15-year old Wins Bubba Gump’s Wii Ping Pong Championship

Teenager Lean Blas bested 15 other finalists, with ages ranging from 5 to 44 years old, to bring home a Nintendo Wii game console in The 1st Bubba Gump Whatta Weekend: The Wii Ping Pong Tournament. Held last August 16, 2008 at the TriNoma Cinema Lobby, the Finals of the tournament was the climax of the 2-weekend series of gamin' fun organized by Shrimpworks Co., Inc., owner 'n manager of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurants in the Philippines.

The finalists showed their skills again in the Mario & Sonic at the Olympics Nintendo Wii Ping-Pong game, the same game they played during the Qualifying Rounds on July 25, 26, August 8 and 9 at Bubba Gump Greenbelt 3 'n Bubba Gump TriNoma. This time, though, each one played with another finalist, instead of a virtual opponent.

Just as Bubba Gump is family-oriented, the event drew families 'n friends together. As Edward Co, Shrimpworks’ VP for Business Development, said, “It’s great to see parents, brothers and buddies of finalists here tonight to be the cheerleaders. This is what Bubba Gump is also about. Aside from good food, we want everyone to be together, relax and have fun.”

Even part of the Finals’ lineup itself was a “family affair.” Among the finalists were Lanz Blas, who is tournament champion Lean’s 11-year old brother; siblings Aiza and Joseph Agustin; and, husband and wife Alex and Carolyn Lim. Catherine Bonoan, Kristine Banez, Jose Macasa, Michael Co, Lorenzo Luis Uy, Felise Jiao, Roland Agbuya, Kristine Gomez, Joshua Bonifacio, and early favorite, 5-year old Gabrielle Chiuco, completed the cast.

In the championship game, Lean seemed to be in disbelief after he made the winning shot against another teenager, 17-year old Joseph Agustin. He almost did not make it to the final two slots when he met 42-year old Carolyn Lim, whose speed 'n spirit easily matched up to Lean’s. Carolyn won the first game of their semifinal match, but Lean snatched the second game to force Carolyn to a third, which Lean eventually won.

Aside from the Wii console, Lean brought home a trophy plus P5000 worth of Bubba Gump Gift Certificates (quite a lot of shrimpin' there!). Joseph Agustin finished 2nd and Michael Co, 3rd. Joseph took home P5000 cash 'n P5000 Bubba Gump Gift Certificates, while Michael, P2500 cash 'n P2500 Bubba Gump Gift Certificates.

Hosted by the witty DJ TonyToni of Magic 89.9 'n lovely TV personality Menchu Antigua, the event started with a Wii free play period open to all TriNoma shoppers plus special promotions on Bubba Gump’s special drinking glasses, shirts and beanies. Some shoppers even rekindled their affair with the paddle, using the ping-pong table set up by Toby’s Sports.

Of course, a Bubba Gump event would not be complete without delicious food. The finalists and guests feasted on a complimentary buffet of some Bubba Gump favorites - Hush Pups, Cajun Shrimp (which seemed to have been swept away by a typhoon, or more likely, hungry guests), Ping Pong Chicken, Chocolate Chip Cookies and an overflowing serving of Speckled Lemonade.

The 1st Bubba Gump Whatta Weekend: The Wii Ping Pong Tournament was inspired by the extraordinary ping-pong skills of Forrest Gump, the main character in the 1994 Oscar Best Picture where Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.’s concept was based on. Big Scoop, Nestea, Nestea Lemonade, Fly Ace, Pacific Fresh Foods Inc., Flyace Corp., Peotraco, Mida Foods, Red Hot Trading, Golden Tiara and Getz Brothers sponsored the event.

Bubba Gump To Stage ‘Dramatic’ Wii Ping Pong Finals

Bubba Gump’s Wii Ping Pong Tournament Finals will feature a husband and wife facing off, sibling rivalries and a 5-year old girl up against a 27-year old teacher – more drama than Forrest Gump.

The Wii Ping Pong Tournament, presented by Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., ends with exciting and unpredictable matches on August 16, 2008 at 6:00 pm at the TriNoma Cinema Lobby. The first round will feature, among others, husband and wife Alex and Carolyn Lim competing against each other; siblings Joseph and Aiza Agustin and Lanz and Lean Blas trying to show each other who’s the better player in their respective families; and, a 5-year old girl going up against a 27-year old teacher. These are all for the championship title and, of course, a Nintendo Wii game console.

The Finals’ matches promise to be even more engaging than the movie Forrest Gump. The match-up to watch out for is that of Gabrielle Chiuco, 5 years old, and Mark Navarra, 27. Particularly since Nintendo Wii games are very popular among the young, no one can really predict the outcome of this match. As Forrest’s Momma said, “Life is a box of chocolates… You never know what you're gonna get.”

Also going up against each other in the first round of the Finals are Kristine Banez and Catherine Bonoan; Jose Macasa and Lorenzo Luis Uy; Lean Blas and Lanz Blas; Michael Jeremy Co and Felise Jiao; and, Roland Agbuya and Kristine Gomez.

They will all once again show their skills in the Mario & Sonic at the Olympics Nintendo Wii Ping Pong Game – the same game they played in the Qualifying Rounds. This time, though, each finalist will play against another finalist, instead of a virtual opponent. The Finals will follow a knockout system until only two finalists remain to compete for the championship match.

The gaming area will be open for free play for everyone from 1:00 pm until the games of the Finals start.

The tournament idea was inspired by the extraordinary ping-pong skills of Forrest Gump, the lead character of the 1994 Oscar Best Picture where the Bubba Gump restaurant is also based on. Fans of the movie would remember Forrest Gump’s talent in the sport being discovered accidentally while he was injured from his duty in the US Army. He was even asked to join the all-American team that competed in the Olympics in China and was recognized for this by US President Nixon.

The 1st Bubba Gump Whatta Weekend: The Wii Ping Pong Tournament is sponsored by Big Scoop, Nestea, Nestea Lemonade, Fly Ace, Pacificfresh Foods, Inc. Flyace Corp., Peotraco, Mida Foods, Red Hot Trading, Golden Tiara and Getz Bros.

For more information about Bubba Gump’s Wii Ping Pong Tournament Finals, please e-mail Customer@BubbaGump.com.ph or visit the Bubba Gump restaurants located at the 4th Level of TriNoma in Quezon City and at the 2nd Level of Greenbelt 3, Makati City.