Paraguay's new fans

From little known to the final eight and suddenly Paraguay has become the favorite team of many men.

Even those who once rooted for Spain are set to cheer for Paraguay in the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the reason for the sudden surge in popularity for Paraguay is not one of its players, but the woman dubbed as the team’s “number 1 fan” — Larissa Requilme.

Larissa, who? If you’re asking that question, you probably did not contribute to the over 200 percent increase in searches for her over at popular website Yahoo!

Larissa, who is a lingerie model and who has shown not only her fondness for her country’s team but also some eye-popping poses, said that she’ll strip in front of Argentinian television if her team gets to the semis.

That might seem to be taking her love for her team to a different level that the non-football (soccer to those who insist) fans would never understand. Well, if you don’t understand, I bet you will also root for Paraguay now.

The odds are stacked against the Latin American country as they face the reigning European champions.

Spain just came from a hard-earned 1-0 win over Portugal, but hasn’t really shown much firepower in the tournament yet.

Despite what could still be a lackluster performance, Spain is still the odds on favorite, but now there would be more fans to root for Paraguay.

Unfortunately for you guys reading this here in our country, there is no Argentinian TV channel carried by our cable TV provider.

I predict a 2-0 win for Spain, but this is the World Cup and so many things unexpected can happen. Cling on to your hopes guys.

* * *

President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III or call him P.Noy as he asked is now in power and the first two days seems to have gone as fast as the blink of an eye.

There are already many people castigating the new administration while many also have high hopes for something better to happen to us.

We might have different colors in the May 10 elections and definitely I wasn’t yellow, but then this is not anymore the time to continue throwing mud and finding fault.

If we love our country then let us cooperate with the efforts of the Aquino administration as well as hope and pray that it would succeed in the good things it has planned for the nation.

Let us strive to become better citizens not only in words, but also in deed.

A good start would be to trying to get your self in shape, because a healthy people can help build a better nation.

If you are already whining at this stage then you probably are not the Filipino, who Ninoy Aquino, the new president’s father once said was worth dying for.

Let us make this a better nation and no president, even if our bets won, could have done that without us doing our little share.

* * *

MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings go to re-elected Councilor Lea Ouano-Japson, Busay barangay captain Yodi Sanchez, Dr. Danny Vicencio, Catherine Joy Alvarado-Menor, and Ilde Carillo, who are all turning a year older today.

Advance greetings go to Ira Joy Velasquez, Lt. SG P. Ervin Mundo of the Navy, Cay Villanueva-de Quiroz, and Rico Carbonell, who are celebrating tomorrow.

The same goes to those celebrating on Monday especially my uncle, Archt. Ahmed V. Lebumfacil.

More power to all of you! – THE FREEMAN