Binay did not join the run

Did Aiza Seguerra and her “bride”, Lisa Dino, start a trend among Philippine showbiz folk? When the two got married in the United States recently and had their wedding photos published in the national media, it was reported that TV personality Boy Abunda was also contemplating the same with his own partner of 31 years now. But they have to go to the U.S. or some other country where such marriages are allowed, because the Philippines has not yet passed any law on the matter. And if it were not Boy Abunda involved, one could say this is case of gaya-gaya, puto maya.

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Will his appearance at the Oblation Run organized by his fraternity turn back the dropped ratings of Vice President Jejomar Binay? The latest results from the Pulse Asia survey showed him with a rating of only 45 as of November, compared to the 87 he had in March. It is a drop of almost 50 percent, and should be alarming, especially with Madame Miriam Defensor Santiago now breathing down his neck. That is to say nothing of the coy Senadora Grace Poe, who is fast rising in the surveys but continues to deny any presidential plans.

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Binay was seen at the Oblation Run yesterday – you know, the annual show of members of the Alpha Phi Omega where they run naked, with only their faces covered, across the campus to pose before the Oblation statue at the entrance to the University of the Philippines grounds. Binay is said to be a former president of that fraternity, but he was not among those who ran in the altogether yesterday. If he did, for sure he would be recognized by the watchers immediately, for reasons you and I know. It is doubtful, though, that the gimmick of being present at the show yesterday would revert his ratings to pre-over-pricing days.

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Seems we are not the only ones being threatened by wind and water, with the coming of visitors like Yolanda and Ruby. Yesterday, the news was full of the storm in California where the worst-hit was said to be Daly City. TV footages showed wild waves crashing into the beaches, and people evacuating from their homes. There was also a scene where the City Mayor was appealing for help for the victims. I always thought Daly City was a bit shaded from the ocean. But it seems San Francisco was not as badly hit, and we hope the ordeal passes for the state.

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What trauma the students in Maramag, Bukidnon must be suffering now, after the death of so many of their friends in that dastardly bombing of a passenger bus recently. The setting off of an improvised explosive device, or IED, caused an explosion in the bus that killed 11 people and wounded 41. Six of the fatalities were reported to be students of the Central Mindanao University, and now even those from other schools are refusing to ride on buses to get to their schools. I hope the police and the local government can devise a plan to ensure the safety of innocent people in public transport.

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It would seem that the bombing is being attributed to anti-government factions, and the target appears to be the company called the Rural Transit Bus, because this is not the first time it had been targetted. Could it be that the elements who did the dastardly acts are sending a message to the company for not giving in to their demands? We have had cases in our province of companies being “taught a lesson” by such elements when they do not yield to the demands for the so-called revolutionary taxes. One could perhaps, understand if they destroy properties, but lives, especially young, innocent lives? That is unforgivable, to say the least.

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Cebuanos are elated because there is now a strong chance that the Pope will be visiting in their city, too. Let us not begrudge them this privilege. Cebu, after all, was where the Catholic faith was first introduced, and it could be called its birthplace in this country. Anyway, any blessings the Holy Father will give will surely include, not only the Cebuanos, or even the Tacloban people, but all the people of this country as well. So let us anticipate his coming with prayers of welcome and for his safety during his trip, his stay, and his journey back to Rome.

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A prominent headline in the business pages yesterday said that the Philippine got another upgrade from Moody’s. Just between you and me, I really don’t know much about such institutions as Moody’s and Standard and Poor, and their workings, but it’s nice to hear about an upgrade, isn’t it? It could only mean we are doing better than we had done in previous years. Let the good times roll, I say.*

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