Sinulog 2012 coming up next

 Rep. Tom O is pulling out his funding assistance for the CCMC. OK lang, no problem. The patients there have become used to sleeping in the corridors and in making do with bandage and plaster they bought themselves.

* * *

 As the countdown for the coming of the New Year ended, I heard one fighter against the dengue mosquito yell: “Enter the Dragon...Katol.”

* * *

 I saw a blown-up photo of Kim Jung-Un, the new boss of North Korea. He’s got a face his people can love. I did not say “only.”

* * *

 It says here that more and more people are hitting 70 years and up. They’re a lucky bunch. Groucho Marx once said: “Growing old is something you do if you’re lucky.”

* * *

 Engr. Joseph (“please don’t mention my family name,” he said) feels bad about the way flood victims in Mindanao are treated. “Ang tanang atensyon ug hinabang tua ra nasentro sa Cagayan de Oro ug Iligan,” he said.

* * *

 “The government people,” he said, “know that destructive floods also hit many other places in Mindanao and many of the victims belong to the marginalized sector or communities. They also need help.”

* * *

 He said relief is centered mainly on Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Why? Because, according to him, “it is on these two cities where the eyes of the world are focused.”

* * *

 Engr. Joseph’s complaint or lament was addressed to me through my e-mail address. He appealed: “I appeal to you, Sir, to help us bring to the attention of the world our need for greater help.”

* * *

 Christmas and New Year celebrations are over. Next on the calendar is Sinulog. I want to remind everyone that Sinulog is not mardi gras. I said this many times before, I say it again. And this time I’d like to quote Iyo Antoy of the Banat News fame: “Ang Sinulog dili kiat-kiat, dili paghubog-hubog, dili pagpintal ug paghugawhugaw sa nawong, dili Ati-atihan, dili Dinagyang, gani gihunong man ang partisipasyon sa mga sexing bayot sakay sa float.”

* * *

 “Kundili,” according to Iyo Antoy, “ang Sinulog, primarily ug basically, usa ka kasaulogan, usa ka street dancing, halad ug sangpit ngadto sa Batang Hesus.” Amen and amen, I say to that.

* * *

E-mail: [email protected]