Gilas team uniting Pinoys

The Philippines beat Saudi Arabia in the FIBA-Asia ballgame. That's proving to the Saudis we produce good basketball players, not just domestic helpers.

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Forbes magazine says most Pinoy billionaires grew higher in 2013 over their wealth in 2012. Oh, well, didn't they say that in this country the rich are getting richer?

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It says in the headline: “BOC Workers Slam Corrupt Tag.” So what should the tag be? They protest PNoy's allegation of corruption in their ranks. PNoy is a gun hobbyist but he didn't shoot from the hips, did he?

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The CBCP says third sex is not an impediment for a gay or tomboy to become a saint. For all we know some of the saints we've been asking for help were gays or tomboys while still with us on earth. But no matter.

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Pope Francis has called for “mutual respect” between Catholics and Muslims. I give him two thumbs up for that call. In fact, I'm also for mutual respect between the Catholics and the non-Catholic groups who can't promote their religion without bitterly criticizing or even insulting the Catholics for their religious practices and traditions.

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Most of the “new voters” who crowded the Comelec offices on the last registration days didn't look “new” to me. They looked (from newsphotos) seasoned voters.

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I asked Raymond Chavez, a Fil-Am on vacation here, what he could say about the performance of Gilas-Pilipinas which he saw on TV. “Let me comment on the fans' support for Gilas,” he said.

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He said: “The Gilas-Pilipinas is uniting the Phl nation through FIBA. I could see that tremendous unity on TV. There is no organized cheering squad, the whole bunch that filled the venue to the rafters was the cheering squad. Gads, how the fans cheered. I got goose-bumps seeing them on their feet as they waved their arms.”

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OVERHEARD. Pope Francis wants mutual respect between Catholics and Muslims. Someone commented: “OK kaayo na. Naay pipila ka natong Katoliko nga binuangan ang mga Muslim nga tindero diha sa Colon.” Another comment: “Di man na binuang. Komedya ra na. Sama sa ingon kuno sa Muslim nga namaligya og banig nga lig-on kuno iyang banig, mangagusbat nalang kuno ang buko-buko sa Kristiyanos ang banig sa Muslim wa pa ma unsa.”