Christmas in July

“Contraception is Corruption,” the Catholic Church is quoted as saying. It is one corruption that PNoy is not known to be fighting against.

***

Some boxing observers say that Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga has the same boxing style as that of Manny Pacquiao. They also have the same way of losing.

***

Manny’s defeat was controversial. So was Barriga’s. The 19-year-old boy from Davao was deducted two points allegedly for head butting and the two points were given to his opponent who eventually won the fight, beating our boy by one point, 18-17.

***

“Christmas in July” was celebrated by The FREEMAN last July 18 as part of this newspaper’s observance of its 93rd anniversary. It was cooked up by TF’s chairman Sir Dodong Gullas who played Santa Claus with his dear wife Ma’am Nena assisting.

***

“Christmas in July” was actually Sir Dodong’s way of paying tribute to this paper’s employees who have served TF long and well. Valuable “Christmas gifts” in the form of checks and wristwatches (the latest Timex and Seiko brands) were handed to deserving workers by Ma’am Nena.

***

The “deserving workers” included me (ehem!) who, records show, has been with the newspaper for 47 years and counting. I have thanked my boss for his trust many, many times with him answering “Don’t mention it” many, many times too.

***

Of the many rich taipans in the country, John Gokongwei Jr. is the one Noy Temiong and I admire most. Why? Because he calls himself a Cebuano. This I read in Sir Wilson Lee Flores’s articles in the Philippine Star.

***

Mr. Gokongwei — and members of his family — call Cebu his hometown. His love for Cebu and pride in being Cebuano is manifested in many things. Including his many recollections of his youth, which he said he spent in Cebu, when the chips were still down, so to speak.

***

His having named his now high flying airline Cebu Pacific is only one vivid proof of Mr. Gokongwei’s pride in Cebu and his being Cebuano.

***

OVERHEARD. A family car driver was heard telling another family driver about his boss’ womanizing. “Basta may date date gani akong agawon day-off nako na kay taxi iyang sakyan ... Kausa padung siya’g motel hikit-an niya ang iyang laing uyab nga mao kunoy nisakay sa iyang gikanaugan nga taxi... Si agawon ra sad nisulti niini nako. Heha.”