Knocked out

Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao’s planned concert in Hawaii was knocked out by poor ticket sales.

A concert promoter said that only 603 tickets were sold forcing them to drop the concert as it would mean a loss of at least $50,000.

This should serve as an eye-opener for Pacquiao, who is up for another major fight this May 10 – his bid to become congressman in Sarangani.

One sports leader, who is at the same time a politician, told me that people will not vote for Pacquiao because they love him. Yes, they love Pacquiao so much as a boxer and the people would not vote for him to save him from the ruin that he’d get into as a politician.

This was seen in 2007 when Pacquiao lost to then re-electionist Rep. Darlene Antonino Custodio in General Santos. This could happen again this May.

The Filipinos love a winner. The Filipinos love Pacquiao. The Filipinos love him as a boxer and a world beater not as a politician.

Pacman, please keep the country happy with your triumphs as a boxer. If you really want to help, you can do that as a private citizen, who has the heart of a champion that not only helps you win world titles, but also cares for the underprivileged.

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“Are you running?”

I have been asked this question many times and depending on who is asking, it is either one or the other.

This could mean running as a form of physical exercise or the one that refers to the political exercise.

With the election fever, I don’t know what people mean when they ask the question, but I have an answer that works for both – NO.

Some of my friends from back in grade school are starting to run also. Yes, thanks to the influence of Dr. Mayette Tadlip-Alforque, some class gatherings are also good for the heart in terms of cardio-vascular activity.

As a regular visitor of malls, I often see a good number of people checking out running shoes.

Many times I also bump into friends signing up for the races or looking for stuff that they need like knee support, hydration belts, socks and more.

Being part of a group also makes it more fun. Just ask my good friend and new running convert Rolex Tigol, who seems to enjoy the activity so much, according to Doc Mayette.

I’m sure the small group that our good doctor has started will grow in the coming days.

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MILESTONES: Let me start by congratulating my mistahs, who were recently promoted to Lt. Colonel in the Philippine Army – Michael Santos, the deputy U3 at Centcom, and Sam Sagun, the deputy spokesman of the PA in Fort Bonifacio.

Birthday greetings go to Giovanni ‘Bunny’ Caminade, Emily Cabillada and Mary Ann Gumba, who are all celebrating today.

Advance greetings go to Atty. Cris Godinez, Leah Tinagco-Adeva, and Dr. Rhea Taok-Kong, who are celebrating tomorrow. 

The same goes to Lt. Col. Lope C. Dagoy, commander of the RP contingent in Haiti, who celebrates on Monday.

More power to all of you! - THE FREEMAN