"I woke up early to get the news on tv about the Hagupit/Ruby typhoon. When I turned on the tv set the first 'news' I got was about a skin whitening cream."
***
"I immediately changed channel and guess what news I got? About an actor who wanted to sleep in bed with an actress!"
***
A friend of mine who watches tv mainly (usually) for the breaking news, told me about this experience he just had that morning (pls. read above) slamming his left fist against his right hand. He's a lefty. He sounded very frustrated.
***
But he did get the news about Hagupit and Ruby. Not from his tv set but from the loud voices of neighbors discussing the then-coming typhoon in the neighborhood barbershop. (Then I remembered the "Balitang Barbero" column of my very, very good friend Nards Chiu whom I haven't heard of for ages.)
***
Calamities are taking place everywhere in our times. But a German weather agency says we, the Phl, are the most badly battered, which reminded me of what I once read about calamities and misfortunes. It said that calamities do not bring misfortune to everyone. It said that the bright guys consider misfortune a source of wealth.
***
Mayor Mike Rama has been reported as pushing for a P10,000 Christmas bonus for city hall employees/workers. The ball is now in the hands of the City Council. OK or not to the councilors, Hizzoner gets the pogi points.
***
By the way, a text from reader who asks: "Where is Andre Blatche now? He was the American cager we spent time, effort and money to become a Pinoy citizen so he could help Gilas Pilipinas." Yes, I also want to know. Where is Blatche now? I heard he's playing in China. As Filipino import?
***
I saw and heard Ma'am Winnie Monsod interview Budget Secretary Butch Abad in her "Walang Pasaway" tv program. She grilled him thoroughly. After the program Maring Winnie gave Butch a passing mark. And even praised him for his able handling of his department. It was the first time I heard Butch praised by a supposedly strict interviewer. He's not Abad boy after all.
***
OVERHEARD: The news says pre-marital sex among the youth in Central Visayas is on the rise. "Tinuod ni, Pre," said a taxi driver. "Bitaw," agreed his co-driver."Ang 14 anyos nga anak sa among silingan ni-undang og tungha kay namabdos." Someone listening to them joined the conversation saying: "Anak sa tindera og prutas, silingan sab namo, grade five pa tulo nay uyab."