WATCH UC WEBMASTERS VERSUS UV TODAY

The match-up that the Cebu basketball scene has been waiting for will finally come to fruition today as the reigning champions, University of Cebu Webmasters take on their bitter rivals, University of the Visayas Green Lancers in round one of two expected meetings between the two hoops powerhouses, in the seniors division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Webmasters stoked the embers of the fire further last year as they stopped the nine-year dynasty of the Lancers dead in its tracks by winning the best-of-five finals series, 3-1.

However, the Lancers, under the tutelage of new head coach Felix Belano, gained some measure of revenge against their arch-rivals early this year as they swept the Webmasters, 3-0, in the finals series of the Cesafi Partner’s Cup.

Fast forward to this season and the two teams are once again ahead in the standings with UC being the lone undefeated squad in the tournament. UC is currently at the top of the league with an unblemished 3-0 (win-loss) record, spiked by their impressive, 76-72, win over Southwestern University (SWU) last Thursday. UV, in the meantime, is at 3-1 and is coming off a disheartening loss to the same Cobras.

UC’s prized 6-foot-10 slotman Junemar Fajardo, will once again be the center of attention as he carries the scoring cudgels of the Webmasters. However, he is expected to meet some stiff opposition from the Lancer big men, Edrian Lao and Andrew Avillanoza, in particular.

The battle of the guards will just be as intriguing with UC being led by former UV Baby Lancer, Brian Heruela, Luigi Bercede and Robinson Mohammad. UV will be spearheaded by crafty veterans John Abad, Harold Cincoflores and Phil Mercader.

PITONG PINOY PROJECT

When Yahoo Philippines started the 'Pitong Pinoy' project, Yahoo thought it would be hard to find seven Filipinos who have made a remarkable difference.

After all, it's not everyday that you run into people who could actually devote their entire life to serving others or champion advocacies that are seemingly hard to accomplish.

But Yahoo Philippines gathered an overwhelming number of nominations—from loving parents, courageous law enforcers, devoted health workers, brilliant artists, magnanimous celebrities, exemplary athletes, astute youth leaders, inspirational public servants, to simple folk who have touched others with their kindness.

"Believe us, it was a tough job to choose seven amazing Pinoys. Nonetheless, it is heartwarming to read stories of change, volunteerism, and selflessness."

PITONG PINOY AWARDEE: ALEXIS BELONIO

Filipino scientists don't exactly get a lot of publicity in this country—but this hasn't stopped Alexis Belonio, a prizewinning Filipino inventor, from paying it forward.

Belonio was the first Filipino to receive the Rolex Award for Enterprise in 2008 for his creation of a low-cost, environment friendly rice husk gas stove. The Rolex Awards recognize pioneering projects all over the world that demonstrate innovation and contribute to the betterment of mankind. Belonio's award-winning gas stove converts rice husks, one of Asia's most abundant farm wastes, into combustible fuel for domestic cooking.

Belonio, who also works as a researcher at the International Rice Research Institute and as an associate professor of agricultural engineering at Central Philippine University, said that he was motivated by the plight of poor farmers in the Philippines faced with the high cost of fuel for cooking.

His innovative invention does not only address the problem on rice husk disposal, it can also serve as an alternative for charcoal stoves with relatively shorter cooking time and lower investment cost.

"Ang nakikita ni Alexis na katuparan ng kaniyang ginawa ay kung ito ay gagamitin na nang malawakan dahil makakatipid ang Pilipinas at masi-save ang environment. Iyon ang mas priority na incentive ni Belonio—ang makapag-serve siya (Alexis wants what he created to be used by many people, so the whole country can save on costs, as well as save the environment. That's Alexis' priority, that's what he considers his incentive—to be able to serve," said Antonio Co, Belonio's colleague who regularly uses the rice husk stove.

PITONG PINOY AWARDEE: JEAN ENRIQUEZ

Jean Enriquez fights for the victims of human trafficking. "Since I was 13, I've been a human rights activist," she revealed.

According to Enriquez, there are so many areas in the Philippines where human trafficking happens. She notes that they found a significant number of cases in Western and Southern Mindanao. She said, "It's a very profound problem."

Enriquez currently heads the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women — Asia Pacific. Jean Enriquez says that the group is a worldwide organization that "fights all kinds of sexual abuse on women from rape, to pornography, to trafficking (and) to prostitution."

Jean said the group also lobbies for the government to change laws for the protection of women.

As for the victims of human trafficking, Enriquez hopes that they will find their "voice" and that they find it in themselves to recover from their horrible experience.

PITONG PINOY AWARDEE: JAY JABONETA

Who would ever think that a simple status message can forever change a community?

That's exactly what happened when online-savvy Jay Jaboneta posted as a Facebook status message the ordeal of hundreds of students in Zamboanga who were forced to cross the river every single day just to be able to get to school.

Through his simple status update, Jaboneta raised funds more than enough for a single boat that would safely transport children to their schools.

Jaboneta's initiative also awakened the bayanihan spirit in the sleepy town of Layag-Layag as people worked on the boats from scratch.

Now, Jaboneta's simple status message has turned into a widespread advocacy and is starting to reach other parts of the country.

Jaboneta has proven that someone who's really willing to help need not launch a huge campaign: all it took him was a single, heartfelt Facebook update.

PITONG PINOY AWARDEE: TOMAS LEONOR

Tomas Leonor literally helps people one step at a time.

He is the organizer of "StepJuan," a walking expedition where he travels along the various provinces in the Philippines on foot. This is how he promotes awareness about cancer, as well as and also raises funds for children with cancer.

"We are all volunteers believing in one cause which is to save children from cancer," he said.

Leonor revealed that last year, they are able to raise 1.5 million pesos by walking along Luzon. For this year, they have already raised 500,000 pesos for the cancer patients.

All in all, Leonor has walked 1,241.5 kilometers in seven islands and ten provinces in the Philippines. But he is not resting yet as up next on his agenda is the Mindanao leg of "StepJuan."

Leonor is more than determined to walk in any corner of the Philippines because he knows the prayers of the cancer patients and their parents are with him.

PITONG PINOY AWARDEE: HEIDI MENDOZA

Heidi Mendoza is one of graft and corruption's biggest opponents.

However, one will be surprised to know that this whistleblower doesn't really want attention.

Mendoza first joined the Commission on Audit (COA) in March 16, 1984. She joined the agency because she has always wanted to serve the government. Back then, it wasn't easy for her, as her father wanted her to work in her province in Lucena. Still, Mendoza was determined to go to Manila and work for COA.

At that time, she started with an auditing team in COA. Then, she was assigned to the Performance Audit Office running through the accounts of various government agencies.

"We only fight corruption if it hits our interest. Some businesses would only want to talk about corruption when the economy is bad and it's hitting their business," she said.

Her biggest battle was when she exposed the corruption activities of some of the officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. A lot of Filipinos admired her courage for risking her life in order to tell the truth.

Now, Mendoza is back on the Commission on Audit as a commissioner. In spite of everything that happened, Mendoza said she is still very hopeful for the nation. She encourages other government officials to "go beyond what is expected" of them in the name of public service.

As for running for a Senate position this coming election, Mendoza has vetoed the idea. "I am not crafted for public attention," she said simply.

But with all the good things that she has done, she may have to get used to all the admiration.

PITONG PINOY AWARDEE: ANNA OPOSA

A lot of people claim to care for the environment but how many actually go out of their way to protect it? Meet Anna Oposa, the director of the Law of Nature Foundation. She's an example of someone who has proven her love for Mother Earth by vigorously working to protect marine life.

She initiated "Save the Philippine Seas," spurred by recent reports of massive coral reef destruction in several parts of the country. Her initiatives sparked a social networking campaign which united Filipinos through a national blog day to save the Philippine seas. She is also lobbying to strengthen environmental protection laws, a long-term goal that she is passionate about.

"I feel the need to fight for the environment because I'm Filipino," she says. "I don't think what I'm doing is extraordinary. I don't think it's heroic. I just think I'm doing my duty living in a country with so many natural resources. I grew up with all of these and when you have a deep appreciation of the things around you, you'll want to protect them."

Many are astounded by Oposa's passion and drive, which go well beyond her 23 years. "People always write to me asking what they can do, what NGOs they can apply for," she says. "This is probably disappointing for them, but I always say you've got to start with yourself; improvement begins with 'I'."

She offers some tips for those who want to do more for the country. "First learn about [the Philippines]. I really believe if you first learn how blessed we are and how rich our natural resources are, you would be inspired and motivated to take better care of it. From there, you start with yourself. I know it sounds like a cliche, but it's a cliche for a reason. You start by managing your wastes properly and talking to people about it, writing about it, if you're a moviemaker then make films. Use your own skills and see how that connects and from there start volunteering for programs and tell people about it."

Simple words from someone out to do extraordinary things.

PITONG PINOY AWARDEE: TZARINA SANIEL

In an era where an e-book is a click away and when the internet has almost unlimited content, Tzarina Saniel sticks to the old. And we mean, old.

Saniel not only collects books and advocates reading—she has taken the initiative to collect old manuscripts as her way of safeguarding Filipino literary treasures.

She believes that in the old books' glorious pages, Filipinos will realize their roots and this will eventually lead them to become better Pinoys.

"Unless we learn from history we will never be able to move on," Saniel said.

A teacher by profession, Saniel also helps curb the mind of a generation apparently bereft of appreciation for history.

Her love for Philippine history and her passion to keep the lessons of the past alive in today's generation definitely makes her deserving of being a modern-day Pinoy hero.

WEATHER UPDATE