One tough Pinoy kookie

This just came in from our top West Coast Eye-spy. Even action heroes need protection like California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. ‘Ahnuld’s’ trusted bodyguard is a Pinoy named Jack Henry "Kookie" Gamboa. Our Stanford Spy-ring reported that Kookie is actually a scion of a prominent Negros family planter from Silay. Kookie’s skill in martial arts and his expertise in defense and weapons so impressed a security firm based in Los Angeles that they got him to work for them. Kookie rose from the ranks and is now the firm’s regional director. He personally headed security arrangements for then Texas Governor George W. Bush for the 2000 presidential campaign, and the nightmarish security arrangements for Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston’s 2002 wedding. It was during this ultra-exclusive wedding that a tabloid offered Kookie $100,000 to take secret photos of the wedding and reception, but the man declined the offer and proceeded to make the security arrangements even tighter, to the shock of the tabloid reporter. Kookie was also in the security detail of former President Bill Clinton during his promo tour in California for his autobiography ‘My Life.’ So impressed was Clinton that he invited Kookie to join his South African promo tour. This is one tough Pinoy Kookie that won’t easily crumble.

The train that can’t

Dr. Strangelove received word last Sept. 30 that the Chinese-funded $503-M North Rail project of the North Luzon Railways Corp. may not happen in the near future. It seems that there are issues that will take years to resolve. A day later, a congresswoman asked the Lower House to investigate the North Rail project charging that it would cost taxpayers P1-B per kilometer. She said that it appears to be onerous to the Philippine government. Earlier, members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) appealed to the President to withdraw from the agreement saying that the government was "fooled" into adopting onerous terms when it contracted the China National Machinery and Equipment Corp. to improve the existing rails of the Philippine National Railways. In contrast to the popular children’s story of ‘The Little Train that Could,’ this is a case of the big train that just can’t.

Tests reveal bacteria in airplane water

An article in USA Today reported that random tests conducted on drinking water from 158 passenger planes showed that about one in eight were contaminated with bacteria from human waste. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 20 of the water tanks tested were infected with coliform bacteria while two were also found positive with E. coli. Both coliform and E. coli bacteria are associated with fecal matter. Tanks on aircraft provide water for both lavatory sinks and to make coffee and tea. Because planes travel the globe over the course of a day, a plane can take on water at 10 different sites. Each time a plane lands, the tanks are filled with water from the airport, which could be a source of contamination. It could also come from contaminated nozzles of the water hoses that are used to fill the tanks. Although the type of E. coli and coliform bacteria found in the tanks don’t usually make people sick, they are indicators that other organisms might be present that could cause water-borne illnesses, whose symptoms include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. So next time you fly, make sure you bring hand wipes or sanitizers. And ask for bottled water.

Busy days

From unimpeachable Palace sources, we have learned that the new Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) president is about to be sworn in any day now. All we can say is that he is a successful Cabalen who loves food. Clark and Subic locators are pinning their hopes that he won’t be a bird of prey and that he will fulfill GMA’s inauguration agenda to develop Clark and Subic as a service and logistics hub within six years. On another front, there are rumblings in Bataan Tech Park, a BCDA subsidiary when its chairman was recently replaced last week. Apparently, their giving the incoming BCDA chair a free hand to form his team. May new President A.S. be blessed with busy days and success.

The listening post: The Russians are coming

The Man from Cavendish has received reports of rich matrons bewailing their husbands‚ new preoccupation in several Metro Manila malls. Apparently, a new horde of Russian call girls have invaded the Makati area. After a few sightings, Cavendish reported that the babushkas are tall and stunning resembling supermodels. Service fees are also world-class, naturally. This is a de ja vu of the late 90s when East European honeypots were brought in as a gesture of détente. Better the proliferation of love from Russia than nuclear weapons. Nowadays, the cry that "The Russians are Coming," isn’t so threatening anymore. The hot-blooded menfolk are certainly looking forward to the once dreaded multiple re-entry vehicles (MIRVs).

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