The Century race

Let me start — or re-start — by thanking Mr. and Mrs. Ramon de Pan Sr. for the get well card they sent me through the hospital they once visited me. And thanks too to the kind nurse who forwarded the card to me. Daghang, daghang salamat.

***

There’s a bill that seeks to grant a prize (of sorts) in the amount of P100,000 for any Pinoy who manages to reach the age of 100 years. It’s authored by Rep. Edcel Lagman, himself a candidate for the prize. (Kidding lang.)

***

An octogenarian I know wants to know if he could get a down payment of at least 50 percent of the prize while he is still around to make use of the amount. “The balance I give to charity...” Charity is his young long-time companion.

***

Do I hear tv commercials of herbal capsules manufacturers urging the public to take their products — those herbal cure-all capsules — while waiting to finish the century race?

***

Leaders of many countries are gnashing their teeth at North Korea’s turning a deaf ear on their demand for NoKor to stop the controversial rocket launch. The Fat Boy in Pyongyang must be laughing and quoting a Cebuano saying: “Ang masuko pilde”.

***

Have you heard this news? The Miss Universe Pageant will now admit transgenders or gays. That would be interesting. Haven’t you observed that there are transgenders are just as beautiful as the “genuine” girls and could speak more sensibly? This question was asked by a mediaman in Manila.

***

An 8.9 Magnitude earthquake rocked Banda Aceh in Aceh province Sumatra, Indonesia. Thousands of Indonesians panicked as they run to the hills. They had expected — and with reason — that a big tsunami was coming. There was none. All was well than needed well.

***

OVERHEARD. “Giprenda ni Sir ang iyang awto sa inahan sa iyang kirida ... Actually ang kuwarta sa inahan gikan ra sad sa iyang kirida kinsa kusog mangayo’g kuwarta ni Sir.”