By Al S. Mendoza   (Happy birthday today, Feb. 20, to Dante F. Fernandez of SSS Village/Roxas City, Dada R. Mendoza of Kyusi and Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz.  Cheers!) *          *          *          * THERE are 14 of 37 candidates running for senator with multiple parties in the May 9, 2022,…

By Al S. Mendoza   THE race is on for the May 9, 2022 elections. Our racers had their first official act of campaigning as provided for by law on Feb. 8. From Manila to Naga, from Bulacan to Bantayog/Q.C., from Imus to Gensan, they unfurled their banners that screamed…

By Al S. Mendoza    THE late dictator’s son has skipped the first major presidential public interview, disappointing some 62 million or so Filipino voters. It was Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first major gaffe in the run-up to the national elections on May 9, 2022. His reason? He accused the immensely…

By Al S. Mendoza   MARK “Magnifico” Magsayo is the latest Filipino to win a world boxing crown. He did that on Sunday (Jan. 23), beating Gary Russell Jr. on points in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. Joining Magsayo as reigning Filipino world champions are Ancajas, Donaire, Casimiero and Nietes….

By Al S. Mendoza    KYRIE Irving is the last man standing in the (NBA) National Basketball Association. By that, I mean Irving remains the NBA’s only unvaccinated star player. They were two just before the league’s 75th season had kicked off. But Andrew Wiggins beat the deadline, giving him…

By Al S. Mendoza   AS I write this, Novak Djokovic is in trouble. For one, he is embroiled in a career-crippling scandal due to vaccine issues. For another, his well-guarded reputation is on public trial following his own confession that he lied about his travel routes and his interviews…

By Al S. Mendoza   THIS is the story of Philip Ella Juico. No, he’s not history. Very much around. Popoy to his friends, Philip is presently the president of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa). That means he wields power. No less than 50 or so athletes…

By Al S. Mendoza   IT’S the political season and with it comes the survey season, too. Don’t be fooled.  Surveys are as pesky as the summer fly but, hey, they are here to stay.  They are as perennial as the grass. You are a politician, you either pay attention or not…

By Al S. Mendoza   MANNY Pacquiao has stopped giving his money to the people. He has said it himself. “I have to stop, but only temporarily, though,” he said in Tagalog.  “I do not wish to disturb the relief operations being done now by our police and soldiers.” He was…

By Al S. Mendoza    IT’S not actually candidate versus candidate. It is voter versus candidate. That’s the real pairing. Why is that? All elections are similar. You will not notice any difference every single time. It’s as invisible as the wind. The real duel I mean: The voter versus…