A simple feast

PANGASINENSES are no strangers to natural calamities and the resulting devastation, the worst being the earthquake in 1990 and more recently Typhoon Pepeng in 2009. And so we know and understand the pain of losing loved ones and property to a disaster, the agony of the immediate aftermath, and the struggle towards recovery and getting life back to normalcy.

Pangasinan is fortunate that Super Typhoon Pablo, which passed through the country in the first week of December, barely touched the province and the rest of Luzon after making landfall in the eastern side of Mindanao where it wreaked destruction never before seen nor ever expected. We must remember that typhoons, much less a super typhoon, are practically alien in this part of the Philippines. The hardest hit provinces – Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley – are, or were, part of the supposedly typhoon-free areas, which is why they are ideal for coconut and banana plantations, the first and second biggest agricultural export products of the country. People there have no concept of heavy rains and strong winds, then suddenly in one sweep, forest and even some mountain areas turned bare with virtually all trees toppled down, houses and other structures blown away. Hundreds are dead, and the grieving survivors are now left in shock without homes, sources of livelihood, and much of anything else.

Malacanang set an appropriate example of not merely declaring a national calamity but cancelling its Christmas party to instead use the budget for the event to help Pablo’s victims. Pangasinan’s provincial government has followed suit, scrapping the annual Christmas Dinner and Fellowship for local government officials as well as the Employees’ Christmas Party. The rest of us can take the cue.

A simple feast for the Christmas celebrations and extending help to our fellow Filipinos in Pablo-ravaged areas would stand truest to the spirit of this season of love and sharing.

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Retire

LOSING two straight times meant the message is clear:  Time to retire for Manny Pacquiao.  After earlier bowing on points to Tim Bradley, Pacquiao absorbed a shocking sixth-round knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez on Dec. 9 (Manila Time).   Never did Pacquiao lose twice in one year—and successively at that.  After dropping a decision to Erik Morales in 2005, Pacquiao fought Morales two more times and won by knockout—both in 2006.  Whether or not he was robbed of victory in the Bradley fight, in the books, Pacquiao lost.  Whether or not he got hit by a lucky punch in the Marquez fight, in the books, Pacquiao lost.   There’d be no shame if Pacquiao hangs his gloves now.  His niche in history is secure:  The only boxer to win eight world titles in eight weight divisions.  It will now be too difficult for anyone to surpass, even equal, the honors the 33-year-old Pacquiao has given the country.

Retire now, Manny.  And enjoy your money while you are still young.

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