IN the near future, American swimmer Natalie Coughlin might learn a few Tagalog words.  In an interview with Filipino-American newspaper Asian Journal, Coughlin, who is a quarter Filipino, said that she is starting to learn the language from computer software.

“Although my family speaks Tagalog among themselves, I was never taught,” Coughlin was quoted as saying in a recent interview. “I am using a computer program called Rosetta Stone that is helping me learn Tagalog. Maybe now I’ll know what my family is saying about me.”

Coughlin said that she grew up eating a lot of Filipino food from her relatives.

“My family blends Filipino food and American food at all of our gatherings.  Halo-halo is one of my favorite treats. And I’m sure everyone says this, but my grandma’s chicken adobo is by far the best I have ever tasted,” said Coughlin, whose family lives in Cavite.

The 25-year-old Coughlin took the 100-meter backstroke gold medal Tuesday with a time of 58.96 seconds. She also won a silver medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay and a bronze in the 200-meter individual medley.

She will still participate in the 200-meter individual medley on Friday. 

Must focus on ‘measurables’

BEIJING—Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia have each already won a medal in the 29th Olympics, all from the measurable sport of weightlifting. And they definitely pose as good copies for the Philippines, which struggles each Olympics to clinch even a bronze medal.

College tilts could propel swimmers

BEIJING—A better collegiate program back home could perhaps propel Filipino swimmers to world-class standards.

Most prolific

BEIJING—So you’ve always wanted to swim like Michael Phelps?

Well, now you have.

Javier treasures short Games stint

BEIJING—Archer Mark Javier goes back home to his native Dumaguete City without a medal hanging on his neck. But he definitely would pack beautiful experiences from his first Olympic stint.

Zhang earns Joseph’s ire over divers

THE Chinese diving coach of the national team Zhang Deju got the ire of Mark Joseph, president of the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (Pasa), after the former divulged negative remarks on divers Sheila Mae Perez and Rexel Ryan Fabriga.

Fil-Am Coughlin’s learning Tagalog

IN the near future, American swimmer Natalie Coughlin might learn a few Tagalog words.  In an interview with Filipino-American newspaper Asian Journal, Coughlin, who is a quarter Filipino, said that she is starting to learn the language from computer software.

Tickets all sold out, yet seats empty

BEIJING—Chinese Olympics organizers acknowledged Tuesday they were struggling to handle an unforeseen and baffling problem inside Summer Games venues and at the showpiece Olympic Park: not enough people.

Part Of The Game: Glories of RP Olympians past

When it comes to Philippine Olympic glory, do we have a past, a present or a future?

The picture seems hazy at the moment, what with our best bets so far bowing out far from glorious fashion in the Beijing Olympics. (At the time of writing, I am still looking out for boxer Harry Tañamor’s fate, and I hope it’s a thumbs up.)

Go for Hatton, not Oscar, Wakee advises Pacquiao

THERE seems to be growing apprehension within the Manny Pacquiao camp regarding the Filipino fighter’s proposed battle against superstar Oscar de la Hoya.