The last days of 2012

While the rest of the world, including the United States, are worrying about the advent of December 21, which is believed to be the day the world will end, according to the ancient Mayan calendar, Filipinos, especially sportsminded ones, are more concerned over another date in December. This is December 8, when two major sports events will feature their countrymen, who will bring honor or disappointment to them.

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That is because December 8 is the day when the Philippine football team, the Azkals, will tangle with the Singaporeans in their first contest after getting into the semi-finals of the Suzuki Cup. Our boys are, of course still being buoyed up by their recent wins against Vietnam and Myanmar, but the Singapore team is composed of bigger boys, bigger, in the sense that they have beaten several others and are reputed to be a very strong one. Will our relatively greener boys be able to cope with them?

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Another December 8 event in the much-awaited Pacquiao-Marquez end-game, or the match to prove once and for all, who is the one who deserves to gather all those championship belts, particularly the one in their division. But that will be December 8 in the U.S., in Las Vegas where the fight is being staged, although it will be December 9 in our country. I'm sure a lot of betting is going on now, although late reports from Las Vegas say that the odds are creeping closer as fight day nears. Well, Pinoys will certainly be putting their money on the hometown boy, just as the Mexicans will also be betting their own.

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I hope, though, that our people will root wholeheartedly for Pacquiao, not only because he is our own, but in order that he can shut up the braggart that is Juan Manuel Marquez, who continues to hallucinate that he had won all those bouts with Manny. But who was the boxer who got knocked down three, perhaps four times during their previous fights? Now Marquez is telling the media that all the while he was fighting with four people while in the ring, and Pacquiao with only one, himself. His claim is that the four against him were Pacquiao and the three judges in all those fights they had. Let us support Pacquiao by praying that he manages to silence Marquez this time.

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As this is being written, the whole country is girding for the expected hit of Superstorm Pablo that, as of late yesterday had already reached Signal no. 2 in our area. One can feel the tension in the air, as people brace for the winds and rain that it may bring, while at the same time praying that it could still be wafted away before it reaches us. However, there is something to be thankful for in that our government agencies are more prepared now than they had been before. We continue to hope and pray, though, that Pablo will give us a miss.

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It seems accidents, disasters and calamities are continuing to plague us, especially during these, the last few days of 2012. Other parts of the world have already gone through the trials, with earthquakes, hurricanes, torpedoes, floods, and we have had our own share. In Japan, the latest to hit was the collapse of a tunnel at a time when there were hundreds of vehicles crawling under it. Now, this tunnel in Sasago is no ordinary one, it is said to be some five kilometers long. One can just imagine the claustrophobia experienced by those who happened to be trapped there. Worse, a car burst into fire right there, sending out suffocating smoke and smell, as well as blinding those trapped under. I can just imagine the panic of those caught inside, with the threat of other areas caving in.

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That was a dastardly crime that happened at the Goldenfields Commercial Complex Sunday night. A policeman was killed while doling his duty of disarming some men who were carrying firearms. The two cops who responded were no match for the ones they were apprehending, who reportedly had back-ups who joined the fray. What was worst was that the gun of one of the cops reportedly failed to fire, as it malfunctioned. The criminals had better firepower than them.

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I wonder if the bar where the cop-killing happened had installed close circuit TV on the establishment? If they had one, it could have helped in the prosecution of the case against the killers. The incident seems to justify the suggestions of many that the installation of CCTVs should be made a requirement for all business and entertainment establishments. Aside from providing evidence, they could also be a deterrent, as people with bad intentions will think twice before doing their thing when they know how their caper would be recorded.

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FLASH! A late news on CNN last night announced that Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and wife of Prince William, is pregnant. What a day for rejoicing it must be in the United Kingdom!*

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