El Nido is Hundred Islands of Palawan By Al S. Mendoza I WAS in El Nido, Palawan last week and the place reminded me instantly of Hundred Islands in Lucap, Alaminos City, Pangasinan. Why, because El Nido’s beach resorts resemble those of our very own Hundred Islands. Tallish mountains proud…

My ‘Deep Throat’ in Pacquiao Team By Al S. Mendoza NOW it can be told. The reason why Doug Flescher was replaced by Tom Miller as one of the three judges in the recent Pacquiao-Marquez fight was through the instigation of a genuine Filipino boxing lover. I cannot divulge his…

Marquez mars Manny’s day By Al S. Mendoza MANNY Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez recently showed the other side of their lives. Pacquiao is humble, Marquez rude. Interviewed on TV by ABS-CBN on April 6 during the “Invasion:  The Philippines vs The World” boxing card at the Araneta Coliseum, both…

The lure of homeland By Al S. Mendoza MANY balikbayans are now looking for homes they say they’ll need when they retire and return for good to their country of origin. Some prefer condos, others townhouses. A few of my balikbayan–friends say they like lots where they can build a…

The swim suit of Kuya Leonie By Al S. Mendoza FIRST, he sends me a text message from Los Angeles, California. “I am arriving tomorrow on board a Korean Air jet,” he says. “Hope to see you immediately upon my arrival.” “C yah when I C yah!” Next day, he…

Praise for National Punch By Al S. Mendoza OK, OK, calm down, fellas. Why must we fight? Let’s leave the fighting to the boxers. Why the whining? It’s better to applaud than to upload anger.  Like a smile, applauding is good for the heart. So, let’s stop questioning the victory…

Was Pacquiao saved? By Al S. Mendoza AGAIN, in accordance with deadline rules, I wrote this piece four days before fight day today, March 16. So by now, I believe that many of you already know who won in Las Vegas, Nevada. Did our own Manny Pacquiao win? Or did…

Prospects for Pacquiao By Al S. Mendoza THE TALK of the town is the Pacquiao-Marquez fight on March 16 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The most common prediction is Pacquiao will have a hard time against Marquez. I can believe that.  But Pacquaio, eternally oozing with talent, can handle things with…

Taby By Al S. Mendoza BACOLOD CITY — I was about to begin writing about my chance encounter here with Mayor Rey Velasco of Sta. Barbara when I heard the news: Taby is dead. Who is Taby? Taby is Zacarias M. Tabaniag, an icon in Philippine sports, who was a…

Who is evil, who isn’t? By Al S. Mendoza IT’S now a matter of who is talking and who is listening. If you are anti-evil as I know you are, you will believe Jun Lozada. If you are pro-evil, you will believe Romy Neri. But first things first. Jun  Lozada …