It is so true that if something adorns the rear-view mirror of a Filipino-owned vehicle, it is either a string of beads or a pair of miniature boxing gloves or both.
A thing of comic relief or supernatural belief, at times, gets the hang of it.
Faith-based stuff, objects of national pride and representations of whatever say it all.
But for as long as neither a dripping ice cream cone nor a pet snake dangles from any car mirror, there is nothing to worry about.
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Whatever, let’s go to the miniature boxing gloves.
To rest and sleep in shorts on a canvas is the worst scenario a prizefighter will likely try to avoid, as much as using a battered face and tired body to shield his self from hard jabs and hurting punches.
Yet, a few are that stubborn enough to ignore the buzz and noise of a swarm of mosquitoes.
Like a near rotting carrot dangled before an aging horse, retirement from the ring had been suggested to Filipino boxer and international ring icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao for many years. Kissing the floor and missing the world for a time is an ugly moment. Being reminded of the Marquez knockout counterpunch is even uglier.
While wife Jinkee, mother Dionesia and coach Roach may understand what is in Pacquiao’s mind, not even FB and anyone else can really give a clear estimation of what the boxer thinks and feels heretofore.
“That’s boxing,” was the cryptic message Pacquiao told sportscasters and newsmen as he walked away from the ring after the final bell.
What will the Pambansang Kamao (National Fist) go for following his unanimous decision loss (loyal fans proclaim it an upset) to Cuban Yordenis Ugas for the World Boxing Association’s welterweight belt at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas on August 21?
A standard post-fight reply or not, Pacquiao said: “I don’t know. Let me rest first, relax and make a decision whether to continue to fight or not.”
Everyone wants to know what his next fight is, in what arena and if replacement opponents are OK.
Here’s hoping it’s no longer linked to combat sports.
Of course, happy 43rd birth anniversary, Manny!
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Judgmental? Overthinking? I don’t think so. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and determination of Pacman’s future strategies. Let us leave him to his own devices.
However, I find the social media post of good friend and frat brod Ed C. quite interesting.
Quoted in toto: “Is Pacman listening only to his own blind ambition, fuelled by his mercenary handlers?
In social media, an overwhelming number of his thinking fans are encouraging him to find other ways to help the people (his mantra these days) other than pursuing his presidential ambition.
Same thinking fans of his are all praises for his prowess and achievements in boxing BUT, in the same breath, say he has neither the training and skills nor the experience required by the country’s top job.
His only declared “qualifications” are his golden heart and what God has whispered to his ears.
Many also suggest that he should focus his efforts to developing his indigent province using his money (not important to him anyway).
Will somebody burn the sucking snouts of the leeches?
Will somebody put some sense back into Pacman’s head?
Short of that happening, the best thing for his thinking fans to do is NOT to vote for him; even campaign against him.
For his very own sake! To save him from those who want to separate him from his wallet.”
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Separate him from his wallet?
In these hard and trying times, some guys may have another culprit in mind.
But they, like me, would rather keep mum and live happily ever after.
Or else, rest in self-isolation and be socially distanced in peace.
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So the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finally approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for human use on August 23.
Till then, the vaccine was manufactured, distributed and administered in the U.S. under an emergency use authorization granted in December 2020.
Bravo! The official health agency approval may clear doubts about the vaccine’s efficacy and safety.
It may allay vaccination hesitancy fears. It may make people confident to roll up sleeves and get the shot.
Maybe, more inoculations may add to the over 50 percent fully vaccinated Americans who have started creating a protective shield that will resist and vanquish the pesky virus.
Then, perhaps, the surges of COVID-19 infections and transmissions may stop.
We will go on hoping and praying for everyone’s wellness.
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A good friend sent me the following:
Up North, Health Canada first authorized, with conditions, the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on December 9, 2020.
The authorization was expanded on May 5, 2021 to include individuals aged 12 to 15.
Besides Pfizer-BioNTech, other COVID-19 vaccines officially approved for Canadian use include Moderna, AstraZeneca, Covishield (a version of the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India
and sponsored in Canada by Verity Pharmaceuticals Inc.) and Janssen (Johnson and Johnson).
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as of July 27, 2021, said that “Canada continues to be a world leader in vaccination rates, with over 80 percent of eligible people in the country vaccinated with their first dose and approximately 64 percent fully vaccinated.”
I don’t know but I’ve got this tingling feeling that the above is a September 20 election pitch.
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While Canada has opened its borders to American citizens since August 9, reciprocal steps from the U.S. will have to wait until September 21.
Whatever, sensibly assessing the benefits of travelling against its risks is always a good call.
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Travelling by foot will always be my cup of tea. The mode presents me with a lot of trivial surprises.
Several days back, naisip ko lang na maging hibang sa kabibilang ng poste ng Meralco.
I used to do this thing to keep my mind off the nuances and rigours of an exercise called a lazy long walk.
Further, re-enacting a wee bit of the wartime Bataan Death March inspires in me some patriotism, you know.
Anyways, hindi ako nag-wan-tu-tri ng poste. Nagbilang ako ng who had a mask or not.
On my way to the convenience store on a hot afternoon, I counted six persons who had masks – either being held or covering noses to chins – and three who did not wear one. Incidentally, five wore baseball hats.
My trip to the grocery store yielded 14 masked persons and five unmasked ones. It was humid so I never regretted to meet and greet people wearing sagging T-shirts or tank tops.
Going farther to the bank, my numbers were 18 with masks and six without. Inside the bank, I am unsure if those who had masks worked at a medic centre, but I am certain that they are unrelated to Bonnie and Clyde.
Conclusion: I can still count!
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Midsummer was so hot and humid, reminding me of a friend’s granddaughter.
To beat the heat, her grandparents would bring her to play in a water park or in a mall.
Since both were still risky to go to since the pandemic lockdowns and due to related health precautions, she had her cooling flings near the open refrigerator.
Ice cream drips on the floor? That is part of the equation, and so are my hot coffee droplets.
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How I miss the tropical environment of the Philippines, paticularly my and every Pinoy’s mythical BFFs named Hanging Amihan and Hanging Habagat.
One day soon, promise, I’ll be back for you.
Puwede, padagdag ng bukid at pilapil, tagak at uwak, palay na bagong ani, gulay ng Bahay Kubo at prutas na bagong pitas, tricycle at jeepney, huni ng ibon at OPM, at marami pang iba.
Harinawa, kabayan, harinawa. #####