KUWAIT CITY, Aug 11:There is a time to party and a time to play but when these two are put together and held at one time it makes for a rare occasion. This is exactly what happened this week at the Kazma Gym in Adailiya when players were honored for their hard work in two tournaments – “FILBACK-Eureka Team and Individual Cup” and “FILBACK-5th Anniversary Cup”, followed by matches for yet another badminton event –One-Day Tournament.
These events were organized by one of the most recognized badminton organizations in the country, the Filipino Badminton Club in Kuwait (FILBACK).
These events could not have been a success without the guidance of FILBACK Founding Chairman Caloy Abesamis and one of Founding Members Nico Contreras, backed by FILBACK Director Leo Regner and FILBACK Tournament Director Ed Buensuceso along with the support of Alpha Phi Omega Kuwait Alumni Association (APO KAA-153) and their committed office bearers.

On the other hand, next tournament – entitled FILBACK "Hataw Na Part 2!" – is now open for registration. Although it had originally have been scheduled to commence on 13th August, Friday, it has been postponed due to the holy month of Ramadan .
Meanwhile , FILBACK officials encourage all their members to visit the FILBACK Facebook account for updates. They added that if you are not a member , just click “Like”.
Coming back to the awarding ceremony, it was hosted by one of FILBACK’s Founding Member Lucy Cortezano with the program starting by acknowledging the major sponsors and guests – Khaled Abden from Eureka, Philippine Labor Attache’ Atty Vivo Vidal and his wife Vicky, Vangie Gernale from Western Union Money Transfer, Yawar Maqsood Khalil – Arab Times News Editor, Alpha Phi Omega Kuwait Alumni Association (APO KAA-153) President Noel Amador, APO KAA Brods and Sis, FILBACK Founding Chairman Caloy Abesamis with his wife Mayeen, FILBACK office-bearers and players.

The ceremony then proceeded with the recognition of winners of the two recent tournaments – “FILBACK-Eureka Team and Individual Cup” and “FILBACK-5th Anniversary Cup” as the organization needed time for the one-day tournament which had been scheduled to be held after the ceremony.
Meanwhile, home appliances were given away to the winners of the “5th Anniversary Cup” with Men’s A, B, D & Mixed Doubles champions walking home with microwave ovens while the 1st Runners-up received rice cookers and 2nd runners-up collected vacuum cleaners and barbeque grills. The Ladies B and C champions were awarded microwave ovens while the 1st runners-up received foot spas and 2nd runner s-up went away with a blender and rice cooker. On the other hand, FILBACK-Eureka 2nd Team and Individual Cup winners received original FILBACK designed trophies.

FILBACK 5th Anniversary Cup Winners:
Major sponsors team events:
1 Eureka Team Champions
2 Amec Co. 1st Runners-Up

Men's A Doubles:
1 Mohammad D. Nadeem
& Khristian De Jesus Champions
2 James Flores &
Richard Amoto 1st Runners-Up
3 Edison Dela Cruz &
Roy Satorre 2nd Runners-Up
Men's B Doubles:
1 Rasheed & Marriane Salunga Champions
2 Roger Jimenez &
Joel Aguirre 1st Runners-Up
3 Barraq Al Adwani &
Marc Arroyo 2nd Runners-Up
Mixed Doubles:
1 Jonnie Gratil &
Beth Buensuceso Champions
2 Alyssa Tagate &
Romeo Longalong 1st Runners-Up
3 Marc Rivaca & Vicky
Nonog 2nd Runners-Up
Ladies B Doubles:
1 Biberly Malvar & Cheryl
Manaytay Champions
2 Lyn Roca & Mariecris
Malilay 1st Runners-Up
3 Alethea Adana &
Helda Morales 2nd Runners-Up
Ladies C Doubles:
1 Cathy Manzano &
Rosalie Galvez Champions
2 Ayi Buenaventura &
Jeves Cruz 1st Runners-Up
3 Chato Guillermo &
Vanessa Hinolan 2nd Runners-Up
Open Singles
1 Nestor Matondo Champions
2 Richard Amoto 1st Runners-Up
3 Ed Buensuceso 2nd Runners-Up
Filback-Eureka 2nd Team and Individual Cup Winners
Team Events:
1 Nasser Sports Champions
2 Al Salam Eagles 1st Runners-Up
Men's A Doubles:
1 Mohammad D. Nadeem &
Edison Dela Cruz Champions
2 Nazrul & Nestor Farinas 1st Runners Up
3 Noel Candolesas & Roy
Satorre 2nd Runners Up
Men's B Doubles:
1 Renato Calanog & Sid Ladia Champions
2 Elmer Domingo &
Alfred Magcanam 1st Runners Up
3 Rasheed & Joel Aguirre 2nd Runners Up
Men's C Doubles:
1 Mohd. Rafiq & Arnel Miguel Champions
2 Rey Lubaton & Ronald
Brizuela 1st Runners-Up
3 Vic Pine 2nd Runners-Up
Men's D Doubles:
1 Rowell Antonio & Earl
John De Leon Champions
2 Albert Naguit & George
Burgos 1st Runners Up
3 Renato Niegas 2nd Runners Up
Ladies B Doubles:
1 Alyssa Tagate & Laura
Baldemoro Champions
2 Beth Buensuceso &
Cherrylou Nicolas 1st Runners Up
3 Kristina Quipse &
Regina Casano 2nd Runners Up
Ladies C Doubles:
1 Amor Llenas & Marie Grace
Calungsod Champions
2 Biberly Malvar & Venus
Poquizasel 1st Runners Up
3 Helda Morales & Cheryl
Manaytay 2nd Runners Up
Ladies D Doubles:
1 Rosalie Galvez & Chato
Guillermo Champions
2 Joan Ilejay & Vanessa
Hinolan 1st Runners Up
3 Jeves Cruz & Ruth
Cayomo 2nd Runners Up

One-Day Tournament:
Mixed Doubles
The tandem of Ronald Brizuela and Rene proved that they are the best in Mixed Doubles event when they walked home with the crown in the championship finals after they overpowered Rey Quedeng and Nick Niegas who claimed the 1st runners-up spot 21-16, 21-10.After putting up a tought fight in the first set, the losers wilted in the summer heat and surrendered in the second set without offering too much resistance.
Meanwhile, Cesar Isidro paired with Albert Naguit finished 2nd runners-up when they overwhelmed Sunnyrae and Noel Amador 21-12, 21-11.This was again one of those one-side with the ultimate champions proving too strong for their opponents.
Earlier, the semi-finals saw Rey Quedeng and Nick Niegas brush aside Sunnyrae and Noel Amador 21-13, 21-11 and the tandem of Ronald Brizuela and Rene outlast Cesar Isidro and Albert Naguit 12-21, 21-13, 21-18.

In the second stage of the elimination round Rey Quedeng and Nick Niegas edged Jet Adlawan and Regina Casano in 3 extended sets 21-13, 18-21, 22-20, while Rico Gabuyo and George Burgos outlasted Jonnie Gartil and Raffy Ilejay 21-11, 17-21, 21-10, Sunnyrae and Noel Amador hammered Andrew Dalida and Juan Tejada 21-17, 21-18, Arnel Miguel and Abdullatif edged Romeo Longalong and Edison Gaspar 17-21, 21-12, 21-17, Cesar Isidro and Albert Naguit outlasted Ronald Brizuela and Rene 13-21, 21-16, 21-18, Lucy and Lyn Roca tamed Joven Briones and Keotah 21-15, 21-11, Butch Bagahansol and Frits dela Cruz overcame Beck Orje and Val Canicosa 21-17, 21-13 and Betchai and Ejay de Leon brushed aside Cherrylou Nicolas and Sabirahza 21-14, 21-16.
Earlier, in the initial stage the elimination round saw Jet Adlawan and Regina Casano outlast Rico Gabuyo and George Burgos 16-21, 21-8, 21-17, while Sunnyrae and Noel Amador overwhelmed Romeo Longalong and Edison Gaspar 21-17, 21-18, Andrew Dalida and Juan Tejada edged Arnel Miguel and Abdullatif 18-21, 21-14, 21-15, Rey Quedeng and Nick Niegas overpowered Joy Gomez and Raffy Ilejay 21-10, 21-6, Cesar Isidro and Albert Naguit outlasted Betchai and Ejay de Leon 11-21, 21-11, 21-15, Ronal Brizuela and Rene brushed aside Lucy and Lyn Roca in 2 back to back sets 21-17, 21-17, Beck Orje and Val Canicosa edged Joven Briones and Keotah 20-22, 21-13, 21-17 and the tandem of Cherrylou Nicolas and Sabirahza tamed Butch Bagahansol and Frits dela Cruz 21-14, 21-16.

Ladies B and C Doubles
The girl power of Cherry Manaytay and Vanessa bagged Ladies B and C doubles crown when they overwhelmed Lyn Pascua and Ayi who took the 1st runners-up after the former won 21-15, 21-10 in the final .
Chato and newcomer Mylene Baldo did not go home empty handed as they finished in the 2nd runners-up spot when they overcame Rosalie and Joker 21-16, 21-18.
In the second elimination round, Cherryl Manaytay and Vanessa brushed aside Amor and Jelly 21-15, 21-16, while Mary Grace and Ritchie Caladiao outlasted Helda Morales and newcomer Cecille Cabral 14-21, 21-14, 21-17, Lyn Pascua and Ayi thumped Chato and Mylene Baldo 21-14, 21-9, Rosalie and Anne thrashed Vhennie and Joker 21-10, 21-10 and the girl power of Chato and Mylene Baldo edged past Jeves and Beth Mendoza 21-11, 15-21, 21-15.
Earlier in the first elimination round, Amor and Jelly outlasted Helda Morales and Cecille Cabral in a seesaw battle 21-11, 17-21, 21-18, while Cherryl Manaytay and Vanessa overpowered Mary Grace and Ritchie Caladiao 21-9, 21-15, Lyn Pascua and Ayi crushed Rosalie and Anne 21-11, 21-11, Chato and Mylene Baldo overwhelmed Reem and Aileen in back to back sets 21-16, 21-16 and the tandem of Jeves and Beth hammered Vhennie and Art 21-12, 21-12.
Meanwhile, in Men’s A and B class , the tandem of James Flores and Roger Jimenez emerged as champions.
The FILBACK Officials has decided that the awards for this One Day Tournament will only be given to the champions.
One Day Tournament Winners:
Men’s A and B
Champions: James Flores and Roger Jimenez
Mixed Doubles
Champions: Ronald Brizuela and Rene
Ladies B and C
Champions: Cherryl Manaytay and Vanessa
FILBACK organizers would like to thank Khaled Abden IT Manager of Eureka Trading Co. W.L.L., Greg Blanco and John Bruce of AMEC Oil and Gas Company, Vhennie Ilejay from United Interactive General Trading (UIGT), Subway Eat Fresh and Vangie Gernale of Western Union Money Transfer.