'Tito, Vic & Joey and The Supremes'

Last Sunday (Jan. 17) was Muhammad “I Am The Greatest!” Ali’s birthday. His real name is Cassius Clay. Remember Thrilla In Manila? It was one of the most memorable heavyweight fights in the history of boxing where Ali was paired in the ring against another great legend — Smokin’ Joe Frazier.

And last Sunday, too, there was another Thrilla In Manila, but this time at the Manila Polo Club. There was a ring — not one but two; no gloves... but love. The featured pair — again, one “Joe” and like Cassius, the other with a name that starts with a “C.” Ladies and Gentlemen... in this Oconer... Mr. and Mrs. Corner, este Oconer nga — Jojo and Ciara!

Yes, senatorial candidate Tito Sotto’s youngest daughter Ciara Anna has met her match in Jojo and they are now ready for the “fight of their lives” — raising their own family. Congratulations and good luck!

As early as the late `80s, we used to call TVJ’s three daughters — Ciara, Danica and Jocas as The Supremes because of their mocharena complexion. How time flies. Hey, Ciara, when will you be “stuffed” in the name of love?

I remember that during some of our beach vacations when our “Supremes” were still little girls, Helen was always worried na baka mangitim lalo ang mga little black beauties na ito, kaya pinapaliguan n’ya ang tatlo ng sunblock. After application, itim lang ng mata nila ang hindi maputi! Ngek!

I believe Ciara was even called Pusit when she was small. In my case, my daughter Jocas maintained her confidence as she grew up because I kept telling her that black is beautiful.

And by the way, Ciara’s wedding was really like another heavyweight boxing event — there were also ROUND girls — all in long gowns. Ngek!

* * *

Here’s something about work attitude and being on time.

Pagiging nasa oras mo —

isang magandang tuntunin

sa buhay ng isang tao

para sa pag-unlad natin.

Gagawin mo rin lang naman

ba’t ‘di pa ngayon gawin,

‘wag mo nang ipagpaliban

nang may iba pang marating.

Tukso nga kung kailan ikaw

may paggawa na gagawin,

dun pa umaga’y maginaw

at kay sarap na humimbing.

Subalit kung nagsanay ka

sa isip mo sa paggising,

kahit antok na antok ka,

‘sang inat lang tanggal na rin.

Pag katamara’y umiral,

ang panahon ay darating,

lahat galaw mo’y mabagal,

walang iniwan sa lasing.

Huwag ka mang mag-alala

pag-idlip ‘di kukulangin,

pagkat pag namatay ka na,

puro tulog lang gagawin.

* * *

I would like to say hello and thank all our kababayang Pinoys working in all the hotels where my family stayed during our Christmas and New Year break from Dec. 22, 2009 to Jan. 6, 2010 — Hotel Atlante Star in Rome, Borghese Palace Art Hotel in Florence, Hotel Palazzo Priuli in Venice, Hotel Principe Di Savoia in Milan and Atlantis Hotel at the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Salamat din sa mga towels, bathrobes ... ngek!