Beware of escalators

It was very interesting to see the provisions of the Last Will and Testament of the late Congressman Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo of the Fifth District of Negros Occidental. We knew that it would be different from the ordinary husband’s will, but what caught my eye is the statement in it that he is a resident, not of any town or city in the Fifth District, but of Arcadia, California in the United States of America.

***

Now, what will the people, his constituents in that district, be thinking of when he seems to have disowned them in that document? Does it mean he never thought of that area as his home sweet home? The will was also executed in another California City, Glendale, on March 27, 2009, almost three years before he passed away. I hope nobody will think of checking if he was still a Filipino citizen when he died.

***

As for Ms. Grace Ibuna, she seems to be well-provided for in that document. Well, she should be remembered in it, if only for the steadfast way she stood by him during the final months of his illness. But what will happen to her reported dream of taking over the post of Iggy and becoming the congresswoman of the Fifth District of this province? Has Iggy made provisions for that, too? But he apparently had a sense of humor, he threatened those beneficiaries who contest his wishes that they will get only ONE U.S. dollar.

***

Shades of Lang Hancock, once said to be the richest man in Australia. Before he died, Hancock specified in this will that his property be divided between his daughter and wife, Rose Lacson, a Bacoleña. But, obviously realizing how the two were at odds with each other, Hancock inserted a provision that the one who contests the will will forfeit her share, and it will go to charity. I read a report recently, though, that the daughter, Gina Rinehart, has become the richest woman in Australia, but is constantly fighting over money with her own daughter. Could that classify as Karma?

***

After several weeks of lying low, former President Gloria Arroyo surfaced again the other day for her arraignment on the electoral sabotage charge. Now, we may be seeing her again when the remains of her ever loyal, ever true brother-in-law, Rep. Iggy Arroyo, come home. This time she reportedly wants to be given three days leave from hospital arrest to attend his wake. But the Commission on Election is not biting, it wants the grant to be for three hours only. That should give her enough time to thank him for all that he had done to rescue her and family.

***

The House of Representatives is taking the case of killers riding in tandem on motorcycles quite seriously. A measure has been filed, labeled as House Bill No. 5720 that imposes stronger penalties against those who commit crimes while on board a motorcycle. Quite correctly, its author pointed out that so many serious crimes are being committed by those riding motorcycles in tandem, and cited hold-ups, robberies, snatchings and jacking, even bank robbery and other similar offenses. It is not clear, though, how the cops will stop those trying to get away because motorcycles are more maneuverable than the usual police vans.

***

A news report last week told about a little boy who got caught in an escalator in Caloocan City. The boy had reportedly been left by his aunt who went to the rest room, and when she came back, several people were trying to extricate her nephew from the escalator rungs. The same report said it took about three hours to free the boy. This kind of story should be passed on to those people who ignore the clear warnings on escalators to let their children ride them without supervision.

***

Years ago, as teenagers, my cousins and I were vacationing in Iloilo and went to a movie one night. Those were the days when flaring pants were in fashion and we saw a woman who did not notice that the hem of her pants had been caught in the machine. No amount of tugging could free her, so,. Finally, she had to step out of her pants. The boys looked about to burst, trying to keep from laughing.*

back to top