Ninong Nito's day

Today this column will look a little different as I pay tribute to a man, who is celebrating his birthday today.

I won’t tell you how old he is, but like fine wine, this man, who is one of those responsible why I chose to be a journalist, is getting better with age – our publisher Juanito V. Jabat.

It will be tough to match his wit and despite the extremely cold temperature in the office I am sweating while writing this.

* * *

Ninong Nito as my wife and I call him, is famous for his puns, which really got me hooked on The Freeman starting at a very early age.

His column, Have Bat Will Strike, was the first thing I used to look for as a child after the sports section and it was not because I thought it was about baseball hehehe… 

* * *

In the ongoing World Cup, France crashed out of the tournament after suffering a humiliating loss to host South Africa.

The French team is also referred to as the Les Bleus. After their exit they’re really singing the blues.

* * *

The Argentinians proved that they are among the favorites in the tournament by topping their group and easily advancing to the next round.

Their coach, the legendary Diego Maradona, whose ‘hand of god’ goal in 1984 gave his country their second title, can give Argentina another shot at the crown.

This time, as coach, he would not have much use of his hands, but his head.

* * *

Many of my friends heaved a sigh of relief when Spain beat Honduras to stay alive in the tournament after a shock loss to Switzerland.

The Spaniards must have felt like trying to climb the Alps against the Swiss defense in their opening game.

* * *

England, one of the pre-tournament favorites, might not even make it to the last 16 no thanks to the goalkeeping error of Green during their opening match against once regarded World Cup minnows United States.

That draw was among the first upsets in the tournament and the English fans are very upset with the goalie. Green indeed looked very green with the way he handled that ball.

* * *

Aside from Argentina, I thought before the start of the tournament that Spain could be another team that has big chance of winning the title.

That does not seem to be the case now, but then this is not Philippine politics where you can just switch sides midway through the battle.

We do know that many of those who switched sides during the May elections still lost in the end. 

With the World Cup, there might be 31 losing teams and only one champion, however, the sport of football is the biggest winner.

* * *

MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings go to my good friend John Chade Alcano or ASMS de la Salle class 1986, who turns a year older today.

The same goes to John Paul Chiongbian, Luzshan Alison, my mistah Juanito Testa, and to Leica Cruz.

Advance greetings go to those celebrating tomorrow like Asila Malasarte, Joanne de Letran-Duda, Jamie Peralta, Elissa Lawas, Marvin Soco, and to Lorelei ‘Elay’ de Gracia.

More power to all of you!