Don’t mess with Messi

Forbes recently came up with the world’s highest paid athletes. Topping the list is Barcelona star and Argentina start Messi who dethroned retired boxer Floyd Mayweather, making $127 million coming mostly from endorsements and salary.  Brazil’s Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus was second with a $109 million earnings. Another Brazil player Neymar, wound up third with earnings of $105 million, that’s a sweep of the top three by football players.  Mexico’s Saul Canelo Alvarez occupied fourth place with $94 million.  Alvarez inked the richest deal in boxing history,  signing a five-year, 11 fight contract worth $365 million.Tennis star Roger Federer was fifth with $ 93.4  million, with the bulk of his earnings coming from endorsements. Two NFL stars were next in line.  Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russel Wilson was sixth with $ 89.5 million with Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers, earning $89.3 million for seventh. NBA players completed the list with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, earning $89 million.  Golden State’s Stephen Curry ($79.8 million) and teammate Kevin Durant with $65.4 million.

Dream team

The 1992 USA Basketball Team is no doubt the best ever assembled.  Dubbed the Dream Team, the lineup included Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson just to mention a few.  Now here’s another “Dream Team” that is still finalizing its roster to the FIBA World Cup which will be held in China this August 31 to September 15.  Team USA is currently holding a training camp in Las Vegas to select the final 12 players.  The hopefuls include Houston’s James Harden, Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker, Kyle Lowry (Toronto) , Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton of Milwaukee, Donavan Mitchell (Utah Jazz), Kyle Kuzma (LA Lakers), Anthony Davis (New Orleans) Damian Lilard and CJ McCollum (Portland), Kemba Walker (Charlotte), Paul Millsap (Denver), Jayson Tatum (Boston), Andre Drummond (Detroit), Kevin Love (Cleveland) Bradley Beal (Washington), Tobias Harris (Philadelphia) Myles Turner (Indiana), and Harrison Barnes of Sacramento.  Coaching the team is Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs.  With an explosive cast, Team USA is expected to blast the opposition.

Did you know? Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan’s real name is Chan Kong-sang which means “Born in Hong Kong” Chan. His parents nearly sold him for 1,500 Hong Kong dollars to the doctor who delivered him.  Unlike normal babies that are born after nine months, Jackie came to the world after 12 months and weighed 12 pounds. 

His father nicknamed him “Pao-pao” which is Chinese for cannonball. Because of poverty, Jackie worked in an opera house and even became a dancer and a stage actor.  His big break came in 1972 when he was hired as a stunt man, in Bruce Lee’s film “First Of Fury”.  In that film, Jackie doubled for the villain, Mr. Suzuki. 

During a fight scene, Bruce kicked Jackie, sending him several feet away.  Jackie also appeared in “Enter The Dragon” where he was again a stuntman. In the tunnel fight scene, Jackie grabbed Bruce from behind only to have him pull back Jackie’s hair while snapping his neck. 

His childhood friend Samo Hung, got to fight Bruce in the opening scene. So in those two movies, “Gikulata ni Bruce Lee si Jackie Chan”.  Now at age 65, Jackie still performs action scenes but has slowed down a bit. 

NOTE:Business establishments near the Super Metro in Mambaling complained of the flooded street in front of their stores and asked who is supposed to address this problem.  Is it the DPWH or the contractor W.T Construction?  My friend Loloy is asking “Sino Ang May Sala” Mea Culpa, that’s the favorite “teleserye of our lavandera”.