By Al S. Mendoza   (My deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Raffy Baraan, one of the most sincere sons of Pangasinan.  Upon my suggestion, Raffy fathered the Pangasinan Literary Awards.  Rest in peace, my friend.  You will be missed.) *          *          *          * I’M writing this…

By Al S. Mendoza    SIX days from today on July 23, the pandemic-postponed Olympics will blast off in Tokyo. We have 19 entries in the Summer Games originally set in 2020 until COVID-19 interrupted its staging. They will join some 11,000 athletes from more than 205 countries seeking fame…

By Al S. Mendoza   MANNY Pacquiao is now in America preparing for his August 22 (PHL time) fight. He has been reunited with Freddie Roach, his legendary American trainer for 20 years or so now, at the famed Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California. Pacquiao is set to…

By Al S. Mendoza   I’M sure Manny Pacquiao is now nursing the regret of his life when he engaged President Duterte in a verbal combat. No one beats a sitting President at any given time. Isn’t there a saying that no one can defeat City Hall—the city mayor being…

By Al S. Mendoza   IS Manny Pacquiao running for president in May 2022? He has not said yes. Or even no. But his actions clearly point to that, judging from his two recent social media blasts showing him championing the cause of the Filipino masses. Why would he do…

By Al S. Mendoza   IT happened again. Almost each time we battle South Korea in a basketball game, it results in a cliffhanger. In the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, we were up by two points with mere ticks left in the game. “Finally, madadale na natin…

By Al S. Mendoza   YUKA Saso winning the U.S. Women’s Open championship on Monday reeked of history. It did not only make her the first Filipino, male or female, to win one of golf’s nine majors in the world. It also gave her multiple exemptions in the money-rich U.S….

By Al S. Mendoza   MANNY Pacquiao is angry when he shouldn’t be. Aiming to become president of the republic? You must be cool as a cat at all times. You must be thick-faced. You must kiss instead of kick-ass. As a boxer, your anger must solely be devoted atop…

By Al s. Mendoza   JORDAN Clarkson is the Sixth Man of The Year for the NBA’s 2020-2021 season. Big deal. Almost the equivalent of the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award. So that every player worth his salt, whether from the NBA or PBA, covets that—next to the MVP trophy….

By Al S. Mendoza   A glaring global truth resurfaced amid the pandemic: the yawning gap between the rich and poor countries. Power versus powerlessness. Haves versus have-nots. Wealth versus weak. In the fight against the COVID-19, the First World countries are on the front lines.  Naturally. They have the wherewithal.  He…