In the blacklist

The Philippines is clearly missing out on tourism opportunities because of our peace and order situation. Unfortunately, we’re still in the blacklist of some countries. That’s why President Arroyo is doing everything within her power to lower the boom on criminals and lawless elements.

While law enforcers are making headway in their crusade, we still hear of disturbing home break-ins, kidnapping, daylight robberies, unsolved murders, and senseless killings.

A few days ago, a cousin of mine was about to drive her kids to school early morning when, with the gate of her New Manila home open, six armed men barged in to stage a daring holdup. My cousin, her husband and children were hogtied while the thieves ransacked their home for cash and valuables. Luckily, they were unharmed. Unlike the robbers who broke into Sonny Parsons’ home, the men who victimized my cousin escaped.

And did you hear about the men who entered a home in Quezon City and carted away valuables after pretending to deliver a cake. What about the five men in suits who showed up at a Makati home early morning for a "meeting" with the home owner. The helpers let the men in because they looked respectable and woke up their boss who didn’t know about a "meeting" and got the shock of his life when his visitors turned out to be gun-toting robbers.

Tourist magnets like the tiangge in Greenhills are feasting grounds for pickpockets and petty thieves. A relative from Seattle lost her wallet the other day. The wallet contained P700 in cash, a US SSS card and a US driver’s license. Another relative lost P1,500 in cash to a pickpocket–the money was zipped in a side pocket of her bag. The pickpocket took the money and even zipped the side pocket back before my relative noticed what was missing.

Some pickpockets throw away the wallets or purses they strip of cash. Wallets or purses are recovered and sometimes, find their way back to the owners if there are ID cards in them. Petty thieves don’t care for ID cards or even credit cards–they just go for the cash.

There are, of course, more serious crimes being committed in the streets.

What’s alarming is when you hear of things happening to close relatives, you know the circle of victims is closing in. We’ve got to be vigilant. We’ve got to be careful. We’ve got to support the President in her efforts to bear down on criminals.

On the sports front, we just learned that three National Basketball Association (NBA) players were supposed to grace the finals of the Nike 3-on-3 tournament in Alabang on Aug. 31. But because of the "blacklist," they cancelled out. The players were 6-10 Lamar Odom and 6-6 Quentin Richardson of the Los Angeles Clippers and 6-9 Darius Miles, a 20-year-old wunderkind who was traded to Cleveland by the Clippers last week.

Odom, Richardson and Miles would’ve been a nice surprise for local fans. They’re young, talented, and charismatic. They’re part of the NBA’s New Generation of Stars.

Toronto Raptors star Vince Carter just finished a tour of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. If the Philippines weren’t blacklisted, Dr. Funk would’ve surely come here, too.

In Taipei last weekend, Carter treated the fans to a rousing reenactment of Nike’s hit TV retro ad on the Rucker League in New York. Nike marketing manager Auty Villarama flew from Manila to catch Carter in action and said the show was spectacular.

An abandoned basketball gym–the T&W Stadium in downtown Taipei–was leased by Nike and refurbished to simulate a "Rucker" playground, complete with steel cages and a roped court like a boxing ring. The black tricksters in Nike’s ads were there, too–they’re called the Streetballers.

The place was packed to the rafters. The Black Knights and the Ninjas were the teams on the floor. With the game on the line, the chants started for Dr. Funk. Suddenly, someone appeared to check in–wearing a jacket with a hood covering his head. The fans thought it was Carter. It wasn’t. The impostor was unveiled when he took off his jacket. The chants grew louder. Another player showed up at the sidelines to check in–his head covered by a hood. This time, it was the real Dr. Funk.

Carter got a touch as soon as he entered the game and skied for a drunk to win the game. Pandemonium erupted. Fireworks lit up the dim corners of the gym.

Imagine, Carter could’ve repeated the act here if not for that blacklist.

Incidentally, the word is Kobe Bryant hasn’t decided which shoe to wear in the coming season. He ended his Adidas contract last month and rejected a two-year extension. Bryant was recently spotted wearing an old Michael Jordan Air Force model at an exhibition so that’s good news for Nike. There is talk that Bryant hopes to follow in his idol Jordan’s footsteps. Los Angeles Lakers fans are hoping if that’s true, it won’t mean Bryant moving to the Washington Wizards.