account in the name of the domestic worker; a 24-hour mechanism for domestic workers’ assistance; expeditious settlement of labor contract violation cases; and facilitation of exit visas for repatriation upon contract completion or during emergency situations.

For the Philippines, its specific responsibilities include ensuring that workers are qualified and medically fit with no derogatory record, and verification of all employment contracts submitted by Saudi recruitment offices.

“By signing this agreement, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia reaffirm their commitment to fully implement the Standard Employment Contract, which recognizes, among others, the SR1,500 minimum entry level salary, weekly rest days and daily rest periods, paid vacation leave, non-withholding of passports and work permits, free communication, and humane treatment,” the Philippine labor chief said.

She added, “An agreement is as good as its implementation and implementers. For strict monitoring and evaluation, we have agreed to establish a Joint Committee with senior officials from both sides as members. The task of the Joint Committee is to conduct periodic review, assessment, and monitoring of the Agreement.”

Baldoz invited Minister Fakeih for the first meeting of the Joint Committee in Manila.

Meanwhile, Baldoz said that the implementation of the Bilateral Agreement will mitigate the current issue concerning run-away OFWs.

According to the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah, there more than 4,000 stranded OFWs who want to be repatriated most of them ran away from their employers.

By ABS-CBNnews.com and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Thousands of passports surrendered by employers to Saudi Arabian authorities after their Filipino workers absconded are now with the custody of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and its consulate in Jeddah.

The embassy in Riyadh said it has over 27,000 passports in its custody surrendered over the years by Saudi authorities, while the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah has about 12,000.

“About 20% of the passports being sought by Filipino workers are found to be in the Embassy’s custody,” the embassy said in an earlier press statement posted on its website.

Those whose passports are in the custody of the embassy or the consulate may apply for an extension of the validity of the passport for one year which costs SAR 80.00.

There are four ways to check if a worker’s passport is in the custody of the embassy or consulate.

1. By WEB – check the embassy website and use the search tool for surrendered passports (ABSCONDING OFW box). Click on the image and enter your last name and first name.

2. By TEXT – Text “Surrendered Passport” and your last name and first name to mobile number 056-989-3301. You will receive a text to confirm if your passport is with the embassy/consulate.

3. By PHONE – Call telephone number 011-482-3816 or 011-480-1918.

4. In PERSON – Come personally to the embassy or consulate.

The passports will only be released to the person it was issued to.

“The embassy will not allow representatives to claim other people’s passports,” it stated.

Claiming of passports is free of charge. Filipinos are advised not to pay anyone to retrieve their passport.

“For those in Jeddah or under the jurisdiction of Jeddah, they may send a text (SMS) with their full name to 0555-219-614 or drop their name at the consulate gate for verification,” it further stated.

Ai Ai delas Alas hugs son Sancho after her emotional “The Buzz” interview.

By ABS-CBNnews.com and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Sancho delas Alas, the eldest son of comedienne Ai Ai delas Alas, said he will fight ’til the death for his mother, who confessed that she was physically abused by husband Jed Salang that led to their separation last May 2.

In an interview with entertainment website Pep.ph hours after the airing of the actress’ emotional “The Buzz” interview, Sancho said he is hurt that he cannot ease the pain of his mom.

“Ayaw ko na sanang magsalita. Pero siyempre, bilang anak ay masakit po. Masakit kasi panganay nga po ako. Ako lang ang anak na nandito. So, as of now, ako lang ang naka-support kay Mama. Sa ngayon suporta lang talaga muna. She needs me right now kasi kaming dalawa lang po talaga ngayon ang magkasama,” he said.

While he wants to get back at Salang for allegedly abusing the comedienne, Sancho said his mother told him to just keep his hands off the controversy because this is her battle.

“Siyempre, gusto ko siyang bawian. Pero si Mama, she’s a cool person, ‘Huwag na lang, not worth it.’ Oo sobra [akong galit]. Nanay ko po ang pinag-uusapan. Ipaglalaban ko po siya nang patayan,” he said.

Sancho said is it very painful to see his mom cry, especially since most people see her as a woman who makes them laugh.

“Masakit ‘yun para sa kanya. Kasi, komedyante si Mama. Niyakap ko siya and basta nandoon lang ako sa kanya the whole time. Siyempre kami ang family. Kami din po ang magtutulungan at magsasama-sama,” he said.

Asked if he expected Salang to hurt his mom, Sancho said: “Wala naman. He’s very welcome to the family. He’s very open. Hindi ko talaga alam na aabot ito sa ganito.”

Businessman Jed Salang and comedienne Ai Ai delas Alas.

By Reyma Buan-Deveza, ABS-CBNnews.com and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Friends and colleagues of businessman Jed Salang came to his defense on Monday amid allegations that he physically abused his wife, comedienne Ai Ai delas Alas.

In an interview with ABS-CBNNews.com, a friend of Salang, 27, who refused to be named described the businessman as a “good man” and a “loving son.”

“Mama’s boy siya. Mabait siyang bata. Nakasama ko siya at mabait ang pagkakakilala ko sa kanya. Matagal na kaming magkakilala at hanggang ngayon magka-chikahan pa kami,” the friend said.

The person added that he does not believe that Salang has violent tendencies. “Never kong nakitang mainitin ang ulo o sumpungin, never,” he said.

In an emotional interview on “The Buzz” on Sunday, delas Alas accused Salang of physical abuse, saying she decided to leave him after a physical confrontation last May 2 — barely a month after they were married in Las Vegas on April 3.

Delas Alas said their violent spat happened after she gifted him with his dream car.

But according to Salang’s friend, Salang comes from a well-off family. “Sa yaman, may kaya ang family niya. Very generous ‘yon,” he said.

The source also shared Salang’s recent posts on Facebook — mostly quotes like “Never leave person who understands you more than anyone else” and “Don’t dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer.”

Salang also posted photos of the sports car he received from delas Alas with the caption: “Ty baby for the husband gift i love u so much… New car new shoes… Meet BUGSY CAMIL!”

On Monday, ABS-CBN News and ABS-CBNNews.com went to Salang’s office in Alabang to get his side but the staff said he was not there.

Some of the employees, who refused to be named, also defended Salang, saying he is a good boss.

Salang is the general sales manager of his family’s auto dealership.

The hashtag #Jed Salang ranked sixth among the top trending topics on Monday morning, most of them “hate tweets.”

Ai Ai delas Alas.

By ABS-CBNnews.com and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Filipinos on Sunday were surprised when comedienne actress Ai Ai De Las Alas tearfully confirmed that she and husband, businessman Jed Salang, have broken up — one day before they celebrate their first month as a married couple.

The 48-year-old actress and Salang, who is 20 years her junior, were married in civil rites in Las Vegas last April 3. Delas Alas said she decided to end the relationship on May 2.

The couple initially kept their marriage a secret to keep it private and solemn. But just a few weeks after admitting to getting hitched, the actress confirmed their split.

In an exclusive interview at “The Buzz,” she admitted that their fights were becoming more physical.

“Kasi, Ama, kaya kami nagkakasakitan, kapag inaambaan ako ni Jed, nanliliit ako,” the actress told “The Buzz” host Boy Abunda.

Originally, Delas Alas and Salang were planning to have a big church wedding in December this year and have already invited their friends who didn’t make it to their civil wedding.

In fact, delas Alas’ good friend and “Sisterakas” co-star Kris Aquino was supposed to be her maid of honor, with Aquino’s youngest son James “Bimby” Yap Jr. as the ring bearer.

Money matters

But even before they tied the knot in Las Vegas, a city well known for so-called quickie weddings and divorces — the couple, who were together for one year and three months, were already rumored to have a rocky relationship.

In November 2012, Delas Alas and Salang even appeared together on the morning talk show “KrisTV,” where she defended her then-boyfriend against critics who were questioning his real intentions about the actress.

“Hindi lahat parating puro pera. Hindi lahat ito ‘yung habol ng isang tao. Pwedeng mangyari na ang dalawang tao ay nagmamahalan ng hindi lang dahil sa ganoon,” she said at the time.

However, in her interview in “The Buzz” last Sunday, she hinted that such allegations had basis after all.

“Sinabi sa akin na may balak si Jed na papatulan lang ako ni Jed then later on, kukuha… ayokong sabihin ‘yung word… tapos kapag nagawa na niya ‘yung bagay na ‘yun, iiwan na niya ako,” she told Abunda.

Failed relationships

This is not the first time the comedienne’s relationship ended in failure. She was previously married to singer-actor Miguel Vera until 2002, when their marriage was annulled.

Delas Alas and Vera have two children, Sofia and Niccolo. She also has another son, Sancho, from a previous relationship.

Despite their stormy relationship, delas Alas and Vera remained friends after they separated with Vera even attending his ex-wife’s wedding to Salang last April.

In 2009, the comedienne-actress was rumored to be dating the then-25-year-old Venezuelan model Julio Cabrera. But according to the actress, their relationship didn’t “prosper.”

The actress also dated a 26-year-old Italian-Colombian hunk-model in 2011, which she refused to name.

Doomed?

But while delas Alas garnered sympathy after her emotional confession on “The Buzz,” many actually expected the couple to break up eventually — although maybe not this soon.

In his column titled “Ai Ai Never Learns” published on Monday, Philippine Star entertainment editor Ricky Lo asked: “As I’ve been saying, could a marriage between a 48-year-old woman and a man, at 27 young enough to be her son, survive the tests and trials along the way to a living-happily-ever-after ending? No way!”

“The doomsayers were right: It was a marriage doomed from the start,” Lo said of the controversial couple whose “marriage which will go down in Philippine showbiz history as the shortest-lived.”

By ABS-CBNnews.com and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Hard-hitting Argentine fighter Lucas Matthysse was declared the “new Manny Pacquiao” by his promoter following his sensational stoppage of top light-welterweight Lamont Peterson Saturday in Atlantic City.

In an interview with the New York Daily News, Matthysse said he was flattered by the comparison.

“I feel very happy that people are comparing me to Manny Pacquiao,” Matthysse said through a translator.

“But what I really want to do is fight him,” he stressed.

Matthysse clobbered Peterson over three rounds, sending the IBF champion to the canvas three times through his punishing left hook.

Following the Argentine’s victory, his promoter, Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy, declared that he was the “new Manny Pacquiao.”

“We have a new Manny Pacquiao. He’s from Argentina, and his name is Lucas Matthysse,” Schaefer said. “What he did, he did at the highest level of the sport.”