Pacquiao's cash register

The cash box continues to ring for Manny Pacquiao, the world’s best pound-for-pound and most popular boxer as all kinds of endorsements continue to come his way. After the successful launching of his fight gear line from Nike, a multi-million dollar endorsement offer from a yet unnamed US energy drink is currently being negotiated. Pacquiao’s popularity has clearly transcended Philippine shores, with worldwide fans coming from all ages, genders and races.

Not surprisingly, the Sarangani Congressman has also become involved in US politics, endorsing a powerful Democrat re-electionist Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, whom we understand just clinched his re-election to another term. You can be sure Manny will have some influence with the powerful senator. Reid and Pacquiao have a similar rags-to-riches tale, with the Nevada Senator having to walk to school and was a one time champion boxer in college. On the other hand, Reid has been supportive of Filipino veterans and immigrants. Manny Pacquiao is not only making a lot of dollars and extremely popular in the US, he now has the distinction of being the first Filipino boxer/politician to have influence in American politics.

One of a kind

While we can all be proud of Manny Pacquiao, the first boxer in history to win in seven weight divisions, it is very unfortunate to know that the Philippines is also notorious for a lot of negative things like the hostage taking incident, the kidnappings in Mindanao, and now the world renowned Maguindanao Massacre that was the subject of a National Geographic documentary. The documentary was shown worldwide with a very high TV rating. The International Press Institute has condemned the massacre as the most horrendous crime against humanity of the century. And what’s this we hear that one of the suspects in the massacre even managed to win as kagawad (councilman) in the recent barangay elections? What a country!

Japan embassy residence

Our new Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manolo Lopez will be in for a surprise when he finds out that the Ambassador’s official residence in Kudan, Tokyo is not exactly in tip-top shape. The property was bought by former President Jose P. Laurel in 1944 and has been wanting for major repairs. For one, the heating system needs to be fixed at an estimated cost of $250,000 dollars. Apparently, the official residence has not been properly maintained due to budget constraints with most of the furniture simply uncoordinated and catch-as-catch-can. Ambassador Manolo Lopez’s wife Maritess, known for her good taste, will most certainly want to change the furniture and all other furnishings needed to reflect the kind of honor and prestige that befits the Ambassador’s residence. Perhaps when PNoy goes to Japan next week, Manolo may want to take him on a quick tour of the Embassy residence to convince the President to allocate the necessary budget for the much needed repairs. Otherwise, he may just end up having to dip into his own pocket just to make the place livable.

Security lapse

Philippine authorities should not downplay the travel advisory issued by Australia, Britain and the United States about possible terrorist attacks in the Philippines and should coordinate with their intel counterparts in these countries. While the US zeroed in on Mindanao as potential travel advisory spots, both the UK and Australia have warned of a high probability of terrorist attacks in Metro Manila before the year ends, meaning to say – the Christmas holidays. The potential targets are malls, shopping centers, convention areas and five star hotels. We should not forget that Metro Manila residents have already been victimized by terrorist attacks such as the Rizal Day bombing in 2000 and the Valentine’s Day bombing in 2005.

Mall and hotel owners should not take these warnings lightly. More often than not, many of their security guards just conduct a cursory and token check of bags while engaging in “chismis” with fellow guards. Many of them don’t even bother to look at the faces of the people who go in, much less look inside the bags and other luggage. A potential terrorist certainly knows of these security lapses. A classic too late the hero.

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