Vanity and the Pinay

When Michael Buffer boomed: “Let’s get ready to rumble!” the men who gathered in a barangay sports complex responded Buffer-style: “OK, let’s get ready to gamble!”

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Yes, there was gambling in that barangay gym. Many wagered Ricky Hatton would fall between round six and round l2. And lost. Maybe they’re not alone. Even Freddie Roach who at first predicted the fall in round three changed it to round six.

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You know, it was said that many Brits were still opening their tv sets when they saw their superstar already flat on his back. Maybe they thought their man was just playing possum.

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A hog trader was heard lamenting on tv: “The pork business is losing. All people are turning their backs on pork.” Not all people and not all pork,” Sir. Heard of the pork barrel? Honorable gentlemen go for it, swine flu or none.

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    An American “backpack researcher” said: “More than 50 percent of Filipino women I met have pedicured and painted toenails.” He said some of the toes no longer have nails but are painted just the same.

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He was the second foreigner I’ve met who had commented about our women’s painted toenails. The first was an Australian journalist who wrote a full-length article about “The Filipina and Her Toes.”

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I agree with these foreigners’ observation. I have seen fish vendors with muddy bare feet whose toenails are painted red and violet. And I have seen sidewalk vendors having pedicure treatment on the side of the street. Who was it who said: “Vanity knows no bounds?”

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E-mail from Liberato Cordero, a Cebuano in Seattle, Wash.: “I have changed my opinion about Manny Pacquiao’s entry into politics. Despite his lack of fluency in English, I feel he would make a good and ‘useful’ congressman to his constituents. He can take good care of his people who don’t number much because he has the money for their needs. Ang iyang pork barrel magamit gyud sa husto kay segurado nga di ni niya ibulsa.” (Bitaw, Sir, di gyud na niya ibulsa kay puno na man iyang bulsa. — JVJ)

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My Manila-based Cebuano friend Daido Angel keeps complaining about his GSIS pension which he has not yet received. It must be substantial, otherwise, Daido wouldn”t be complaining.

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The gentleman to watch in the House of Represetatives is Anad partylist Congressman Pastor “Jun” Alcover. He has a lot to say about colleagues perceived to be leftists and communists. “Maukay gyud ang Kongreso inigsulti ni Jun,” my friend Loy Jurado said.

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Let me share with you this text message I received from our GM Sir Bhoy Mendoza: “Before you say you can’t, make sure you’ve tried. Before you let doubts stop you, control them with facts. Before fear holds you back, go forward with faith. Before you believe others are better, show them what a winner you are.”

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