TAKEN

Last June 27, was a lazy Saturday for me. Without the half month salary there’s no better place for me to stay but in the house. I went to Video City to rent a DVD movie. A certain movie entitled “Taken” caught my attention. I was interested in movies that concerns about father and daughter/son relationship.

The movie, starring Liam Neeson, was a story about a government agent, who decided to retire in the service to be closer to his 17 yrs. old daughter. He was living on his own since he was already separated with his wife and daughter. Conflict started when his daughter asked permission from him to go to Paris. He didn’t like the idea but was forced to let his daughter go with her friend. When the two arrived at Paris, a mysterious man approached them. The two teenagers were then kidnapped by ruthless criminals known for drugs and human trafficking. Neeson will now do anything to find his daughter before time runs out.

The movie was presented well since the story flows continuously. As a father, you can really feel Neeson’s anger which made the movie convincing. Though the ending was not that impressive, it’s still worth the two hours you’ll spend watching the film. I remember Denzel Washington’s “John Q” but not as action- packed as “Taken”.

Batch 1992-'93 Revisited

Last week, I bumped with my former high school mates while buying some groceries. We exchanged pleasantries and I’m happy to know that they are now successful in the different fields they chose. During the quick conversation, we recall some of our memorable moments in our alma mater, Elisa Esguerra High School, and we share the same reaction, all smiles written in our faces. Today let me accompany you to a trip down memory lane and proudly introduce to you my beloved alma mater.

Elisa Esguerra High School resides at the long stretch of Gen. Luna Street at Hulong Duhat, Malabon. It is under the direct supervision of Arellano University in Legarda Manila. E.E.H.S. was actually not your ideal school. It has about 50 classrooms “only” scattered in 3 floors. If my memory serves me right, we only have 3 comfort rooms, one each floor, situated in different areas. A small canteen, a single practical arts room, a ground that fits two basketball courts along with the number of classrooms I’ve mentioned earlier comprised our entire campus. This is probably half of our sister school Jose Rizal High School also in Malabon.

J.R.H.S was actually closer to my house. But most of my friends handpicked E.E.H.S. that persuaded me to go along with their choice. During my freshman year, which was in 1990, I’m lucky to be included in section 1 together with my grade school mates. I can described myself back then as a tamed sheep in a lion’s den. We rarely go out of our class room, except during recess, and we normally went straight to our houses. But things made a drastic change the following year. As a sophomore we are now more accustomed to the in’s and out’s of the surroundings. We also have our first taste of girls, literally and figuratively. But my fondness with these creatures was cut short when my mother died. But life must continue and I moved on with my junior year with a broken leg, so to speak. It was a fruitful year where we started to carve our own name. But nothing is more memorable than our senior year where younger students looked up to us. I became a member of CAT’s model platoon which bagged the 1st placed trophy in marching competition held in Legarda Main. For second straight year, we participated in basketball intramurals though produced negative results. It was also the year where we learned how to smoke but certainly not drugs. Several fistfights also marred our 4th year but mostly because of my very quiet and peace loving friend, Roque. I considered our batch lucky because we experienced successive Foundation days and JS proms which are not usual according to our predecessors. But the culmination of all this is our graduation which epitomize our happiest and loneliest moment of our high school days. The reality of seeing each other go our own separate ways is looming. But all good things must end. We just have to move on and curved our own destiny.

Every time I passed by in front of the now defunct E.E.H.S, which incidentally was closed four years after our graduation, I can’t help but reminisce all the good and the not so pleasant things that happened in that abandoned building. My classmates, my terror teacher Ms. Padilla, Arellano Hymn, cutting classes, passion for Beatles, horror booth, basketball and volleyball tournaments, the late Mr. Villas, CAT officers, 2x3 haircuts, NCEE exam etc. all of them became part of that important stage of my life.

Some of my friends were now in other countries, working or settling for good. Some became engineers, managers, professionals, have their own business etc. But there are also some who were not as lucky as the others. Some of them are living without permanent job, separated with their husband or wife, raising bunch of kids etc. But despite all of this, every one of us share a common denominator, that once in our lives, we walked in the cemented floor of Elisa Esguerra High School, our beloved Alma Mater.

Joining of Forces Starts

Last Sunday, June 14, the grand motorcade dubbed as “Ang Kapulisan at Mamamayan para sa Kapayapaan at Kaayusan” was a rousing success if the number of participants would be the measuring stick. Our group Kabayan (Kasracom) led the 2 hour long parade with other volunteer groups like Red Lions, CAAG, Big Dogs, Patrol 117, Guardians etc. Led by the newly appointed District Director Atty. Samuel Pagdilao, focus of the project was for the PNP and NGO’s to work hand in hand for the progress of CAMANAVA area. We will now be part of Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) which in simple term will be a force multiplier of police personnel. The task is not new with us since our group was created mainly to assists the PNP on their campaign against crime and violence, drug abuse and illegal activities.

The parade kicked off a/a 0900H. Gen. Pagdilao was assisted by Chief of Police of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela with Police Community Relations (PCR) Chief Major Del Rosario as the over-all coordinator. We then followed the planned route from Monumento circle, Mcarthur Highway, Tatawid, Tugatog, C-4 and C-3 road and back to Dagat-Dagatan. The motorcade was just a prelude to a bigger event which is the launching of BPAT. The launching might take place next month, July, if all the necessary papers will be finalized.

The New Pretender

Last May 4 on my post “Just 2 Rounds for the Best Pound for Pound”, I’ve mentioned the name Floyd Mayweather Jr. as the probable next opponent of Manny Pacquiao. Weeks after, several names cropped up. Mayweather’s adversary on July 18 fight and Mexico’s new boxing king Juan Manuel Marquez might get his 3rd fight with Pacman, if he beats “Money”. Pacquiao’s stable mate Miguel Cotto’s name was also mentioned. But Cotto has to beat first Clottey before he gets his shot at Pacquiao. Even the name of knock-out artist Edwin Valero continues to hound him. This early June, Sugar Shane Mosley was added in the mix. He even mentioned that he’s willing to go down to 144 lbs and accept a 60-40 split just to fight Pacquiao. The long list continues as last Saturday another pretender joined the fray. The name is Michael Katsidis coined “The Great Lightweight”. Katsidis is currently the WBO Asia-Pacific Lightweight champion. The 28 year old Katsidis was at the SCOOP sa Kamayan Press Conference Friday morning where he issued a challenge to Manny Pacquiao to have a fight staged here in Manila. I just reprint the exact words he made which was written by Rene Bonsubre Jr. in PhilBoxing. com.

Michael Katsidis’ Official Challenge Statement to Manny Pacquiao

By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 06 Jun 2009

“I am Michael Katsidis The Great. I stand here before you named after Achilles, the Greek God from Larissa, the place of my father’s homeland. We all know the feats of Achilles as he invaded Sparta to conquer their Prince Hector. I too will do the same.

I have conquered Australia. I then have travelled to England to challenge their king Graham Earl where I was to win the WBO world title. Since then I have conquered in Las Vegas, America. I gave the people a war against Filipino Czar Amonsot, a world title fight that many will never forget. I then fought Joel Casamayor in his home country and put him through the ropes in six rounds. He got back with the help of a doctor to get back into the ring and it was my own mistake that caused my empire to fall.

I have then invaded Texas to fight their King on their home soil. Even after having a badly injured hand I won that fight. I conquered the king on his own soil and only on paper the fight was said to be different. One judge gave the fight to me and the other two from Mexico and Texas gave it to their king by split decision. I previously captained and lead the Philippines to victory when they fought for the World Cup against Mexico. I promised the Philippines I would come to their soil and I did just that and defeated their Spanish enemy. It was quite easy to put Angel Hugo Ramirez on the back foot and send him back to Spain with the roaring strong Philippine crowd supporting me in the heart of Cebu.

From my experience here in the Philippines I have had the privilege of work with many gladiators. I have traveled all over the world and I have grown in confidence. I soon knew I was ready to travel again across enemy lines to America to do battle where the King of Austin was there to defend. At all costs, Jesus Chavez would not be victorious. Not even with the help of his noblemen on his homeland, the capital of Texas.

I would invade and this time not leave a decision at the hands of their King’s judges. After seven rounds of battle, Jesus Chavez bowed his head and gracefully accepts defeat as Austin’s King has now been dethroned. I was then able to continue the path that was chosen for me, to prove my greatness.

My next move was set to conquer all of Mexico and fight their King, Juan Manuel Marquez. I now stand before you as the number one lightweight contender in the world. Marquez chose a different path and maybe to forfeit his legacy by taking a fight against Floyd Mayweather. I have since then set my sails to England to challenge their King Ricky Hatton but now having fallen and battle scarred in such a bad way he is yet to decide if he is up to the challenge of defending his home country on his home soil.

I come here not to disrespect your King Manny Pacquiao but to challenge the greatest king that has ever lived on his home soil.

I have come here before you to name this fight now. The fight will be called “Manny Mean To fight In the Philippines”. The ruling King, Manny Pacquiao – I want to fight you. I want to do battle with you in your country. Here in your hometown, here on your beaches, here in your mountains, here in the Philippines!

I was honored to captain and stand in your place with the Philippine boxing team when you were unavailable and they defeated Mexico for the World Cup. Manny, I will give your people something that they want; they want to see you defend your throne here in your country.

I will give that fight to them. Manny Pacquiao, will you give this fight to the Filipino people?

For me this is not about the money, all I ask is for my home countries Australia and Greece to witness one of the greatest fights to ever take place. I will not fight you anywhere else but here in the Philippines and that is why I come here before your people. I love your country, I love your people. I will do this for my countries and I will do this for your country. I will give your people this fight here, will you?

If you accept this challenge- I will come to you!"

Heavy words for a not so popular or worthy opponent at all. Will Pacquiao gave him a glance? Can his 21 KO’s in 25 victories attract Pacquiao? Can he lure cash and give Mega Manny another huge paycheck? The game is still dictated by U.S dollars, isn’t it?

Beware, Thunderstorm in the Horizon

Looks like we had to throw our shades, bikinis & sun blocks away and prepare our umbrellas, caps and jackets. Summer seems to be over and we had to welcome rainy season whether we like it or not. It’s good news for some of our fellow countrymen particularly to those in the provinces. It’s the time of the year where our crops need water. Several of our dams with decrease in water level during the hot season will be replenish. But for most of us, this is the time of the year that we had to prepare more. As a resident of Malabon for 30 years, seeing floods left and right is just part of our life. But floods accompanied by heavy rains means total disaster for lowly areas like us.

Today, I’ll just share several facts about typhoons that have hit our country and peep into the most notable tropical cyclones to enter the Philippine area of responsibility.

According to PAGASA, storms were categorized into four types based on their wind speed. First is the Tropical Depression with maximum sustained winds between 55 kms. per hour to 64 kms. per hour near it’s centre. Tropical Storms range from 65 to 119 kms. per hour. Typhoons achieve a maximum of 120 to 185 kms. per hour. The strongest is Super Typhoon with winds exceeding 185.

Based on Wikipedia, the most destructive typhoon ever to hit Philippines is Thelma in November of 1991. Death toll was estimated at 5,000- 8,000 people and damages amounting to P 1.045 B. In terms of damages and loss of property, typhoon Ruping had a resounding P10.846B recorded in just 5 days. Typhoon Amy stayed in the country for almost half month from December 6-19, 1951 killing the lives of 991 people, 2nd highest after Thelma.
Aside from typhoon strength, amount of rainfalls were also measured. The wettest tropical cyclone was the July 1911 cyclone which dropped over 1,168 millimetres of rainfall within a 24 hour period at Baguio City. Curiously, 5 of the top 10 wettest recorded tropical cyclones occurred in Benguet.

Some of the latest typhoons to devastate the archipelago were Milenyo and Durian. The latter triggered mudslides that killed at least 388 people. River of muds and volcanic ashes from Mayon volcano swamped houses in the region. Milenyo on the other hand, killed many people not only here in our country but also in Vietnam. 24 hours after Milenyo left the Philippines, only 18% of the whole nation had their water and electricity returned. Large numbers of offices and establishments have been forced to close down. Uprooted trees, fallen cable wires and billboards can be seen in the usual busy streets.

When I was young, I always wait for this time of the year. No classes, cold weather, good time to eat and watch television. But imagine those people living in depressed areas. Where spare tires replaced nails in their roofs. Where people sleep surrounded by flood water. Where children were sick after so much exposure to rain. That opened my eyes to the reality that not everybody is happy during this kind of calamity. In every family living comfortably in exclusive villages during this time, there are thousands of families suffering and even threatened to lose their houses. Fear, worry and anxiety are written all over their faces.

Just think of how lucky we are compared to these people. For many of us, there's no amount of rain fall can prevent us from window shopping and bar hopping. But for them, there's no amount of rain fall can duplicate the tears lost during this time of depression.