Many have expressed joy over reports that Pope Francis might be coming to the Philippines to visit Yolanda-ravaged places. But only one has invited the Pope to stay with him and his wife in their humble home in Cebu. He is Jean Michaut of Cebu City.
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Part of Jean's brief open invitation to the Holy Father (published in this newspaper last Feb. 1/14) said: "Please be informed that my wife and myself will be most happy to welcome the Pope or one of his entourage into our humble home."
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I have relinquished the post of publisher to a very deserving and worthy successor Jerry S. Tundag, whose editor-in-chief's post has been taken over by Quennie S. Bronce, also a worthy replacement.
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I'm sticking around. And like that old soldier Gen. MacArthur talked about on his retirement, I'll be standing here watching the world go by as I, like that old soldier, again slowly fade away. Anyway, quoting some Biblical pick-up lines. "I have finished the fight, I have kept the faith."
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Have you heard that woman fortune teller who made known what she "saw" in her vibration (fortune tellers always speak of vibrations) in this Year of the Wooden Horse? It sends shivers down my spine.
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She said a top government official will be assassinated. A top movie star will die. Earthquakes, typhoons, floods will be coming. These predictions -- a friend of mine calls them guesses--could make 2014 the Year of the Worse.
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It says here that dozens of baby pacifiers have been seized by government agents. Baby pacifiers are called "tsopon" in Cebuano. "Tsopon" is good for people, women especially, who want to stay young.
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"Firm Vows More Water by June" -- Headline. More water to drink, right? Not for rubber rescue boats.
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More and more buses are figuring in highway accidents. Because they are driven by "boose" drivers.
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OVERHEARD: There was a commotion in a depressed neighborhood in the city last Sunday (Feb. 2/14). They heard a TV news report about typhoon Basyang coming. "Nibalik si Basyang, Bay?" Asked a neighbor who also heard the TV news. "Nibalik tingali, Bay," said another neighbor. A third neighbor said: "Buanga, Bay, oy. Gireplay man sa tv ang balita adtong Biyernes."