GREG LOUGANIS

GREG LOUGANIS
http://frostwhisper2012.blogspot.com/2012/11/greg-louganis.html

GREG LOUGANIS started competitive diving as a 10 year old. He took part in his first Olympic Games, the 1976 Montreal Games, aged just 16 and claimed silver in the 10m platform. Four years later, he was firmly established as the world’s best diver, but the United States’ boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games meant that he had to wait another four years to taste Olympic gold.

Louganis was coached by Korean-American Dr. Sammy Lee, a two-time Olympic champion.Of Samoan and European descent, Louganis studied classical dance for many years, and this training provided the basis for the elegance and artistry of his performances. In addition to his Olympic titles, he won six World Championships and held many records for the highest marks ever achieved in competition.





1984 LOS ANGELES OLYMPICS


At the 1984 Los Angeles Games, Louganis found himself competing in front of his home crowd in California. He won the gold medal in both the 3m springboard and 10m platform events. This made him the first Olympian in 56 years to achieve this spectacular double.
He won the 1984 Olympics 3m Springboard Competition by a whopping margin 94 points, in a sport where the winning margin is measured in the Decimals.




In winning both the springboard and the platform at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, Louganis became the first man to pull off that Olympic double since American Pete Desjardins in 1928. He also was the first to pass 700 points in both events in the same Olympics. His 710.91 points remain the most recorded in the Olympic platform competition since the advent of the current scoring system, and his victory in the springboard was the most lopsided in the history of the Games.

SEOUL - SEPTEMBER 19: Greg LOUGANIS of the USA diving team hits his head on the board during competition at the 1988 Seoul Olympics on September 19. Photo shows him right after hitting his head.(Photo by Pascal Rondeau/Getty Images)

1988 SEOUL OLYMPICS


Four years later in Seoul Olympic Games 1988, Louganis was now a veteran of his sport and faced a number of upcoming younger rivals. Yet despite striking the board with his head in the 9th Dive of the 3m Springboard Qualification rounds, Louganis dramatically retained both his Olympic titles. Given his dominance, it is highly probable that the 1980 boycott prevented Louganis from winning the diving double at three consecutive Games, which would have been an unprecedented feat.

 
I watched this Event myself and this CEMENTED Greg Louganis' Legacy as the Greatest Diver Ever. He thwarted the threat of People's Republic of China's Tan Lian De, Xiong Ni and upcoming Chinese diving stars for 2 Olympic Games.


 


SOURCES
Wikipedia
http://www.olympic.org/gregory-louganis
Youtube

THE PHILIPPINES - WHO WE ARE

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
THE PHILIPPINES - WHO WE ARE
http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/philipines-who-we-are/



Wherever you choose to go in the Philippines, it’s the Filipinos that will make your Holiday unforgettable. Lonely Planet calls us, ‘among the most ebullient and easy going people anywhere.’

Don’t be shy about coming up to a Filipino and starting a conversation.
We’re not just fun, we’re officially friendly too.
Forbes.com ranked us the Friendliest Country in Asia – Eight in the world!

Filipinos are pre-dominantly of Malay stock with a sprinkling of Chinese, Spanish, American and Arab blood. More than 100 cultural minority groups are scattered throughout the country.

Roman Catholicism is practiced by approximately 83% of the population. The rest of the religions are mostly Christian. There are Muslims and Buddhists too.



LANGUAGE

We have two official languages – Filipino and English.

Filipino is based on Tagalog, the predominant dialect from the Luzon mainland, and is used nationally to communicate among the ethnic groups. There are seven (7) other widely used languages: Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicolano, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense. Apart from these, there are more than 176 local dialects!

Like any living language, Filipino is in a process of development through loans from Philippine or foreign languages, as well as from inventions among different sub-cultures (ask someone about “becky speak” or “gay lingo”).

Thanks to the American Period, American English was and continues to be taught in schools. Filipinos get a healthy amount of Hollywood movies and American TV shows too. So if you speak English, feel free to ask for directions or strike up a conversation. If the Filipino you spoke to can’t speak English, he’ll happily pull in someone who does.



CULTURE


You’ll soon discover our love for color. You’ll see it in jeepneys, tricycles, bancas, and even our fiestas. While you’re here, you’re bound to see one – because they happen almost every day. There are a ton of festivals like the Masskara festival in Bacolod, the Pahiyas in Quezon, Sinulog in Cebu, Kadayawan in Davao and Panagbenga in Baguio.

Metro Manila is the center for entertainment and cultural activities. International acts are always flying in, while local acts are always on stage.

Visit museums in Metro Manila and other parts of the country to get a glimpse of Philippine history and culture.

At art galleries – in up-market neighborhoods, malls, urban hang-outs or heritage streets – you can feel the creative pulse of the country from leading and promising visual artists.

Check local event magazines given out free at restaurants, as well as online city guides, for the latest of these events, plus film festivals, dance parties, weekend classes, pop-up shopping venues and other fun things to do!

Check these sites for the latest events:

http://www.culturalcenter.gov.ph

http://www.manilaconcertscene.blogspot.com

http://www.ticketworld.com.ph

http://www.ticketnet.com.ph/2006/index.php

http://clickthecity.com.ph

http://spot.ph



FOOD

Food is a huge part of Filipino culture—in fact, the local word for ‘Hello,’ is ‘Have you eaten?’ And though little-known, you’ll find our cuisine as beautiful and surprising as the country. Esquire UK described dinner in Manila as a ‘growing flirtation that was turning into true love’.

Filipino food is an exotic, tasteful fusion of Oriental, European, and American culinary influences with a wide variety of fresh seafood and delectable fruits. These influences have been adapted to local ingredients and the Filipino palate to create distinctly Filipino dishes.

Take “Kare-Kare” — what started as a Filipino take on curry. Instead of curry paste, some ancient, resourceful cook ground peanuts to make a thick stew, then paired it with “bagoong” (fish paste). The dish now is so far from its inspiration, but has become its own kind of good.

   

BRIEF HISTORY

Long ago, these islands were home to Indo-Malays and Chinese merchants. Then in 1521, Spanish explorers led by Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan discovered them. They named the archipelago “Felipinas” after Spain’s Philip II, and introduced Christianity to the people.

The explorers saw the islands’ potential for commerce, with Manila and Cebu as strategic trading ports. They established the seat of government in Cebu, later moving it to Manila in 1571. The islands were a colony of Spain from the 16th to the 19th century, for a total of 333 years.

The Filipinos waged Asia’s first nationalist revolution in 1896. On June 12, 1898, they won their independence from Spain.

After the Spaniards left, the Americans came, introducing their educational and legal systems, as well as their democratic form of government. They ruled for 48 years until World War II broke out in 1941.

Japanese troops invaded the country on December 8, 1941 and stayed for four years. The US forces returned to liberate the Filipinos and finally recognized Philippine independence on July 4, 1946.

PHILIPPINES - WHATS IT LIKE

ORIGINAL MATERIAL
http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/philippines-whats-it-like/

 

 

 

ENVIRONMENT

Every so often, you might come across an article about a new species of owl, fish or even lizard that’s just been discovered in the Philippines. Our islands are hotbeds of life, with approximately 12,000 plant species, 1,100 land vertebrate species and at least 400 coral species. And more are being discovered as you read this!

We’re just shy of being 2,000 kilometers long from the tip of Luzon to the toe of Mindanao, but we are host to a lot of mosts. The island with the most volcanoes per square kilometer. The most mangrove species in the world. The most bio-diverse reef system.

We have extensive mountain ranges to hike through, underwater landscapes to dive in, flat plains to drive across, cave systems to explore, waterfalls, rock faces, rivers, lakes – and, of course, much more.

CLIMATE

If you want the bright & sunny, tropical glory of the Philippines, plan your trip between the summer months of March and May. It will be hot and dry, but that’s what beaches, sunblock and straw hats are for!

Want things a little bit cooler? Then November to February are best for you.

We’d say avoid the rainy season from June to October, but a good traveler knows that off-peak season means lower rates in airfares, hotels, resorts — and maybe the beer too. Just be forewarned that the months between July and September are characterized by typhoons.

Some parts of the country such as Cebu and Davao, are warm and comfortable in all seasons and can be visited throughout the year.

For up-to-date weather information, visit the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Adminstration (PAGASA) website: www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph or call the PAGASA 24-hour hotline (632) 4338526.

WHAT TO WEAR

Welcome to Island life! All you’ll need are light, casual clothes.

Typical outfit for the mall or sightseeing outdoors: Shorts, flip-flops & a shirt.

Typical outfit for watching movies or going to churches or museums: Jeans/pants, a shirt, closed shoes.

For formal occasions, men are encouraged to wear the Philippine barong tagalog. Quentin Tarantino and Jeremy Renner have! But dinner jackets and ties will still do. For women, a more traditional look would incorporate butterfly sleeves a la Imelda Marcos. But cocktail dresses or long gowns are accepted and more contemporary.

A lot of establishments refuse entry to people in slippers or “sando” (men’s undershirts).

Bring warming clothes if you’re traveling to the mountain regions. Quick-dry ones if you’re hitting the water or the beach.

Good to have: Mosquito repellent or long-sleeved tops against bites. And of course, sunscreen against sun burns!

COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA

Welcome to the Global capital for SMS and social media. Here, keeping in touch is definitely not a problem.

Mobile phone sites are all over the country. We have 2 major mobile connectivity providers (Globe and Smart), plus three to four secondary ones. It’s fairly easy to pick up a new pre-paid SIM card and start texting or calling away. Top-ups are widely available from most anywhere, usually in places with signs saying “LOAD DITO” (top-up here). “Load” is the common term for mobile connectivity credit.

Internet & email services are widely available through most establishments, with more and more offering them for free. Free Wireless Fidelity (WIFI), in particular, is gaining popularity in commercial establishments, especially in Metro Manila and other cities. Just look for the Free WiFi sign on the door.

With a 3G+ network available, your own mobile phone can hook you into the web. Or you could do as most locals do and duck into an internet café. These are to be found in all shapes and sizes all over the country.

Of course, the country is wired with international and national direct dial phone and facsimile service. You can access them in malls, restaurants, hotels, internet cafés, business centers, PLDT, Globetel or Bayan offices.

Aside from the postal system, worldwide express delivery service is available. LBC, FedEx, DHL, 2Go, are just some of the active couriers.

Majority of national dailies are in English. You’ll find foreign publications at major hotels, malls and bookstores in Metro Manila and key cities.

DINING

Thanks to the Filipino love of food, visitors won’t run out of options for their meals. You get a buffet of options – first class restaurants with world-class chefs, world cuisine, family-style dining places, simple grilleries, “carinderias”, cafeterias and food court stalls. “Halal’ and kosher food are available.

Healthful, natural and organic food products have also increased considerably. As a result, major supermarkets including selected dining establishments now carry a wide array of organically-grown fruits, vegetables, condiments, and grains to cater to the health-conscious.

NIGHTLIFE 

Whether you’re in a party-packed street or shoreline, refreshments here are served almost everywhere. DJs come from all over the world to party with us. And it’s probably because of our sunny weather and good nature that we know how to have a good time. Challenge a local to some karaoke and you’ll be singing till sunrise!

Manila’s nightlife is one of the most vibrant in Asia. Get a taste of it at the different hotspots around the metro: Malate, Manila; Greenbelt, Glorietta, and Rockwell Center, Makati City; The Fort at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City; Resorts World Manila, Pasay City; Timog and Tomas Morato Avenues, and Eastwood in Libis, Quezon City; Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Clubs, bars, music lounges, pubs and sing-along bars feature Filipino bands and singers known for their exceptional musical talents. De luxe hotels offer a variety of live musical entertainment. And there’s always a concert or stage play to score tickets to.

GAMING

For visitors who want to try their luck at the gaming tables, there are the large casino complexes at the Bay area or near NAIA Terminal 3. Apart from Metro Manila, you can try your luck in the cities of Angeles, Olongapo, Tagaytay, Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, and Laoag.

SHOPPING

Filipinos, you’ll find, are crazy about shopping. In fact, every capital of the country has a shopping center. So whether you find yourself in the city, in the middle of a beautiful island resort, or even relaxing in an outrigger boat, you can always go for some casual retail therapy.

If you’re a professional shopper though, willing to spend whole days of “finding something to buy”, our malls are sure to keep you occupied. Try SM Mall of Asia or SM North, two of the biggest in the world.

For the more adventurous, try the Divisoria area and its 168 mall. This area is the backbone of Manila’s buy & sell trade — blocks and blocks of no-frills bargain-shopping. You will definitely find it hard to leave empty-handed.

If you enjoy the bargain-hunting but would like to avoid the heat, try Greenhills shopping center in Mandaluyong City or Market Market mall in Taguig City.

WHAT TO BUY

There’s an exciting selection of great buys in a country known for export-quality items at reasonable prices: South Sea pearls, hand-woven cloths, embroidered fineries, terracotta and porcelain, coral and mother-of-pearl accessories. Pineapple fiber, prehistoric jars, native handicrafts, and handmade footwear are interesting items, too.

The Philippines also produces fine furniture, basketry, exquisitely crafted jewelry, and gift items made of shell, wood, and stone.

Shop for handicrafts, antiques and souvenirs in Manila’s Quiapo district: ilalim ng tulay (literally, “under the bridge”). The Ermita and Malate districts in Manila, Tiendesitas in Pasig City. Market Market in Taguig, The Kultura shop in SM malls, and most department stores also stock up on a wide selection of excellent, local handicrafts and souvenirs.

Of course, don’t forget to check out the souvenir center or central dry market of the particular province or town you’re in. Every region has its own particular craft, material or delicacy. And some, like our dried mangoes, are deservedly world-famous.

For a start, you can browse some of our products at http://otopphilippines.org

MEDICAL FACILITIES

Hospitals and clinics in the country are manned by highly skilled and competent doctors, nurses and health care workers, typically in demand all over the world. Together with modern equipment found in the best city hospitals, the Filipino brand of caring and compassion makes sure you’re well taken care of.

The country boasts of a wide variety of medical healthcare groups to choose from. There are private as well as government-run medical facilities, hospitals and clinics. Most hotels and resorts have medical assistance protocols ready. Towns and cities have health centers that provide emergency medical attention.

CONVENTION FACILITIES

As a pioneer convention city in Asia, Manila has hosted its share of prestigious international events. The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the country’s convention showpiece, was built to accommodate 4,000 delegates in the Plenary Hall and 5,700 persons in the Reception Hall.

Other venues of varying sizes and facility grades can be found throughout Metro Manila, like the World Trade Center or the SMX Convention Center.

While Subic Bay, Cebu City, Davao City and Baguio City – with their own convention centers and large hotels – also regularly host large delegations.

For more information regarding holding a convention in the Philippines, email the Tourism Promotions Board through cit@dotpcvc.gov.ph.

KAREEM CAPTURED IN BRONZE

KAREEM CAPTURED IN BRONZE

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
http://www.nba.com/2012/news/11/16/kareem-abdul-jabbar-statue.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts

 LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook has been captured in bronze for future generations of basketball fans.

Staples Center unveiled a nearly 16-foot statue of the top scorer in NBA history Friday night, immortalizing Jabbar's famed hook shot alongside statues of fellow Los Angeles Lakers greats Magic Johnson and Jerry West.

Abdul-Jabbar pronounced himself humbled and grateful during a ceremony attended by numerous NBA greats ranging from Johnson and Pat Riley to West and Elgin Baylor -- and even Lakers superfan Jack Nicholson.

"Having lived my life and had the experiences I've had, I can understand now what a man like Lou Gehrig means when he considers himself the luckiest man on the face of the earth," Abdul-Jabbar said.

Abdul-Jabbar is depicted in his signature goggles, wristbands and the standard 1980s short-shorts below his No. 33 jersey. The 7-foot-2 center pulled a braided cord to drop a curtain revealing the statue to hundreds of cheering fans, who gathered under threatening clouds for the ceremony.

"I'm glad we got here before the pigeons got to it," Abdul-Jabbar said with a smile.
By any measure, Abdul-Jabbar is among the most significant figures in basketball history. His 38,387 points are the most in NBA history, and he spent two decades in the league with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Lakers. He won a record six MVP awards while setting records at the time for games played, total minutes, field goals, blocked shots, defensive rebounds and fouls.

Formerly known as Lew Alcindor, he arrived at UCLA in 1965 from his native New York City's Power Memorial High School. He won three NCAA titles with coach John Wooden, who received special mention while Abdul-Jabbar thanked the biggest figures in his basketball life.

"You never understand how important these people are until they're not with you," Abdul-Jabbar said. "With coach Wooden, I understood immediately."

The No. 1 pick in the 1969 draft won an NBA title with Oscar Robertson and the Bucks, who traded him to Los Angeles in 1975. The Lakers didn't break through until Johnson arrived in 1979, immediately teaming up for the first of five championships in nine seasons with the advent of the "Showtime Lakers."

"Thank you for taking us on a ride with you," Johnson said. "It was all because of your great leadership."

Riley recalled his first conversation with Abdul-Jabbar after he became the Lakers' coach.

"He said, `Pat, you won't have to worry about me,"' Riley said. "He was great, and he has been there for us his whole career. He was our protector, and he was the one who carried us."
Abdul-Jabbar did much of his scoring with the famed shot depicted in his statue -- including the basket with which he passed Wilt Chamberlain to become the NBA's career scoring leader on April 5, 1984, in Las Vegas. Former Milwaukee radio play-by-play announcer Eddie Doucette attended the statue unveiling and recounted the night he coined the term "Skyhook" while Abdul-Jabbar played for the Bucks.

Abdul-Jabbar also received praise from several speakers for his humanitarian work and dedication to education in his post-basketball life. He also has written books and worked on documentary films.

And though the Lakers insist there are no hard feelings with their sometimes-prickly ex-superstar, Abdul-Jabbar ruefully recalled a minor ruckus he started a few years ago by complaining that Johnson and West had been honored with Staples Center statues before him.

"I had a little too much to say about it not happening right away," Abdul-Jabbar said. "But they were patient with me."

Julius Erving, Bill Walton, Bill Sharman, Jamaal Wilkes, Kurt Rambis, A.C. Green and James Worthy also attended the ceremony. NBA Commissioner David Stern, former President Bill Clinton and Abdul-Jabbar's son, Amir, sent congratulatory videos.

"Kareem was the most selfless super player that I've ever seen in my life," West said.

ITS MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES

FINALLY....
Our Tourism Department 
FINALLY GOT IT RIGHT!!!

SOURCE MATERIAL:

THE PHILIPPINE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM 
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com
http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/philippines-where-is-it/

http://frostwhisper2012.blogspot.com/2012/11/its-more-fun-in-philippines.html



OFFICIAL AVP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADNgEHFDYzo&feature=youtu.be

 

WHERE IS IT

The PHILIPPINES is an archipelago bounded by
the Pacific Ocean to the east
the Bashi Channel to the north
the Sulu and the Celebes Seas to the south.

You can find us East of Vietnam, North of Indonesia.

The country is divided into the geographical areas of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Its capital, the City of Manila, is in Luzon. You can also enter through the cities of Cebu in the Visayas, and Davao in Mindanao.



WELCOME TO OUR ISLES




We are made up of 7,107 islands. Some have grown into cities. Some are the epitome of tropical dreams. Some are just long enough to lay down on and get a tan.

Big. Small. Sandy. Sunny. Relaxing. Exotic. Beautiful. 

Our little clutch of islands make for one long stretch of beach – more than 15,500 kilometers. Here, no one is more than two hours away from a beach-side lounge chair — which explains 

WHY EVERYBODY KNOWS HOW TO SMILE
AND HAVE FUN

FAST FACTS

• Capital
  City of Manila
  
  
• Land Area
  300,780 square kilometers
  
  
• Population
  96 Million
  
  
• Average Temperature
  78 degrees F/25 degrees C. 
  
  
• Average Humidity
  77%
  
  
• Currency
  Philippine Peso (PHP)
  
  
• Government
  Democratic Republic
  
  
• Head Of State
  President
  
  
• Religion
  Predominantly Catholic. Muslim, Christian, Buddhist.
  
  
• Electricity
  220 volts, A.C. 60 cycles. Though most hotels have 110-volt outlets.
  
  
• Water
  Metropolitan Manila and many key cities and towns have ample supply of water. Bottled water is recommended for drinking purposes and is available pretty much anywhere. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

THOUSANDS GYPPED IN P12-Billion SCAM

MANUEL AMALILIO: Suspected mastermind disappears

TSK TSK TSK....
IT SADDENS and SICKENS ME TO POST THIS

 
Today's Headlines in the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Thousands Gypped in P12-Billion Scam
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/56132/thousands-gypped-in-p12-billion-scam

Teacher Kills Self After Losing All His Money In Scam
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/56146/teacher-kills-self-after-losing-all-his-money-in-scam





There is NO SUCH THING as a GET RICH QUICK SCHEME
Remember Bernie Madoff?

 
I HAVE LOST HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PESOS TOO
in Business and Leisure Opportunities
I HAVE DESPAIRED AND LOST HOPE AS WELL


Years ago, there was a PONZI Scheme also perpetuated
By a Filipino-Chinese Scam Artist
Some Filipino-Chinese family friends also
LOST EVERYTHING







A SON of a MANILA POLITICIAN 
Also DEFRAUDED THOUSANDS
OF CITIBANK PHILIPPINES CLIENTS 
YEARS AGO
USING MILLIONS OF THEIR
BANK DEPOSITS FOR HIS OWN
PERSONAL GAIN

HE WENT IN HIDING
 


But I tried my VERY BEST to come back and
Overcome these trials in my LIFE
Thanks to the ANGEL at my back
I AM STILL HERE...
FIGHTING


There is NO SUCH THING as a GET RICH QUICK SCHEME
You can read Francisco Colayco's Book
sold at National Book Store
to find out why?

DOES MONEY MAKE A WINNER

DOES MONEY MAKE A WINNER

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
http://www.philstar.com/sports/2012-11-12/865710/does-money-make-winner


The eternal debate in professional sports and all professionals, for that matter, is how much of a difference money makes. Why is it that even the greatest athletes in the world, who make the most prodigious salaries and revenues, resort to cheating when they have it all? On the other hand, why is it that providing the greatest funding does not guarantee success? Is money overrated as a motivator?

Eight decades ago Harry Harlow, a professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin, was studying primate behavior – rhesus monkeys in particular. It was at this time that he hit upon a theory that was just recently rediscovered. For his lab animals, the performance of a task provides reward in itself, or what is called intrinsic reward. This has nothing to do with receiving any compensation or external (extrinsic) motivation. 

This was reinforced famously by Mark Twain, as shown in Tom Sawyer, the ability to pass on a loathsome task of painting a fence to two buddies by making them want to do it. If it seems cool, people will want to do it, for nothing. Or as Twain’s proposition goes, “that Work consists of whatever a body is OBLIGED to do, and that Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do.”

This is also a reason why collegiate basketball players seem to be more passionate than their professional counterparts. The consensus is that they seem to want it more. They choose to play for that school and they only have a limited career there. That seems to be hugely motivational, and it shows in the output. In many countries, collegiate basketball, for example, shows higher television ratings than professional basketball.

In studies around the world from the 1970’s onward, if someone expects a reward for completing a task, he inevitably performs the worst of all. The reasoning is that external reward turns play into work. This is also seen as the reason why the vast majority of Olympic champions do not achieve as professional athletes. It seems more artificial because they are being paid.

This is not to say that compensation is entirely bad. It is the basis for all business, after all, and relative value provides healthy competitive balance in all work environments. But there are flaws. Studies have shown that, even when you ratchet up the material compensation via bonuses and so on, there will only be a temporary spike in performance, followed by a prolonged dip.

After World War II, the stick was paired with the carrot. If reward did not do the job, would the addition of punishment at the other end of the scale help? That was the belief at the time. 

But eventually, the carrot and stick approach revealed flaws that have largely remained unacknowledged. First of all, the extrinsic reward may put out or even replace internal motivation. An offshoot of this is that when the reward is not big enough, performance stops altogether. It can also create a rollercoaster of bad behavior. Getting the reward (bonus, incentive, etc.) becomes the motivation, and the person being compensated may just be after that and do anything to get it. That’s one reason why more fouls are called in important games, and more cheating is revealed at higher levels where any little advantage makes a big difference, too. Players’ behavior deteriorates as the stakes get higher. Cheating, shortcuts and unethical behavior become the norm. Winning, not playing, becomes the overriding concern. And it’s been accepted as normal.

In another field, analysts predicted that open-source websites would never flourish. Large computer companies like Microsoft were confident that their encyclopedia programs would be best-sellers because you had to pay for them.  What happened was the reverse. Free online encyclopedias like Wikipedia exploded. People weren’t getting paid to contribute; they just wanted to. Now, new websites have found the balance. If you don’t trust free websites’ data, you pay for your own.

New research reveals that people work harder when they are acknowledged for their skills, feel they are part of a team, and have a certain degree of freedom to do what they want. This is spurring the change from old-school drill sergeant type of coaching to more flexible, analytical Mentoring. In sports, it is making the biggest difference.

CANADA TO FURTHER INVEST IN THE PHILIPPINES

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2012/11/11/865314/canada-further-invest-phl

 

MANILA, Philippines - Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said his government would “make further investments” in the Philippines over the next three years with focus “on sustainable economic growth.”

Harper met with President Aquino and other government officials at Malacañang after he was given arrival honors yesterday. He said Canadian investments would come with assistance from the Asian Development Bank.

“These funds will help create new opportunities across the Philippines. The government of Canada has also approved the grant to the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. These funds will be used to help improve the rights of women and girls throughout Southeast Asia,” he said.

Harper is the highest-ranking Canadian official to visit the country in 15 years, after former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, who came in 1997. Harper said Canada and the Philippines share a long-term commitment to economic growth and prosperity of its citizens.

The Canadian leader also described the Philippines as “an emerging Asian tiger.”
“Our government is taking actions to aggressively expand commercial relations with the entire Asia Pacific region. We’re doing so to help create jobs, economic growth and a better quality of life both in Asia and in Canada,” he said.

“That’s why I’m pleased to see that the many ties that bind Canada and the Philippines are strengthening. In 1985, our countries signed a Foreign Investment Promotion Protection Agreement. The Philippines has thus become an important economic partner for Canada. In 2011, bilateral trade reached nearly $1.5 billion. Our hope is to build on this strong and expanding commercial relationship,” he said.

Harper said the Philippines and the entire Asian region are “very crucial” to the long-term plans of his country. He said his predecessor, John Diefenbaker, noted that the future of mankind “may depend largely” on the prosperity and economic development of Asia.
Aquino said the visit of Harper was significant and a recognition of the change of atmosphere in the country.

“We keep saying that the Philippines is open for business under new management…We see increased commercial trade ties between our countries. Things that hindered the development of those ties in the past, under new management it will cease to exist,” Aquino said.

“Therefore, it is but logical to assume that the $1.5 billion two-way trade between our countries is just the starting point. And we are very optimistic of growth not only in the more people-to-people ties, but more importantly, perhaps, in trade and business opportunities that will redound to the benefits of both our people, and perhaps, give the opportunities for advancement here in our shores rather than outside. Canada helps us in this aspect,” he said.

THE 1984 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC GAMES

THE 1984 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC GAMES
http://frostwhisper2012.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-1984-los-angeles-olympic-games.html


 

The 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games was the first time that the Olympics became Mainstream.

It was the first Olympic Games that I watched on the Television and Home Video.
I was mesmerized by this event, and till this day I consider myself an Olympic Games Fan.
The 1984 Summer Olympics are also often considered the Most Financially Successful Modern Olympics.

The Games of the XXIII Olympiad were held on July 28 - August 12, 1984 with
the Opening Ceremony held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The Olympics were opened by US President Ronald Reagan.
Los Angeles is the only US city to host the Summer Olympics twice.
The US Host Broadcaster was ABC Sports.

Philippine Sports Heroes - Lydia de Vega, Isidro del Prado, Leopoldo Cantancio,
Elma Muros and Christine Jacob competed in the 1984 LA Games.



THE STORY
 

After 52 years, the Summer Olympic Games returned to the United States in 1984, and once again, the Games came to Los Angeles. Looking for respite after the previous three difficult Olympics, the IOC would not find it in Los Angeles.

In May 1984, the Soviet Union announced that it would not attend the Olympics in Los Angeles, citing concerns over the safety of its athletes because of the "anti-Soviet and anti-Communist activities" in the Los Angeles area. Most people considered the boycott one of retribution for the United States' refusal to compete in Moscow. Most of the Eastern European countries joined in the Soviet-bloc boycott, notably East Germany (GDR), and they were joined by Cuba. Although only 14 invited countries did not compete in Los Angeles, the absence of the U.S.S.R., Cuba, and the GDR made many of the events mere shadows of what was anticipated.
 
The United States and it's Allies boycotted the previous 1980 Moscow Olympics as a result of the Cold War.

Still, more countries and athletes competed at Los Angeles than in any previous Olympics. However, what the 1984 boycott lacked in numbers relative to the 1980 boycott, it made up for it in its impact on the competition. Boxing, weightlifting, wrestling, gymnastics, and track & field would have been dominated by the boycotting nations. The nations which did not compete were: Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Laos, Mongolia, North Korea, Poland, South Yemen, Vietnam, and the U.S.S.R. Bravely, Romania defied the boycott and competed at the Olympics, receiving an ovation at the opening ceremonies second only to that of the host country. Yugoslavia, not Soviet dominated, was the only other country from Eastern Europe to compete.

For the first time ever, the Games were managed in an entrepreneurial fashion.
Organizing committee President Peter Ueberroth insisted that the Olympics be designed to break even or even provide a profit. Again, the Europeans, used to the simon-pure idealistic image of the Olympics for the Olympics' sake, rebelled against this philosophy. But Ueberroth was determined not to have another white elephant like Montréal and he succeeded admirably in that regard. So admirably, in fact, that when the final tally came in, the organizing committee had made several hundred million dollars. It should be pointed out, however, that Ueberroth's marketing methods, though decried by the Europeans, have since been copied by all organizing committees and even the IOC itself.

Olympic Mascot - Sam The Eagle

OPENING CEREMONY HIGHLIGHTS
 

The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony featured the arrival of Bill Suitor by means of the Bell Aerosystems rocket pack (also known as a Jet Pack).

A Release of Huge White Balloons into the sky

A Mosaic of World Flags on the Background

John Williams composed the theme for the Olympiad, "Olympic Fanfare and Theme". This piece won a Grammy for Williams and became one of the most well-known musical themes of the Olympic Games, along with Leo Arnaud's "Bugler's Dream"; the latter is sometimes attached to the beginning of Olympic Fanfare and Theme. NBC, Official USA broadcaster continues to use this Theme in its Olympic Coverage.

As a result of an IOC agreement designating the Republic of China (Taiwan) Chinese Taipei, the People's Republic of China returned to the summer Olympics for the first time since Helsinki 1952 and won 15 gold medals.

Rafer Johnson was the Final Torchbearer. He ran the whole track and ran a whole long flight of stairs where he
lit a specially-designed Cauldron with 5 Burning Olympic Rings

LEVIS was the Official USA Outfitter








SOURCES:
http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1984/
Youtube
Wikipedia

SHIZUKA ARAKAWA

SHIZUKA ARAKAWA 
(荒川 静香) 

http://frostwhisper2012.blogspot.com/2012/11/shizuka-arakawa.html

 






Shizuka Arakawa is Japan's First-ever Ladies Figure-skating Olympic Champion.
In the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games,
Japan was posed to have its WORST EVER Performance with a Gold Medal Shutout.
Arawaka won the Gold Medal and became Olympic Champion.

Shizuka Arakawa came through with Flying Colors as one-by-one her competitors fell by the wayside. She was the Most Consistent Performer of the Figure-Skating Program.

Her Signature Manuever is the INA BAUER ("The Arakawa Way").
It became a National Japanese Term and source of National Pride.
If you watch the Her Winning Performance below
...it is just Soooo Beautiful.


This is Shizuka Arakawa's Gold Medal Winning Long Program
from the 2006 Torino Winter Olympic Games.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6aSOpy2Z9g



Date of Birth:
December 29, 1981

Place of Birth:
Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan

Family:
Shizuka Arakawa is the only child of Koichi and Sachi Arakawa.
She grew up in Sendai, Miyagi.

Early Skating:
Arakawa began skating when she was five years old. It has been said that she began landing triple jumps when she was eight years old. She began to compete in national Japanese figure skating events in 1994.

Shizuka Arakawa's Olympics:
At the age of sixteen, in 1998, Shizuka Arakawa competed for Japan in the Olympics in Nagano. Japan. She did not qualify for the 2002 Winter Olympics, so she did not participate in the 2002 Olympic Games.

Shizuka Arakawa was not the favorite to win in 2006, but she skated a perfect long program and pulled up from third place to win the Olympic title.

Arakawa was twenty-four years old when she won the Olympic Figure Skating title. That made her the oldest women's Olympic figure skating champion since 1908 Olympic Figure Skating Champion Florence "Madge" Cave Syers.
Syers won at the age of twenty-seven.

Education:
Arakawa graduated from Waseda University in 2004.
She won the 2004 World Figure Skating Championships at the time she was completing her college education.

Hobbies and Interests:
Shizuka Arakawa enjoys gourmet cooking, swimming and diving, golf, collects beanie babies, and loved animals.

Trademark Moves:
Shizuka Arakawa did a beautiful layback Ina Bauer at the Olympics. In her winning performance, she bent back all the way with her head completely upside down. The Ina Bauer is now considered her trademark move. In Japan, when fans see the move, they don't call it an Ina Bauer; instead they refer to it as the "Arakawa way."

Arakawa is also known for doing beautiful spirals. Her signature spiral is a "Y-spiral." When she does that move, she releases her free leg and completes the spiral with her leg still close to her head. She does not use her hand to assist in holding the leg close to her head.

Professional Skating Career:
Shizuka Arakawa retired from competitive skating after the 2006 Winter Olympics.
She has performed in exhibitions and is a figure skating commentator for Japanese television.








SOURCES:

http://figureskating.about.com/od/olympicchampions/p/arakawa.htm
Wikipedia
Youtube
Google Images

THE LIFE STORY OF MVP

THE LIFE STORY OF MVP



ORIGINAL ARTICLE
http://www.millionaireacts.com/569/manny-pangilinans-success-story.html



I would start featuring success stories of famous entrepreneurs and leaders to serve as inspiration to others. Today, I will feature the life story of the highest paid Philippine Chief Executive Officer Manny V. Pangilinan, the CEO of the most profitable company and the largest company by market value – Philippine Long Distance and Telephone Company or PLDT, the Philippines' pioneer in telecommunications.


His life story came from his speech during the Ateneo Graduation last 2006 where he himself studied. During his speech, he narrated his own rags to riches story in three journeys from being a student to eventually becoming a corporate magnate. Let’s learn from him and be inspired.



OPENING

Manny V. Pangilinan

This day of academic ceremony must be a day of touching, personal memories. It is also a day to pause, and give honor and praise to your parents and to the good Lord for the grace to be at this place, at this time. While all of us may be seated, we’re actually standing on their shoulders, proud and thankful. Your years in college were a journey of discovery and preparation, a discovery of yourself and the gifts bestowed upon you. You’re now about to commence a new journey, of becoming an adult, of finding your place in society, of starting a future. Today, I’d like to share with you my own journey, as I traveled from being a student, to being a professional manager and an OFW, and now, an entrepreneur and corporate activist.


First Part Of The Journey: A Student

The first part of my journey begins with my family. My lolo (grandfather) started as a public school teacher in Pampanga and Tarlac, rising through the ranks to become superintendent of public schools and, eventually, secretary of education. My dad began his career as a messenger at Philippine National Bank, and retired as president of Traders Royal Bank, one of the larger banks in the ’80s. During my elementary years, I had ten centavos to buy a bottle of Coke, five centavos for crackers, another ten centavos to take the bus home from San Beda in Mendiola, which I made sure I wouldn’t lose, otherwise I would have walked home. In college, my weekly allowance at the Ateneo was P10, and that included my jeepney fares. I have a lot of classmates who have cars and others even have their own drivers. They were lucky. Someday, I said to myself, I will reach all those. My scholarships in both San Beda and Ateneo were only my lucky charms.

In late 1965, as my own graduation was approaching, I had come home from the Ateneo one Saturday afternoon, and spoke with my dad about taking an MBA in the States. I was met with silence, which meant there wasn’t enough money for an education abroad, that if I really wanted it, I had find a way myself. Fortunately, Procter & Gamble was offering a rare scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. It was a national competition. I entered-and won. For three generations of my family, life meant coping with challenges despite modest means, relying on God-given talent, hard work and a passionate determination to succeed.


Second Part Of The Journey: A Professional Manager


Let me now turn to the second part of this journey. After two years in Philadelphia, I returned home, hopeful about landing a managerial position in a large company. I struck out at first bat. My benefactor, Procter & Gamble, turned down my application. So I ended up taking the first job I was offered, as executive assistant to the president at Phinma for P1,000 a month. Without any job experience, we can’t be choosers, right? Grab the first decent job that comes your way, immerse yourself in work, and soon, you’ll find the right job, or it will find you.
After six years with Phinma, I decided to work abroad. There were the usual reasons: the glamor of being an expat in Hong Kong, the stifling staleness of my local career but, more importantly, I needed to find myself, to prove that I can stand on my own and succeed. The warmth of family ties, the comfort of an extended family system so embedded in our society were indeed beguiling, but I wanted to assert my independence.

I was recruited by Bancom International, a Philippine investment bank based in Hong Kong. It was a stimulating experience. I learned the dynamics of international finance from my Chinese colleagues, not from the Filipino executives. Thereafter, I was seconded to a joint venture investment bank with American Express. I had expected to be appointed CEO of that new bank, but wasn’t. While disappointed and even depressed, I soldiered on and, sure enough, this venture failed inside of two years. A huge dilemma confronted a young man of 30 years: return to Manila or stay with AMEX? I decided to remain a soldier of fortune in Hong Kong. Why? Because after this setback, I wanted to prove something to myself. I felt I had to prove to AMEX the Filipino can. Indeed, after four years with AMEX, I received a phone call from my boss in London. He said, “You’ve outgrown Hong Kong and are now ready for London, and to fast track your career.” After reflection, I politely said, no. I’ve proven the point to myself and to AMEX, and that had been enough. Besides, I felt Asia is my home — and so it shall be.



Third Part: An Entrepreneur and Corporate Activist

 
The third, and final part, starts with First Pacific. Whilst working in the region, I met some clients – foremost being Anthoni Salim – who were willing to support my idea of a regional banking and trading business. With their help, I founded First Pacific in Hong Kong in 1981. I started out with only six people, on 50 square meters of office space, and little capital. Now, the companies that constitute First Pacific have sales of $5 billion, with more than 60,000 employees across the region. But I won’t tell you about our successes at First Pacific. Instead, I’ll describe our failures – some of which indeed became total failures, but some of which we turned around and made a success.

In 1989, we were negotiating to acquire Hanimax, maker of middle to low-end cameras based in Sydney, Australia. I took the overnight flight to Sydney from Hong Kong, confident that when I arrived the following morning, a letter from an international bank approving our financing would await me. But lo and behold, it was a letter of disapproval. So there I was in Sydney, committed to purchase Hanimax, but without enough money to complete it.

Providentially, there was a competing bidder who sought to take us out of the race by offering a sum of money. That practice is called “greenmail.” Our gambit won $7 million that day when we had no cards to play. But there’s a sequel to this. Buoyed by confidence – perhaps overconfidence, even hubris – we were off to the races again, and decided quickly to buy another company. This was Tech Pacific, Australia’s largest distributor of computer products. 

It was indeed a large company with sales in excess of a billion dollars! Well, it was a disaster. It took us three years, and enormous pain and effort, to turn its fortunes around. I fell sick from stress and anxiety and, on several occasions, contemplated resigning. But we stood to our tackle and, after those three years, Tech Pacific is now Asia’s largest distributor of computer products.

In 1998, I came home, after 22 years abroad – after what father (Roque) Ferriols often calls “the days of wasted youth.” When we invested in PLDT seven years ago, we faced the massive task of repair and renewal. Critics told us that we couldn’t change the culture of monopoly, that misdemeanors in PLDT couldn’t be eradicated, that our fixed line business had no future. But we made the tough and unpopular decisions at PLDT. Like reducing the number of employees from 14,000 to 9,000. Like changing dubious practices and encouraging honesty and transparency. Like converting the mindset of bureaucrats to that of innovators and entrepreneurs. Decisions about people are always difficult for us because First Pacific is an Asian company with Asian values. But head count reduction was critical for PLDT to survive.

Now that PLDT has recovered, and is now the most profitable company in the country, my confidence in the Filipino’s ability to succeed has been absolutely affirmed. In fact, despite the downsizing I mentioned earlier, we now have more people under our wings – about 19,000 – simply because PLDT is now a different company. And to most of you who might be familiar with Piltel or Talk N’ Text – it was a company in extremis. I’ve had to tell creditor banks that Piltel could not pay its debts – the first time I’ve done that in my life. My officemates told me to close Piltel. I didn’t agree. I believed that the cellular frequency it owns, as well as its brand, are potentially valuable, as they have become today. Also, I did not want to imperil the financial health of local banks to which Piltel owed much.

After five years of rehab, Piltel’s return to profitability has been close to supernatural. It is now the country’s most profitable company – after PLDT and Smart. Finally, some of you have raised with me the question – is business bad? Let me respond by saying, business is not all bad. It is people – some people at least – that may make business bad. No business can prosper in the long term without the right values. The best performing companies are those that manage their businesses which meet ethical standards. Transparency, accountability, integrity, discipline – all these good governance principles – must permeate every policy, every process, of the company, as they do at First Pacific and PLDT.



CLOSING

Therefore I close, I’d like to make a personal request. I’d like to ask each of you a favor. Give me bragging rights. Do something great. Sometime in the future, I want to hear some incredible thing you’ve done. And I’d like to brag that I spoke at your graduation. In return, I offer you a few more pieces of advice. Keep it real. Stay true to what’s best in yourself, to the best of your experience here at the Ateneo. Trust your instincts. Believe in yourself. Engage in sports, you’ll need it as you age. Make art, or at least, value it. Be brave. Be bold. Find something that moves you or pisses you off, but do something about it. You have a voice, speak up.

Take a stand for what’s right. Make a change. You may not always be popular, but you’ll be part of something larger and greater than yourself. Besides, making history is cool, isn’t it? But I also want to offer a warning: you will meet people who’ll entice you to compromise your principles. They’ll try to seduce you and distract you with money, power, security and perhaps, most dangerously, a sense of belonging. Don’t let them; it’s not worth it.
You can have genuine values and still get that job. You can have a conscience and still make money.

Let me send you off with one final thought. I was born poor, but poor was not born in me. And it shouldn’t be born in you either. You can make it. Whatever you may wish to do with your future, you can make it. It gets dark sometimes, but morning comes always. Suffering breeds character. Character breeds Faith. In the end, Faith will not disappoint. You must not disappoint.

DREAM TEAM 1992 VS. 2012

USA BASKETBALL
DREAM TEAM 1992 VS. 2012
http://frostwhisper2012.blogspot.com/2012/11/dream-team-1992-vs-2012_6.html

It was in the London Olympics 2012 wherein a nasty Kobe Bryant Online Comment
sparked the debate of


WHO IS THE BEST?
1992 DREAM TEAM VS. 2012 DREAM TEAM

In my opinion and the consensus of experts....
1992 Dream Team HANDS DOWN!
WHY?!
They have the 7'0" Centers - Patrick Ewing and David Robinson
PLUS
They have Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen - 6-TIME NBA World Champions!
11 out of 12 1992 Dream Teamers are BASKETBALL HALL OF FAMERS NOW!



Charles Barkley, now a NBA on TNT Analyst says,
THERE IS NO OTHER DREAM TEAM
1992 WAS THE ONLY DREAM TEAM
NO OTHER TEAM COMES CLOSE



Incidentally, this 2012, is the 20th Anniversary of the DREAM TEAM!
Well, I am writing this topic now because this Debate has triggered
A HUGE Interest in USA Basketball History
by the New Generation.


I am writing this account to share my Personal Experiences on the matter.

THE 1992 DREAM TEAM

In 1989, FIBA, International Basketball's governing body allowed Professional Players
to participate in the Olympics for the first time.


The USA won the Bronze Medal at the last 1988 Seoul Olympics -- bannered by David Robinson and Collegiate Players.  USA Basketball was looking for REVENGE!


The Team assembled by USA Basketball for the tournament in Barcelona in 1992, was arguably the most illustrious collection of talent fielded on an actual competitive team in the history of sports. Of the 12 players on the team, 10 would be named in 1996 to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, the NBA's official list of the 50 greatest players of the league's first 50 years. Because of this star line-up, the team's games usually featured opposing teams asking for pre-game photos with their U.S. opponents — and idols.



 

ROSTER
NO	PLAYER NAME
4	Christian LAETTNER
5	David ROBINSON
6	Patrick EWING
7	Larry BIRD
8	Scottie PIPPEN
9	Michael JORDAN
10	Clyde DREXLER
11	Karl MALONE
12	John STOCKTON
13	Chris MULLIN
14	Charles BARKLEY
15	Magic JOHNSON

The First team to unfortunately feel the Dream Team's WRATH
in Olympic Competition was lowly ANGOLA.
And they were CRUSHED!


USA won the GOLD MEDAL beating CROATIA
Led by Toni Kukoc, a future member of the Chicago Bulls,
Dino Radja and the late-Drazen Petrovic.


In the Victory Ceremony, there was a Marketing Controversy.
The Official Apparel of the US Olympic Team was REEBOK.
Jordan, Barkley, Johnson...all NIKE-contracted Athletes,
Covered the REEBOK Logo on their Jackets with the American Flag.
The American Flag was used for more than Patriotic Reasons that time.


This was also the first time Croatia and Lithuania earned medals
since declaring their independence from Yugoslavia and
the former Soviet Union USSR, respectively.
 

Team USA cruised through its qualifying round with a 6-0 record. The team then took on Angola in the opening game of the Olympic competition. Charles Barkley had 24 points in a team USA 116-48 romp. Next, the Dream Team took on a talented Croatia team and beat them soundly by 33 points, led by Michael Jordan's 21. The United States team then defeated Germany behind Larry Bird's 19 points and Karl Malone's 18. In the next game, seven USA players scored in double digits and Barkley set the new single game Team USA scoring record with 30 points in a 127-83 rout of Brazil. Team USA then closed out pool play with a resounding 122-81 drumming of Spain.


In the quarter-finals, Mullin scored a team high 21 points as the Dream Team scored a 115-77 victory over Puerto Rico. Team USA rolled on in the semis with a 51 point win over Lithuania. Nine US players scored in double figures. Jordan led the way in the gold medal game against Croatia, scoring 22 points. Patrick Ewing had 15. Barkley had 17. The final game was the closest of the entire Olympics, with the Dream Team winning by 32 points in a 117-85 blowout to take the gold. The average win margin by which the United States won throughout the Olympic tournament was 43.8 points a game.

What is not publicly commonly known about the
1992 Dream Team was the Origins of the Team.

EARLY SCRIMMAGES 

A Select Team of NCAA all-stars scrimmaged with the professionals.
 

USA Basketball selected college players whose play, it hoped, would resemble that of the Europeans the Dream Team would face.  Members included the penetrating guard Bobby Hurley, the all-around players Grant Hill and Penny Hardaway, the outside shooter Allan Houston, and the tough Chris Webber and Eric Montross.

Consequently, in the above list, only Hurley and Montross did not become
NBA Legends.

In late June 1992 the Dream Team first met together in La Jolla, California,
astounding and intimidating the collegians who watched the professionals practice.

On June 24, the Dream Team LOST to the NCAA All-Stars 62-54, however, after underestimating the opposition.

Coach Chuck Daly intentionally limited Jordan's playing time and made non-optimal substitutions; Krzyzewski later said that the head coach "Threw The Game" to teach the NBA players that they could be beaten.

The teams played again the following day, with the Olympians winning decisively in the rematch. The college players visited Jordan's hotel room afterwards and asked
Their hero for his personal items as souvenirs.
 


The Real Competition for the 1992 Dream Team started in the FIBA-Americas Tournament of the Americas. The Dream Team had to win this Tournament in order to qualify for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

AND WIN THEY DID!


The Dream Team made its International debut on June 28, 1992, at the Tournament of the Americas, an Olympic qualifying event in Portland, Oregon. (Home of the Portland Trail Blazers)

The team defeated Cuba 136–57, prompting Cuban coach Miguel Calderón Gómez to say,
"You can't cover the sun with your finger."

Marv Albert, who announced the game, recalled that
"it was as if [the Americans] were playing a high school team, or grade school team.
They were so overwhelming ... a blowout after blowout".

The Cubans were the first of many opponents who were more interested in taking photos
with the Americans than playing them.

The next five games were also easy victories for Team USA,
who ended the tournament on July 5, 1992, with a 127–80 victory over Venezuela.


Magic Johnson in 1991 was diagnosed with the HIV-Virus
and abruptly ending his NBA Career and announcing Retirement.

Magic came back re-instated in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game
in Orlando Arena, Florida to win MVP Honors.

He hit consecutive three-pointers in that Game to cap of his Performance.
The West All-Stars won.

Note that, The last few minutes of the 1992 All-Star Game were not
played any more....as all players stopped playing and celebrated with 
Magic Johnson....a fitting Tribute to the Magic Man. 


The Final Shot was Magic hitting a turn-around three-point shot capping the night.

“     I look to my right, there's Michael Jordan ...
I look to my left, there's Charles Barkley
or Larry Bird ...

I didn't know who to throw the ball to!     ”

— Magic Johnson, on his Teammates

1992 DREAM TEAM LEGACY

Sports Illustrated later stated that the Dream Team was
"Arguably the Most Dominant Squad ever assembled in Any Sport" and compared it to
Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, the Allman Brothers at the Fillmore East, Santana at Woodstock."

The team was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010,
and is one of only eight teams enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

Charles Barkley later said,
"I don't think there's anything better to representing your country.
I don't think anything in my Life can come close to that."

Larry Bird called the medal ceremony and the playing of The Star-spangled Banner "The Ultimate" experience.

Magic Johnson said "The 1992 Dream Team was the greatest moment of my life in terms of basketball, bar none." 

Michael Jordan said that the biggest benefit for him from the Olympics was that
he learned more about his teammates' weaknesses.

He later defeated Barkley, Malone, and Stockton in Three Future NBA Finals.
Jordan cemented the Chicago Bulls Dynasty in the 1990s winning SIX NBA Championships.

As of 2012, 11 of the 12 players on the roster (except Laettner),
and three of the four coaches (except Carlesimo), have been elected to the Hall of Fame.

Global interest in basketball soared due to the Dream Team.

International Olympic Committee head Juan Antonio Samaranch stated that
"The Most Important Aspect of the Barcelona Games has been the resounding success of the Basketball tournament, as we've witnessed the Best Basketball in the world."

Subsequently, the number of international players in the NBA rose.

On opening day of the 1991–92 season, NBA rosters included 23 international players from 18 countries.  At the start of the 2011–12 season, there were 74 players from 35 countries.

THE 2012 DREAM TEAM

Kobe Bryant and LeBron James said they believed their 2012 Olympic Team would win against the Dream Team.

Bryant said,
"They were a lot older, at kind of the end of their careers.
We have just a bunch of young racehorses, guys that are eager to compete."

Charles Barkley said that he "just started laughing" upon hearing Bryant's comment
and that the Dream Team would win by double digits.

Jordan added,

"For Bryant to compare those two teams is NOT one
of the Smarter Things he ever could have done...
Remember now, they learned from us.
We didn't learn from them."

Bird joked,
"They probably could.
I haven't played in 20 years and we're all old now."

ROSTER
NO	PLAYER NAME
4	Tyson CHANDLER
5	Kevin DURANT
6	LeBron JAMES
7	Russell WESTBROOK
8	Deron WILLIAMS
9	Andre IGUODALA
10	Kobe BRYANT
11	Kevin LOVE
12	James HARDEN
13	Chris PAUL
14	Anthony DAVIS
15	Carmelo ANTHONY

OLYMPIC TOURNAMENT PLAY
 

The Americans went an undefeated 8–0 and averaged 116 points per game,
Winning by an average margin of 32.1 points—the fifth highest in US Olympic history.

Team USA trailed in the fourth quarter only once, against Lithuania in the opening round.
Lebron James became the leader of the team with Kobe Bryant—who would turn 34 in August 2012—stepping back.

James facilitated the offense from the post and perimeter, called the defensive sets, and
provided scoring when needed.

After winning the gold, Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said
James "is the best player, he is the best leader and he is as smart as anybody playing the game right now."

Kevin Durant scored a United States Olympics record of 156 Points in the Tournament.
Durant also made 34 three-point field goals, breaking the previous United States mark of 17 set in 2012; Carmelo Anthony (23) also exceed the old record.

Bryant was not in peak condition early, but he played himself into shape and
was a key contributor in the final three games. While Chandler was the team's only true center. Anthony Davis was thin and had no professional experience.
 
Krzyzewski also played Love, James or Anthony as Team USA's de facto center.
Kevin Love led the team with 61 rebounds (27 offensive).

Compensating for its lack of big men, the US played small ball and spread its playmakers
around the three-point line and with a player penetrating and passing the ball back outside.
They won with "basically five players on the perimeter," Spain coach Sergio Scariolo said.

Bryant and Krzyzewski declared at the completion of the tournament that 2012 was their final Olympic appearance. 


 
They both joined Team USA after the disappointing bronze finish in the 2004 Games.
Krzyzewski left with a 62–1 record and a 50-game winning streak in international play for the Americans. He joined Henry Iba as the only US coaches to lead the team to consecutive Olympic gold medals.





LEBRON JAMES HAD HIS FINEST YEAR EVER IN 2012
NBA CHAMPION, NBA MVP, NBA FINALS MVP, GOLD MEDALIST AND OLYMPIC CHAMPION

Despite all the FLAK he received after joining the MIAMI HEAT,
And Losing to the DALLAS MAVERICKS in the 2011 NBA FINALS.









SOURCES:
http://hoopedia.nba.com
Wikipedia