Universal Reality Combat Championship or URCC, a Philippine-based mixed martial arts competition, launches its biggest, most exciting, adrenaline-pumping fight card “Colossal” at the Araneta Coliseum, 7:00 p.m. tomorrow night highlighted by the showdown of featherweight fighters, top Filipino pick Mark “Mugen” Striegl and South Korean fighter Do Gyeom Lee.
Founded by the Brazilian jiujitsu black belt Filipino Alvin Aguilar, URCC started the mixed martial arts (MMA) trend in the Philippines after its inaugural event at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater in Parañaque City on Nov. 23, 2002. URCC has since been the breeding ground for world-class Filipino fighters that have made their own marks in the global MMA arena.
This year, URCC marks its foray towards global domination with URCC Global with Arnold Vegafria as chairman.
Vegafria, at the press conference last Wednesday, said URCC Global has made inroads in cities and countries outside the Philippines and said the first big URCC event could probably be in Las Vegas, Nevada.
He added that URCC Global hopes to penetrate the Southeast Asian region and forge long-term partnerships with its Asian counterparts, and eventually assemble a contingent of iconic fighters willing to take on their Caucasian counterparts.
Apart from Striegl and Gyeom Lee, “Colossal” also features matches between and among some of the country’s best MMA fighters like Caloy Baduria of Elorde Sucat and Sugar Ray Estoso and four female fighters (two are South Korean) and a three-on-three matchup.
URCC Global recently honored the country’s top celebrity athletes during the first URCC Hall of Fame Awards on July 31 at Samsung Hall in SM Aura.
Among the awardees were Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez (fencing), Makati Representative Monsour del Rosario (taekwondo), Senator Miguel Zubiri (arnis), and 11-time World Boxing champion, Senator Manny Pacquiao.
Tickets to “Colossal” are available at the Araneta Coliseum box office and Ticketnet (911-5555).
* * * *
Czech Comics in Manila
In celebration of the 100th year of Czech Comics, famed works of notable Czech artists and writers of both mainstream and alternative comics from the last century is on exhibit at NCCA Gallery in Intramuros, Manila.
The show entitled Meanwhile, Elsewhere is a grand cultural collaboration between the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Manila and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
The exhibition forms part of the commemorations of the major anniversaries of 2018 – the centenary foundation of Czechoslovakia (1918), 70 years from the establishment of the infamous communist regime (1948) and 25 years of the creation of the Czech Republic (1993).
The exhibition not only shows the themes and authors in all their respective historical periods until tomorrow but also recaps a tumultuous national history through comics that aptly reflects the historical, political and cultural changes of the Czech Republic.
Samples of different illustrations are showcased to depict the history and evolution of Czech Comics and how they were affected by the times. Popular works like Kája Saudek’s superheroes, Jaroslav Foglar’s five-generation classic Fast Arrows, as well as pre-World War II artist OndÅ™ej Sekora’s early comics precursor Ferda the Ant (in-illustration), are also seen.
Furthermore, a selection of contemporary avant-garde comics of sorts such as Jaromír Rudiš’s Alois Nebel and Jaromír 99 encapsulate all young comic-enthusiasts. Visitors of all ages can enjoy the exhibition as it contains numerous original comic books and magazines.
The fate of Czech comics reflects not only the periods of high creative freedom but also the times of stagnation and control, as there was a political ban during the Communist rule in Czechoslovakia that was only lifted when democracy was restored in 1989 and the boom of comics recommenced.
The exhibit is at the NCCA Gallery, 633 Gen Luna St., Intramuros Manila until the end of September.
For details please contact the gallery secretariat at 527-2192 loc. 308, 324 and 328; email:nccagallery09@gmail.com.
* * * *
What’s up with Sarap Diva and IBilib
This Saturday morning, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid welcomes Philippine TV’s Sweetheart as she spreads good and fashionable vibes in Sarap Diva!
Joining Heart Evangelista are the three Crazy Gay Asians… Krisetay, Echo, and Terry!
Heart will share her memorable moments in Paris and New York Fashion Week as well as her stint on the Harper’s Bazaar U.S. with her friend the author of Crazy Rich Asians book, Kevin Kwan.
Heart’s style and fashion sense will also be challenged as she dresses up the three crazy and fab gays!
Regine and resident chef, Jonah will prepare Paella Negra for Heart and the other guests.
All that and more in Sarap Diva! Saturdays before Eat Bulaga on GMA-7.
Sarap Diva also airs on GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life.
Meanwhile, this Sunday in I-Bilib, teleserye star Pauline Mendoza returns to join Chris Tiu, James, and Roadfill.
The episode features a heated bottle magically sucking water as well as the mystery of how an upside-down bottle full of water can take in toothpicks without spilling its contents.
In “Bilibabols,” it’s the turn of Kapuso celebrities to be victimized by the fire and ice pre-conditioning experiment previously done on James and Roadfill.
Be amazed at how flimsy sheets of newspaper can break a wooden yardstick and how a humble chain can stop heavy concrete blocks from crashing on a car, with the “Street Genius” team.
Finally, “Huling Hirit” features Chris testing the gang’s powers of observation by making them count how many holes there are in a certain pair of pants.
All these on your favorite science show every Sunday morning on GMA!
