of Vampires and the Pacman

(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

Hi there! It’s another weekend. I don’t have any news about Calbayog, I’ve reserved it for next week. In the meantime, let me share with you my usual comments about the world around me, something that went missing in my columns the past weeks.

COMELEC was in the news lately and will be that way in the next few months. Nope, I have no problem with the poll body, it’s about how things went during the filing of COCs of national candidates, to be specific, the lesser known candidates; and to be more specific, the ones who are sure to make it to the list of nuisance candidates. So what about them? Ahh, their portfolio and grand plans for the land of Juan De La Cruz make them such interesting characters. Having comedians, err, candidates aspire for the presidency must have given the people at the poll body more than their share or laughter or smiles, to say the least. Now that’s what I call the break before the hard work. Kumbaga, the fun part, the happy moments before the counting.

And yes, filing was the word in the past few days. How about “unfiling”? Don’t take that question seriously. That’s the term that came to mind after seeing Chiz and Ebdane on TV as they withdraw from the race. In one case with supporters crying or at least on the verge of tears. Tears of joy? Of relief, perhaps? I thinks it’s more on the resources wasted with those ADs, err advocacies, and what have you.

With the political season heating up (the cold December season notwithstanding), what is one to do? Perhaps this might work: Relax Watch a Movie. I think that very old line still is true. And you need that all the more in this election season (or any season for that matter). So, what do we have? Teenage Vampires? (ohh, yum-yum. If they indeed look that yummy, I won’t mind offering my neck!). They ran out of enemies so they hijacked Air Force One (remember Harrison Ford?). Nostradamus supposedly said it, thus the world will end in 2012. The Vatican was under siege thus they called Robert Langdon. Ahh, what else is next? But hey, with times going so bad, I guess a little fantasy or so much of it won’t do any harm.

But then, no amount of escaping from reality can help us forget the sad news that is the massacre down south. You can call it many things. For one, it is a manifestation that with the polls going automated, there is only one way for desperate politicians to do it, and that to eliminate their enemies. But considering the way they did it in Maguindanao, barbaric is too soft a term.

And yes, Manny the Pacman. Nope, I’m not gonna talk about boxing here. I didn’t watch the fight. On top of me never into boxing, I was quite sure that Manny was going to kiss the floor in an embarrassing knockout (considering Cotto’s size and style). But I was wrong. So, what about Manny? It’s his entry to politics. And let me borrow a paragraph from a blogger whose site I forgot (my apologies):

“I do hope that our local politicos (Attention, you trapos!) who keep on knocking at Pacquiao’s gullibility would stop convincing him to transfer his wars from the boxing ring to the political arena. You guys can hardly handle your own political affairs – how much more can you expect from Manny who can barely keep himself in school? Let’s just keep Manny in the boxing ring and perhaps, also do an Oscar de la Hoya and have a statue made in his honor. Trust me: everyone else will be happier that way.”

I say yes to that. But, sadly, we all know that Pacman was among those who trooped to the COMELEC with his COC on hand.

* * *

The CKC - Jose Gomez Orchestra is off to Manila for a series of concerts next week. Originally scheduled last October, it was postponed due to typhoon Ondoy. From the original three, the orchestra will have five engagements to be highlighted by a performance at the Manila Cathedral. The said performance will be among the activities of Pondong Pinoy. The orchestra will be performing upon the invitation of Manila Archbishop, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.
Here’s their schedule:
- December 7, 2009: Sanctuario de San Antonio (Forbes Park)
- December 8, 2009: Mall of Asia (Atrium)
- December 9, 2009: Saint Anthony Shrine (Manrique Street, Sampaloc, Manila)
- December 10, 2009: Santuario De San Pedro Bautista Church (San Pedro Bautista Street, San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City)
- December 11, 2009: Manila Cathedral
Except for the performance at the Manila Cathedral, all engagements are set at 7:30 in the evening. Proceeds of the concerts will be for the scholarship of the orchestra members and for the procurement of additional instruments. For other details / inquiries, please contact Arthur at: +63 915-215-6548

* * *

Parokya ni Edgar will be performing at the Calbayog Calbayog City Sports Center on December 21, 2009. For tickets you may call (055) 209-1646.

* * *

This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!