The Diamond Queen

Horns blew, bagpipes trilled, and carillon bells rang, while thousands streamed alongside the famous Thames river of England to witness and participate in the celebration of the Diamond (60th) Anniversary of their beloved Queen, Elizabeth the Second of England. The event that is to be marked for four colorful days, was fully covered yesterday both by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Cable News Network for all the world to see.

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And what a beautiful sight it was! A flotilla of thousands of boats with handsome rowers dotted the famous Thames while the unique music from Scottish bagpipes and the melodious chiming of bells was accompanied by the energetic waving of the British flags manifested their patriotism and the adoration for their 86-year-old monarch. And there was Queen Elizabeth herself, smiling and waving at her people, and accepting their tribute with an air both regal and affectionate.

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Elizabeth is, indeed, an icon, as far as modern-day monarchs stand. Despite the problems that had plagued her personal life, especially with her children, she has maintained her impeccable and unflappable ways, exactly the way one would expect from royalty. No wonder she is so admired and loved. For 60 years, she has stood as the symbol of unity and sobriety, not only for the United Kingdom, but even for the monarchies still existing today.

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Although she was only 26 years old when the death of her father called her to ascend the throne, she assumed his duties and even strengthened the monarchy during her time. As her people are marking her 60th year, are they also asking if she has any plans to step down and yield the position to her supposed heir, the redoubtable Prince Charles? The prince, now a senior citizen, has been marking time for so long, but neither his private life, nor his public pronouncements have given his people much expectations from him. Anyway, they have his mother, their idol and their hope.

Long live the Queen!

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Meanwhile, we in Bacolod and Negros Occidental also have our own reasons for celebration. Donnie “Ahas” Nietes retained his World Boxing Organization light flyweight title with a unanimous decision against Felipe Salguero of Mexico (again!). The fight was held yesterday at the posh Newport Performing Arts Area of the Resorts World in Manila. Aside from Nietes, another Bacolod boxer, Arthur Villanueva, also won against Jeffrey Cerna, holder of the WBO Oriental Flyweight title. And another Pinoy, Allan Milendo, disposed of his opponent, Colombian Jesus Geles Garcia, in the first round! It was a coup for Pinoy boxers, indeed.

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Is it a syndrome, an international one? Soon after the Senators Court declared its guilty verdict on then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Renato Corona, the court of Egypt also pronounced its former president Hosni Mubarak guilty of killing protestors in the revolution that ousted him from power and meted him a life sentence. But Mubarak did our former Chief Justice one better – that he did not come out on a wheelchair, he was carried in on a stretcher! But that did not tug at the heartstrings of the court, it slapped him with life imprisonment, nonetheless. But both Corona and Mubarak are luckier than that Supreme Court judge in Kathmandu, accused of graft and corruption. Gunmen on a motorcycle sentenced him themselves and shot him dead in front of a temple.

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Another celebrity who also got his punishment was the garrulous braggart and wife, er, girlfriend-beater, Floyd Mayweather, who was taken to jail to serve his 90-day sentence, in handcuffs, at that. Could those powerful fists break the chains on those cuffs? Obviously not, when policemen are around to see to it that he entered his cell obediently. He said is said to be in a cell with a bed, a table, some books, and can come out for airing an hour a day. Well, he can spend his time fantazising about how he will whip up Manny Pacquiao, or repenting about the way he beat up his girlfriend as their two kids looked on. Reports say the elder of the two boys, about nine years old was even the one who ran out and called the cops. What will he do to the kid when he gets out?*

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