You say it’s your birthday By Al S. Mendoza (HAPPY birthday to Ilak M. Sadiwa, who turns one year old today. He is the son of Ricky and Ayapot and the brother of Mayasoh. To Mayor Teddy Cruz of Mangatarem, too, who celebrates on April 27. Cheers!) * * *…

Essence of Easter Sunday, happy birthday Kuya Boy! By Al S. Mendoza TODAY being Easter Sunday, my prayer is for Dear God – whoever your God is – to be with you always. Easter symbolizes life, as in the sun rising in the East to remind us of our being…

Day of ignominy for Mangaldan By Al S. Mendoza DRUGS, the prohibited ones, destroy brain cells, leading to an evil mind. Drug dependents hallucinate, in the process throwing them off-balance most of the time. They see demons, they play with demons, and they eternally conceive a playground peopled by demons….

Pacquiao: A knockout for stupidity By Al S. Mendoza YOU are not only the country’s No. 1 boxer but also in the whole universe as well. You can do anything at will? I mean, you can do something against legally established laws, let alone public morals, and you go scot-free?…

Chasing the squatters By Al S. Mendoza YOU are poor, Mayor Al doesn’t care. You are rich, Mayor Al doesn’t care. Poor or rich, the law doesn’t care. The poor is usually without power, the law doesn’t care. The rich is usually with power, the law doesn’t care. Squatters poor…

Guv Spines, Mayor Al & Raffy B By Al S. Mendoza TWO of Pangasinan’s most powerful men are pooling their resources together to ensure the success of the National Open Track & Field Championship next month. I refer to Guv Spines and Mayor Al Fernandez of Dagupan. Guv Spines will…

Davao’s version of Dirty Harry By Al S. Mendoza DAVAO CITY – You smoke here in public, you go to jail. You drive discourteously here, you go to jail. These are just two of the “light penalties” you incur when you break city ordinances here. Mayor Duterte has banned smoking…

Ken’s Yellow Fin By Al S. Mendoza DAVAO CITY–I am still here, covering the PAL Interclub Golf and savoring the durian shake most of the time at the Yellow Fin, that restaurant along Quimpo Blvd. where the city’s best seafood menu is found. Of course, the pride and joy of…

The city is lucky to have a mayor like Al By Al S. Mendoza I TIP MY HAT OFF once again to Mayor Al Fernandez, the seemingly ageless father of the city. (The mayor and I call each other “Buloy.”) With his patented cool mien and poignant poise, he will…

Pacman also a poker champ By Al S. Mendoza NOT only in the roped ring but, hey, also off it. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao has also become an astute businessman. He proved that only very recently, when he was able to haggle for more in the purse pie. From the 50-50…