MOA Arena: Literally changing the landscape

Have you been to the Mall of Asia complex recently? Well you should.

A mammoth of a building is fast getting closer to being finished and it is something that sports fans, not just here in the Philippines, but even from neighboring Asian countries, will start looking forward to. The news is real. SM is now venturing in the stadium business and they're in it to win it, no doubt.

The Mall of Asia Arena is fast taking shape already and it is no longer a secret what it's going to look like. A gigantic eye resting on an equally huge platform obviously signifies what kind of a stadium the MOA Arena is going to be when it's fully finished. It looks mighty powerful. An eye that's roaring when it goes operational. The people behind this is sure out there to make a statement and truly complete SM's legacy and business empire.

Speculations have already electrified the public, exciting them with news that the MOA Arena has shaken things up and created a viable venue for top caliber entertainment and sports events.
But in my opinion, these are more than speculations as more and more articles and similar blogs have been out in circulation talking about HUGE sports events happening next year. When I say huge sports events, i mean only the biggest. Events that I never even dreamed of seeing here in Manila.

But until then, I guess we'll never really know how serious these people are in bringing these things on to the table for all us sports fans here in Manila. As much as I'd like to be optimistic about it, I wanna see it in close action before I'm pleased with the whole eye-dea.

In the coming months, we'll see if SM and Mall of Asia are doing this in the name of sports entertainment.

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"I don't think i'm in Saranggani Province anymore"

He's gone a long way, far from where his boxing roots grew. Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, despite all odds and challenges has now become THE world's #1 boxing champ, in 8 divisions. No other boxer has done anything like this in their career.

Question for all you boxing fans out there around the world: Does his promoters still need to go after an incredibly elusive match against the #1 boxer (on record), Floyd Mayweather Jr. after Manny's fight against Shane Mosely?

Does this fight against Sugar still feel as explosive as Manny's fights before?

Share your thoughts here!

"Oh my God, what did I get myself into" -- GSP Hits Manila, Mall Of Asia 09.25.2010

These were the words of Georges St. Pierre when he went to see his fans in the SM Mall of Asia, Pasay, Manila Philippines.

He was genuinely surprised when he saw the size and intensity of his fans from day one, when he landed at the airport.

"Maybe I'll come back for a vacation, or who knows, maybe to fight here in Manila." -- GSP, Press conference. 09.23.10, ABS-CBN ELJ Building, Quezon City.

Fight fans here in Metro Manila, Philippines will be expecting to see a live UFC match from here on.

Boss Dana, what do you say? Give UFC fans here in Manila what they want, when they want it.

Not a sizeable market compared to other neighboring Asian countries, but as they say, best to strike while the iron's hot.

What a Rush! GSP Live in Manila

It was one wild day for UFC fans in Manila yesterday at SM Mall of Asia!

First off, this was generally bigger and wilder than Chuck Liddell's media tour 2 years ago. The number of crowd who waited to get a glimpse of the Rush and see him do his public training was 3x more! Every space with a vantage point in the area was packed, and i mean REALLY packed. In fact, coming from the back, from the bay area, you could already see the substantial amount of people present to experience the excitement. More fans got in to the exclusive areas by simply purchasing a copy of the maiden issue of UFC magazine Philippines, unfortunately there weren't enough for everyone. In a matter of minutes, the stock was sold out! Fans tolerated the lines so that they could buy shirts, and other GSP Hits Manila memorabilia. Man, this was totally a whole new level.

GSP's arrival was scheduled and announced to be at around 2:30pm in the afternoon, but hours before his arrival many of his fans were already there, stationed at the best position they could pick. It was a mix of mixed martial arts practitioners, fight fanatics, and sports enthusiasts who all-in-all were totally crazy about GSP and the UFC. Just by looking at them, you know that they were all true fans of the sport and of GSP.

Soonest as he arrived, the fans went really wild. Filipinos are not normally like this especially with sports icons, but yesterday was really different. You can see that they were all at a complete and trance-like awe at the Rush's presence. More so when GSP came out of the stage in between the huge LED backdrop in his big entrance. The crowd simply went wild. You could probably hear them chanting and shouting from miles away.

St. Pierre was a real charismatic crowd pleaser. He knew how to connect with them and make the fans happy. From his short speech after his introduction, to the public demonstration where he randomly selected a lucky boy to do a short training with Dam Shewin Surisuk, his Muay Thai instructor during this trip, while he padded up for the next part of the training, was a sign of how much he really loved his fans back and knew how much he wanted to make them happy.

When it was all over, you could see that all fans were satisfied and greatly inspired by what they experienced. You could see in their faces that they were wondering when the next Philippine media tour will be, and more importantly, who they will see next. Who knows, maybe two fighters will be coming in to the country next? I hope? Well, that's the only logical next step I see after this.

Is this an positive indication that we too, the Philippines, are ready to welcome and host one of Asia's UFC fights? If this happens, I can imagine how much of a tourism boost it could also be. Fighters and many of their fans from all over Asia, and even the world will be coming over to experience this.

All in the name of SPORTS entertainment.

In The Name of Entertainment: EXPERIENCE THE RUSH IN MANILA!

In The Name of Entertainment: EXPERIENCE THE RUSH IN MANILA!: "Need we say more? The world's biggest UFC fighter is coming to Manila and pay his fight fans a big visit. George 'The Rush' St. Pierre has..."

EXPERIENCE THE RUSH IN MANILA!

Need we say more? The world's biggest UFC fighter is coming to Manila and pay his fight fans a big visit.

George "The Rush" St. Pierre has been the cause of a major buzz among fight followers in Manila, Philippines. He's set to do a highly anticipated open demonstration of signature GSP moves at the SM Mall of Asia where he will also indulge his fans in answering their questions during a meet and greet. Fans can also expect to have their photos taken, their UFC magazine Philippines signed personally by him during the exclusive session during the meet and greet.

If you're a fight fan, do expect to really savor this experience as GSP's entourage also heads out to Club Icon (formerly Wherelse? and Euphoria) at the Hotel Itercon in Makati, and party it up with the rest of Manila.

If you're a fight fan, this is something that YOU surely should not dare miss. If you do, then who knows maybe after two years, another big UFC fighter will come along to the Philippine islands and show us what it truly takes to be an Ultimate Fighter.

If you're a fight fan then this is something that you should proudly say, you were once part of and was there, in the flesh, to experience the RUSH!

...All in the name of sports entertainment.