Dr. Lucio Tan in town

By Gonzalo Duque

ZAMBOANGA CITY — This lovely city reminds us of our grade school song.

‘Don’t you go, don’t you go to far Zamboanga…” but we went, and here we are.

But we were not here for fun. We were here to co-preside over the PRISSA games.

We can’t forget the one we sponsored in Pangasinan two years ago, which was more successful especially in media mileage, organization and tripartite involvement of all sectors.

We wish to felicitate Mayor Jesse Robredo and his whole city council who were all very cooperative. We offered to host again, but Mayor Lobredo of Naga City has been okayed to be the host next year.

After Naga, it seems Davao will be next as it is now feverishly constructing the games venue in Tagum City and other parts, mainly at the University of Mindanao.

This is a toast for sports. Before we   forget, only sports-minded people have a bright future. Look at the US, Germany, France, Japan, China.  We should salute those who make it a point to develop the youth through sports.  Why sports?  Because the competitive spirit, the sense of fairness, the sound mind and sound body philosophy is stressed in sports.

Did you watch the Philippine invasion on TV? All our boxers Gerry Penalosa, Boom Boom Bautista, Bazooka Banal — all world champs — crumpled their foes like softie marshmallows.  We were proud Filipinos did it.  So sports   triumph also brings us pride. Di ba?

* * * *

We thank Guv’nor Spines, Vice Guv Marlyn Agabas, Mayor Al and Vice Mayor Belen for their utmost support for the hosting of Dr. Lucio Tan on April l6 at the LNU.  Dr. Tan, an epitome of hardwork, faith in small jobs and in God, will show us his secret of success. In recognizing his feat, the Lyceum Northwestern University will grant him a Doctorate in Humanities on Business and Entrepreneurship.

Maybe, we can also experience his generosity in the coming days.

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Not a few people noticed something in the last Jun Lozada event in Dagupan City. They said that it was not spontaneous at all. We mean, the crowd, admittedly big, but puno pala ng mga buses na naghakot.

Bishop Oscar Cruz even did his part in swelling the crowd by holding a Youth Day in Pangasinan para sila ay magdagsaan  sa Dagupan. It was not from the young’s free will or volition that they came to Dagupan. So what’s exciting about it?

On the other hand, we had it on good authority that the CBCP has helped in the distribution of rice to the needy in many parts of the country. That’s the activism that we like. Not the political kind, please. In our book, the church should concentrate on the human heart, on the spiritually afflicted, not those whose business is to fool people to get elected in office.  Does Bishop Cruz know this? That he is helping a certain group — the opposition — topple the establishment and then do their own corruption also later?

Ay naku, Bishop Cruz, kayo po ay ginagamit na ng opposition. Please play smarter than what you are doing.

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And aha, what’s this Congress group going to Africa for if not to simply indulge in a junket? What, a world conference on fighting poverty? Naman, naman, poverty is right here staring us in the face. Bat kailangan nyo pang mag abroad to study how to lick it. All you have to do to lick it, is just do it in your own kind and genuine way. We already know the root of the evil and the program on how to beat it. Give some of your billions to the poor. Di tapos na ang boksing.

Maghunos dili kayo, baka may darating na karma sa inyo. Ewan ko lang.

(Readers may reach columnist at punch.sunday@gmail.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/playing-with-fire/ For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)

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