Sports | The Adobo Chronicles

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Facing intense heat and uproar over his decision to exclude multi-awarded actress Nora Aunor from this year’s list of National Artists, President NoyNoy Aquino has found a way to shift the focus away from this latest controversy.

Aquino has declared Friday and Monday (Thursday and Sunday, respectively in Brazil) as special paid holidays for all government and private workers in the Philippines. Friday is when the U.S. plays against Germany and Monday is when the Netherlands faces Mexico in the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. This is to allow Filipinos to watch both games.

Although the Philippines is not in the World Cup, two players — Jonathan de Guzman and Nick Rimando are of Filipino descent. De Guzman who is half Filipino and half Jamaican is with the Netherlands team and Rimando who is Filipino-Mexican is with the U.S. team.

“I know many people are upset about my decision not to name Ms. Aunor as a National Artist, but I wish they would just let it go and focus instead on these two important dates where once again, Filipinos can prove to the world that they can excel in the field of sports,” Aquino said.

In signing the executive order declaring the paid holidays, Aquino urged his countrymen to cheer on the Pinoy football PIPA (sic) players while enjoying a four-day long weekend. (He, of course, meant FIFA).

Lausanne, Switzerland – Amid mounting pressure from human rights organizations that have condemned Russia’s escalating crackdown on homosexuality, the International Olympic Committee today decided to move the 2014 Winter Olympics from Sochi, Russia, to Honolulu, Hawaii. The dates remain unchanged, February 7-23, 2014.

The IOC reached the decision as more and more sponsors like VISA, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Samsung, started withdrawing their financial support for the international sports event, in protest of Russia’s homophobic stance.

IOC officials, speaking at a hastily-convened press conference after a whirlwind visit to Honolulu over the weekend, said that only a world-class destination like Hawaii can pull off preparations for the Winter Olympics in such short notice. Instead of building an Olympic Village, Honolulu will provide tents and outdoor showers for all athletes and delegation members from participating countries. Honolulu will cordon off 5 miles of Waikiki beach for this purpose.

The Blaisdell Arena will serve as the main venue for all the indoor sports events. It can easily accommodate an Olympic-sized ice rink, of course using artificial ice. All outdoor events will be held at the Diamond Head Volcano which will be fully covered with artificial snow.

Honolulu mayor Kirk Caldwell promises the most spectacular opening ceremony in the history of the Winter Olympics, saying that he has enlisted the participation of all the hula halaus and surfing clubs in the entire Rainbow State. Instead of a closing ceremony, Caldwell said that Honolulu will host the largest luau Hawaii has ever seen. “It will be one for the Guinness Book of World Records,” he added.