Hopes dimming for Mary Jane?

Great Britain is all agog over the expected arrival of another member of the royal family any time now. The infanticipating Duchess of Cambridge, nee Kate Middleton, also known as the wife of Prince William, who is second in line to the country's throne, is reportedly set to deliver her second baby, after Prince George. Unlike most couples in other countries, the royal ones reportedly prefer to be surprised at the gender of the baby, so the guessing game is a favorite pastime of their people now.

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Just imagine, they are not only guessing, but actually betting on various aspects of the royal birth. Bets are being placed about the gender of the baby, about the name to be chosen, whose greetings will be the first to be received, and even the color of Kate's outfit when she comes out of the hospital with the new baby! And then there is also betting about what name the baby will be given. They are even betting on whether the baby's “manong”, George, will also be at the hospital! Surprisingly, “Diana” is not among the most popular ones betted on.

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How come the Philippines was not among the top 20 countries rated as the “happiest” in the world? The survey made in New York, says Switzerland in the happiest, and the ones next to it are Iceland. Denmark, Norway and Iceland. Unfair! Seems they picked out those that have very cool climates, where the people do not have to squint, frown, or continually wipe their faces of perspiration. I don't think we are even among the first 20. Perhaps the ones making the survey came to our country at the height of the worst scandals like the PDAF thefts and the overpricing scams that made our people cranky.

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But have you heard about the grand cruise members of the Nacionalista Party are taking during which they will discuss and, possibly choose the ones they will field in the coming elections? The cruise is said to last for nine days and will be proceeding to Japan, too. There must be great secrets they will take up, for them to want to get away from spies and kibitzers for nine whole days. Let's hope those who get disappointed by the results do not jump into the sea.

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What do you think now are the chances of Pinay Mary Jane Veloso getting spared the penalty of execution meted by her by the Indonesian court, or even just a commutation of that sentence? From the reports coming from that country, her chances seem very dark, indeed. Have you noticed how firm and intransigent their president sounded when interviewed about the convicts on death row there? What he keeps on saying is that they are very serious about their fight against drugs. It may be true that Mary Jane, like a typical probinsyana, had been tricked into being a mule for a trafficker, but the goods were found on her, and the real cuprit is nowhere to be found now.

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As of yesterday, the news was that Mary Jane, and several other foreigners also convicted for drugs, had already been taken to the island prison of the country called Nasakambangan, where those about to be executed are brought. So it doesn't looks as if there is any chance for her, even with her parents and family already in Indonesia to see what they can do to help her. Vice President Binay is also there, testing his diplomatic skills to see if they will work to save Mary Jane. If he accomplishes that, his ratings might recover, but what do you think?

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The Pacquiao-Mayweather hype is peaking and the opponent, Floyd Mayweather, who seemed to have lost his tongue for some weeks, has recovered and is back to his boastful self and his trash talk. I don't know why he and his folks continue to make so much of his “unbeaten”, kuno, record, when there are statistics to show that he had succumbed to at least eight fighters before he went professional. It could be true if his promo people are ethical enough to qualify their claims, by saying he was not beaten “as a professional”, but I believe, even Olympic records have data showing he had lost in a fight there.

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Anyway, not only Pinoys hold high hopes that Manny Pacquiao has a very good chance of winning this one. Statistics would also indicate how big these chances are. Note that Mayweather claims to be unbeaten in 47 fights, but Manny has won 58. If Mayweather had that many encounters, could he have won them all? Doubtful. And Manny is even shorter in height and in reach, but he was the one who can be credited for making this fight happen, giving in on so many points, until Mayweather was shamed into agreeing. Let's wait and see on May 3.*

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