#ThankYouSirAlex

Time: 9:52 p.m.
Where: In my bedroom.
Now Playing: "Glory, glory, Man United"

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26 years, 1497 games, 893 wins, 38 trophies, 13 league titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 2 Champions Leagues, 1 chewing gum.

I am still stunned and gutted about this development. I don't know why the reason of his sudden retirement which is unexpected, it just suddenly came out without any rumors about it. He said that he has done so much for the club which he did and it's about time. I respect Fergie's decision but Manchester United is not the same without Fergie in there so for the next manager, has the big shoes to fill in and for sure will never emulate Fergie's achievements.



For almost 27 years of managing the club, he made drastic changes to the club and the sport of football in general as the club attracts more supporters because of the tradition of winning of the club. That's why I am a fan of this great club because of its glorious history and the culture mentality of being "more than a club".With Fergie, investors have also interest in the club and it is part of the New York Stock Exchange in August of last year but with Sir Alex sudden retirement, I wonder how will it impact the clubs' shares. I admire his professionalism and encouragement on young footballers to be part of the history. I mean, he produced the best players United can have from Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Edwin van der Sar, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo up to Wayne Rooney along with his unprecedented achievements. I really admire this guy and when I heard the news about it, I feel like losing a grand dad because he is affectionate to his fans dearly and I am one of it that is greatly affected by this. As of now, it is still trending as #1 on Twitter (#ThankYouSirAlex). This is a proof of how much the world love Sir Alex and we will never forget his accolades.

Glory, glory, MAN UNITED! Glory, glory, Sir Alex! Thank You Sir Alex for all you've done!

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Time: 11:36 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "Fergie, Sign Him Up"

Football Month.

Time: 2:32 a.m.
Where: In my bedroom.
Now Playing: "Hear Me" by Imagine Dragons.

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Long time no blogging. It's been awhile but I am so excited this month of May, probably, one of my favorite months in the calendar year. So excited to see the UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. An all-German finale in the famous Wembley Stadium in London. I wanted to see Manchester United in there but I gotta admit that this year is for 'ze Germans'. LOL. They've proven so much and didn't show any sign of weakness in all competitions especially Bayern who are trying to go on a treble this footballing season. After their disappointing penalty shoot-out loss against Chelsea in their home turf in Munich for the Champions League Final, they were eager to bounce back and yeah, bounced back, BIG TIME indeed. As for Dortmund, they had a great season but with strings of injuries depleting their line-up, they still managed to rise up but with Bayern dominating the Bundesliga this season and recorded the fastest championship clinching in history, they know how to slow these guys down from Bavaria. Dortmund who were the underdogs in their semifinals against Real Madrid just overpowered them in the first leg via Robert Lewandowski's four-some (4-1) and hanging on in the second leg (0-2) while Bayern just clobbered Barcelona in both legs (7-0 in aggregate). Can't wait to see these two German giants going at it.



Another thing that I've been waiting is the UEFA Europa League Final in Amsterdam where Chelsea and Benfica will go out for the title. I've been always supportive of English clubs in European competitions like the Champions League and the Europa League but not the domestic level like the Premier League. I've seen Benfica play last year and they were a great side even beating my fave club last year in the group stages of the Champions League so it will be a good end-to-end match for sure.



Lastly is the latest development on Filipino club football where Global FC will be participating in the AFC President's Cup which would be the first intercontinental club competition that the club will join in and the first Pinoy club to do so. It is a big deal to somehow expose our Pinoy clubs to Asia and improve the status of club football here. They will also join the Singapore Cup for the first time together with the Loyola Meralco Sparks who joined the knockout tourney last year finishing as semifinalists. I maybe a Kaya FC fan but for Pinoy football, I will support them.

Exciting month for me and for the Filipino football dieheards. I guess this will be a great month. :)

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Time: 3:36 a.m.
Where: In my bed.
Now Playing: "Closer" by Travis.

The Year in Review

Time: 4:12 p.m.
Where: In the study table.
Now Playing: "Perth" by Bon Iver.

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2011 has been a great year for me but the year had some highs and lows, pros and cons, and other than that, there were events featured this year that made all of us remember what happened during the year of the Metal Rabbit both locally and internationally as far as I can remember.

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January 2011:

When the Egyptians starting to make a rally for liberation, for change against then-Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak after 30 years in position. The rebels protested for the whole month. The AFP corruption was talked about in the Senate and all month long, it was on national television. Former AFP Chief Angelo Reyes, Garcia and more were involved in the said anomaly. Col. Rabusa and Heidi Mendoza were the state witnesses. Japan won the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar after beating Australia, 1-0 with Tanadari Lee's goal at extra time proving to be the match winner for the Blue Samurai.

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February 2011:

When Egypt moved forward and forced Mubarak to step down. the Tahrir Square in pure jubilation that month. Angelo Reyes committed suicide because of the problems involving the AFP corruption. The Azkals made an impression to the Filipino football fans when they first played in front of home crowd in more than 15 years in the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod for the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers against Mongolia. Philippines won 2-0. Talk N' Text won the 2010-11 Philippine Cup when they defeated the Brgy. Ginebra Kings in a best-of-7 Final series, 4-2. Jason Castro and Jimmy Alapag were named co-MVPs. Nonito Donaire won the WBC/WBO Bantamweight belts after knocking out Fernando Montiel in the 2nd Round. Indie rock band Arcade Fire won the Album of the Year, and Lady Antebellum won 5 Grammys. After Egypt, the nations of Bahrain, Yemen and Libya also protested to step down their respective leaders.

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March 2011:

When Japan faced their worst disaster in centuries. The Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures were gushed by the tsunami with a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake. More than 20,000 victims counted and radiation levels were high as the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power plants collapsed. The Azkals made it into the Group Stages of the AFC Challenge Cup by beating Mongolia in the aggregate score of 3-2. The Azkals lost to Mongolia in the second leg but made it enough for them to go to Myanmar for the Group Stages. They eventually made it to the Elite 8 of the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 after being Runner-Up to their group with a win and two draws. The Middle East uprising continued.

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April 2011:

Young teen actor AJ Perez was found dead after the car he and his dad were in was crashed into a bus in Tarlac. India won the ICC Cricket World Cup after beating their rivals Sri Lanka. Libya on a hostile regime with cities divided with the rebels and Moammar Gaddafi's forces and supporters. The Army was also involved in the shake-up.

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May 2011:

Manny Pacquiao won convincingly against Shane Mosley via unanimous decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Justin Bieber went here to the Philippines for a one-night concert. After ten years of finding, Osama Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan and Americans on a long term euphoria. When Manchester United was on top of the perch with 19 Premierships, beating Liverpool's 18th but suffered a loss in the UEFA Champions League Final against Barcelona, 3-1.

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June 2011:

The Azkals started their 2014 World Cup against Sri Lanka. They drew 1-1 with Nate Burkey cancels the first Sri Lankan goal for the Philippines.

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July 2011:

The Azkals made it to the second round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers by beating Sri Lanka in 5- aggregate as the Philippines beat Sri Lanka, 4-0 in the second leg. They would eventually face the mighty Kuwait in the second round of the qualifiers and the Azkals lost on the aggregate score of 1-5 in the hands of the Al-Azraq at the last week of the month. when Kobe, D-Rose, CP3 and the rest of NBA Smart All-Stars visit Manila for two exhibition matches between the PBA All-Stars and the Smart Gilas. When Amy Winehouse was found dead in her home in London.

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August 2011:

When Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber won VMAs in the MTV Video Music Awards. Gaga first introduced her alter ego, Jo Calderone who was featured in her music video, "Yoü and I". Smart Gilas made a strong finish in the Jones Cup.

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September 2011:

When the Smart Gilas boys made their best FIBA Asia Championship finish after 24 years, back in the final four. They beat Chinese Taipei in the last 8 before bowing down to Jordan and Korea Republic for the Final 4 and battle for third respectively. Marcus Douthit proving to be the best player for the Philippines.

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October 2011:

When the Azkals had two FIFA international friendlies. First against the Lions of Singapore. The match was at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore and the Philippines lost 2-0 against the Singaporeans. The other friendly was held here in the Rizal Memorial Stadium against Nepal, that is also part of the Elite 8 in the AFC Challenge Cup in March 2012 and have a higher rank than Singapore at that time. Philippines beat Nepal 4-0. After months of riot and hostile, the rebels found Mommar Gaddafi and killed him due to wounds and so as his sons. That ended the 30-year regime of Gaddafi and Libya started anew. Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs lost to battle pancreatic cancer, aged 56. iPhone 4S was released to the market. When Ramgen Revilla was killed inside his home. His siblings were pointed to be the masterminds of the crime. When Charice's father was stabbed at his home in Laguna.

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November 2011:

When Manny Pacquiao faced Juan Manuel Marquez for the third time. It ended with another controversial victory for Manny in a majority decision. Marquez proclaimed he really won the fight but after the fight, there was a viral video released on YouTube on Marquez stomping Manny's lead foot for several times and the reason Manny can't do power punches without any leverages. Syrians protesting all-month long and violence occurred in every riot. The Ramgen Revilla case was the talk of the month.

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December 2011:

When Sendong/Washi hit Northern Mindanao and Western Visayas, killing thousands and destroyed homes and livelihood. As of now, donations and pledges still on the way. The Azkals faced the MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy along with David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. Philippines lost 1-6 versus the MLS Cup champions but that doesn't matter because this event is for the boost of Philippine football. Starstruck alumni and Star Magic talent Tyron Perez was found dead inside his car in Valenzuela City. Egypt and Syria again on the uprise.

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That's all I can remember what happened in 2011. May I wish you all a Happy, Happy New Year! Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012! Here we go, another year to experience and add to our history. Just seven hours away as I make this blog.

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Time: 5:58 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "Madder Red" by Yeasayer.

Better Luck Next Time, Red Devils.

Time: 5:39 a.m.
Where: In the balcony.
Now Playing: "Karma Police" by Radiohead.

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Boy, I was waiting all month for this day, May 28th, the day of the UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester United and Barcelona. Of course I was known to be a Red Devil and yet I am aware of what Barcelona's capable of. They are considered to be the best football club in the world right now and no doubt, they almost swept every club competitions they participated but they didn't win the Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup), which reigned by Real Madrid. Anyway, I watched the game and it was a bitter loss for us.



I thought we had it under control in the first half. Pedro scored first for Barca in the 27th minute and seven minutes after, Rooney came back with a stunning strike inside the box. I just thought we had the chance of coming back if we continue to have that mighty defense of our back four, leading by Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand but at the start of the second half, we just lost our rhythm and we saw the Barca that was most known for, their expertise in accurate passing inside the box without fail.



I am one of the millions of United fans who are disappointed on their second half showing but hats-off to them because they have the guts to fight back with heart but it was not enough. Barca has the skill and the heart. Much respect for Pep Guardiola's club. Pedro Pinto of CNN declaring earlier that this Barca team is the best he has seen after three decades, which is truly an astounding one.

This is another painful loss I know but with Van Der Sar's final game with some bitterness, I know Sir Alex can do something on finding a good keeper like Van Der Sar's strength and we will come back strong. I know it. We just need to go to the rebuilding process. Every team has a rebuilding process in order to go to that time called "glory days".



Again, congrats to Lionel Messi, David Villa and the rest of FC Barcelona for winning their second European Cup Championship in the last 3 years. I hope another rematch will occur sometime next year. I know we will get our revenge in July in the US Tour. No matter what happens, I will be a loyal supporter of the Red Devils. First at the perch! Glory, glory Man Utd! As the Reds go marching on, on, on!



Don't worry, Chicharito, you will get the hands of the Champions League trophy in the years to come. Rooney did it in '08. I know you're young, you can grow as a great footballer like Messi or Ronaldo or even Rooney. Good luck next football season, Red Devils.

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Time: 6:08 a.m.
Where: Still here in the balcony.
Now Playing: "The Fear" by Lily Allen.



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I wanna be a Mancurian.

Time: 9:19 p.m.
Where: In my room.
Now Playing: "You Overdid It Doll" by The Courteeners.

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What a kick to start my year and it's been awhile since I blogged months ago. Well, I guess I just skipped what happened on my Christmas and how I end the year with a bang, probably because... ahh, long story but I sense that I will have a good year. Being optimistic but, you'll never tell what will happen to your future. On the topic then. Last Sunday, January 9th, I saw a kid wearing a Manchester United home jersey while on a Sunday Mass was on-going. I was quite distracted and looking on that kid. I am not an Atheist, quite religious but that was the most distracting mass I've ever attended on.


My mother heard me murmuring about that shirt and she said that I am the kind of guy who doesn't wish to them things, so, guess what? They helped me find that shirt all over the mall after the mass and jackpot. I have this on and it is perfect because on that day was a Manchester United home game in The Theatre of Dreams, Old Trafford and yeah, Liverpool was our opponent.


Can't help myself to scream and chant, that's how a football game should work if you're a fan and we won. easy work for Ryan Giggs and it was my dream to wear a Manchester United jersey for I am a four years fan of United and I am continue to follow them. From the Beckham days to the Rooney and Berbatov era. I wanna be a Mancurian so bad.

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Time: 9:25 p.m.
Where: Still in my room.
Now Playing: "Undercover Martyn" by Two Door Cinema Club.

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