Proxy war

CEBU, Philippines —  It would’ve been historic had Tunisian Ons Jabeur won Wimbledon. She would have been the first Arab to win a singles slam. But Czech Marketa Vondrousova also made herstory as the first unseeded player to win the grandest slam. Jabeur led but bled in both sets and Vondrousova fled in straight sets.

It would’ve thrilled more had the match been dragged to the distance to test who is the best at sudden death. Just like how Carlos Alcaraz dragged and drubbed Novak Djokovic to the final set. But not in the same manner a drag queen dragged a not so dragging performance too far by impersonating the inimitable. Or better yet the untouchable. Artistry allows exaggeration like the tickling caricature or the stinging satire, but not to the point of blasphemy.

Regardless of its wisdom and integrity, any religion should be respected. It is a personal choice no one should argue against, unless it crosses the line that separates faith from fanaticism. Otherwise known as cultism, which is still allowed, unless it practices malpractice that runs afoul of the law. Otherwise known as crime, where separation of church and state does not apply.

Understandably, the faithful are deeply offended and openly furious. Unfathomably however, some if not most of them are quiet, forgiving and even supportive of causes of hunger like thievery of public money, easily forgetting their savior’s example of righteous indignation.

In the semis, Jabeur bucked a deficit to turn the match around against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. The inked Vondrousova blinked not and blanked the flawless Elina Svitolina of Ukraine. Ons and Marketa prevented what would have been a more tense and intense championship between Aryna and Elina owing to the countries they represent.

But it is pointless to dwell on what if, not even on what was. Deal with what is and prepare for what will be. Move on from a bitter loss, or from a match the favored should have won. Or better yet, from a failed relationship. Even if, or especially when personal trust is breached. But not when public trust is betrayed, unless truth is known, and the traitors punished for their transgressions. It is the only way to genuine reconciliation. Anything less is another form of deception. Otherwise known as mutation.

Regardless of who would’ve won between Svitolina and Sabalenka, expect no handshake at the net, or elsewhere. It may symbolize sportsmanship. But for the vocal Ukrainian, it condones the invader of her country and its enabler. Rightly so, symbols are powerful, more so in the form of gestures. They may not look like what they represent, but that is exactly the point – make people think, except the dumb and the stupid, without reference to the unlettered. Some of the highest in literacy are lowest in the test of equity, including honor graduates who became dishonorable dimwits.

Just as always, a logo is abstract and cryptic, oftentimes too vague it doesn’t make sense. Only the creator knows what it means, uncovered only in deeper understanding. Otherwise known as appreciation. But no one does if it is ugly, much less pricey. Otherwise known as double whammy.