Mayor Tom O's transparency

The Christmas celebration is over. The New Year’s Day fete too. And so are the Fiesta Señor and the Sinulog festival. Next on the calendar is the Chinese New Year on Jan. 26. So Kung Hei Fat Choi in advance.

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Mayor Tomas Osmeña went on tv Sunday to greet his people at home on the occasion of Fiesta Señor. He was bald due to his chemo treatment. That’s plain and simple transparency. Toms up, Mayor.

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I know of many other big people who went bald after the chemo procedure who hid behind their wigs or toupees. Or baseball caps. Or other headwear. Comments a friend: “Don’t trust these people ... They’re Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”

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Thanks to a reader who e-mailed what he called “Some Foods for Thought.” I enjoyed the “foods.” They didn’t give me indigestion.

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Bob Phillips, my favorite humor writer, says the only food that doesn’t go up in price is food for thought. It’s also the only food the BIR can’t subject to VAT.

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The temperature has been dropping lately. It’s 23 degrees C. as I write this. Cool! Cool or cold nights are good but not when you have empty arms. Hehe!

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I saw PMS Director General Sec. Cerge Remonde (through photos) taking part in many events related to the celebration of Fiesta Señor. Was it for show? No, it was not. I know Cerge and I know his sincerity when it comes to his religion.

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I should know because when he was still doing reportorial work for The Freeman with me as his weekend editor, he would silently stop typing and leave his desk. I would learn later that he has slipped out of the office to hear an evening mass at the Cathedral, which is not far from our work place. He did this many times.

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One early evening, he said to me: “Hunongi usa nang imong trabaho diha, adto tas Cathedral.” I went with him and together we heard mass. It was the start of my slipping out of office on Sunday evenings to hear mass, even after Cerge had already joined the Visayan Herald.

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E-mail from M. Servando: “Let’s not begrudge Manny Pacquiao for demanding a 60-40 revenue split with Ricky Hatton ... Many US sportswriters have been quoted as saying that Pacquiao, despite his stature, is one of the lowest paid champs in the world.”

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E-mail from Edgar Cantor (New York): “Happy Fiesta Señor to you all in Cebu. Pit Senyor from New York.”

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Email: [email protected]