Boracay and Bali – sibling rivalry?

A consul from Indonesia is said to be working on plans to forge a sisterhood agreement between their most popular tourism destination, Bali, with our own famous tourist centerpiece, Boracay. How will that be advantageous to each other? Will they be sharing promotion gimmicks that will make visitors to Boracay, also proceed to Bali? Sisterhood? Could that not lead to sibling rivalry?

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But perhaps they also intend to promote both destinations in a sort of package deal, where people planning to visit Bali can include Boracay in their itinerary at discounted fares, and even hotel rates. If that is so, then, why not? I think the first to take advantage of such offers, if it does materialize, will be our own people, many of whom have not yet seen, and are curious to see how our famous white beaches will compare with Bali.

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I suspected that it was just bravado on his part when Manny Pacquiao declared, shortly upon arrival in the Philippines that he will be ready for a rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez in April. But the matter has been taken out of his hands, even if Marquez were willing, because the World Boxing Organization has imposed a suspension on him – he cannot fight in the ring for, I think, six months. This is not a penalty, but a precaution for boxers who get knocked out. The WBO wants to make sure that they are fully recovered and are perfectly fit before fighting again.

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In the meantime, his promoter, Bob Arum is insisting that Manny undergoes a complete brain examination at one of the most prestigious hospitals in the U.S. that specializes in brain injuries or diseases. He wants to make sure that his favorite ward and earner, has not suffered any serious injury. For that matter, I hope Manny agrees, and allows those doctors to thoroughly examine his brain. Maybe they will also find out what makes him so gullible to blandishments. Meanwhile, I heard again that some Pinoys abroad are really turned off by a TV outfit from Manila covering the Pacquiao-Marquez fight, because their reporters ignored the mass said by Fr. Be-of before the fight, and only showed the Bible reading and “praying” of his new-found gurus. Is it true that the one heading the TV crew is a member of Manny’s “new religion”?

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Is it also true? A report in yesterday’s Manila Bulletin said that Pacquiao has been invited to be one of the judges in the Miss Universe contest that will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 19. The report said that another athlete from the San Francisco Giants, is also one of the judges. But maybe the invitation was made before the great knockout? Anyway, it has been announced that Pacquiao and family and “friends” will spend Christmas in Israel. I bet the “friends” include those people who promised to send angels to help him fight Marquez. By the way, the ban on overseas workers going to Israel has been lifted, and I hope Pacquiao et al will be careful that none among his hangers-on decide to stay behind and add to our illegals abroad. That has happened with some of our sports delegations, and with some tour groups, too. I wonder, if Manny will now have the funds to include Mommy Dionisia in that trip.

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It was architect Tony Corral who first brought it to my attention, and he even said he would send me a picture he had taken of it, but I had not seen if myself yet, so I just waited for him. But yesterday, I passed by the area just before the flyover on the way to Silay, and finally caught a glimpse of what had offended Tony and many of his friends. It was a huge billboard advertising, of all things! Coffins!

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Of course I understood immediately why so many people found that billboard offensive. Just imagine, you are on your way to the northern towns and cities, or to the airport, and here’s this big, big picture of a casket confronting you! Couldn’t the management of that coffin company think of something else to promote their wares? What a macabre sight to hit your eyes. Maybe it was meant only for All Souls Day? Even then, I now share the feelings of all those who are disgusted with this company for spoiling their trip with such a sight. My sister, who tries to be Pollyana sometimes, said, “At least they did not put a body in it.”*

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