For the past several days, reports had it that our Pambansang Kamao was entertaining the idea of becoming president. Not just president of the kapilya or of any boxing organization but of this archipelagic republic. Well and good. We are all entitled to our ambitions no matter how ridiculously outrageous it may be.
Let us not panic yet as constitutionally, Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao is barred from running for the presidency because he is under the age limit. When 2016 comes and it will be time for us again to choose someone to “lead†us to wherever, PacMan will only be 37 years old. The constitution says a presidential candidate should be at least 40 years old at the hour of vote buying.
Personally, PacMan should try the Senate first and if he makes it there, which is highly possible, be tops on the list again with the most number of absences, to be consistent with his absentee record in congress. No matter the number of sessions he will be missing in the Senate, if ever, the experience will be valuable.
In all fairness, he has filed something like five bills in congress addressing the welfare of retired boxers, creating fitness centers in every barangay with a full-time fitness instructor to be subsidized by the local government. He also proposed to amend policies on the Philippine Sports Commission and its about time for changes to be made on that agency. There was also that bill that concerns the wellness of women’s breasts. Uhm, people, wipe the dirt off your minds as this is about babies and breast-feeding.
For the moment, VP Jojo Binay will be sleeping soundly knowing fully well that PacMan won’t be challenging him for at least another six years. Who knows, Mommy Dionesia will, instead. And I would pay big money to see the day when Madam Miriam will finally have her match. Maryosep!
We all have dreams and like PacMan said when he first entered the face-altering world of boxing that he dreamed of one day becoming a world champion. And world champion he did become at eight different weight divisions. No ordinary feat for an extra-ordinary boxer.
Now that he is a member of our nation’s law-giving body, like everyone else perhaps on this assembly, also dreams of becoming the president. Some dreams do come true, others continue to be dreams. Let the dream continue Cong. PacMan. The population can’t afford to wakeup to a six-year nightmare. Ah, you know.
Meanwhile, your November fight beckons and it would be wise to start training the soonest possible time. The first two defeats were lessons learned, hopefully.
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The UAAP basketball wars had ended their first round of eliminations and showing the way with a 7-0 win-loss record are the Tamaraws of FEU. In contrast, the University of the Philippines is marooned at the bottom with no wins to show. Perennial powerhouses and rivals De LaSalle and Ateneo de Manila are on unfamiliar grounds with unfamiliar win-loss records.
On FEU’s roster is a former junior standout of our University of the Visayas, Ron Dennison. Sadly, he’s lost in the rotation as he has become the third option in the position he’s playing. Also longing for playing time is last year’s CESAFI juniors MVP Dawn Hynric Ochea of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu. He plays for the Adamson University Falcons and like Dennison, is only the team’s 3rd option at power forward.
Going local, tomorrow will open the 2013-2014 CESAFI cage wars and basing from the pre-season games, it is going to be a UV-SWU showdown. Both schools had upgraded their lineups and it would be fun to watch them play. I just hope officiating will improve.
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Wimbledon and the British Open are big sporting events and they naturally pay big money. But London does not want you to bring the entire loot home.
Taxes, especially those derived winnings are really stiff in the United Kingdom. 45% will be taken by the British government for tax purposes and although the check handed to you at the Brit Open or at Wimby might say $1 million, by the time you have it encashed, you’ll only get $550K.
Thank the British for foresight. They so love their monarchy that since a new heir to the throne just came out of production and has made residence at Buckingham, someone, not British, definitely has to pay for the royal diapers.