Just one more hurdle, just one more hurdle required before they take part in the final of their school boy lives, touching distance will feel like an ocean of expectations, their respective histories, whether long or short, will feel enormous under its weight. Sabina Park, the venue for this much anticipated showdown, Mona High versus St. George's College, Odesty against Legacy Part 2. Wherever you're watching all over the world, thank you so much for joining our coverage here on The Home of Champions. My name is Donald Oliver with me is Dwight Jeremiah and wow, we're looking forward to this one big time. Really looking forward to this one. On the evidence of the titles, 1-22 for George's, 0 for Mona and the fact that as an institution, George's 129 years as senior of Mona, you're tempted to say that this one is a battle between David and Goliath. However, based on the Craig Butler era and their performances on the field, you are sure to say that this one is Goliath versus Goliath. Mona most definitely are here to play. This one has all the making for a classic and I strongly believe it will be a classic. So excited for this one Donald, so excited. Mona has had that meteoric rise over the last few seasons since the introduction of coach Craig Butler and yeah, they would be considered a heavyweight as well. But really and truly they know that a lot is expected of them. But because of that history that they do have, which is a short history, maybe not as much pressure as St. George's College, the light blues of North Street. Well, I'm not quite sure about that because when you hear the rhetoric from Craig Butler, he wants to win this thing badly and I'm pretty sure he's transmitting that to his players. For George, it's yes, they've won this many times and the expectations are always high when they are at this stage of the tournament. It's been a strange one for them this season. Pretty much from many have flown under the radar and appear just at the busy end of the season looking really ominous. There's a quiet confidence being exude by their coach that they can take. Take it all this season. Well, these are the officials today. Alexi Perry will be in the middle. Damon Williams and Valonza Bennett will assist him before the official is Malaride. Yeah, both these two teams, you know, were beaten throughout the season until they're exploits in the Champions Cup, but still remain on blemish in the Manning Cup. Let's take a look at the Monahai starting line-up. Keem Bernard is between the sticks, the back four of Dante Peralta's step on Johnson, Rubinho, Gordon and Macron. Parchment in the middle of the park. Alex Swazo, Carlton Brown and Denzil McKenzie, their number 10 with 10 goals and 20 assists so far this season. Incredible figures. Keshane Gordon will be on the left. Romarian Thomas will be on the right with eight goals through the middle. Domarian Harris. Yeah, and they look to play 5-3-2, but you know Karebutla, his system rotate. Denzil McKenzie, you can't say too much about him. A very versatile player, central defensive mid-central mid-attack in mid-left side, right side plays everywhere. Has a good shot on him as well in the third season. Dejeune Davis is between the sticks for St. George's College. They have a back four of Jindu Powell, Shaquan Clark, O'Neal Mitchell, Michael Pennant and Ajani Peart. Zabir Taylor, the hardworking number six will be the holding midfield up behind Adrian Reed and Tehshaun O'Neal up top. Brian Burkett, their number 10 with 20 goals so far this season, as well as 11 assists. Matthew Spence is alongside him with 12 goals and five assists. Yeah, Burkett has said he set a target for 30 this season, 10 off the pace. It's his experience of playing in the Premier League with Don Beholden, says he's looking to strengthen himself and be a little bit quicker. Left-footed player that is very, very talented as well. Well, it's almost time for serious business here at Sabina Park. The last time these two teams met, Mona knocked out St. George's College. That was just last season out of the quarterfinal round and went on to move on to the semis of the Manning Cup. They would have faced Jamaica College and eventually went down by two goals to one to the eventual winners. But they feel that they can go a step further this year and this is the step that they have been waiting on. Well, yeah, they were knocked out by Jamaica College this time. George's they face at this stage, having knocked out Jamaica College themselves, George's in their round of the quarterfinals. And Jennifer Bell says he has a good surface in which to display his football today. And despite the loss in the Champions Cup, 3-1 to Clarendon College, he feels that against any other team, including this one, if they play that way, then he'll come out victorious. Let's see if that's the case. For St. George's College, their first and last titles a hundred years apart, the last one in 2012, having won the first in 1912. They've waited for a minute and now they're just 90 minutes away from going to another Manning Cup final. St. George's College will get us on the way here. They'll be kicking towards the Crossroads region and Mona will be kicking towards downtown Kingston and the Caribbean Sea. And here they are with early possession on the right-hand side. Romarian Thomas, the ever-dangerous Romarian Thomas looking for the options and the given goal. Well-played Thomas sends it across. A foot is there, deciding the outcome of that one in favour of St. George's College as they tried to get out of their own half, but Mona, they have it back. Searching ball through the middle. Not the best clearance. Thomas was looking to blast that one on target and it was some way away. It's going to be a go kick to St. George's College. Yeah, Mona's starting sprightly here and having the first set of attack just set in the tone. Always feel as a coach you want. You've always encouraged your players that if they can get the first shot off, the first attack, it really sets them up nicely. It's a long way to go. He mentioned that both teams coming off defeats in the Champions Cup as the hopeful ball over the top was well in front of Matthew Spence. So maybe just an additional buzz in the aftermath of that defeat last time out for both these teams in the Champions Cup. Thomas again, he's seen quite a bit of the ball hit over the top and clearance made by Powell. Mona with all the possession. Oh, that's wonderfully done inside the area and then just run out of real estate. Yep, that's Kishane Gordon.  But then good defending here. He doesn't need to dive in with Clark. Just shepherd him along the line and out over the goal line for a goal kick. So smart defending there. You so often you see defenders trying to win the ball. You're trying to just poke it away. Well, here's an attempt from distance and no issues there for Davis. And I think Adrian Reed is down. Yeah, actually, he wants some assistance. Doesn't want the assistant. Said no, maybe that would help the Georges somewhat. Just take the sting out of it and break the momentum of Mona. Craig Butler, technical director there, would be pleased with the start of his Mona team and would want that to continue. Last season, he was on the sidelines for this matchup. He was actually looking on from the stands over by the National Stadium Eastfield. Field is what means a lot to him. Yeah, that's a long throw. But back there, it looks to be Shaquon Clark with the clearance. I wonder which Georges we're going to get today over the length and breadth of this game so far. Not being able to settle, Neverbell did say that his Georges team one day will look like Brazil and the next day they'll look like Georges. And where Brazil is going now, I don't know, maybe Georges is better. I'll leave you alone to the fight with the Brazilian fans. Mona sending it out wide and just couldn't quite grasp it over on this near side here. Not much coming from Neverbell on the sideline, sidelines with his team under the cut somewhat. But he has his style and he normally used the first 10 minutes, five to 10 minutes of the game just to look at the opponent to see what they're doing and then to see if his in-game changes are necessary. That's what he's doing at the moment. Ball sent inside the area at the back post and Saint Georges College, they do have numbers there and an opportunity again for Thomas couldn't quite control it. And Saint Georges College with the clearance. Gordon collects and that's a lovely bit of movement, you know, sending it out wide. And the ball is inside the area and it's not behind for a corner kick to Mona high. They look on Minas when they go forward, Mona. Looking to switch the point of attack on many occasions. Not afraid to go direct. There's a corner kick. It's a good-looking one at the back post. Decided to take a touch initially. I'm not sure if that was the better option. When he did take the shot, yeah, he still had time but couldn't hit the target. Mario and Thomas there and I felt could have gone first time with the strike, kept his eye on it. Yeah, there he came over to him, yeah. He could have laced it there and then in the end with all his first touch and setting himself up, still didn't make proper connection with the in-step but just needed to watch that one right onto the in-step. Missed the opportunity not having gone first time with the volley. If you could come again, Mona. Thomas trying to place that inside. You have another opportunity here. Oh, that's delightful from Thomas. Sensing inside and it's held on eventually. Back to Jean-David. But again, another chance created by Thomas on the right-hand side. And St. George's College just escaping that one. Well, earlier he did do some good defensive workshop in and out the attack clock but with bamboozled there. Yep. The judges will need some overloads and then those wide areas, 1-v-1, not working out. Coach Bell, just to click into them earlier, just to calm down still. Whether this early star, Mona, they hope it's a sustained long-lasting storm. Mackenzie is behind this one. Laced it off to Thomas. He hasn't gotten his shooting range. But he's been involved in almost everything for Mona. Yeah, yeah. His open gameplay has been good and encouraged to exit. And as you can tell by George's, they're just giving the ball away, cheaply, unforced. Well, there's Mona again with the effort. That's wide of the mark. Just letting that one pop there. They seem rusted here, eh? George's not settled yet. Mona will do well to try and hurt them as they're suffering now because you know at some point they'll get into their own George's. If all you have to show for your period of dominance and action and shot taken, and it's not going to count for much. Well, here they are. Again, trying to make the transition into attacking third has been unsuccessful so far. Mona looks as if they are a well-drilled unit, which comes as little surprise, but they have to do some defending now. They do have speed at the back that's banged into touch. Power with the throw. That's headed out again. A huge entourage coming in to the north stand from St. George's College. Here's the throw inside the area. Heading away, St. George's College now will be able to apply the pressure. Powell sends it back out wide, but can't find a teammate, Adrian Reed, committing the infringement there. And Alex Iperio telling him a few words.  It's not the initial one. It's after here. Yeah, it's not his ball, and he's seen he was in his path.  Oh, that's lovely again from Thomas. Lays it in the path. Well, gets a return. Well, he should have. He was running into space there inside the box, but his teammate couldn't find him, and Mona, they get it again. Played forward once more. Two to aim for inside the box. And St. George's College doing enough. Yeah, Thomas has started like a house on fire here. Can't do anything wrong. Just now, got a little lucky with the bones, but then sometimes you create your own luck, and because of what he has been doing in the early parts of this game, defenders are a little bit hesitant. Well, he's gone into the referee's book after that challenge from Birket, that late challenge that came in here. I think it was Alex Swazo, who's gone into the book. Peralta was the one. Or Peralta, rather, is the one who got the yellow card. Here is Mona. Oh, that wasn't clear properly. St. George's College will have the possession. Taylor does well to keep it in play, trying to find an outlet. Run into traffic. Taylor is in the way. I really like Zabeer Taylor. He's really a good player. Now he goes the other way. Touched inside, and didn't continue his run over on that right-hand side and committed the infringement there. Johnny Peart. Yeah, it was his fault because he should have continued his run. Teammate expected him to continue that one, played without looking, and that's okay. It's just that he didn't give him that option. Yeah, checked his run. Peart working overtime over on the far side. A former Georgian himself actually represented St. George's College in the, on the 14 final did Peralta in 2019. Scored the winning goal in that final, in fact. And that goal had come against Wolmer's boys. And how the gods sometimes just make it happen. Is it possible for him to do so an overlapping run here today? A yellow card and maybe will be a target for Georges. Georges yet to get the attacking play going. A lot of the time spent in their own half. They usually are sometimes, let me say that again, sometimes they're on the rope a lot in certain matches St. George's College. They do the rope adope very well. A little bit managing here. Haven't been hurt by all the suffering imposed upon them by Mona. Burkett with a touch inside. Spence tried to get there. And there's a whistle to play. The flag was up offside. I think it was against Spence. He needs to be big today. Brian Burkett. And if he is then it's going to be trouble there for Mona. Really good talent, lovely left foot. Players like that, they just need a moment. Just a moment. He's not. Reed sends it long. An opportunity for St. George's College. Just spoke about that left foot. Just spoke about the moment. Didn't quite capture it. Yep. But Akeem Bernard was rooted, wasn't he? Praying and hoping that that was off target, which is which it was because there was no way he would have got to that. I think Burkett realized he was being closed down and just rushed that shot in the end. But yeah, moments like those, he'll only get better. It was a really good chance, wasn't it? Mona looking to respond. Very pervious. To ensure that he keeps a tab on this encounter, not allowing it to get out of hand. Mitchell with a throw. Mackenzie. He hasn't seen a lot of the ball, has he? Akeem just getting to an even pace here. Not because quality has significantly improved from George's but Mona themselves. Well, some unforced errors. Burkett. Or rather that was Spence over on the far side. Anywhere will do. St. George's College settling more and more in this one. Reed trying to find Taylor. The interception made. Trying to string that one through. He hasn't gotten a little bit scrappy. Ball played over the top. And that should go out into touch. Really warm conditions here, by the way, at Subah in the park. I was a bit concerned with how quickly Mona started and if they were able to sustain it. Paul with a nice touch inside. Taylor was trying to find him out wide. And here is Tayshawn O'Neill. It was hounded out of possession. Good defensive work there from Mona. They just coded him out. Too much traffic for him to get through. Reed couldn't find that task, which would have been telling. What it's telling here about George's is that they're not getting the distinct build up between the, you know, the thirds. Or the build up going through the thirds. Not really getting that. A lot of the replay. Mitchell causing the foul there. Yeah, in the end there's a shove in the back of Thomas. Always going to be difficult to maintain a high tempo in this heat you mentioned, Donal. I mean, we're feeling it here. Let's let players out on the park running about. Here's a free kick that's taken. Peralta goes at the back post. And it goes behind for a corner kick to Mona. Yeah, it didn't stay with it long enough. And I never gave up on it. Lovely touch out wide. Here. Oh, that's a wonderful first touch. Still inside the area. Tries to take the shot. Does eventually. And it goes straight into the hands of Ember Nard. Then George is called to the opportunity. That's one of the first times that we saw the build up going through the thirds and was much better for them. That's what we know they're good at. That's when they're at their best. And we saw glimpse of it there. Partiment with the throw for Mona. We'll try again. Sense it inside the area. And connection made at the back post. There's a cross coming inside again. And the whistle goes. The offside trap worked. Download the sports app today from the Google player or the app store. You can download it to keep in touch with all the happenings on your home of champions. And there's going to be the water break taken. The official water break here. Still to see a goal in this Dwight Jeremiah. Yeah. And it's sustained quality as well. Mona started really brightly and had the George's under the cut. But they pretty much grew in the game. George is Mona backed off somewhat. You have to say in terms of their intensity. And I guess the conditions didn't afford them. The luxury to be able to be persistent with it. And George's took the opportunity also to grow in the game. And just before the break there we saw them going through their paces in going through the third. Mona, this contingency here and joined himself but also looking to will their team on. We can see the players not just taking in the water but pretty much showing themselves with it. But a lot for these two coaching stars to work out to get their team to be more fluent and threatening. Mona, they've had several opportunities going forward for George's pretty much the best opportunity. Failed to their number 10 Burkett. Play about to restart now after that intermission. The water break again trying to go over the top. Sends it out wide. Piers, lovely touch inside. Can line up a shot. Wide of the mark, just wide of the target here. It was Burkett again who let fly from distance. Yeah, I said he has a lovely left foot. I did pick it up again in a pocket of space. This time a lot more time than he got the first time and would have expected him at least to hit the target. He's disappointed. I am too because I know of his capabilities and what that left foot can do. But yeah, call his name a lot, but it's the moments like those you can make you pay. A little bit lackadaisical there and Mona looking to pounce and St. George's College lucky that they got away with that one. Yeah, it was Powell there who was on his heels. And then some. Mona again applying the press in the attacking third looking to get a ball across and knows she's there for Davis. Davis should be fresh. He's in the only bit of shade that is on the field. Oh, I envy him. Lofted ball looking for Taylor. Wasn't accurate enough. Thomas Mitchell now. Lovely ball inside the Taylor. Taylor was trying to play it into the attacking third once more slipping that pass through Mona reddit. Tishon O'Neill. Spence. Lovely stuff by St. George's College. Until Mona. The defense got in the way. They're settling now into a rhythm. The team from North Street. And here they come again. Ball played inside looking for Spence. Now Zabir Taylor. Lovely turn. Spence gets it back. O'Neill Birket. Trying to play the 1-2 with Adrian Reed. Ball sent out wide. St. George's College inside the area. And the challenge was timely, you know. Good perfection. And he had to get it right because it was in the box. There's a lofted ball inside the area. And it's headed out into touch. So they're a team that knows how to be on the ropes and get themselves out of a spot. Powell with a throw inside the area. And Mona back there. Booting it long. Finally St. George's College with a few jabs of their own. Long awaited and finally arrived. Making this a proper contest. But a little re-hydration break. Really put some pep in their step, George's. Taylor O'Neill. Ball over the top. Spence giving chase. But again, Mona's defence organised there. Yeah, for a moment. I thought Spence would have gotten on the end of it. May they come against St. George's College? Yeah, not a lot of movement in front of the ball. All in one line. It's clear that Mona's out ball is to the right side. Just had to observe St. George's College trying to get out of that critical mid-beer. There wasn't any panicking. It's because they've been given the confidence from the coach that, yeah, you do that. You get into trouble sometime, but you're good at it so you get out of it most times. Take some stereo to do that. Swazo inside. Peralta now. Spence over and at far side trying to win it for St. George's College. And he does. He's a hustler, isn't he? And sends it forward. O'Neill has been doing a lot of chasing as well. He has. He's suffering from a bit of cramp there. Looks to be in some discomfort. It's made a lot of energy just now. Chased a few lost causes as well. He's a fighter and does win back possession a lot of times for George's and protect the ball. Well, I've rolled it up so that others can join in the play as their frontman. A lot of it is expected of him as well. Five goals so far this season for Spence. It was a lovely take, you know. Trying to play the ball over on the near side here. Twisting and turning looking for that additional yard of space. Lovely ball inside. And here's a shot from outside the area from Mackenzie. First real attempt to make an impact on the game. Yeah, the cross looked more dangerous than the shot in the end. Harris has moved over now to this near side on the wing. The number 11 for Mona. Started off the games in a central position and switched now with Romario and Thomas who is now playing centrally. Need some spark. Yeah, both teams just cautious. Not wanting to make a mistake. Mackenzie's ball inside wasn't the best. They'll try again. Mona has faced the shoot and the shot was blocked. St. George's College with the clearance up towards O'Neill. Taylor. Oh, no, that wasn't the best from O'Neill. Now the ball over the top. The flag stays down. Oh, that challenge had to be made. Forte have been done there. And it came at the right moment because... Well, Thomas was going to play, right? Was it an offside play? Because... No, the flag didn't go up. Yeah, it looked that way. Yeah, based on that it would... It was a foul, actually. Flag stayed down. Yeah, the flag had stayed down. And Thomas... Oh, yeah, you could see that after the play. Fender got the ball. Well, Thomas would really want to do over there. That was a chance and a half. Fender caught over that ball over the top and it's really not a good play there from George. Three at the back to be caught up by one ball over the top. A really good defending. Kicked up by Carlton Brown now. Sends it across to Peralto. Gordon... Gordon sending it inside, but Thomas had a couple of defenders by him. They'll try again. And the corner kick being awarded to Mona. It's like these two teams are taking spells in terms of the attacking thrust. And if it's a condition, so when you expel so much energy and a spell of attack, they're trying to just catch their breath, recharge themselves. Corner kick to Mona High here. Ball to Divert inside, repelled at the near post by St. George's College. Mona will send another ball inside. Here it comes, the keeper halfway there at the head of the bar. Another big chance for Mona High to take the lead. That was close again. Seems to be Gordon on the end of it. Let's have a look here. But yeah, got in front of the defender. Good header, flushed on the crossbar. It was Gordon. But also you saw it coming because the corner kick was initially repelled. George's was very slow in stepping up. And so kept a lot of players onside. Probably too comfortable in the shade. Yeah, that's a bit snarky. The ball goes away from the defensive area. You need to step up to become compact to really nullify the threat of players committed in the attack in third to try and play them offside. They were pretty slow in coming out and almost paid the price. Again, hopeful ball inside at the back post and it's put away. Again, hesitancy at the back and Mona High comes to the final. It seems to have been Thomas here but not that one. He's been the protagonist for Mona, the main one since the start of the game. And he, you feel, just toe poke that one. Spoke about them being slow in coming out and the defense of George is flat footed. This is a bit hesitant. That long ball coming in. Let's have a look here. Yeah, just side footed in. Yeah, it was Thomas. It was Thomas. Well, he looked the most likely source early in this one. His ninth goal of the campaign and Mona High with the advantage over St. George's College. And I think it's fair to say that they deserved it. They really deserved it based on the amount of pressure we saw them put on St. George's College. Just not defending the ball coming into the box a lot, Donald. Just a bit static, not reading the trajectory of it. And then when it do falls, they're not picking off the rear. Thomas winning that one. I think there was probably a handled ball there from Gordon. Two ambitious there trying to flick it over three players. Thomas incidentally had switched to the right side for Mona, the left side rather. He's coming down the right early on because of that switch. He was on that side to Pones. St. George's College trying to respond. Ball played inside and it's a good head our way, you know. St. George's College trying to recycle it in the attacking third. Here they come again. On his left foot feeds it to Taylor. Taylor curling that one. And George's College level now. Well, that's a beauty. That's a beauty all day long. You could just watch that over talk to him. Didn't go for power here. But he went into the direction of the goalkeeper. That's how precise it was. Exquisitely done. Just look at it here. That was exquisite. Nificently done. I don't think another player on this St. George's College team deserves a goal like that more than Zabeer Taylor did. Tell you, I saw him two seasons ago and I really was impressed. Took my William Nift team to play the George's Cup and he was there really an architect of a lot of things, bright and beautiful that George's did. He's coming to the fore now. He toured nicely. And I guess he'll be watching that over and over again. Long throw taken. He's taking up a shot, you know. It was charged down. Ambitious from Pennant. And now he goes the other way. That's going to be a throw into St. George's College. Yep. Looking for the infringement. Not coming. But lovely response there from George's. It was almost like Eric Cantona. You would remember that, Donal. He just executed student watch with confidence. Well, I tell you what, he wouldn't have been used to or familiar with celebrating after scoring a goal. He probably was a little bit stunned. I was looking if the Cantona celebration was going to come after. Mona with a headed clearance and Burkhead letting fly with the left foot making connection with the defender and St. George's College looking to go ahead here diving head away. It was critical. He's hurt. That was brave from the defender. In that type of play though, he can't blame the attacker for going for it. Look at the height of it. He went very low to the defender. That looks to be Rebeena Gordon. Yeah. It can't give the infringement against the attacker and that's what he's asking there. Yes, it ended up being dangerous. But no way you would say to your attacker don't go for that one. I would be disappointed in him if he hadn't gone for it. Well, let's take a look back at this goal from Taylor. The question is, did it come off the keeper? It did come off the keeper. Yeah, when it was on its way down. Yeah, but I think it may have crossed the line, you know. Because look where the keeper actually ended up.  If it hit there and then hit the keeper, then it wouldn't have gone across the line. So maybe but I tell you what. It might know where the keeper was. Well, it's back there. It came off the crossbar. Yeah, it would have to be coached in and back over the line. But tell you what, I want more over the finer details. Leave that to the goal adjudication panel. For me, I'll just enjoy the execution of that strike. Mona again trying to get into the attacking third through Thomas. Thomas outnumbered on that occasion. Taylor was fouled. We're in stoppage time. Just over the head of Spence who didn't pick up the trajectory early enough. He saw him waiting. A few steps back and we just saying, come on. Maybe this one was directly in his eye as well, you know. Possibly. Yeah. Just showing off a bit of his skills. Was there a handle ball from Taylor? Yeah. Good place. They just need a moment. Yeah. Always in it, but get those moment they make you pay. Mona looking to manufacture one more moment before the interval. They're not missing around at the bat now. Even two players going for that clearance. Parchment. Thomas giving chase. Getting help from Peralto. Corner kick. Yeah. George was looking for the offside, but Thomas stayed onside. They give and go with Peralto. Pull inside the area. Headed away still inside the box. St. George's college. The flag is going to be up for offside. Yeah. Just went a little bit too early on here. You saw it from across the way. Didn't have to you fear. She was so eager. Yeah. She has to go in front just before the half. Keep comes to an end. Lovely turn. But not much more. Parchment gets it again though for Mona. Straight to read. Read to Spence. Peart beaten there. Free kick for Mona. Just need a little time to recover there and he's got it Gordon. More reprieve is coming as the half time break is upon us. Yeah, just seconds away here and all the way through to Davis. No issues there. And that's that for the first half. Level at the interval. Won a piece. Romarian Thomas getting his ninth go to the campaign before his appear Taylor. Getting his first and pretty much even Stevens as we were at the start of this one. But as expected a really close contest and now both teams will talk it over in the dressing room. 1-1 between Mona and St. George's College after 45 minutes. So on the home of champions as far as Champions League action is concerned on Sports Max 2 Tuesday 12.45 p.m. Jamaica time 1.45 in the Eastern Caribbean Laxio against Celtic and also on Tuesday Paris on Jamal will retain Newcastle at 3 p.m. in the Eastern Caribbean. You can watch that on Sports Max 2. Got a tassel against Manchester United on Wednesday 12.45 p.m. 1.45 ECT on Sports Max 2 and on Wednesday 3 p.m. 4 p.m. ECT Real Madrid they go up against Napoli and on Wednesday 3 o'clock 4 p.m. ECT Benfica doing battle with Inter Milan and that's going to be on Sports Max. Back here at Sabina Park the final between Mona High and St. George's College and it is 1-1 heading into the second half here at Dwight Jeremiah it was a bit of a KJF here both teams trying desperately not to make mistakes in that first half you could tell and well they weren't expressing themselves Mona more so were expressing themselves having a lot of the chances but they were quite clinical when they got into the attack in third and the more they try not to make the mistakes the more they made it because they turned the ball over a lot both these two teams and Mona they created the bulk of the opportunities had longer stretch of dominance you feel but when George's did put things together and attack build their attacks through the turds they looked a lot more fluent and dangerous we saw that Mona has been their go-scorer Mario and Thomas and they look to go wide on every occasions they get looked to play that diagonal ball and you can see why because at the moment is given the back line for George's lots of problems to deal with and you bet they'll probably continue that unless George's were to fix that in terms of the players judging the trajectory well and better and defending at the back post so George's will try to go to the gear is much better and for Mona it is to take the chances as they have been created them so it has to make it for a proper second half if they can both get their acts together second half now on the way Mona will start the proceedings here they'll be kicking towards the crossroads region and St. George's College will be kicking in the direction of downtown Kingston St. George's College of course in the full blue kits if you're just joining us and they are looking forward to do some defending now Kashane Gordon on the left they got that decision right but I was thinking that it should have been a Mona throwing but they got that one right Mona with a throw Gordon trying to come across and control St. George's College with the possession now that one is not in the touch by Swazo Reed goes Goldwoods no issues there for Akim Bernad looking to just cross that between the line of defenders and goalkeeper that was a clear shove by Reed Akim to just walk away St. George's College going forward to Birkett lays it out wide to Taylor Taylor lays it back and he has a shot by Reed not on target Birkett was looking to let fly saw that he was closed down centrally went to Taylor but Taylor's first touch and one just trying to get going but he was hounded and Reed was the best option and not a bad strike in the end St. George's College with a big opportunity here and just couldn't convert they have been on target and it was this Taylor effort and if you take a look at it it actually came off the bar and off the back of goalkeeper Akim Bernad actually gone down as an own goal so Taylor still looking for his first of the campaign but yeah officially it goes down as an own goal to Akim Bernad but we really have to give the credit obviously to Zabir Taylor yeah I think George is at this moment not bothered by that no they're not happy that they're level after going behind but to cause Bernad to score that own goal then yeah give Taylor all the credit assisted on the own goal which would make that his fifth one for a sister already this season throw inside the area Mona bursting forward had a couple of nibbles there in the middle of the park that was Reed at first attempt to try and make contact with the ball went into the mid-rib Reed of course plays at the Premier League level 4 Cavalier yeah here's an effort highly ambitious effort Ramarian Thomas already on the score sheet none of these two teams in the Champions Cup anymore so we were to exit the competition or lose today and that would mean the end of their season yeah it would be hard to accept for a few players one would think for their campaign to suddenly end with two defeats here's Mona striving forward looking for an attempt which was a bit of target again yeah but not a lot not a bad effort I would say yeah because there would be attempt had a lot of space driving forward and defence for George's get backing off and backing off and he saw the opportunity and took it the shot off that is Mona settling now trying to get going again the switch to Gordon Gordon does well lines up a shot into the side netting always peeling away there once he let fly but yeah he had one intention once he got round the defender and saw the space in front of him strike just peeling away here's Mona again Mackenzie's effort is dragged wide of the mark again they are taking their chances here well not to not the full effect obviously but they are taking their opportunities and the shots for a moment there Davis was a little concerned they keep on coming Brown trying to slip that one through it goes the other way and here's St. George's College trying to transition here Birket on it riding one challenge trying to play that one through but they figured that he was already compromised there but good for him that he actually didn't go down under the challenge probably taking too many touches off the ball there Birket never felt not pleased it's booted into touch by Pennant Clark and Mitchell for St. George's working overtime Mona starting the second half pretty much the way they started the first throw in handled well by St. George's College Peralto gets it again swings that one across the box there's an appeal for a free kick inside the D and they get it Mona high referee thought about it for a bit and George's will have too much quarrels with that one but a good opportunity David's just making sure that everything is in order maybe a hint of nervous energy here number of players inside the wall there's going to be at least five here as the construction continues Mona be looking to shift the point of attack before striking quite sure well Mackenzie is there Peralto is also here and the goal scorer Romarian Thomas is there as well who will take it it is Mackenzie again shows his quality in the schoolboy football arena advantage over St. George's College yeah Payson precision was on that strike always going away from David's hitting the side netting as well the back there of the goal yeah he just took a step to his left Davis and I don't think he had even taken the first one to his right he would have gotten there that one was always peering away from him and Mona back in front about the big man Mackenzie the player to watch coming into this one stepped up to the plate here and no he had a good shot on him and he let fly there I think he may still yet have two more seasons in him I highly doubt that he's not staying here I don't think what the option is there but I know what you're talking about yeah with strikes like those if he does those with regularity then I think your prediction will come through we keep speaking about moments yeah and that was a moment to remember he's 11th goal this campaign Denzel Mackenzie Craig Butler say saying he's the best midfielder in the schoolboy football arena and with a free kick like that well I guess it's just evidence that Butler can point to yep he's totally right but yeah boys stacking up the evidence St. George's they have to come from behind again an opportunity here and Mona back in numbers with the clearance it did cross the line Mona fans they do have a lot to cheer about for the second time today they've seen their team take the lead can George just find a way back we have the players on the park to be able to do that we saw already some quality from Taylor to get them back in the game saw a few moments a few moments in the game we're looking for another but to do better with the opportunity did see this one had the making of a classic and it's even in the goals being scored and heaven flow back and forth challenge coming in here and so through into St. George's College as they try to respond once more did take them about six minutes in the first half to get back on level by the area headed away that's a sweeping challenge and Mona will break and he missed time this run that is so unfortunate again so eager maybe good that it happened because you know for George's sake they were grieved that the whistle didn't go on the challenge that turned the ball over I think that challenge was on Birket I think it was fairly clean though both played inside they were looking for their number 10 Birket, O'Neill has it plays it tried to play to the path of Spence but too much on it yeah he's had 12 assists so far O'Neill but that one wasn't going to materialize into another too heavy on that pass lots of time still left in this one 30 minutes or so so this one by no means done and dusted and two George's technicians they're just trying to figure whether there needs to be some changes probably just surveying the bench to see who might be the best option these instructions are given for players to get themselves ready for George's but his hands were outstretched wide as if he's missing a player don't know probably a player in the past for purchase mail don't know the Sportsmax app today from the Google player or the app store and just keeping touch with everything that's happening in the schoolboy football arena in Jamaica the SSFL which is the equivalent in Trinidad and Tobago a number of matches free on Sportsmax Plus once you download the app lovely stuff almost came to fruition the final pass from Burkett Swazo sends it high into the afternoon sky so in George's college still with it Reed switching the point of attack Reed again Peralto Swazo gets a return from Peralto in George's college trying to play out from the back and they do so comfortably Johnny Peart goes long and Spence pass was a bit wayward Reed had come short to Holipa space in the middle of the park and that's something evident today here that George has not looked with the regularity to as I said play through the turds look to cut out one or two ever so often Reed Spence trying to navigate the tight space there unsuccessful return Thomas with a pass the keeper responds late but good thing his defender was backing him up and that's Jindu Powell back on the park doing his job yeah for a moment there looked like he was going to be outpaced and I guess he felt so as well that's why he made the last this challenge Freaky coming up for Mona High Peralto to deliver on the kick delivered well inside St. George's College they escape oh poor giveaway today's going to be called back for a kick to Carlton Brown and Mona High they've not really been themselves George is you expect them to be much slicker and smoother when possession and a lot of times you can't just say it's Mona who's causing them all that problem not passing well because a lot of times it's without pressure applied an unforced error really Mackenzie looking for options goes for the lob instead and went all through all the way through to Davis Davis goes long and Rubiner Gordon himself a goal scorer 14 goals to his name so far this season for Gordon as a centre back I remember him playing strike a last season as well Mona's number nine he still held on to the number I tell you that's what they do I have a player who's an attacking midfielder and placed that left back and he wants it his number 10 still for these boys the number do matters but as a coach you give them what they want if that's going to make them perform well yeah they sacrifice for you the least you can do is give them a number right yeah it's not a number I can take there are some coaches the mindset of not giving certain numbers away to any member of your squad so sometimes the number 10 is vacant or the number 7 is vacant that's because of the current Messi and Ronaldo situation in world football but now whatever makes them happy another water break is upon us as we are about midway the second half and Mona high with the advantage over St. George's college and as we take a look back at the goals here Mona took the lead and it was Thomas he was so influential leading up to that moment Romario and Thomas before getting his ninth season and then Zabir Taylor with a wonderful effort on target came off the goalkeeper Akim Bernad so it's going to be an own goal to him but then look at this strike and watch it over and over again Frank Butlerwood Denzel Mackenzie with his 11th goal of the campaign and what a hit that was the free kick to one, to Mona what surprised me is that George is allowed Mona to start the second half much the same way they did the first and I did nothing about it just allowed them to come at them repeatedly they didn't learn their lesson from the first half and maybe because they were put into a false sense of security that they can weather any storm they did suffer and go a goal behind so not quite sure why they would believe that and again they'll have to do the odd work to come from behind to draw a level Craig Butler and his Mona team I in their first major finals the meteoric rise of Mona continue at least on the evidence of what is before us now Peralto goes goal words and Mona actually making use of the difficulty that goalkeepers would have at that end when the sun is setting Davis handled himself well on that occasion but the sun is directly into the eyes of Davis certainly in the eye of his vision his sight, yeah didn't think St. George's College utilized it much in the first half didn't have a lot of consistent attacking moment maybe that one shot from Taylor that went in that would have contributed to it not trying to take anything away from it well here's St. George's College now they're lining up bodies inside the box but that took a deflection and a substitution is going to be made by St. George's College Anil who has come off yeah Jackie Henry comes on for Anil there's a ball inside and the keeper now comes out to Peralto at four goals in the season with that change Adrian Reed is going up a little bit further for St. George's College yeah time has come Johnny Peart hasn't had the best of games inconsistent and here's Mona good recovery here yeah it was Mitchell he's used his body well in this game he's lost any of those duels body checking Mona looking for inspiration well George is looking for inspiration but Mona looking to hurt him even further Taylor ball over the top looking for Reed Reed went to the turf referee Terry waves it off yeah he lost his balance when he took it down so it was really off balance and it would have been a very soft one Mona they have it Birket played that one short Taylor coming to intercept Mona almost barlling his way through well that could have gone anywhere Mona they get it back through Thomas and Mackenzie and Swazo Mackenzie lining up an effort straight down the throat of Davis George is again we saw the evidence of it just turning the ball over just really some bad passes some ten yard passes that you would expect them normally to complete with their eyes closed Mona making a change Damarian Harris comes off Mackintosh comes on to replace him the coach is just moving the chess pieces now Mackintosh normally employed on the left side but we'll see here's Mona that's a wonderful ball to Thomas Thomas still with it takes a shot a snapshot that was the intention but didn't have the power or the direction that was the first contribution from Mackintosh a decent Thomas the game is going to be stretched now as Reeve picks up a free kick time winding down for George's can Mona hold on there's a delivery inside from Adjani Pirt Taylor has it knocks it forward and broke it with a slight touch Peralto St. George's College with a possession again almost wasted it managed to keep it again the long ball hopeful as it was picked up by Spence Reeve with a run Spence trying to find Reeve but couldn't then George's College with a throw Reeve had no one nearby to assist him Mona again having runners Gordon giving chase he's a fit boy isn't he Kashane Gordon was inside and it took a deflection in a slight one back there for St. George's College that was Henry the substitute was a corner kick now for Mona Hyde they'll take their time about it as well George's would want to be concentrated here because with time winding down don't want to give themselves a mountain to climb here it's not already a mountain to deliver that was a miss kick Burkett moves away from Swazer who commits the foul knows that he's going to go in for his book as he moves away from the scene of the crime get to deliver this free kick they need quality headed away Thomas lays it out wide and Mona Hyde there on the break what an opportunity just disappearing there I think it was Teshon McIntosh who just couldn't supply the pass inside there they come again Mona it's Mackenzie plays it through a chance here for Gordon still Gordon force further away sent it across David couldn't hold on he had to make a second attempt at it and the touch was crucial for St. George's College as they remain in this semifinal it was a good attempt at him first and good recovery from him Swazer inside Carlton Brown ball coming into the edge of the box Taylor and that one is put into touch St. George's College will move quickly they are set to make a change but not yet as we take a look at Davis doing his endeavor best to prevent Mona from scoring a goal Birket challenge coming in from Swazer has to be careful of those because he's already in the referee's book yeah tried in carefully no troubles there did get all the ball well the change is going to be made by St. George's College and I believe that we have a sideline report but we'll get to that shortly there's a play actually continued there the change could have been made Taylor out wide Birket trying to go through a couple of defenders you'll get it back luckily now with the dink inside clearance made St. George's College still with the opportunity they are recycling it it's out wide now they need the ball inside and the challenge coming in was that Gordon again with the clearance it was critical again really consistent sequence of pressure here from St. George's Mona settling it nicely done Penance in the way but couldn't quite handle it sweeping challenge coming in and St. George's College looking to manufacture something here Birket didn't quite come off did it Spence will try again and Peralta was in the way it's going to be a throw into St. George's College and will they make the change now yes Gerard those on the sidelines Gerard what's happening thank you so much Donald yeah so the St. George's College management team would have made a request of the fourth official for their goalkeeper the George Davis to wear a cap in goal now the official said no point blank no he cannot wear a cap according to the laws of the game so I went into the rule book and I saw the FA law says non-dangerous protective equipment for example head gear face mask and knee and arm protectors made of soft lightweight pattern material is permitted as our goalkeeper's caps now the cap that we're talking about is the cap that similarly Peter check would have worn in his days at Chelsea not the caps that the St. George's College team would have wanted Davis to wear so yeah Davis of course difficulty with the sun in his eyes the St. George's College team asking for him to wear a cap and they said no point blank thanks Gerard and yeah it's a good point to be made you can't just buy a cap from a vendor and just put it on another baseball caps you can't wear that because it's hard but if you get one with a soft soft enough peak there then you could wear one where's Bruce Hammond when you need him corner kick for Mona and that's not taking all that that didn't miss by much again it was Thomas you know yeah oh he has been so involved and certainly the man with his hand up for being player of this game yep George just needs something as we take a look at the sports maxap moment of the game courtesy of the sports maxap the sports maxap and that was a lovely kick it really was a wonderful free kick by Denzel Mackenzie giving Mona the lead in this Manning Cup semi-final for St. George's College and they loved it really big strike there to give Mona the lead and lead that they have held on to since that strike I think that came in the 56 minutes and we're now in the 86 Taylor ball sent out wide kept in play by Pennant Pennant's ball inside is not a bad one and Mona with the clearance before Reed could get there just felt Reed could have attacked that one more put up front to be a target player but they haven't been able to find him George's clock Pennant inside Mona in the way late challenger coming from Burkett who goes into the referee's book Mona on the verge here they have to do some defending and they continue to do so as Burkett lost it again Mackenzie was looking for the free kick it didn't come his way the call and now Penn sends it out wide to Reed and the challenge is a current in one again from Robina Gordon an outstanding game he's had this afternoon really good but that was all Reed's doing his first touch wasn't crispy enough and he gave Gordon an opportunity to challenge which he took expertly in the end Free kick to St. George's College a player is down for Mona lost a boot in the process there have been quite a few outstanding acts in this semifinal from the side of St. George's College I can think of Zabir tail and the ship that he's put in as well okay that's what St. George's College for Mona in particular I'm thinking of both Robina Gordon and Romarian Thomas I'm not sure if you have anyone else in mind Those are the two I had mentioned Thomas before because I think he was good he was always going to be the player that was going to cause a lot of problems for George he's opened the scoring and since then too has been pretty much involved in everything attacking for Mona Gordon has been solid defensively but a lot of it too has been to George's inefficiency and Christmas that we've come to expect of them so for me I think Thomas has been consistently good throughout this game another change as a substitute who came on is off Tisha and McIntosh St. George's College they waste another opportunity he didn't like it at all Neville Bell 7 minutes has been indicated for the time to be added on to this one so still time for George's George is now looking to probe and to build up through the thirds but because they've afforded the space to the edge of the box that went and a miss kick here and a chance for St. George's College providing the block there and denying Adrian Reed Bernard was looking to get some time down as if he was injured but got back up quite quickly corner kick taken and Mackenzie's there to head that one away lobbed back inside Mona was living on the edge there you know that goes into touch all that problem started by a miss kick from a defender but he was bailed out by his goalkeeper Reed couldn't execute well Taylor with the mistake that's a late challenge the other card shown to Clark that has pretty much summed up George's play today Taylor under no pressure miss please pass and cause Clark to be late to commit that infringement brought down played Brown Taylor's been your best player today I think for St. George's College Even he fell into the trap giving the ball away can't be contagious just not had enough players on the park to really let that energy flow but again Reed being put up front the other he didn't really show the urgency to get onto the end of it and then that opportunity that fell to him just now keeper did well yes but I think he waited until the anger was too acute Freaky opportunity for Mona High again Brown is there and he has decided to leave it Plachment is also here goes straight into the ball Gordon went straight to Davis that could have sealed it and again he was on the end of it so one of the two players for Mona who really have stood out here in this encounter one of three Birkett is the one who's taking the throw gets it back Brian Birkett sends it inside the area again and uncertainty at the back you know for Mona but in the end Bernard comes across the collected and he'll eat up a few more seconds here for Mona oh yes and the moment they defeated St. Andrew technical many felt they were installed as favourites for this man in cop because St. Andrew technical in the eyes of many would have been considered the the overwhelming favourites in pre-season for sure hopeful ball played inside for Reid and again we've seen him knock down those type of deliverers on so many occasions but nobody there to follow up with him about 90 seconds remaining for St. George's college to get the equalizer 90 seconds for Mona to try and hold on anywhere we'll do and again a bad touch again for George's but I'm not sure which of them turned up today the George's one of the Brazilian one that never spoke about but certainly not the one that has been effective enough Birkett skipping by one challenge playing the ball inside and that wasn't the best clearance you know still an opportunity for St. George's college or the slip at the crucial time it's just not falling for them one minute remaining approximately desperation time for St. George's college getting by to Clark taking a shot for some reason and that's exactly the signal coming from Neville Bell from the sidelines they had so many players in front of him to pick one or two out not long remaining now throwing to Mona and they are on the verge here of history you may get another 30 seconds because there was some stoppages in the extra time Guilacard being shown but they are just concerned about the final whistle coming those in the stands getting the yellow not a lot of time remaining St. George's college trying to win it back free kick now we have about 30 seconds or so to go they need more urgency St. George's college deciding to play it back they need to disobey if they want to send a chance here but Mona defending stubbornly that is it here at Savannah Park and company about a collage against collage they've certainly risen over the years and described what the era has been culminated in an appearance in the final and I think we look at the play of this game Thomas has been the main protagonist for them and to get past and he started this game bright was always in it always a source of outlet a means by which Mona could turn to give George's lots of problems and lots to think about what they will be thinking about now Mona is a place in the final and how they can lift the title remarkable remarkable it's as if they broke through the sound barrier to reach where they are right now and an explosion of excitement and a bit of relief there because so much was riding on it for them and Mona High winning this Manicope semifinal by the odd golden three as we take a look at the full time highlights here and it was a little cage in that first half you know Mona did so well Thomas the instigator in chief creating quite a few chances and creating trouble along this right hand side both played inside Davis held on to it and St. George's College they responded at times broke it with the effort that was wide of the mark on that occasion he wasn't altogether accurate this afternoon and then the ball played inside the box the header of the bar good work there by Cachain Gordon to get on the end of it but finding the woodwork and then the moment late in the first half they just couldn't clear St. George's College and it was that boy Romarian Thomas getting his ninth goal of the campaign in the shadows putting that over the line giving Mona the lead just before the half time interval in the 39th minute of play and they were ecstatic but they would respond St. George's College a few minutes later Taylor with the effort you have to give credit to Taylor he's still looking for his first goal this season though the goal awarded against Sakeem Pernod but St. George's College didn't mind and it was one-one before the interval Taylor taking the acclaim of the crowd in the second half more opportunities were restricted to shots from outside the box but this was magical from Denton Mackenzie wonderful kick look at the power Mackenzie getting his 11th goal of the campaign with a stunning shot on target and it proved to be the difference in this one they could have had more Gordon sending this across Davis couldn't quite hold on had to put his life, limb, everything on the line to stop a shot coming in and an opportunity here and in the way was Pernod just stopping that one coming up big in the end for Mona who celebrated with the energy that they gave for all of the 90 minutes here as we take a look at the full-time match statistics, Mona they had 14 shots 6 on target, they were dominant in this game especially in the attacking third then George's College 8 shots, 3 on target they were also quite physical in George's College 2 yellow cards a piece as well and you can see the corner kicks 4 well I'm sure St. George's College had a couple of corner kicks in that as well and in the end the possession at 53% it is now time for the did-sell man of the match and he'll be getting his award Romarian Thomas yeah that's right thank you so much John Romarian Thomas the man of the match being presented by Katie Webly the junior brand manager of digital thank you so much Katie Romarian talk to me about this historic event talk to me about this historic event for Mona High how good do you feel about achieving a very first final in your school's history well I feel very great for going into the final for the very first time yeah talk to me about your game though what was the best game possible for today no it wasn't my best game but I'll try my best well now your focus is on the final are you expecting to play any team in particular or whoever comes in front of you you're ready alright well done to you congratulations again Romarian yeah Romarian Thomas there from Mona High the man of the match embracing coach Neville Bell from St. George's College we know it's always tough to lose you know but if you look back at how things would have gone today were some of the things I would have hoped could have been done better by St. George's College team well it's always tough to lose period where there's a semifinal or not we didn't do enough I thought we matched them on the field but in front of goal we didn't do much and after they scored the second goal as you saw they put everybody behind the ball it's always tough but I'm very proud of these kids you know last year we ended up fifth never made the semifinal never made the champions cup this year we're in the semifinal we're in the champions cup so God willing next year we'll do even better speaking of next year how do things look for you in terms of the players that you get to retain and possibly the new players coming into the program we shouldn't be bad you know we shouldn't be bad I think of the squad of about 25 I think we lose about 5 or 6 so we shouldn't be bad but I worked hard they've been working hard all season so congrats to them I don't know who they will meet in the final but I wish both teams good luck thank you so much coach coach Bertis Bell there from St. George's College embracing coach Craig Butler the technical director of Mona High coach Butler joined by coach Peralto tell me about this game how are you feeling creating history once again for this Mona High school just totally elated feeling it for the boys mostly they're putting a lot of hard work and to get here is excellent for them really happy for them really happy for them going up 2-1 and then you park the bus again similar tactics to what you did against it at the technical high school is that something that is going to become a staple in Mona High's playing style it should be a staple for any intelligent team you have to have that component in your artillery and we use it well the boys played out their hearts they played with everything and the staff, the team coaching until now my mom here my mom raised me on her own and seeing her standing here and touching 80 years old and still cheering me on and cheering on my teammates and my players it really feels good you know, a lot of people don't have that and don't have the type of man I have everything that you taught that fighting spirit that will pass on to the kids that coming from us then and I have been friends from where little boys you don't have to come up and say that we're here on this pitch and be able to do it just really proud nothing left to say after that congratulations we are seeing you in the final thank you very much it's not over yet that is parting shot Craig Butler with these wonderful results for Mona High embodying Mona Pride beating St. George's College by two goals to one in this first Manicup semifinal here at Savannah Park one more semifinal to go it's a big one, Kingston College against High Del High up next, stay tuned


Yeah, this is going viral right now. Michelle Marquez won Miss Universe Philippines. And after winning the title, she officially announced that her sexual orientation is bisexual. She showed photos from her younger years where she was a tomboy. And this generated a lot of internet comments. But it actually comes on the heels of a viral McDonald's commercial in the Philippines that features a LGBT lesbian couple. So this is just very interesting because Asia Andrew, traditionally the Philippines is very Catholic, but Asia in general is very, can be very conservative or closed off when it comes to this issue, right? Yeah, so we're gonna dive into the comments section. Please hit that like button, check out other episodes of the Hot Pop Boys.    It's just like part of their culture that I guess occupies a pretty high status. So anyway, let's get into the comments section. Of course, Andrew, you got the bro-wish comments from the internet where people were like really happy about this, right? Dude, I'm happy she's bisexual. Now in my mind, I can imagine her with her girlfriend or some, you know, obviously the classic bro comment. Right. Somebody said, why share everything in 2023? This is more of a conservative comment, maybe a moderate conservative comment. I mean, you hear this a lot too for a lot of reasons, right?  I guess something like this, it depends on obviously the statement she's trying to make and she felt like she could make an impact and help push some of the movement to be more accepting of LGBT by her even saying bisexual, which she didn't even say that she's lesbian. She just said she's bisexual, which is like one step in between, right? Right. And I guess from my research, there is a cultural movement brewing at least in the pop cultural society of the Philippines right now, whether or not the governmental laws and things, that's actually a whole nother compartmentalized sector. Somebody said bisexual women are by far the most accepted type of LGBTIQ. I don't know if other straight guys count them as their own identity, but rather women who sure know how to party. Yeah, this is not a debate that I have a strong stance on, but I think that's a pretty funny comment to be honest. Somebody said that lesbians are still more accepted because they are perceived to be masculinity, whereas femininity is not allowed by like the opposite male gender. Yeah, you know what's interesting is that I don't know how being LGBT was being viewed in the Philippines, but I know being in America amongst Filipino-Americans, everybody was very accepting. I mean, we grew up around a lot of Filipinos and we always knew that there was LGBT Filipinos. Even in our town growing up. Yeah, we just in our school, like of our friend group of our larger circle, we definitely all had them. So I guess it always felt like it was very accepting amongst the families here. So I guess to hear that it was not very well accepted in the Philippines, which I haven't spent a lot of time. We only went for a short trip one time. I guess that was a little bit surprising to me. Well, I guess people are saying that it's all in the details. Like a much more tomboy girl is accepted, but maybe not a feminine man or a feminine man is accepted, but not a strong man who happens to be LGBT. Like I said, guys. I don't know, but yes, that's interesting. Somebody said, this is why she won. They knew this before the outcome. It's all fixed and it's designed to change society. The classic. Anytime anybody wins anything, it's fixed. Maybe, but I don't know. No, I mean, I think that anybody like has a movement to push like a certain thing that's going on in the culture. It's possible, but it doesn't mean that it's wrong, right? People want to make statements just like the Oscars and all the Asians winning at the Oscars.  Yeah, I mean, her statement was not crazy. She didn't tell everybody, all your kids should be this. You know, she was just like, I'm this and I'm proud. Right. Somebody said, I went to the Philippines in 1979. And even back then there were plenty of tomboy's holding hands with more feminine looking girls. It was far more open at that time than the USA society was. So it's really interesting, David. You know, obviously we've been to Hong Kong and we've been around Asia and in Hong Kong, especially, it seems like everybody's very accepting of like tomboy specifically lesbian couples, right? And I see them holding hands all the time. No one bats an eye. However, there might not be a mainstream discussion about it. It might be one of those things that just happens and people are just like, oh yeah, sure. But they don't like come up with all these laws and shows and discussions and like trying to make these different things about it. So I think that's the struggle that America is having right now versus Asia. Asia's just like, hey, just kind of be your thing. But just like, just don't make it a thing, you know? Right, right. It's very, very different. It's very difficult to compare to the almost contentiousness lobbing shots back and forth. Yeah, America. That's the nature of the West. Hey, David, America likes a good war. Yeah. Somebody said that the Philippines had always had a very fluid and tolerant view towards gender and sexuality, specifically pre-colonial, pre-Catholicism. There was things like the Baba Ayalan, which is an ancient, non-barren, binary shaman. I will pop up a photo of this. I did some research about it. Somebody said, I thought the Philippines was a very conservative Catholic country. And somebody said, so are Spain, Mexico, and Italy. But at this point in 2023, it doesn't mean much. Right, right, right. So Andrew, let's move on to the McDonald's commercial, which kind of shows that there's a whole movement right behind the whole LGBT thing going on in the Philippines. Right. Let's air it. Hi, it's on cheeseburger, please. With large fries and drinks, na buba? A la carte lang. Thank you. Ma'am, dessert you po. Baca matunau. Yeah, as you guys can see, the commercial, you know, pretty cute, actually very wholesome. No, I thought it was a good commercial overall. But also, do they really serve people on skateboards through the drive-through? Like, I don't know, do they do that in the Philippines? Because I know they would not serve people on skateboards in America. She was wearing a helmet, though, to indicate the safety standards. Somebody said, what are they going to do when McDonald's finally moves to robot servers? This type of interaction won't even be available anymore. Well, it could be human to machine now. So this opened up a lot of discussions, Andrew, because McDonald's is doing it. Somebody said, as a queer person, I don't care if this is pandering for our dollars or not. We enjoy and we need this type of representation. Hey, who doesn't enjoy a little bit of pandering? Asians have been pandered to, in many respects, in the past, you know, five, six, seven years. So, you know, can pander to different groups. This other woman, who I believe is white, said, Americans are not the only ones allowed to have a cultural opinion moment or struggles. This might be considered rainbow capitalism in the US, but for countries still pushing for equality, this actually means a lot. So rather than just chasing dollars, Andrew, this could be society changing before our eyes in a foreign country. Yeah, I think that there's a good argument to say, like, hey, this isn't, like, just because the Philippines did it this way, it doesn't mean that it's for the same reasons that America would make this commercial. Right, if this commercial was in America, people would definitely question the intentions. This commercial probably has a larger impact culturally in the Philippines, because they're at a different place. Their societal pulleys, levers, and mechanisms are different because as much as there is American influence in the Philippines, it is a fundamentally different society in a whole nother part of the world. Somebody said that Max's chicken from the Philippines actually had a subtle commercial addressing these pro-LGBT themes of acceptance and the family, the traditional family with the kids a few years back as well. Yeah, and there's also this pretty viral perfume commercial over in the Philippines that has to do with high schoolers and stuff like that. And it was like, basically, to spoil it, the father thinks that his son actually has a girlfriend, but the son is wearing perfume for actually a guy at school, but then later the father accepts his son as his son. Yeah, which is cool. It was a heartwarming commercial. It's very interesting in the countries that are native English speakers, Andrews, such as the Philippines and India. India recently had a really viral Starbucks campaign featuring somebody who was a trans woman who was the son of, I'm sorry, the daughter of traditional parents and how they were dealing with it, but showing the acceptance, you know? So it goes to show you that the English-speaking countries for sure are almost adopting perhaps some things from the West as well. But I will also say this, David, I don't know if those commercials are being ran a lot for like basic television audience, right? They might be more on the internet, more on web, more on premium web services, more on streaming services, more on cable services, where the audience might not just be like- Or be more global. Be more- Be more international, more educated. More for a global audience, let's be honest, yeah. Anyway, let's get to our takeaways, Andrew. I think it's really cool to see culture change. People become more accepting of other identities. Everybody deserves to live a happy life, especially in societies that 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago were not as accepting. But I do think that the way this sort of movement works in Asia is different. They're probably not gonna sign as many laws in a place. However, they will accept it on a more day-to-day basis more and more every day. Yeah, I mean, I don't think that either of these places are violent to the regular citizen as much. And I do think that their probably level of hate crime probably is lower, just because they're maybe not as violent as countries, at least in that manner. They're just kind of docile in regards to seeing other people on the street in general. Yeah, and I think America's stubbornness and unwillingness to change a lot of their laws and to accept certain things does come from the arrogance and the achievements of America, where Americans are pretty much like, hey man, listen, we had a pretty good, elite, powerful country for all these decades without this thing.  Right, right, right. You're saying that there are, some people or some faction in America is sort of conflating social progressiveness with economic decline or structural decline or whatever. Yeah, I mean, America likes a good war. They like, America is an aggressive country man. They like a good joust. They really do. I mean, and we got all types of wars right now. Meat eaters versus vegans, et cetera. This versus that. The race wars of America and the gender wars of America. And by the way, I'm not saying that it's not an issue in Asia, but I just definitely don't view it with the same hypercharged, you know, lobbing shots back and forth thing. Right, right, right. But yeah, anyways, you guys, let me know in the comments down below, guys, what you think about this. Anybody from the Philippines, please, if you have any insight or can shed some light on this or you wanna share your own personal comment and thoughts on this, please let us know because, yeah, I mean, there's a movement in the Philippines and all over the world, it is Pride Month, by the way. So everybody, please hit that like button. Check out other episodes of the Hop Hop Boys and until next time, we out. Peace.


If I read one of these books when I'm 30, that was obviously just the right time for me to read it, not necessarily now. So I'm trying not to be... Everyone, welcome back to my channel. I hope you're well. Today I thought we would just do actually a really, really fun video. I have scrolled back to the start of time to the third video on my channel. Well it's actually, this is the first video I ever filmed so it's gonna make you painful watching. Are you comfortable? I'm scared. Are you scared? You should be. But it's the third video I ever uploaded. I called it a scroll book haul to try and get more views for it being a book haul. But it was actually all of my owned books, so at that point in time all of the books I owned. And I thought we could go back and watch it and see how many of them I've actually read. I uploaded it on September 24th 2019. So it's been over a year now. I don't know how many of them I'm gonna have read. Like I really don't. From what I can remember I think I had about 20, 25 books maybe? Maybe a bit more at the time. And I remember being embarrassed by that. I remember thinking that's extortionate.  Why do I have so many books? And obviously I had not been on booktube very long because I now have I think I'm at about 80. Are you not ashamed of yourself? Are you not embarrassed? Probably since this video was made I have read 140 books in that time period. So you would hope that I have read those 20 books. We were all so happy that day. It's actually hard to even imagine how terrible things would soon become. I'm going for half. I'm hoping for at least half.  Let me know also if you would like me to do this video again. Like I know some people do it all of my physical owned books. So let me know if you want me to do that again because I will. I now have like 80 so it's gone a lot. Hello welcome back to my channel. I sound way too nice. So I have 31. Oh 31. Okay that's more than I thought currently. I'm really prioritizing getting through these books before I buy anymore because your girl doesn't have much money. What science are girls by Pat Barker? Well I've already seen our first book and that statement didn't work Megan. Haven't read it. Haven't read it. Does anybody care? Oh my gosh. Do you care? I think I'm gonna be reading that soon for a video but I still don't really know anything that's about next. Then we've got the Poppy wall. Oh ready. 5 stars. The Poppy wall I loved. I loved it so much. I think it's a wonderful book. It is the story of Rin as she becomes this kind of like military figure. She gets to go to this military school and it's just very much based on Chinese history but set in a fantasy world and it is brilliant. Amazing. Everyone's been talking about it so you've probably known about it but I love the Poppy wall. 5 stars. Next we've got Cersei by Madeleine Miller. Haven't read it. It is a story of Cersei. Haven't read it. That one isn't that cover? It is. It's still pretty. It is pretty. It doesn't mean you've read it yet though. Next we've got Heartless by Marissa Mayer. I've read it. I've read it. Success. Okay I'm just gonna put my head here because I'm in the shade whereas if I'm here you can't see me. So I have read Heartless. I gave it I think 4 stars. It was good. I didn't love it as much as something like the Luna Chronicles and I just think Marissa Mayer like there's something brilliant about her writing. I really love reading her stuff. It's light, fun, quick. We're 2 for 2. What's next? Next we've got Skyward. I do have it here but it's the bottom of a stack that's up here. You can just trust me that it's there. I didn't actually like Skyward that much. Well I gave it 3 stars. It's probably more like a 2.75. I just struggled with the writing style. I didn't enjoy the kind of matter of factness about it. I didn't feel like the world building was very good.  Like so boring and yeah it was a real disappointment when I read it. So Skyward wasn't great. I don't think I'm gonna be continuing on with the series. My dad didn't particularly like it either. We are now 3 for 2. I've read 3 of them. Okay. The last book on here is Biased by Jennifer Eberhardt. This is basically a nonfiction book about the unconscious biases that we have. Haven't read it. This is one that I keep meaning to get around to. It's very highly recommended. It is about race and kind of the science of race and racism and so I think it's something that I want to get around to but like nonfiction at the moment I'm just struggling to read as much and fit into videos and stuff like that. So maybe I'll do like a yeah but no one will watch a nonfiction blog.  Now more than ever this is a really important book to read you know dealing with race and racism and the science of it. So next are the books that I bought at full price. I have the first few books in The Diviners series which is The Diviners, Lair of Dreams and then Before the Devil Breaks You. I was so excited to read these and I went to America in April. April? In April and it's August, September now. So I've really done a lot of getting around to these. I don't know why I'm so mad at myself for like buying a book in April and not having read it by September. Now that would be good thing. Y'all should be so ashamed of yourself. It was bad. I have read The Diviners and Lair of Dreams and I have not read Before the Devil Breaks You but I am going to be reading this I would say I think next week. I think I'm going to get to read this. You all know that literally for months I've been trying to fit this into reading vlogs and I haven't been able to like I've been wanting to read it so so bad. I'm very excited to finally get around to it and it's not a book that I have been putting off reading. I just haven't been able to fit it into a reading vlog but now I have so I'm going to be reading this very soon. So that I feel like I should get a point for because like probably by the time this video comes out I would have read it but as of now I haven't and like I can't lie to you.  The first is Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson. I've read it. Most of the times I've actually read this where I've wanted a bit more of an easy read. It's a kind of young adult mystery book. I love mystery books. I really like the Nancy Drew books. That's because I play Nancy Drew as a kid. Yeah there's a lot of times I want to pick it up but then I don't want to dive into the sequel and I do want to wait until the sequel comes out and paperback soon. Isn't that so sad? So I have read Truly Devious I think I gave it about four stars and I have read its sequel which I didn't have at this point in time but I wanted to wait until the paperbook comes out. The third book has been out for like a year but I still haven't bought it because I want the morning paperback and I heard really mixing like last year when the third one came out. I really liked it. I really liked like kind of like dark academia school mode of mystery but lighter YA vibe. The next book I have is next year in Havana by Chanel Cleaton. I bought this on a recommendation of Riley Marie one of my favorite YouTubers that there is. I have read that and I hated it. I gave it two stars it's one of my least favorite books of the year. All right we'll not be continuing on with that series. I hated it so much like it's one I just hate I just hated it. I'm sorry Riley like I know we agree on a lot of other things but this book just no no no no no. I thought it was really potty written the romance was shy the plot was shy everything about it was shy didn't like it but at least I've read it at least I get a point for that. And the last book that I have I bought for price was mug outward alias alias grace by mug outward all the way around. A mug outward I would say is one of my favorite authors however I have not read one of her books since I made this video. I have wanted to read this book for so long. The thing is though it's a very intimidating book it's quite long like how like it's over 500 pages it's historical fiction it's a bit more dense I don't know it's just not the kind of book that I reach for when I'm having to read three books a week for a video. But I do want to read it soon like I want to get through more of mug outward's backlist but I haven't read it I haven't read it so I don't get a point. There's no competition here there's no one else fighting to get points but I am upset if I do not get a point. So next we've got all the books that I've bought um reduced at used bookstore. I did not buy books reduced that much anymore I mean like for the past seven months how long have we been living in this hell there haven't really been a chance to because a lot of the second hand stores that I would usually go to have been shut and I haven't been traveling as much. I managed to get a couple of 2018. This isn't going to go well I haven't read these. The first is the wife that's been read by Grandrix and Sarah. I mean I've got no reason not to read it if it fits in a vlog I'll read it but I haven't felt particularly inspired to read it I feel like I don't read this kind of domestic woman against woman, woman crazy thriller very I don't really like that I don't think. This is not for me no but I will still read it and like all of these books that I bought second hand were like a pound so it's not really the end of the world that I haven't read it but the next one I've already seen is the Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle let's hear what I say first but I have not read that either. Then I also got Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle for a pound with sprayed edges and it looks completely new I don't even know if anyone has read this. So I have not read this yet either however I do have it planned for a vlog and I will be reading it. Within the next month that's all that bad like before the level breaks you I'm getting around to them really soon. Next I've got both half of your son Bacchumamanda Ngozi Adichie and Americana Bacchumamanda Ngozi Adichie. I've never read her fiction. I've listened to a lot of her speeches. I've read Americana but I haven't read half of the Ghetto Sun. I really liked Americana I gave it like four stars it was a really interesting discussion of race and examination of race and critique of racist societies and microaggressions but it was dense it was heavy and so I feel like it's gonna take me a hot second before I end up getting around to half of the Ghetto Sun. I'm very intimidated by it but at least I've read one of them. You did your best but I guess your best wasn't good enough. Next. The Help by Catherine Stocker. Well we need a new category. So I have unhauled that book because I just never realised how racist it is I don't know why. I don't know I think it wasn't very clued up on like book discourse and discussion around books and I now know it's a very racist book so I unhauled it. I got rid. Then we got Catch 22. There we need another new category. Again this is an absolute classic for a lot of people but I've never read it. Next is White Teeth by Azadie Smith. I've heard polarising things about Azadie Smith. Okay let's talk about these next two books in succession. I DNF'd both Catch 22 and White Teeth. At the start of the year this hasn't continued but at the start of the year I started this like mug where I put the books I was most intimidated by and I had to pick one a month. It lasted like two months because I DNF'd both the books. I feel like White Teeth is one I'm never coming back to like I have no interest in reading that but Catch 22 I may read. Like I still hold the door open for that one. It's not currently on my like physical TBR but I would be interested in giving it a go at some point in the future. I'm sorry about the lying. Please don't hate me. Like it's just really uncorporative today. The Sun.  I'm not a big fan of the cover. Oh dear. This isn't going well. The cover and this one is a bit better. Again it's like a classic so when I saw this I was actually really excited to pick it up you're not reading that quickly sis. You can just tell when I'm talking about these books and I'm going oh it's a classic so I had to pick it up. Like you can just tell I don't actually have that much of an interest in reading it. I didn't have a clear identity on what I enjoyed on what I liked reading. I didn't know who I was. Like I still want to read this but the point is I bought all of these books not knowing who I was. I didn't know me. It is a classic. I should read it at some point. Am I going to get around to it soon? No I'm not. I'm just not. I can't really see what it is. It's all battery mantel. Everyone's excited about the third book in the series coming out soon. It's very long. Yeah you don't say. So Wolf Hall haven't read. This is getting worse and worse. I thought I was doing okay. It's massive. Like when am I ever gonna get around to this? Never. I mean one day I will. I do love kind of Tudor fiction. Like I don't ever read it but I love the idea of it. It's again that kind of literary fiction that I thought obviously I wanted to read but evidently don't. Now the next book I'm gonna put under unhaul Mad Adam or whatever it's called by Margaret Atwood because I didn't know at the time. This is actually like the third book in a series or something I'm pretty sure. I've taken it off my physical TBR list. Technically I've put it on unhaul for the purposes of this video but it wasn't an unhaul because I don't want to read it. It was just an unhaul because I actually couldn't read it. Next please. Next we've got a battered version of Reeves Talk Back heading by Lionel. I'm not even gonna listen to myself talk about it. I don't even want to hear myself talk about it. I still have it. Haven't read it. I've heard some like mixed things about the author and this book since I hold it. Next we've got Warlight by Michael. Again I'm not listening to myself talk about it. These books like I just get angry at myself because I have no idea what I want to read at this point in time. Like I don't care. I don't even know what this book is about. It's at the end of the war. I don't know. My mum told me it was good. It is written to be fair out of all these books. This is under 300 pages so like maybe I'll get around to this soon. Next we've got Rebecca by Daphne De Morier. Hi. Where is it? Okay so obviously haven't read it. That is actually painful to watch. I did have plans to read this next week however I do not think I'm gonna have time to get around to this one. I do really want to read this. I do want to get back into classics because I think I read them more so before I had my booktube channel. I think on booktube there's just a pressure to read what's just come out, what's new, what's hype, what's been generally hyped the past five years. And it means that just classics aren't something I reach for. I put them off. I don't read them. I still really want to give Daphne De Morier's works a try. So this is actually the most positive one we've had in a while. So lastly we've got the non-fiction books that I have. Non-fiction. The first is Ways of Seeing. Oh okay I read that. I read that. I didn't enjoy it. I think I gave it like two or three stars but I had to read it for a course I was doing. For the least it means I've read something. Next we've got The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. I'm quite into meditation and uh self-improvement and all that kind of stuff. I have read that. I think I gave it three stars and then I unhauled it because I read it mainly by audiobook anyway. It was such an old tadcopy. I didn't feel like it was particularly enlightening. I didn't care about it so I unhauled it but I've put it in red because like I did read it. I don't think I really want to read stuff like that anymore. Next is Forgotten Women the Leaders by Zing Street. Um I believe that's back on it boys. This is a series part of a series all about powerful women through history. I really love learning about women in history who have kind of been forgotten. Illustrations in here are beautiful. Each page has a different style of illustration. Yeah I loved this. I think I gave it four or five stars maybe 4.5. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. I don't currently own the rest of the series but it was just such a cool look at forgotten women throughout history and getting to finally tell their story and talk about them and recognize the influence that they've had. So I loved it. Loved that one. We have The Secret Barrister by The Secret Barrister. Let's just look at the UK justice system. It's main issues and flaws. Secret Barrister was fine. It was fine. It was like three stars. It was interesting but it wasn't particularly engaging. You know that's just my opinion. Everybody got an opinion. Second to last is The Beauty Myth by Minomi Wolf. Lastly is Educated by Tara Westover. This is the story of a girl who wasn't really educated. Okay so those last two haven't read. The Beauty Myth is so short. Where is she? I'll read this at some point. It's so short. I'll probably read it for like a readathon or something because it's only just over 100 pages and obviously the book is like tiny. Educated I still want to read. I think someone has my copy. I don't know where my copy's gone. So there we have it. I did not do as well as I thought. That's embarrassing. That's actually embarrassing. I'm actually ashamed in myself but I think it just shows that I didn't know my reading taste at the time. I didn't know what I enjoyed reading, what I wanted to read. These 17 books that I haven't read yet. They are all still books that I want to read. Evidently I haven't unhauled them but I think for a lot of them it will be quite a long time until I get around to them because I'm just not excited as I am as excited with a lot of my other books. If I read one of these books when I'm 30 that was obviously just the right time for me to read it. Not necessarily now so I'm trying not to be... So let me know if you enjoyed this video. I'm going to be doing a few more Reakti type videos in the next few months so keep a look out for that. I enjoyed it until I lost. I didn't... I don't like the fact that I haven't read as many of them as I wanted to have read but listen it'll happen one day. I'll read it one day but yeah thank you very much for watching. I will see you very soon in another video. Bye!