Mayor’s Cup International Soccer Showcase

The Las Vegas Mayor’s Cup International Showcase is back for the 15th year as one of the largest international youth soccer tournaments. This year’s tournament expects 560 boys teams and 322 girls teams.

International teams from Mexico, Canada, Japan, France, England, Bolivia and New Zealand will compete against teams from 29 U.S. states. The annual tournament is co-hosted by the city of Las Vegas and the Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club. Admission to games is free. Spectators should bring their own seating, as thousands are expected to attend and participate; carpooling is encouraged as parking lots will fill up quickly.

Road in Henderson James Regional Soccer Complex, 8400 W. Robindale Road.

Roger Tabor, president of the Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club, estimates the event will bring $55+ million into the local economy, including hotel rooms, van rentals, tournament fees, tourism and countless meals consumed by attendees.

“This is the 15th tournament to be held over Presidents’ Day weekend,” Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman said. “Once again we have had to split this event over two weekends to accommodate all the local, national and international youth teams that want to compete.

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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

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The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.

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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.

The platinum-ranked tournament will be based at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex and will take place at the following fields:

Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex, 7353 Eugene Ave. (tournament headquarters)

All-American Park, 1551 S. Buffalo Drive

Kellogg Zaher Sports Complex, 7901 W. Washington Ave. Ed Fountain Park, 1400 N. Decatur Blvd.

Teton Trails Park, 7850 N. Bradley Road (at Grand Teton Drive) Heritage Park, 350 S. Racetrack

Visitors are anxious to be seen by recruiters, while enjoying our wonderful weather, making new friends and enjoying great soccer competition. I am proud that Las Vegas hosts such an outstanding annual event.”

Teams of boys ages 10-19 will compete between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, and Sunday, Feb. 19. Semi-final and championship games will be held between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 20. Teams of girls ages 11-19 will compete between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, Feb. 25, with semifinal and championship games scheduled between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26.

For high school-age players, the tournament is an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of hundreds of college coaches and scouts from around the country. Teams are guaranteed four games. Members of first- and secondplace teams will receive individual medals in each age division, and the Mayor’s Cup trophy will be awarded to all first-place teams. Championship games will be played at Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex; boys games will begin at approximately noon Monday, Feb. 20. The girls finals will begin at approximately noon Sunday, Feb 26. Awards will be presented beginning at approximately 1 p.m. at the stage at Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex and continue until about 4:30 p.m. For more information, including schedules, maps, teams, and rules, go online to www.lvmayorscup.com, or email info@lvmayorscup.com. The website will be updated daily with scores and standings; follow the tournament on Twitter @ LVMayorsCup.

Pre-tournament friendly matches with international and local teams will be held Thursday, Feb. 16, and Thursday, Feb. 23. Contact Tournament Director Bob Briare for the most current information and locations on possible friendly games at 702283-3724.

Lovi unleashes ‘Batang Quiapo’

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

SUPREME actress Lovi Poe feels beyond blessed to be given another big project more than a year since transferring to ABSCBN. From "Flower of Evil" and "Sleep with Me," the 34-year-old is now living a dream by starring in "Batang Quiapo," an actioncomedy teleserye inspired by the 1986 film of his father, late film icon Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ).

"It's a dream for me. I keep saying it out loud kasi it's something I've never done before. But sa mga interviews ko way, way back, tinanong ako kung anong paborito kong movie niya, ang sabi ko 'Batang Quiapo,' and now nangyayari na siya," Poe happily shared to The Manila Times in a one-on-one interview.

"There's this pressure. Kahit ano namang project ang ibigay sayo. But more than anything it's just the excitement and kasi the fact na ipinagkatiwala sayo yung mga ganitong klaseng project, for me it's just a blessing. As much as possible, you just want to give your all and give your best because of the trust that was given to you," she added.

With her in headlining "Batang Quiapo" is no less than country's "Primetime King" Coco Martin who also serves as the show's director. It will be remembered in their previous interviews that the two have always wanted to work together even before Poe's network transfer.

Now that it finally happened, Poe has nothing but praises for her leading man.

"He's very collaborative because very improv style yung kay direk Coco. You don't know where the cameras are sometimes so talagang you have to be on your toes for sure. But so far so good kasi nga na-enjoy ko. When I entered, I was already told na iba yung style. And you know when it challenges me, I'm always up for it," Poe noted.

Ang sarap kasi relaxed at enjoy lang. Yun ang magandang part — yes, meron siyang ibabato na linya pero it's up to you kung gusto mong dagdagan So he lets us be. We understand na din kasi our characters and I think that's his way of showing us that he trusts us as actors," she continued.

In "Batang Quiapo," Poe plays Mokang, Tanggol/Baldo's charming friend who will put up with his shenanigans.

Martin's character, on the other hand, is a stubborn yet loving son to his mother (Cherry Pie Picache), father (John Estrada), grandmother (Charo Santos), and younger brother (McCoy de Leon). Based on the teaser alone, the show is set to give viewers not only intense action scenes but also important values that viewers can learn from.

Poe has been having the time of her life in shooting in an open location where they are joined by the community in Quiapo. But what challenged her the most in the series were her Tagalog lines.

Yung kilos okay, sanay ako kasi magalaw ako. Ang pinakanahirapan ako in particular is sa Tagalog. Marunong naman ako magtagalog pero yung lutong, kung paano mo sabihin

My god, yung first day, to be honest kumakabog talaga yung dibdib ko. Sabi ko, 'paano ko sasabihin?' Buti na lang may mga kasama ako na gina-guide ako. Kahit si Coco tinuturuan ako so nag pa-practice ako kung paano yung Tagalog ko. Tapos as time went on, nagawa ko naman siya."

Asked what the audience can expect in this actionpacked series, Poe promised, "It will be very entertaining. Siguro lahat nandito — family, drama, action-packed, comedy, different types of people. It's not just my character and Coco's character that you have to look out for. Everyone, aside from the veteran actors, influencers, ating mga FlipTopers or rappers. Sobrang huhusay nila, nakakaamaze, nakakagulat." "FPJ's Batang Quiapo" also stars Benzon Dalina, Mark Lapid, Ronwaldo Martin, Jojit Lorenzo, Ping Medina, Mercedes Cabral, Alan Paule, Lou Veloso, Susan Africa, Pen Medina, Lito Lapid, Irma Adlawan, and Christopher de Leon. Malu Sevilla will codirect the series with Martin.