“Manny cannot be a boxer, politician, preacher...”

 Pablo, the super-typhoon, is a bad name-recall for the two political Pablos Cebuanos know.

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 But I hear someone have this take: “Pablo the storm can be a reminder to anyone of the political power of the two Pablos we know.”

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 “Stand up and fight, Manny!” Someone was reportedly heard shouting as Pacquiao was down. Whoever that someone was, he should be told that Manny and Rocky Balboa aren’t one.

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 Let me talk one more time about Manny Pacquiao. Sampson Lewkowicz, known as the Uruguayan boxing guru, was one of the ring experts who predicted that Juan Manuel Marquez would knock out Pacquiao. And he was right.

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 Lewkowicz, who was interviewed by another guru, sportswriter Quinito Henson, based his prediction on his observation that Manny no longer has boxing as his priority. He said Manny is now immersed in many other activities besides boxing. He’s into politics, religion, showbiz, etc. He said that unless Pacquiao concentrates and rededicate himself to boxing there’s no way he could rise again.

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 Lewkowicz told Quinito Henson that Manny should be a 100% if  hewants to stage a comeback. He can’t be a boxer, a politician, a showbiz actor, a preacher. “Boxing is a very jealous sport,” he said.

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 You must have seen that photo of an 88-year-old man struggling on the stairs to get to where the CH cash gift of P4,000 was (see TF page one, Dec. 11/12). Reader Mrs. Concordia Palomino called up to say: “It was a heartbreaking sight, especially if the old man was your relation.”

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 Mrs. Palomino said the requirement to let even physically handicapped senior citizens to personally receive their cash gift made her feel that “Hinigtan ang cash gift sa City Hall.” She agreed with our editorial (Dec. 12/12) that there should be a way to make this cash gift easily accessible to old citizens many of whom force themselves to rise from their sickbed just to get the small gravy.

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 Thanks to my kasambahay (domestic helper) for gifting me with a better cellphone than my old (antique) Nokia 2210. She said no one would buy my old cellphone for P100.

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 Speaking of old-model cellphones, a fellow also has an old Nokia. He tried to give it to his grandson who did not accept it saying: “Sa among school gitawag na nga killer phone... Kay mamatay ta sa kauwaw paggamit ana.”

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OVERHEARD. Two taxi drivers were talking about Manny Pacquiao. Said one: “Kun mohunong na pamoksing si Manny unsa kahay mahitabo no?” The other driver replied: “Daghang mamatyan bitok niadtong mga nagsalig sa handout ni Manny.”