Humility

A reader who gave his name only as John sent me the following Q and A (Question and Answer) item about Manny Pacquiao.

• "What pushes Pacman's sympathizers to ask him to retire now while he's still on top? Answer: Their concern for his name and his health."

• "What makes Pacman give a deaf ear to his sympathizers' well-meaning appeal? Answer: Money."

• "What makes the tax collectors insensitive to Pacquiao's ring career and health? Answer: Taxes from his prize money."

* * *

"Noy calls for humility, sacrifice," says the PhilSTAR headline. You know what? To some people, humility is a sacrifice.

* * *

Sen. Jinggoy says he is praying for his detractors. Not for himself. That's an example of selflessness, right? But the senator needs prayers for himself too.

* * *

One of the Siete Palabras speakers at the Cebu Metro Cathedral last Good Friday was former Ombudsman Atty. Virginia Santiago. She did not only speak well, she spoke very well about corruption in the government. She knew whereof she spoke having bumped into the likes of people during her active years in the government service.

* * *

Dr. Tyrone M. Reyes of PhilSTAR said in his well-read column "An Apple A Day" that forgiveness or forgiving others has health benefits for he who forgives. It can improve cardiovascular function, diminish chronic pain, relieve depression, fight mental illness, etc.

* * *

"Forgiving others can improve the quality of life among the very ill," said Dr. Reyes in his column."

* * *

Did you know that many OFWs in Saudi are betting in PCSO's lotto through their relatives at home? This I learned from a Cebuano OFW vacationing in Cebu. They wager big when the jackpot has hit millions.

* * *

Nando Abando, 72, who used to play one-on-one volleyball at Plaza Independencia, says he's happy to see (on tv) hordes of people watching volleyball these days. "Sa among panahon, pila ra ka pudyot ang manan-aw og volleyball. Karon mapuno man ang estadium sa mga manan-aw og volleyball," he said.

* * *

OVERHEARD: Two businesswomen having lunch in a mall eatery were talking about the last Holy Week celebration. One of them was heard saying: "Daghan ko'g kailang born-again nga niduaw sa Santo Entiero sa amoang simbahan." Replied her companion: Naa gani koy born-again nga kumadre nga niapil sa general confession (absolution) sa Redemptorist adtong Huebes Santo."