Look out for
Manny and the Azkals

Despite our sadness over the tragedy that had befallen our brothers in Mindanao, especially in the Compostela Valley, we cannot help being elated by the acknowledgement of the United Nations about the preparedness of our people that had minimized greatly loss of lives during the attack of Tropical Storm, later renamed Typhoon, Pablo, on several areas of our country. That should inspire more our officials to strengthen their disaster-readiness, as well as their efforts to educate the people in danger zones, on how to react when warnings are sent out.

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But, as of late yesterday, we saw reason for still not being complacent despite earlier reports that Pablo had lessened in power, and was leaving the country. The latest last night was that it had reverted back into a typhoon, and was still hovering near Palawan, and northern Luzon. So let us not stop praying for the safety and protection of our people in those areas, and for their officials to be on their toes, and ready to help and save them in case things worsen.

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Meanwhile, another part of Asia has been hit by a calamity, and this is Japan where an earthquake of 7.3 magnitude was recorded yesterday. Was it already a year ago when Japan also suffered from a very strong quake that even damaged one of its nuclear plants, causing havoc in the area where it had been erected? Let us hope that there is no similar plant in the area hit by the strong quake this time. But, to add to the fear of residents, warnings about a potential tsunami have also been issued. In the last calamity, it was a tsunami that had triggered the worst damage.

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The tragedy in Compostela has evoked sympathy and assistance from all over the country and even from abroad. For those who do not have the cash to share with the victims, perhaps they can contribute to a campaign for unperishable foodstuff or even used clothing and household equipment. By the way, a word of advice to those who are collecting used clothing for the flood and typhoon victims: Please make sure that what you send are practical and usable. It is not the bulk of what they receive that they will appreciate, it is how well they can make use of them.

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I particularly thought of this because during one of such calamities about a year ago, when a call went out for residents to donate stuff, including used clothes to the victims, some volunteers who were sorting out the donations were both shocked and amused when they found some of the packages containing old evening gowns, some fit for beauty queens, and high-heeled footwear that could not be used by some farmer’s wife or children. I was told that some of the most welcomed items were children’s wear, including diapers, and household “dusters” which the women appreciated. Practical shoes, both for men and women were also welcome, I was told.

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Tonight, the Philippine Azkals will test their mettle against Singapore as semi-finalists in the prestigious Suzuki Cup. It will be of some advantage to our team that they will be playing in Manila, on homeground, in a manner of speaking. As of yesterday, it was reported that tickets to the game are selling like the proverbial hotcakes, and the Singaporeans are miffed because they know how lustily Pinoys cheer their teams, while they will not have such a big crowd of rooters since they are far from home. But will the cheering really affect them? A survey has shown that they are not very emotional, so they should not mind whether they are being cheered or not.

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But the contest Filipinos all over the world are watching out for is the one we will see tomorrow to be beamed from Las Vegas, where our Manny Pacquiao, responding to the continuous baiting of the boxer he had beaten twice and drawn with once, has agreed to Fight Number Four. It is not a title fight, no belts will be captured, so maybe we can just call it a “Grudge Fight”. In this, however, Manny has more to lose than Juan Manuel Marquez, who is just trying to vindicate himself, and will probably be gloating to his grave in case – God forbid! – he makes it.

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That is why, as patriotic Filipinos and admirers of Pacquiao and the honors he has brought our country, let us pray for his victory as we have never prayed before. I don’t want to be a dog-in-the-manger, but I had seen two of those fights with Marquez, in person, and, I admit that he is one vicious fighter. It was also then that I saw Manny looking really tired, even if he tried to be all right, and even invited us to visit the Universal Studios next day. And he was a bit younger then, and did not have so many things on his plate. Well, anyway, Marquez is much older, and he does look it. Maybe it is because of all his frustration and hatred.*

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