It says here that Atty. Gus Go, my friend and yours, has turned 80. Happy, happy birthday, Sir Gus! Allow me to welcome you to the club.
* * *
A 10-year-old boy selling pan de sal was seen squatting on the sidewalk in Manila crying. A man had robbed him of his P200 earnings intended for his family's daily bread.
* * *
I received this e-mail yesterday: "Sir, can't a 15-year-old boy be charged with rape for impregnating a 13-year-old minor?" I said I didn't know. But maybe it depended on who tempted who.
* * *
It says here that another explosion rocked Cotabato City. I heard some people now calling Cotabato Mindanao's "boom town."
* * *
How many criminals have been nabbed and jailed because of the CCTV? A relative currently on vacation in Cebu from the US told me that in the community in LA where he lives, every house has a burglar alarm aside from the CCTV. And police stats show more robbers and burglars have been arrested due to the burglar alarms than the CCTV.
* * *
Pope Francis is coming to the Phl. But I have it from a source I guarantee is reliable that he's spending more time in Manila than in the calamity-hit areas in Leyte, Bohol, and Cebu. If true, this certifies as true the imperial tag they have given to Manila.
* * *
A top Vatican official wants to quicken the marriage annulment cases. He said annulments must be sped up to reduce costs and red tape. He knows what's happening, noh? I have heard of some applicants for marriage annulment who have gotten so exasperated by the red tape--after waiting too long and spending too much-- they decided to drop their desire for annulment and got brand new partners and live together without the benefit of the sacrament of matrimony.
* * *
My friend and colleague in media Loy Jurado has again sent me some wise sayings which I entitled "BEFORE." Here they are: "Before you speak, think: before you write, think: before you spend, earn: before you pray, forgive: before you hurt, feel: before you hate, love: before you quit, try: before you died, live." Thank you, Loy.
* * *
OVERHEARD. The first anniversary of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked the Visayas, particularly Bohol and Cebu, is being celebrated. Comment: "Mao ra ning celebrasyon nga dili ta angay maghudyaka. Kay hangtod karon ang kapintas sa maong linog gibati pa sa mga Bol-anon ug pipila kanatong Sugbuanon." Another comment: "Subo hunahunaon. Namatyan pamilya namo sa Bohol. Apan ang biyuda sa igsuon kong namatay naminyo nag lain ug maglinug-linug sila sa bay nga gitukod ni Manoy."