Monday, May 10, 2021
What Does It Mean To Be Middle Age?
Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days. Job 12:12 ESV
“Middle age” has been described as that period of life that you never want to enter and you never want to leave.
Some 1200 individuals were asked to define middle age. Of that number, 41 percent said that it begins when you have to start worrying about money for health-care, 42 percent said it was when your last child moves out and the dog dies, and 16 percent said it was when you don’t recognize the names of music groups that are now popular.
Back in 1989, the MacArthur Foundation funded the largest grant ever given to study middle age, what they consider to be the last “uncharted territory in human development.” The study, which covered a period of eight years, concludes that the middle years are more a state of mind than a chronological transition. But one interesting finding of the research is that they believe the “mid-life crisis” syndrome has gotten far too much credibility.
Rather than being an actual physical period of stress, they say the idea of crisis becomes a tantalizing excuse for wild and outrageous behavior, something that justifies irresponsibility and outright rashness. This is the period of life when red convertible cars are purchased and some spouses are traded in for newer models. Of course, an emotional crisis ensues along with family crisis of gargantuan proportions. It can spell “big trouble” in any language.
No denying it, however, some natural changes do occur. A humorous article stating “25 Surefire Signs You’ve Finally Hit Middle Age” included:
Reading on your phone becomes difficult because the font is suddenly too tiny and blurry.
Hair starts appearing in the wrong places— on your nose, face, ears.
You go to bed by 8 p.m. and fall asleep by 9 p.m.
But far from being a time of turmoil, for most people the midlife years appear to be a time of psychic equanimity, good health, productive activity and community involvement, the MacArthur researchers found. ”On balance, the sense we all have is that midlife is the best place to be,” said Dr. Orville Gilbert Brim, director of the network, which is made up of researchers from many different academic disciplines.[1]
The danger is to fail to recognize that your experience far compensates for the slight decrease in the energy that you have. You’ve hit the ball over the net so many times that you’ve got a pretty good idea where it’s going to bounce and only need to take five steps instead of 10. You’ve made mistakes and learned from them. You have been around the block a couple of times and you’ve learned the hard way to work smarter rather than simply harder. But wisdom isn’t an automatic result of aging: “It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right,” the book of Job warns. Living in relationship with God, making the most of our days makes the difference. Psalm 90:12 instructs: “Teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” This can be the best of times or the worst of times. You determine which they can be.
May I ask a question, “How old are you, anyway?” Some are old at 40; others youthful at 75. You are as young as you think, as old as you see yourself to be. You are as young as your faith, as old as your fears. Maturity from an emotional and spiritual viewpoint is being at peace with yourself at every season of life.
Resource reading: Psalm 92:12-14
[1] Goode, Erica. “New Study Finds Middle Age is Prime of Life.” Newyorktimes.com. February 16, 1999. Accessed March 20, 2017. http://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/16/health/new-study-finds-middle-age-is-prime-of-life.html.
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/what-does-it-mean-to-be-middle-age/
'Unfinished business': Thirdy Ravena to stay with San-En
Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News
(UPDATED) Thirdy Ravena has signed a contract extension with the San-En NeoPhoenix that will run for "multiple years," the team announced on Monday.
Ravena played just 18 games for San-En in his first season, where he was hobbled by injuries and tested positive for COVID-19.
But he will get a chance to show what he is truly capable of after signing a contract until the 2022 season of Japan's B.League.
"Phoenix, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has signed Thirdy Ravena to a player contract for the 2021-22 season. Mr. Ravena is under contract for the 2020-21 season under Asian Player Quotas. This contract is for multiple years," the team announced.
On Twitter, Ravena said he has "unfinished business" with the team. The former Ateneo star averaged just 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.6 for San-En, and the team managed just a 12-47 win-loss record.
We got unfinished business, @NEO_PHOENIX pic.twitter.com/HgImwa3HWD
— Thirdy (@ThirdyRavenaaa) May 10, 2021
Kenjiro Hongo, president of San-en NeoPhoenix, acknowledged that the team's results in Ravena's first year were "not satisfactory," but they are hopeful for a better outcome in the upcoming season.
"He (Ravena) has adapted well to life in Japan and as a professional player. We have high expectations for his further development," Hongo said. "With Ravena at the center of the team, we will build a new culture and strive to become champions, so please continue to support us."
Hideki Higashi, general manager of the NeoPhoenix, was impressed with Ravena even in his limited appearances for the club.
"His aggressive play is something that no one else can imitate. I am confident that he will tear apart the opposing team with his aggressive play and continue to score goals to lead his team to victory," he said.
They also look forward to strengthening their ties to the Filipino community in San-En through Ravena, Higashi said.
"Together with Thirdy, San-En Neophoenix will aim to become a champion and inspire not only the people of their home country, but also the Filipino people living in the SanEn region," he said.
Ravena, for his part, expressed his gratitude to the NeoPhoenix management and welcomed the challenge of turning their fortunes around in the coming season.
"It was indeed a tough time for me last season, having to miss a lot of games and not being able to help the team as much as I want," said Ravena. "But despite that, it was all love from the Neophoenix club and boosters; which was why it wasn't hard for me to make this decision."
"I'm excited for the next coming years with this club," he added.
Ravena, 24, was the first player signed to the B.League through its Asian Special Quota system last season.
He missed San-En's first 12 games of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and only made his debut on November 7 against Shimane Susanoo Magic. Ravena was solid in his first game, putting up 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists in an 83-82 victory.
He tested positive for COVID-19 on November 28 and returned in mid-December. Unfortunately for Ravena, he suffered a fractured finger in a game against Shibuya on January 2, and had to undergo surgery. He wouldn't return to the team until late March.
Shortly after his return, Ravena tweaked his left knee, and sat out the rest of the B.League season.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/10/21/thirdy-ravena-san-en-neophoenix-contract-extension
Tennis: Madrid win sends Sabalenka up to fourth in WTA rankings
PARIS, France -- Aryna Sabalenka's victory over world number one Ashleigh Barty in the Madrid Open final at the weekend saw the Belarusian climb three places to fourth in the new WTA rankings released on Monday.
It was Sabalenka's 10th career title but her first on clay and, three weeks before the French Open, underlined the 23-year-old's improvement on the surface.
Sabalenka was beaten by Barty in the final in Stuttgart last month but exacted revenge at the Caja Magica, a storming 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 victory clinching the biggest title of her career.
"Something changed in my mind this year," said Sabalenka after the final. "I'm not really scared of this surface any more."
Petra Kvitova, who reached the quarter-finals in Madrid, moves up two places to 10 while Spaniard Paula Badosa's trip to the semi-finals saw her climb 20 places to number 42.
WTA rankings as of May 10:
1. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 10,090 pts
2. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 7,650
3. Simona Halep (ROM) 6,520
4. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 6,195 (+3)
5. Sofia Kenin (USA) 5,905 (-1)
6. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 5,835 (-1)
7. Bianca Andreescu (CAN) 5,265 (-1)
8. Serena Williams (USA) 4,850
9. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 4,660
10. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 4,160 (+2)
11. Belinda Bencic (SUI) 4,140
12. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 4,110 (+1)
13. Jennifer Brady (USA) 3,830 (+1)
14. Elise Mertens (BEL) 3,685 (+2)
15. Iga Swiatek (POL) 3,555 (+2)
16. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 3,526 (-1)
17. Kiki Bertens (NED) 3,470 (-7)
18. Johanna Konta (GBR) 3,236
19. Maria Sakkari (GRE) 3,130
20. Karolina Muchova (CZE) 2,816
42. Paula Badosa (ESP) 1,626 (+20)
Tennis: Medvedev retakes second spot in ATP rankings from Nadal
PARIS, France -- Russian Daniil Medvedev reclaimed the world number two spot from Rafael Nadal in the latest ATP rankings released on Monday, with no Americans in the top 30 for the first time.
Nadal was knocked out of the Madrid Open in the quarter-finals last week by eventual champion Alexander Zverev, raising questions about his form ahead of his bid for a record-extending 14th French Open title.
That would also see him break Roger Federer's all-time men's record with a 21st Grand Slam singles triumph.
German Zverev remains in sixth place despite his first Masters title in three years.
Taylor Fritz is the highest-ranked American at 31st -- the first time the US have not had a player in the top 30 since the ATP rankings were created in 1973.
Madrid Open runner-up Matteo Berrettini jumped up one spot to world number nine.
ATP top 20 on Monday (changes in brackets):
1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 11,463 pts
2. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 9,780 (+1)
3. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 9,630 (-1)
4. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 8,365
5. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 7,610
6. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,945
7. Andrey Rublev (RUS) 6,000
8. Roger Federer (SUI) 5,785
9. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 4,048 (+1)
10. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 3,765 (-1)
11. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 3,170
12. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 3,050
13. David Goffin (BEL) 2,875
14. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 2,855
15. Gael Monfils (FRA) 2,703
16. Casper Ruud (NOR) 2,665 (+6)
17. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 2,586
18. Jannik Sinner (ITA) 2,545
19. Hubert Hurkacz (POL) 2,543 (-3)
20. Milos Raonic (CAN) 2,540 (-1)
Joshua Munzon thrilled with progress made by 3x3 team
Joshua Munzon, the country's top 3x3 player, made a seamless transition back into the halfcourt game during the national 3x3 team's seven-day camp at the Inspire Sports Academy last week.
Before he was taken by the TerraFirma Dyip as the top overall pick in the recent PBA Rookie Draft, Munzon made a name for himself in the 3x3 circuit and emerged as the top-ranked player in the Philippines.
"I definitely can say that it felt natural," Munzon said of his return to 3x3. "Just going out there was like riding a bike. I can't say it was easy but we were able to shake off some rust."
Joining Munzon in the camp were: 30th Southeast Asian Games gold medalists CJ Perez and Mo Tautuaa; PH no. 6 Karl Dehesa; and no. 8 Santi Santillan. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) 3x3 basketball program director Ronnie Magsanoc, who will serve as head coach of the team, conducted the drills.
The camp was done in preparation for the 2021 FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament which takes place from May 26 to 30 in Graz, Austria.
Though the first half of the camp only lasted for seven days, Munzon said that twice-a-day sessions they had were both brutal and fruitful.
"It was very productive and we were able to accomplish a lot. Good to be around a lot of people after being locked out for so long," said the 6-foot-4 gunner out of Long Beach, California.
"We were able to shake the rust off and have an idea on what our offense and defense will be," he added.
The team left the Inspire facility on Saturday but will return later this week after taking care of the requirements for their travel to Austria.
For Munzon, the second phase of their camp will be crucial for building their chemistry as well as sharpening their conditioning. The team is also set to welcome Alvin Pasaol, the No. 2 player in the country, to camp when they return.
"I just think we just continue to build on what we have been working on, the chemistry and just be better," he said.
Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 will face Slovenia and Qatar on the 26th and France and the Dominican Republic on the 28th in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Having faced the world's best in FIBA 3x3's pro circuit, Munzon knows the quality of the opposition. This time around, however, he knows that there will be more pressure on his shoulders as only three teams will advance to Tokyo.
"This is very big," said the 26-year-old. "I can say that this is the biggest opportunity I have had in my career. Truly a huge honor and the possibility of being in the Olympics is something that I never thought I would be in."
"I'm very grateful to Boss Al [Panlilio, president of the SBP], Boss Butch [Antonio, SBP executive director], and Coach Ronnie for keeping this OQT dream alive. We all know how hard it is to train in this pandemic but they were able to do it," Munzon added.
"It's amazing to be part of this and to be in this position. We hope to make the country proud."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/10/21/joshua-munzon-thrilled-with-progress-made-by-3x3-team
Fake cheers, empty seats: Tokyo gives glimpse of COVID-era Olympics
Andrew MCKIRDY, Agence France-Presse
TOKYO, Japan -- Fake cheers, empty seats and the sound of pounding feet: welcome to the COVID-era Tokyo Olympics, which Japan seems determined to hold at all costs.
An athletics test event brought home the reality of hosting an Olympics during the pandemic, with athletes competing in a muted atmosphere and excitement hard to muster.
Foot-strikes echoed around Tokyo's 68,000-capacity Olympic Stadium during Sunday's track events, with recorded crowd noises reaching a crescendo as the runners approached the finish.
A fanfare of music greeted the end of the race, before the runners quickly departed down the tunnel, leaving a smattering of media and officials in the otherwise empty stadium.
"It's weird running in a stadium with no fans," US sprinter Justin Gatlin said after winning the men's 100m.
"It feels almost like a time trial or kind of like an intra-squad meet."
The athletics meet, one of a series of test events taking place in Tokyo, involved more than 400 competitors, only nine of them from overseas.
The atmosphere could be similar at this summer's coronavirus-delayed Games, with overseas fans already barred and organizers set to decide in June how many domestic spectators can attend, if any at all.
Although the test events are unusual, they lend weight to the argument that the Olympics can be held despite the pandemic, which has left Tokyo and other areas under a state of emergency.
There was more noise outside the stadium on Sunday, with around 100 people protesting against an Olympics that polls show a majority of Japanese oppose.
"Covid-19 infection numbers are high in Tokyo and Osaka, with many severe cases," said protestor Takashi Sakamoto.
"I would like the money (for the Games) to be used in hospitals instead," he told AFP.
On Monday, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach was forced to postpone a trip to Japan over the state of emergency.
And a poll by the Yomiuri Shimbun daily found 59 percent of respondents want to cancel the postponed 2020 Games, which will open on July 23. The poll did not offer the option of a further postponement.
A separate survey by the TBS television channel found 37 percent back cancellation, while 28 percent want the Games delayed again.
- 'Beyond safe' -
Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga was forced on the defensive on Monday, insisting in parliament he has "never put the Olympics first" and his priority remains "the lives and health of the Japanese people."
An online petition urging the Games be cancelled has gathered more than 315,000 signatures since last Wednesday, but Games organisers insist the mega-event can be held safely with strict virus rules.
"I felt beyond safe," said Gatlin. "I've been tested every day, either saliva or nasal swab every morning.
"The bubble has been very successful. The only time I've seen the outside is when we get on the bus to go to the track."
The rules were similarly strict at the Diving World Cup the previous weekend, which featured more than 200 divers from almost 50 countries somersaulting in silence with no fans present.
"We've been spitting in tubes a lot," said British diver Tom Daley.
There were some frustrations, with Germany's sport director Lutz Buschkow describing the restrictions as slightly claustrophobic.
"The most disappointing thing is that we can't breathe any fresh air. That's a really big burden for the athletes and trainers," he told reporters.
"It would at least be nice if we got a chance to walk in the hotel garden or car park... it would be good if there was a way to fix these things."
Gatlin said he hoped organizers might be "just a little more lenient" come the Games, but that is unlikely.
In an indication of the risks, organizers reported two coronavirus cases during the events: a diving coach who tested positive on arrival in Japan and was quarantined, and a support member of a rowing team who tested positive during the competition.
But neither case forced a halt to events, and there were no immediate reports of additional cases being detected.
Quezon signs 13 players ahead of inaugural WNBL pro season
Quezon has formally started its build-up for the first ever professional season of the Chooks-to-Go Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) after getting commitments from 13 players to join the Lady SparTAN.
WNBL executive vice president Rhose Montreal and commissioner Edward Aquino acted as witnesses to the tender offer made by the team of Rep. Helen Tan of the 4th District of Quezon with 13 players signing commitment papers that signified their allegiance to the team.
Representing Tan during the signing of the tender offers are Bagets Nadres, and Tayabas councilor Phaula Nadres, who will serve as team captain. Head coach Mel Villanueva was also present during the event.
The Lady SparTAN also locked their other protected players Krystine Duran, Chicky Faroan, Evita Naynes, and Wami Toroja.
Quezon also gave offers to almost all of their picks in the 2021 WNBL Draft: No. 4 Dianne Ventura, No. 5 Kat Araja, No. 8 Jo Razalo, No. 15 Angelica De Austria, No. 21 Nikka Tupaz, No. 27 Jade Valenzuela, No. 30 Anna Marika Iida, and No. 35 Veronica Lio.
"Nagpapasalamat kami at nakasali kami sa WNBL. Gusto kong pagsabayin 'yung basketball at 'yung tinatahak kong mundo ngayon bilang councilor ng Tayabas," said Nadres.
Ventura, a former national team member, expressed her gratitude to the owner and management for their support.
"On behalf of all the players of Quezon Lady SparTAN, we want to thank Ma'am Rhose for making this happen. Malaki ang utang ng loob namin sa inyo na mag-push through ang league kahit may pandemic. Also to our team owner, kay Cong. Helen, Mr. Bagets, we'd like to thank you po," she said.
"Lagi ko nababasa sa mga write-up na hindi kami ganun kalakas. But we promise that as much as possible, kasi basketball, hindi natatapos until the end of the buzzer. We have something to prove," Ventura added.
"Definitely, lahat kami galing sa proper training. Ibibigay namin ang best namin."
Practice jerseys and shoe allocation were distributed to the players during the team's meeting last Sunday.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/quezon-signs-13-players-ahead-of-inaugural-wnbl-pro-season
Former national table tennis team coach Oscar Santelices passes away
Oscar "Oskie" Santelices, a former coach of the national table tennis team, has passed away at the age of 59.
The University of the Philippines Table Tennis Team, which Santelices coached, confirmed the sad news on Monday as they paid tribute to their mentor.
"He was an integral part of the team's history, growth, and success," the UP Table Tennis Team said in a Facebook post. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to his beloved family. We also offer our fervent prayers for his soul's eternal repose and his family's healing."
"Rest easy, Coach Oskie. Thank you for all that you have done for the team. You will continue to live in our hearts and memories."
Santelices coached the national team in the late 1990s but it was in UP that he grew to even greater prominence as a coach. In Season 76, he steered the UP women's team to an upset of the powerhouse De La Salle University, then bannered by the late great Ian Lariba.
The Philippine Table Tennis Federation also expressed their condolences with Santelices' family.
Santelices played for University of Santo Tomas in his collegiate days, and was a three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player and a four-time champion.
In a Facebook post, UST's Institute of Physical Education and Athletics paid tribute to Santelices, noting that he "served and inspired a lot of table tennis players locally and internationally."
MMA: Arjan Bhullar vows to dethrone Vera, become India's first MMA world champ
Rising heavyweight star Arjan "Singh" Bhullar has the chance to make history in his next ONE Championship bout.
If he defeats reigning ONE heavyweight champion Brandon "The Truth" Vera, Bhullar becomes the first mixed martial arts world champion from India.
The highly-anticipated bout will headline ONE: Dangal, a tape-delayed event from the Singapore Indoor Stadium that airs on Saturday, May 15.
"Being a world champion is the most important to me and the fact that I have the ability to make history and be the first (mixed martial arts world champion) in India is very, very important," said Bhullar.
"One, [it is important] for myself and my legacy, and two, for the next generation to wake up and other wrestlers and martial artists from India to understand that this is possible for them," he added.
Beating Vera is easier said than done, however. The Filipino-American fighter has held the ONE heavyweight belt since December 2015, when he trounced Paul Cheng at ONE: Spirit of Champions in front of a partisan crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.
He has since defended the heavyweight belt twice, with neither fight going past the first round. Vera's lone loss in ONE Championship came when he challenged Aung La N Sang for the light heavyweight belt.
Bhullar is confident that his game plan will be effective against Vera, however.
"He's going to try to keep me at range. He's going to use his kicks. He's going to switch stances. He's going to be on his back foot. He might come forward a little bit, but that's what he prefers. He is going to try to stay off the cage," said Bhullar, a London Olympian and Commonwealth Games 2010 gold medalist.
"I'm going to come forward. I'm going to cut him off. I'm going to keep it inside of the kicking range. I'm going to hit him in the face early and often and he's going to either stand there and get hit or he's going to back up into the cage," he guaranteed.
"I'm going to mix in takedowns within that and we are going to do that all night for 25 minutes. We'll see how long he lasts," he added.
ONE: Dangal features a host of Indian martial arts stars who aim to showcase the very best that their country has to offer. Other Indian athletes scheduled for action include atomweight phenom Ritu "The Indian Tigress" Phogat, Gurdarshan "Saint Lion" Mangat, and Roshan Mainam.
‘Magiging mommy na ulit’: Neri Naig reveals pregnancy on Mother’s Day
Entrepreneur and former actress Neri Naig announced on Sunday she is pregnant again.
While Naig's Instagram post was straightforward and sentimental, husband and Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda had a little bit more fun with his message.
Naig and Miranda, who celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary in December, have been embracing the rural life, as she shared on Instagram a photo of the gate of their new home in Alfonso town, Cavite.
She said living there has given her family a chance to diversify.
"Mas magiging healthy living talaga dahil magiging malaki na ang taniman ko ng mga gulay, at dito ko na rin kukunin mga vegetables na gagamitin ko sa pagtutuyo ko," Naig said.
Naig gave birth to their first born, Alfonso III, in November 2016, named after Miranda's birth name, Alfonso II.
The couple revealed that pregnancy on Father's Day 2016.
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