The Bacolod City Government has given the World Series bid of the Bacolod-Negros softball team a shot-in-the-arm by allocating P200,000 for the squad’s trip to the United States, Bacolod councilor Homer Bais said yesterday.
Bais also said that the Negros Occidental provincial government is set to release the P50,000 commitment to the Ba-Neg softbelles, who are scheduled to see action in the 2007 Junior League World Series from Aug. 12-19 in Kirkland, Washington.
The financial aid from the Bacolod City Government and the Capitol, however, is still short of the P1.2 million needed for the delegation’s trip. The 20-man delegation will be composed of 11 players, five coaches and four officials.
If the team makes it to the US, World Series organizers expected to reimburse $10,000 (P460,000) if the softbelles make it to the US.
The Bacolod councilor, who is spearheading the fund-raising campaign for the Ba-Neg softbelles, said he, along with Ba-Neg officials, will appeal to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for funding support to add to Gov. Joseph Maranon’s allocation.
“We remain hopeful that the girls can still make it to the World Series,” Bais said last night.
Bais also said he hopes that fellow Councilor Al Victor Espino was able to raise funds for the team, while he was in Manila yesterday.
Ba-Neg official Tess Himpolaran last night said they will appeal to the US Embassy to move the scheduled visa interview of 11 members of the delegation from Aug. 19 to a date, prior to their planned departure on Aug. 9.
Eight other members of the delegation are scheduled to be interviewed on Aug. 3.
The Bacolod-Negros softbelles ruled the Philippine Series for the second straight year in Batangas in April, before topping the Asia-Pacific Championships in Pasig last month.
The members of the team, which is hoping to improve on its second-place finish last year, are Cindy Carol Banay, Cherry An Basco, Annalie Benjamen, Angelique Benjamin, Michelle Lentija, Charmaine Joy Oria, Clariz Palma, Jenelyn Polinario, Cristine Sebuan, Jo-an Saul and Jusel Marie Talaban. *
Showing posts with label softball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label softball. Show all posts
Monday, July 23, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
P.6 million in pledges for Ba-Neg softbelles
softball
Financial pledges for the Bacolod-Negros softball team bound for the 2007 World Series in the United States have reached about P600,000, half of the amount needed for the contingent’s airfare to Kirkland, Washington, Bacolod councilor Homer Bais said last night.
“We are halfway our target. But all we have are pledges. I was hoping that by this time, we have already collected something,” the councilor said.
With the World Series just a month away, Bais, who is spearheading the fund-raising campaign for the softbelles, said he is hoping that the donors will be able to firm up their commitment by next week.
The Ba-Neg delegation needs about P1.2 million for its airfare with World Series organizers expected to reimburse $10,000 (P460,000) if the softbelles make it to the US.
Bais, who is being helped by Councilor Al Victor Espino, said some of the pledges are still subject to approval by top-level management of companies.
“We have to double our efforts (in raising funds for the team),” Bais added.
While their financial problems continue to linger, the softbelles remain focused on their goal of winning the world title, Ba-Neg official Tess Himpolaran said.
“They are hopeful that they will make it. But they are also aware of the eventuality that they may not play in the World Series at all,” Himpolaran said.
Nevertheless, Himpolaran said the players have not slowed down in training as they try to improve on their second place finish last year.
The members of the team are Cindy Carol Banay, Cherry An Basco, Annalie Benjamen,
Angelique Benjamin, Michelle Lentija, Charmaine Joy Oria, Clariz Palma, Jenelyn Polinario, Cristine Sebuan, Jo-an Saul and Jusel Marie Talaban. *
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Ba-Neg girls’ hopes boosted
The Bacolod-Negros softball team’s hopes of competing in this year’s Junior League World Series in the United States were boosted yesterday when team officials were able to secure funds to pay for the contingent’s visa fees.
Ba-Neg official Tess Himpolaran last night said they will apply for visas this morning, after Bacolod councilor Homer Bais was able to lend the P70,000 that the team members needed for their application.
Bais has scheduled a meeting today with Ba-Neg officials as they step up their fund-raising campaign for the softbelles, who are slated to compete in Kirkland, Washington from Aug. 12-19.
“We will evaluate what we have done so far. We will try to make sure we know how much has been pledged to the team,” Bais, who is spearheading the campaign with Councilor Al Victor Espino, told the DAILY STAR.
Meanwhile, Himpolaran said the team is also intensifying its training regimen starting last Monday in a bid to reach peak form for the World Series.
“They (players) have been excused from their classes so they could focus on training. But if there is rain and there is no practice, we make sure they attend classes also,” Himpolaran said.
The usual morning training regimen for the softbelles starts at 4 a.m. and ends at 6 a.m. The two hours includes workout sessions on speed and skills. After classes at 2 p.m., the team trains from 3-6 p.m., Himpolaran said.*
Ba-Neg official Tess Himpolaran last night said they will apply for visas this morning, after Bacolod councilor Homer Bais was able to lend the P70,000 that the team members needed for their application.
Bais has scheduled a meeting today with Ba-Neg officials as they step up their fund-raising campaign for the softbelles, who are slated to compete in Kirkland, Washington from Aug. 12-19.
“We will evaluate what we have done so far. We will try to make sure we know how much has been pledged to the team,” Bais, who is spearheading the campaign with Councilor Al Victor Espino, told the DAILY STAR.
Meanwhile, Himpolaran said the team is also intensifying its training regimen starting last Monday in a bid to reach peak form for the World Series.
“They (players) have been excused from their classes so they could focus on training. But if there is rain and there is no practice, we make sure they attend classes also,” Himpolaran said.
The usual morning training regimen for the softbelles starts at 4 a.m. and ends at 6 a.m. The two hours includes workout sessions on speed and skills. After classes at 2 p.m., the team trains from 3-6 p.m., Himpolaran said.*
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Softbelles still short of funds
Members of the Bacolod-Negros girls’ softball delegation are planning to apply for visas to the United States today but Bacolod City councilor Homer Bais, who is spearheading the fund-raising campaign for their US trip, last night said the contingent is still P70,000 short of the amount needed for their application.
Ba-Neg official Tess Himpolaran said the softbelles, who are bound to see action in the 2007 Junior League World Series from Aug. 12-19 in Kirkland, Washington, need to get an appointment for an interview with the US Embassy and apply for a visa as soon as possible for their planned departure on Aug. 9.
The team only has P30,000, which is P70,000 short for the visa application fees of the delegation, Bais said.
“From our previous experience, we need at least an allowance of one month before an interview,” Himpolaran said last night.
She added that the team has already reserved airline tickets from Bacolod to the US through a local travel agency, which estimated the cost at about P1.2 million.
Bais reiterated the appeal for financial aid for the Ba-Neg team, that had worked its way to the World Series by topping the Asia-Pacific Softball Championships in Pasig, and the Philippine Series in Batangas.
The team really needs all the financial help it could get, Bais said, adding that he is banking on the commitment of private companies and government officials, who have pledged their support.
Lagrimas Ciokon, the Ba-Neg team manager, said the team will be reimbursed $10,000 by World Series organizers if it makes it to the US in time for the tournament.
Ba-Neg deserves the help because it is not only bringing the name of Bacolod and Negros and the Philippines, but the entire Asia-Pacific, Bais said.
He said Councilor Al Victor Espino is also helping out in the fund-raising campaign for the team.
Bais also said that he has been asked by Ba-Neg officials to serve as delegation head.
He, however, has not decided to take on the role, saying his focus remains on raising funds for the softbelles so they could compete in the US.
My decision will depend on the availability of funds, Bais said. “What’s important is that the players can make it to the US and represent our city and province and our country,” he added.*
Ba-Neg official Tess Himpolaran said the softbelles, who are bound to see action in the 2007 Junior League World Series from Aug. 12-19 in Kirkland, Washington, need to get an appointment for an interview with the US Embassy and apply for a visa as soon as possible for their planned departure on Aug. 9.
The team only has P30,000, which is P70,000 short for the visa application fees of the delegation, Bais said.
“From our previous experience, we need at least an allowance of one month before an interview,” Himpolaran said last night.
She added that the team has already reserved airline tickets from Bacolod to the US through a local travel agency, which estimated the cost at about P1.2 million.
Bais reiterated the appeal for financial aid for the Ba-Neg team, that had worked its way to the World Series by topping the Asia-Pacific Softball Championships in Pasig, and the Philippine Series in Batangas.
The team really needs all the financial help it could get, Bais said, adding that he is banking on the commitment of private companies and government officials, who have pledged their support.
Lagrimas Ciokon, the Ba-Neg team manager, said the team will be reimbursed $10,000 by World Series organizers if it makes it to the US in time for the tournament.
Ba-Neg deserves the help because it is not only bringing the name of Bacolod and Negros and the Philippines, but the entire Asia-Pacific, Bais said.
He said Councilor Al Victor Espino is also helping out in the fund-raising campaign for the team.
Bais also said that he has been asked by Ba-Neg officials to serve as delegation head.
He, however, has not decided to take on the role, saying his focus remains on raising funds for the softbelles so they could compete in the US.
My decision will depend on the availability of funds, Bais said. “What’s important is that the players can make it to the US and represent our city and province and our country,” he added.*
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