Someone asked: Is bingo gambling?

The horse meat scandal which started in Ireland has spread to Hong Kong. It's now the Hong Kongers' turn to kick.

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Heard on radio: “Five missing miners are missing.” Once I read in the newspaper: “The two fatalities are dead.” Oh, well, boners are OK. They add fun to the news.

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A senior citizen reading about the controversy over the cash assistance for the city's seniors was heard saying: “Mohatag man pero naa pay daghan sulti... mura’g hinigtan ang kuwarta.”

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Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has urged candidates in the coming elections to listen to their constituents. But not to let the words enter in one ear and let them escape through the other ear.

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The economic experts are saying with seeming pride that the Phl peso is Asia's second best performer. But they fear that the peso's strength may “destabilize” the economy. I sought an explanation from a friend with a degree in banking and finance, and he said: “Journalism baya ang major ko.”

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My three media friends who have a talk show on CCTN Ch. 47 are now trying their hands, nay, talents, in acting. They are Manny delos Santos Rabacal, Fritz Quiñanola and John Rey Saavedra of the “Clear Out Tonight” talk show fame. The “drama” they're starring in is titled “Bugti”.

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There was some trouble in Manila when VM Isko Moreno was arrested for holding a bingo game. The police charged him for gambling. “Now I know bingo is gambling,” said a lay minister I know. “What I still don't know if mahjong is also gambling or just a parlor game with money wagered by the thousands.”

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He was referring to the mahjong sessions during wakes for the dead. He said nearly all the wakes he had been to had mahjong games going on and money are seen on the tables.

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OVERHEARD. The Liberal Party held two rallies in two places here recently. The crowds in both rallies were way, way below the crowd of the UNA rally. Said an LP supporter: “Ang mga nanambong sa LP rallies pulos to nangadto sa ila rang kabubut-on.” Replied an UNA backer: “Bitaw daghang nagbagolbol. Nauwanan pa kuno sila, wa pay pamilite pauli.” LP backer's reply: “Mao nay giingon nga loyalty to party. Way nagbagolbol oy. Pataka ra ka.”