Do you recall the word syzygy of a couple of Throwback columns past; how I surmised that it was quite impossible to use syzygy as another high-scoring jargon on a scrabble board?
Well, I was wrong. I stand corrected.
I forgot that a scrabble set has two blank tiles, each of which may be used to substitute for any letter in the alphabet; thus, there can be another letter Y.
To refresh, syzygy is a term in astronomy that describes the alignment of more than two heavenly bodies in the night sky. It does not, in any sinful way, refer to that seen in night spots.
Life, like scrabble, is an open mindscape of empirical, sometimes magical, possibilities.
*****
Sa sobrang init ng panahon sa Pilipinas, ang haka-haka ni Marites ay nawawala si Hanging Amihan.
Naghamon naman ang ringmaster sa circus: Ihabol sa imbestigasyon ng ICC, baka na-EJK.
Life, like a non sequitur, has a nasty habit of pointing out no-brainers.
*****
Hindi ako magsasawang ipagngalandakang “It’s true, it’s real and it’s genuine!” Add the glitter of neon lights, the front page of LM Confidential’s May 2023 issue shines so bright.
Media colleague and publisher Jose “Joey” Baking has set his sights on Toronto City’s highest political post, up for grabs in the June 26, 2023 mayoral by-elections.
In November 2006, Baking tried but lost the election for councillor in Scarborough.
Dyowi! Dyuwe! Dyowe! Maskipops na ito, walang urungan, topo-topo barega!
Pramis, pinky swear, cross my heart, hope to dye my wig. I am backing Baking! Sana all!
Bakit kamo? Joey never tires of smiling. You just have to figure out what he is up to.
Rest assured, it is always for the greater good.
Life, like Joey, will always smile at you. Just patiently wait for the better and the best that is yet to come.
*****
As of Balita deadline on May 8, mayroon nang mahigit-kumulang na animnapung mga batikan at newbies sa pulitika ang nagpatala upang tuparin ang kanilang dakilang layunin na pagsilbihan ang mga mamamayan ng Toronto bilang kanilang alkalde.
Obviously, they all met candidacy requirements and are qualified to run as mayor.
Hindi sila pagbabayarin ng registration fee at hindi sila isasama sa listahan ng mayoral bets na naka-print sa balota kung hindi sila pasado.
Ano bang qualification ang hanap – yung nagtanim ng punong namumunga ng three-dollar coins?
*****
Please naman. Huwag masamain ang mga tumakbo.
Hindi nila nais na madapa at lalong hindi sila naghahanap ng batong ipupukpok sa kanilang ulo.
Seryoso silang magwagi sa karera, tulad ni Mage na kampeon sa 149th Kentucky Derby.
Tanong ni Pareng Richie: Ilan kaya sa kanila ang dating suki sa San Lazaro at Santa Ana at sa ngayon ay gumagala sa Downs?
Kulit-tanong pa ulit: Kaya ba ang tawag sa election zone ay riding?
*****
Meanwhile, nag-usisa si Aling Ibyang, ibig malaman ang platform ng mga kandidato.
Sagot in Mang Tembong: Isa na ang TTC na binabaha ng maraming issues na dapat asikasuhin at lutasin.
Pero kwidaw, ang TTC subways ay marami ring platforms.
Further, hindi ba platforms din ang turan sa mga naglipanang apps sa mga smart phones at computers?
Bago may magalit, iwasan na natin ang usapin sa mga flat forms.
*****
Ganoon pa man, anyone brave enough and daring to enter politics should be as tough as nails; one that can bear a hammer’s head bang so that its being would make sense.
Pero ang patay na kuko, kahit ipa-manicure pa, need talagang medyasan na; parang pangakong napako.
*****
Pan back to Boss Joey. For the 2nd time, once more, repeatedly, again: I am backing Baking.
Even though sa palasyo siya nakatira at nasa ulo na ni Haring Kaloy ang korona, si Boss Joey nama’y madalas mapaligiran ng mga naggagandahang reyna.
Vote Baking, good looking at pang-yorme na, pang-scrabble pa.
Life, like elections, is a matter of making good choices and doing the right thing. Hope that things work; but when stuff goes the other way, it probably is well deserved.
*****
Lumang kuwento: At a Scarborough polling venue, two voters on queue were conversing about how one cannot complain if one does not vote.
Works well in a democracy. People need someone to blame for their misery. The better way to have one is through an election.
No offense meant. Who among the candidates are ready to be held accountable when things go awry?
*****
Did you know that my favourite bakery goodies are machacao and pacencia?
Alam ninyo rin ba na life, like curiosity, must pass to ably answer some queries?
*****
Paminsan-minsan, malupit din ang tadhana.
Biruin mo, mayroon ngang tatlong bilyong nilalang, pero ang bawa’t isa’y biniyayaan ng kanya-kanyang katangian, kakayahan at katalinuhan. Bawa’t isa’y may kasaysayan at kinalalagyan sa mundong ibabaw.
Say ko lang. Maaari naming i–come together ang mga kanya-kanya, i-work together ang mga puwedeng pagkaisahan, at i-share together ang anumang kapaki-pakinabang na fruits.
Remember ko tuloy ang graduation gift na libro sa akin titled Great Expectations.
Come to think of it. Ano kaya ang kahihinantnan ng kuwento nina Malakas at Maganda kung taglay nila ang lahat, walang labis at walang kulang, ng mayroon ang sanlibutan?
Kung election-related question hinggil sa mga kandidato, huwag ninyo akong tanungin. Hindi ko alam!
I am sure, however that whatever fate allows, time will get us by.
Life, like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, can be mystical and wonderful when it draws breath from cooperation, not competition.
*****
Napulot somewhere: When the right to be right and the right to do the right thing are defined by moral and ethical standards, then the right to exist in a civil and respectful society becomes the norm.
Oh, Gee! What happened to “ignorance of the law excuses no one” and to Miranda’s warning?
And while legal jargon sprays about, loose guns, mass shootings and violence are at it again.
Refresh us. Who claimed to have vowed and have taken steps so that bad stuff ought to never happen again?
Life, like a hygienic human body, suggests: Be fit. Get rid of shit.
*****
Sa umpukan over beer and pulutan, ang kalagayan ng preso ay napag-usapan.
Tito Bek, not a mayoral bet, suggested that jail facilities be transformed into homes.
While inmates are free to leave, those who have nowhere to go are urged to stay in and build a home with their friends and neighbours.
It may look like a simplistic solution, pero mukha ring masalimuot at suntok sa buwan.
Life, like any potent idea, should never be underestimated.
*****
Be reminded that no matter what happens, life is worth living.
Live for the better, but prepare for the worse.
On to tomorrow and beyond, I wish you to be well and safe. #####