Damascene moments

The once blind can see, the once mute can speak and the once deaf can hear. St. Paul had his epiphany on the road to Damascus. We’re seeing a lot of that lately. Suddenly, we witness pride being piqued; indignation rediscovered and, out of nowhere, people singing different tunes.

No, it’s not an epidemic of spiritual conversions or people finding their inner Andres Bonifacio (‘atapang ‘a-tao). It only means that the funny season is nigh. Elections, like Mr. Joe Mari Chan, are just around the corner.

It has been a treat watching erstwhile temporizers beknighting themselves. Soon, even more will be on their best behavior. Anything seen or heard from late “avengers” requires quite the grain of salt.

We are tickled also by the highbrow argumentation between Malacañang and the Red Cross on the abuse of positions. Actually, we have a rare opportunity here to elevate the debate. The PDP-Laban, the President’s party and vehicle for his vice presidential run, has announced their Senate line up. Six are incumbent appointive officials. So far, none have disavowed the intent to accept their nominations.

Hence, anything they do from today until they actually file their candidacy will be suspect. Who will believe that it is not the prospect of election that compels their actions? Might we suggest that as the President is taking the high road, they should take it together with him. Either they disclaim the intent to run, ASAP, or resign so as not to diminish the President’s broadsides against officials who take advantage of their posts.

Senator Dick Gordon is presented with his own conundrum. He has been called out by the President for ostensibly using his position as Red Cross chair for political profit. Whether or not the President has a point is not the point. The institution is bigger than the man. The senator would not be dignifying the claims should he relinquish his post as chair, even if only temporarily or during the campaign season. Doing so, he spares the Red Cross from further stains of doubt and proves that the man is bigger than the institution.

Has it been? It was my Mom’s 1st death anniversary last Tuesday, Sept. 7. Cherished friends and colleagues shared tributes of how she had profoundly moved them. We continue to be comforted by the thought that her life held meaning for so many. We are grateful to everyone who remembered.

Mom’s passions were the movie industry, good governance, being a good mother, grandmother and overall nice person, her crafts and flowers, among others. Included in this list was watching tennis majors on TV. Specially the US Open. You couldn’t wrench her away from the screen when Martina N., Steffi, Pete, Boris, Roger et. al. were playing. It was worth her time not just due to the athleticism on exhibit but more so because of the mental toughness, accuracy and precision of exchanges, momentum shifts and grace under pressure. Once in a while, even the diva antics would amuse her.

Surreal. The pullout of the game’s major draws diminished public expectations for this Open. No Roger, no Rafa, no Serena? Hey, no problem. The Ashleigh Barty vs. Naomi Osaka showdown for who was the real No. 1. and Djokovic’s pursuit of immortality was supposed to be the script.

Alas, Barty and Osaka were knocked out early. A new script had to be written. And, as can happen when you’re good for goodness sake, the new script captured lightning in a bottle.

The US Open has become the tournament of the teens. The women’s tour already has its high profile teenager, the 17-year-old American Coco Gauff. But she was an early casualty. It has been the charismatic duo of Canada’s 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez and the UK’s Emma Raducanu, 18, delighting tennis fans with their breathtaking but improbable runs to the finals where, for the first time in history, two unseeded players will contend for the title and the purse of $2.5 Million.

Chrissie, Steffi, Monica, Tracy, Martina H., Serena and Venus are all legends of the game. What else do they have in common? They were major champions in their teens. But in this age of Serena, the phenom of the teen phenom has vanished. Of today’s top 20, none are teenagers.

The reasons are many, not the least of which is having to deal with a 24/7 media blitzkrieg; physical peaks not matching mental maturation. The older players are also staying fit longer. The ages of Fernandez and Raducanu combined, at 37, is still younger than Serena’s 39.

Cindereylah. It is Leylah who has really been embraced by the US Open tennis community. The monikers given her are many, all apt. Smiling assassin. Giant killer. Breath of fresh air. Comeback princess.

Not since Serena Williams, who was 17 in 1999, has anyone younger defeated three WTA top 5 players at any major. In her wake lie World no. 3 and defending champion Osaka; Angelique Kerber, former World No. 1 and past US Open champion; Elina Svitolina, World no. 5 and World No. 2, six footer Aryna Sabalenka. Leylah is only 5’6”.

Emma hasn’t dropped a set on her route to the finals, albeit her swath of victims has been less stellar.

Why does this all matter? Because Leylah is a Filipina. Her Father is Ecuadorian Jorge Fernandez but her mom is Canadian-born Filipina Irene Exevea of Leyte and Ilocos Sur. The Philippine flag, together with the flags of Canada and Ecuador, is proudly displayed in Leylah’s social media accounts.

These teens have captivated the world – even icons like Magic Johnson and Steve Nash can’t contain the exuberance in their tweets. These young athletes – so far, anti-divas – are not just stars. As a fan in awe wrote, they are comets. Leylah and Emma are bringing new eyes to the sport and inspiring the next generation of tennis players and fans.

Mom would have loved to see them play.