Think about it
Boxing lessons
By Jun Velasco
IT will take some time for us, “genuine victory”-starved Filipinos, to get over the national euphoria brought home by boxing icon Manny Pacquiao after his “annihilation” of Ricky Hatton last week.
They say that in the Philippines, it’s only in the realm of sport where fighting is conducted according to the rules. Fair competition is out in politics, of course. And in business, in education too where alleged cheating and all that palakasan and foul tricks are well known.
So we don’t get excited anymore about winning in elections, topping the bar and board exams because of the stigma of cheating.
Oh, yes, the sporting game is not all that safe from the ugly charge pala. Up to now, there are those who believe that Manny Pacquiao’s win over Oscar dela Hoya was fixed. Many think that Manny lost that one against Juan Manuel Marquez in their last encounter. On television this morning, Marquez issued a challenge to Manny Pacquiao to settle the score once and for all. On several occasions, even right here in the Philippines, Marquez insulted our Pacquiao when he told everyone in the presence of our own icon that it was he, not Manny, who won their last fight. But our very own pugilist knew he beat him where it mattered most: humility. He said it’s the judges who should say who won. But television viewers like us saw that that Pacquiao win was not really convincing
Maybe, Marquez’s challenge should be met with a grin and thumbs up sign by Manny, pronto, ha, Al? With what we all saw in his last fights with De La Hoya and Hatton, it’s time for Marquez to have his comeuppance.
This country needs “winning” vitamins all the time. We’ve been pummeled down too much by all this browbeating by humiliating labels such as being the most corrupt country in the world, Filipinas as sex commodities, and a university president saying with a straight face that the Philippines is bound for the dogs it’s time to show our bets foot forward in a fair game.
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We used to doubt the fitness of military or police officers in managing organizations as a result of the country’s martial law experience.
But it is a given in an unstable government that the military component is sine qua non to social order. We see an increasing evidence of martial rule when there’s an excess amount of freedom, which managers of government and most organizations want to curtail, or at least, minimize.
It has become a no-win situation in the country because our political system is now so polarized that clashing groups masquerading as political parties are resorting to cut-throat measures.
The logical way out is to “humanize” the military or police in cadence with Filipino nature or his love for competition.
You saw its sad side during the Philippine revolution where Aguinaldo would order the decapitation of Bonifacio. Shortly after the martial law rule, the Marcos-Aquino rivalry led to the opposition leader’s assassination. These days, there’s political excess baggage, with an administration refusing to give up power, and diverse opposition elements already gearing up for a showdown in May 20l0.
It would be a huge national letdown if the elections were not held as constitutionally mandated, but the military might think otherwise, as its sees the need to marshal government forces to forestall anarchy.
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NOTES: It’s a three-corner fight in the vice gubernatorial derby, with former title holder and former Congressman Ranjit Shahani announcing his bid last Wednesday. The other contenders, both very competent and in a fighting if not winning mode are Board Member Alfie Bince and Mayor Ferdie Calimlim. Problem is, all three are courting to be in Amado Espino bandwagon.
General Pol Bataoil, according to the grapevine, is being bruited about as a ma-yoral bet in Lingayen town, ruled by Mayor Jonas Castañeda. Pol, who is a television super star, would have to make some adjustments in masa politics because it’s a different ball game out there.
Father Jerry Orbos’ Urdaneta-Manaoag walk last May 2 was a smashing success. Will that be a sign he will soon come out with a declaration to do a Panlilio?
In spite of rumors, hearsays and speculations that belittle Mayor Ayoy Resuello’s staying power, a non-partisan survey shows his big edge in the remote barangays.
Our beloved friend and official doctor, Lu Fernandez, has left for the Great Beyond. We recalled our happy days with loving son, Dr. Winnie, with extreme sadness last Wednesday, with “forever young” Atchi Lourdes Fernandez and the widow of Dr. Badong Zulueta at the Eternal Gardens chapel. Rest in peace, Kuya Lu.
Birthday greetings to Ashok and Kanchan Vasandani whose birthdays are 3 days apart on May l and May 4, and Yolly Fuertes last May 5, the death anniversary of Tatay Pio.
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