Cozy and safe hangout

During these times when being at the wrong place at the wrong time can spell the difference between having a quiet and peaceful life or getting killed, maimed or having your life changed at an instant, discretion as to the choice of where to be is the order of the day, at any given day.

And that’s exactly what was in the mind of those who conceptualized the Sports Den located at the lobby level of the plush Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City right beside the ULTRA.

There’s no question about safety and this can be attested to by its members and those who have had the chance to attend some party functions, meetings or seminars at the said club.

Now, is it cozy?

The minute you step into the place that’s the first thing that you can sense-the coziness of the place. It’s actually a game room, TV lounge and bar packaged into one well-designed environment.

In the exclusive gaming area there are three tables that are topped with thin foam and felt where poker, dominoes, bridge and other card games can be played. Now the place actually has two bars – a long standing bar where games of balut and liar’s dies can be played and there’s also a sit down "viewing bar" for a panoramic view of the Antipolo mountains or those frolicking in the club’s swimming pool below and for similar bar games like backgammon.

And for those who just wish to while away the rush hour traffic by watching the day’s news while having any of the Sports Den’s wide choice of juices, cocktail concoctions, wine, beer and whatever, there’s a TV set with cinema-wide screen. Pinoy favorites like sisig, chicharon bulaklak, grilled pork and fish are just a few of the choices that can be found in its menu.

The Sports Den had it soft opening the other Friday, July 22, when the first Valle Verde Country Club Hold’Em Challenge was held among the members, spouses and dependents who are at least 18 years old. It was a non cash-wager tournament that saw all the three gaming tables overflowing with participants.

The first champion of this series that the Poker Club of the Philippines (PCP) organized for the club was Mr. Edilberto "Ito" So, a retired Coca-Cola export executive whose limited exposure to the game, according to him was occasional sorties to the casino poker tables.

Guess who came in as runner up, a feat that solicited cheers and jeers saying, "Yung Mangga, hinde magbubunga ng Santol!" (A mango tree would not bear any other fruit but a mango as well) – my youngest son, Ray Louis.

This young Turk of the game of Hold ’Em held his own against a lot older and more experienced participants in the likes of PCP founding director, Eric Roxas, VVCC club members and long-time poker players Rey Felix, Joel Lugay, Tony Lim, Ato Dee together with his sister, Kristine and would you believe her mom and of course my wife, Baby. But in the final one-on one of the game, the cards largely determine the fate plus of course the maturity of the players and Ito prevailed.

Well, this is the kind of friendly, wholesome and up beat atmosphere that one can expect at the Sports Den and it’s worth checking out. The succeeding Hold’Em tournaments shall be "open" tournaments that would not be limited to members but open to all those interested.

The Sports Den at the lobby level of the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City right across the ULTRA is indeed a safe and cozy hangout. We’ll see you there.

ARESCOM on the go

The Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM) recently held a two-day seminar, workshop and command conference under the commander’s guidance of BGen. Emmanuel S. Cayton, AFP Commanding General, ARESCOM.

The lectures cover current security situations and environmental concerns that are attuned to the needs of the times conducted in cooperation with RCDG commanders from region 1 to 12 and NCR RCDG.

Kudos go to Col. Joseph R. Galam (GSC) for the spirited efforts to put the ‘intelligence seminar and workshop’ together.

The value of well gathered and documented intelligence has always been recognized as a major factor in winning battles and the war.

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.

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