Gadhafi and Chavez
– peas in a pod

And now comes another one, also “lingering illness” of another country, Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, who has come out defending his best friend and fellow dictator, Moammar Gadhafi. Chavez, reacting to reports that the United States has moved some of its naval forces and aircraft nearer Libya, is threatening Obama and company against meddling in the affairs of Libya, or else.

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Chavez, who appears to be as shortsighted and delusional as Gadhafi, claims that the U.S., the United Nations and all the other countries expressing outrage at what is happening in Libya, has simplified it all into a desire for the oil that Libya has aplenty. He does not see that it is the people of Libya themselves who have started, and are apparently winning this stand-off. He also does not see that the stubbornness and arrogance of his friend could lead to the death of thousands of Libyans who, by now, are showing that they are ready to die for their cause. And this is to get rid of the tyrant who has dominated them for more than four decades.

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But Chavez and Gadhafi are obviously cut from the same cloth, and he may find himself in a similar situation soon. Like Libya, Venezuela is also noted for its iron control and persecution of people who do not toe the Chavez line. A few years ago, I met a former Bacolod resident, based in Venezuela, who narrated to us how repressed the people there were. Nobody could criticize the government, as that would mean severe penalties. They were not under Martial Law, but life was no better than that of those actually under it.

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I found his revelations very interesting and pressed him for more descriptions of his life and that of his family there. Suddenly, he realized that I was a journalist and, believe me, he actually turned pale! Immediately he clammed up and repeatedly asked, even pleaded with me not to write about what he disclosed, not even if I did not mention his name. “They could find out,” he said. “Someone might mention it to one of their people and my family and I would suffer.” Even after that meeting, he called up to repeat his request to forget all about what he had said. I can just imagine now how their life there must be.

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Yesterday I saw a picture of former Congressman and now Philippine Olympics Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, and the caption said he was addressing a gathering of congressmen, professionals, church and civic leaders, as well as farmers and housewives in Laguna. The caption further said the Conjuangco was advising them to support the drive of his nephew, President Noynoy Aquino, against graft and corruption, so that faith in government can be restored.

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Well, well! What is this all about, “Tito Peping (His sister was our Tita Cory, so he should be our Tito also)? Of course it is nice to hear you supporting your nephew and calling for an end to graft and corruption, but what about the vipers claiming to be harboring in your very bosom? Surely you have knowledge about what happened to the Southeast Asian Games funds that had landed in somebody’s personal bank account? And surely you also know that one of them even claims to get back at those dunning him for that because you “are very close” to him? Please come to Bacolod, Tito, and talk about the same subject, and for sure, some people will ask you about that.

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In the meantime, it is a relief to know that some 10,000 Pinoys have already been moved out of Libya, although some reportedly opted to stay there. Well, it’s their choice. They must be optimists who continue to see a happy ending to the virtual civil war going on. But the latest reports coming out say that the dictator Gadhafi has already ordered the bombing of a munitions depot, and attacks on some protestors who, however, are fighting back with the same weapons as their tyrant’s men. So far, however, no figures about casualties have come out yet.

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I have not seen a single movie of her, but I knew about Jane Russell who became famous as the pin-up girl of American soldiers whose pictures they posted in their barracks as if she were an icon. The sultry beauty died the other day at the age of 89. Another, more recent beauty, Miss Universe of 1974, who won and was crowned in Manila, also died, only aged 56, but not much was disclosed about her ailment or her last days. I had the opportunity to see her in person before the contest in Manila where she represented Spain. Amparo Muñoz was a truly lovely girl, so tall, blonde, and fair, everybody agreed she deserved to win as Miss Universe. The reigning Miss Universe then was our own Margie Moran who looked stunning and regal among the world beauties, even if she was shorter than many of them.*

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