Instant Karma

From today's Inquirer:

The game, though, turned ugly after the buzzer as La Salle assistant team manager Manny Salgado rushed onto the court and hit Santos on the back of his head. The unsportsmanlike action was caught on television.

At the very least, you have to appreciate the irony. After all, this person came from an institution which tolerated unsportsmanlike behavior by its players, in at least two separate incidents, namely, the now infamous jig of the dancing queer, and the team committing a useless foul to stop the clock, to pose for pictures.

Suddenly, we find sick pleasure in seeing idiots getting a dose of their own medicine. My friend Joy would call this schadenfreude.

In addition, the incident is now being replayed on television, cellphones, PCs, not only in the Philippines but outside the country as well, courtesy of PINOY TV (GMA7) and TFC (ABS-CBN).

Breaking News:

The gentleman just apologized on national television this morning. He said that "it is clearly in the tape that my main intention was really to pacify both Santos and (Joseph) Yeo who were really at it." Right. Pacify Yeo and Santos by bashing the latter's head.

A hero's burial for Marcos?

The Philippine Daily Inquirer posted this question: Should Ferdinand Marcos be buried at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani? Why or why not?

Here is my answer: Yes, but only if Imelda is buried alive with him.

Kudos

Lord, in the battle that goes on through life,
I ask for a field that is fair;
A chance that is equal with all in strife,
and the courage to strive and to dare.
If I should win, let it be by the code,
with my faith and my honor held high,
but if I should lose, let me stand by the road
and cheer as the winner goes by.

After yesterday's game, the forums have been flooded with comments insinuating that the victors were a bunch of classless morons. I am not saying that they are not, but really, we have to understand that anybody would have a very hard time displaying class, when he has not attended one since he stepped on a college campus. It is difficult to imagine, but in some places, that is how things are.

So, inspite of the Arana jig, the pose at center court, let me offer my congratulations to the Archers from Taft. After all, pursuant to Art. 12(1) of the Revised Penal Code, you are all still exempt from criminal liability.

Of course, it goes without saying that I am not talking about insanity.

Eat Bulaga?

I can think of a number of reasons how tens of thousands of Vietnamese boat people in "the only Southeast Asian country that didn't turn [them] away" survived their ordeal, but "Eat Bulaga!" would probably be not one of them. Incidentally, I would have been wrong.

According to one belonging to the first batch of 229 Vietnamese who are flying to Los Angeles today, "he will surely miss the native dish sinigang, variety shows like 'Eat Bulaga!' and everything that made his life bearable."

Too bad nobody asked whether or not they enjoyed "Master Showman."

Remembering Sept. 21, 1972

1081 Proclamation 1081 is signed by President Ferdinand Marcos on Sept. 21, 1972, placing the entire country under martial law.

1935 Constitution provision stating the President can impose martial rule in the country or any part of it when public safety requires it is invoked by Marcos.

The trigger is the reported ambush of Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile by communists who riddled his car with bullets.

(On the first day of the People Power revolt on Feb. 22, 1986, Enrile admitted the ambush was staged to justify the imposition of martial law.)

49 persons from the Greater Manila Area are immediately arrested on Sept. 22, 1972 by the AFP. Among the more prominent are Senators Benigno Aquino Jr., Jose Diokno, Ramon Mitra, Sergio Osmeña III, businessman Eugenio Lopez Jr., activist teacher Loretta Ann “Etta” Rosales, human rights lawyer Haydee Yorac and journalist Amando Doronila.

The AFP closes all media offices and arrests persons suspected of being involved in alleged rebellious activities.

On Sept. 23, 1972, Press Secretary Francisco Tatad announces the imposition of martial law and reads the Marcos proclamation in a nationwide televised broadcast.

12-4 a.m. curfew is now in place. Marcos abolishes Congress, moves to consolidate control over the media, Manila Electric Co., Philippine Airlines, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and other major communication and utility firms. Marcos also bans rallies.

22,287 individuals arrested from February 1974 to February 1986, according to Task Force Detainees of the Philippines.

706 persons disappear during the same period, according to TFDP figures.

880 massacred.

154 tortured.

2,491 summarily executed.

Source: The Philippine Daily Inquirer, 21 September 2005

Cabatu Posterized!

Unfortunately, that was about the only good thing that happened last Thursday.

For the record, JR Aquino was not trying to save Cabatu from the ignominy of being further humiliated over the Internet.

Here is the typical La Sallite's thoughts on the game:













Right.

Tamaraw FX

Yesterday's game was a joy to watch. Well, probably not if you're from Ep-Eee-Yu. LA Tenorio schooled Jonas Villanueva, who by the way, fouled out and finished with a measly 2 points. So much for all the hype. Tenorio, on the other hand, finished with a game-high 25 points, shooting 4-7 from beyond the arc.

Bonus: Japeth's two successive blocks on Arwind Santos were priceless. They were not gimme blocks either. Remember, this is the Arwind Santos we're talking about here.

Next: vs DLRT, Thursday, 4PM, Araneta Coliseum. I think I might be sick.

Make-Believe

While I immensely enjoy watching superheroes in sexy costumes save the day (having Angel Locsin under the costume really helps a lot), it annoys me as much seeing most of the protagonists, while generally depicted as noble and ideal, being hopelessly dumb.

Cases in point: Quick, somebody tell Efren how easily he can dispose of his shape-shifting malevolent wife by simply consulting a lawyer, any lawyer. And no, you can't just get a kid from his home by simply presenting a DNA certificate. It doesn't matter how horribly the kid tries to act.

It is not really difficult to overlook the characters' imbecility given the no small amount of gratification one can get by watching a flying arousal. But, one's tolerance can only accomodate so much. So here's a tip: Darna is still as enjoyable with no sound.

Until I Find You

I don't frequent Book Sale now as much as I did in college. Which is sad, when you think about it, considering that most of the books I had were fruits of tedious search operations in Book Sale branches all over Metro Manila. My copy of Catcher in the Rye, was such a fruit. Bought for the sum of 10 pesos, only to be borrowed and never to be returned.

I also started my collection of second-hand Steinbecks, Vonneguts, and Irvings this way. Sadly, most of these have already been lost to the elements, and to critters who likewise call our family home, home.

Speaking of Irving, I am eagerly awaiting the release of the man's latest novel. I was in college when I read Garp, New Hampshire and Cider House, and none of his other work has been as compelling as the three mentioned above. While I sincerely doubt that this latest novel will be better than those three, I am more than willing to find out.