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PHNO-TL: F. SIONIL JOSE: WHY ARE WE SHALLOW


 


F. SIONIL JOSE: WHY ARE WE SHALLOW

MANILA, OCTOBER 10, 2011 (STAR) HINDSIGHT By F Sionil Jose (photo) - I was visited by an old Asian friend who lived here 10 years ago. I was floored by his observation that though we have lots of talented people, as a whole, we continue to be shallow.

Recently, I was seated beside former Senator Letty Shahani, PhD in Comparative Literature from the Sorbonne, watching a medley of Asian dances. The stately and classical Japanese number with stylized movements which perhaps took years to master elicited what seemed to me grudging applause. Then, the Filipino tinikling which any one can learn in 10 minutes; after all that energetic jumping, an almost standing ovation. Letty turned to me and asked, "Why are we so shallow?"

Yes, indeed, and for how long?

This is a question which I have asked myself, which I hope all of us should ask ourselves every so often. Once we have answered it, then we will move on to a more elevated sensibility. And with this sensibility, we will then be able to deny the highest positions in government to those nincompoops who have nothing going for them except popularity, what an irresponsible and equally shallow media had created. As my foreign friend said, there is nothing to read in our major papers.

Again, why are we shallow?

There are so many reasons. One lies in our educational system which has diminished not just scholarship but excellence. There is less emphasis now on the humanities, in the study of the classics which enables us to have a broader grasp of our past and the philosophies of this past. I envy those Hindus and Buddhists who have in their religion philosophy and ancestor worship which build in the believer a continuity with the past, and that most important ingredient in the building of a nation — memory.

Sure, our Christian faith, too, has a philosophical tradition, particularly if we connect it to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Remember, the first Bible was in Greek. But Greek, Latin and the classics in these languages are no longer taught in our schools the way these are still studied in many universities in Europe.

We are shallow because we are mayabang, ego driven, and do not have the humility to understand that we are only human, much too human to mistake knowledge for wisdom. We can see this yabang in some of our public commentators, particularly on TV — the know-it-alls who think that because they have so much knowledge — available now on the Web at the click of a button — they can answer every question posed to them. What they do not realize is that knowledge is not wisdom. Until they recognize that important if sometimes awful difference, they will continue to bluster their way to the top at our expense because we, the people, will then have to suffer their arrogance and ignorance.

We are shallow because with this arrogance, we accept positions far beyond our competence. Because there is no critical tradition in this country — a tradition which will easily separate the chaff from the grain, we cannot recognize fakery from the real goods. That outstanding scholar, Wilfredo Villacorta, is a rare bird indeed; when offered a high position in government, he refused it because he knew he was not qualified for the job. Any other mayabang academic would have grabbed it although he knows he can't handle it. And so it happens always — the nitwits who hold such high positions stubbornly hold on to their posts, bamboozling their subordinates who may be brighter than them for that is the only way those who are inferior feel they can have respect.

On the other hand, the intelligent person will be aware of his shortcomings. He does not hesitate to ask the opinion of those who know more than him on particular subjects. If he is a government hierarch, he will surround himself with advisers who he knows can supply him with guidance and background possessing as they do more knowledge, experience and wisdom than him. Such an official is bound to commit fewer mistakes because he knows himself.

We are shallow because we lack this most important knowledge — who we are and the limits to what we can do.

We also lack the perception, and the courage, for instance, to deny these religious quacks and the thousands who listen and believe in them. Sure, religion is the opium of the masses as Marx said. So then, how can we prevent the masa from taking this poison without recognizing their right to make fools of themselves? Again, shallowness because the good people are silent. Ubi boni tacent, malum prosperat. Where good men are silent, evil prospers.

This shallowness is the impediment to prosperity, to justice, and men of goodwill should emphasize this, take risks even in doing so. As the late Salvador P. Lopez said, "It is better to be silenced than to be silent."

We are shallow because our media are so horribly shallow. Every morning, I peruse the papers and there is so little to read in them. It is the same with radio — all that noise, that artifice.

I turn on the TV on prime time and what do I get? Five juvenile commentators gushing over the amors of movie stars, who is shacking up with whom. One of the blabbering panelists I distinctly remember was caught cheating some years back at some movie award. How could she still be on TV after that moral destruct? And the telenovelas, how utterly asinine, bizarre, foolish, insipid moronic and mephitic they are! And there are so many talented writers in our vernaculars and in English as the Palanca Awards show every year — why aren't they harnessed for TV? Those TV moguls have a stock answer — the ratings of these shows are very high. Popularity not quality is their final arbiter. They give our people garbage and they are now giving it back to all of us in kind! So I must not be blamed if, most of the time, I turn on BBC. Aljazeera, rather than the local TV channels. It is such a pleasure to read The New York Times, the San Jose Mercury News, the Washington Post, to listen to "Fresh Air" on US public radio and public TV where my ever-continuing thirst for knowledge (and good entertainment) is quenched.

We are shallow because we don't read. I go to the hospital on occasion — the long corridor is filled with people staring into the cosmos. It is only I who have brought a book or a magazine. In Japanese cities, in Korea — in the buses and trains, young and old are reading, or if they are not holding books and magazines, they are glued to their iPhones where so much information is now available.

In these countries and in Western cities, the bookshops are still full, but not so much anymore because the new communications technologies are now available to their masa. How I wish my tiny bookshop or any Filipino bookshop for that matter would be filled with people. I'll make an exception here: BookSale branches are always full because their books are very cheap. But I would still ask: what kind of books do Filipinos buy?

We are shallow because we have become enslaved by gross materialism, the glitter of gold and its equivalents, for which reason we think that only the material goods of this earth can satisfy us and we must therefore grab as much as can while we are able. Enjoy all these baubles that we have accumulated; sure, it is pleasurable to possess such artifacts that make living trouble free. And that old anodyne: "Man does not live by bread alone," who are the thinking and stubborn few who believe in it?

I hope that those who read this piece still do.

A reply to you out there who disagree with me HINDSIGHT By F Sionil Jose (The Philippine Star) Updated September 26, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (26)

There are those who were outraged by what I wrote last fortnight about us being shallow.

[PHOTO - Bagoong fermenting in burnay jars in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines]

Let me reply by analogy. I like bagoong — salted fish sauce to you out there who are unaware of the food of the poor. I like caviar, too, on those very rare occasions that I am privileged to eat it. The uninitiated does not know the difference but this difference means nothing to me because I like both. How I wish caviar were available to more Filipinos — not just to the very rich.

Sure, there is depth in poverty. How many people have known this depth? I have! But having plumbed this depth is never enough. Many are stuck in the bowels of poverty because they lack the intelligence and the will to rise above it. Who will give these to them?

[PHOTO - Bagoong alamang is made by fermenting tiny shrimps in salt.]

Sure, there is stupidity everywhere, even in the rarefied realm of academe. In the United States, they too have rag publications, trashy TV shows and true believers in those obscure and fanatic religious sects. But on the whole, the Americans can afford their shallowness, their garbage, even their big-scale corruption. We cannot; so many Filipinos eat only once a day.

To repeat, we are poor precisely because we are shallow. We elevate to the highest offices nitwits, cheats, thieves, ignoramuses because our shallow media have made them popular, and the dimwitted masa have sanctified them. This is democracy coño — so we punish ourselves because we legitimize our own despoilers.

Am I a Filipino basher? Of course, I am, because there are many cockroaches in our midst. Even I, sometimes, deserve to be bludgeoned because I am often a coward. But I stayed behind — a masochist perhaps, taking all that punishment like so many others when I should have migrated a long time ago. Remember, most Filipinos bloom abroad, having fled the narcotic if suffocating shallowness of the homeland.

Is there a redeeming greatness in us? Virtue and excellence? Heroism? Of course, there is lots of these — just look at our history which we do not remember because we have no memory. They are emblazoned there — our greatness as a people — if we can only emulate them — Rizal, Mabini, Jose Abad Santos. But we don't.

So you out there who were outraged by the truths I flung before you — I said nothing new; I merely emphasized the obvious which is a writer's traditional chore. You should be outraged at the gross obscenities in our country — the callous oligarchs who exploit us, our apathetic poor who whine and expect the government to feed them. Why don't you be outraged at the politicians who lie to you, the corrupt police who condone the rampant crimes against us, the crooked judges who sell justice to the highest bidder. Why rage against this tired, old hack who merely confirmed what all of you know? The truth is out there for all of us to see but can't, because we are blissfully wallowing in the shallows.

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PHNO-SI: STAR SCIENCE COLUMN: ARGUMENTS CONTRA AND PRO RH BILL


 


STAR SCIENCE COLUMN: ARGUMENTS CONTRA AND PRO RH BILL

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 (STAR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY) STAR SCIENCE By Ernesto M. Pernia, Ph.D. - While the Reproductive Health (RH) bill failed to make the hurdle during previous session of the 14th Congress, it seems to be making some headway in the current session owing to a more favorable disposition of the new national leadership. Still, public debate remains heated. It's time to take stock of the arguments contra and pro RH (or Responsible Parenthood) bill.

Those opposed to the bill assert that the Philippines does not have a population problem and that the focus of public policy should instead be on the corruption problem. They argue that a large population resulting from rapid population growth is, in fact, good for the economy. They add that attempts to slow population growth are ill-advised as they would only hasten the onset of the "demographic winter" or the problem of ageing currently experienced by the advanced countries in Europe. Moreover, the Catholic Church hierarchy and conservative religious groups assert that the RH bill is pro-abortion and is thus anti-life. This is because, in their view, modern contraceptives — which the RH bill proposes to make available along with the traditional methods (including "natural family planning") — are abortifacient.

Those in favor of the bill cite the conventional argument that slower population growth facilitates economic growth, poverty reduction, and preservation of the environment, as clearly shown by the experience of the other East and Southeast Asian countries. Economic growth is facilitated by higher private and public savings — owing to slower growth of the youth dependents — required for investment in human capital (i.e., spending on education and health per person) and infrastructure. Slower population growth combined with faster economic growth leads to significant poverty reduction, human development, and lower inequality. And slower population growth lessens the stress on the environment.

Furthermore, the pro-RH bill advocates invoke household survey data showing that women — poor women in particular — are having more children than they want and can adequately provide for. Poor women are unable to achieve their desired number of children due to lack of access to affordable modern and effective family planning methods. Unintended or mistimed pregnancies result in most of about 560,000 induced and illegal abortions annually, such that improved access to modern and effective contraceptive methods could substantially reduce such illegal abortions. This implies that, contrary to the claim of those who oppose the RH bill, it is in fact anti-abortion and is pro-life. Indeed, the bill expressly prohibits abortion.

The argument of those who oppose the bill that there is no population problem is borne out neither by serious empirical research nor by public opinion surveys. While rapid population growth may not be considered the main cause of the country's economic backwardness, it is among the major factors contributing to the problem. True, corruption is probably the country's primordial challenge but it cannot be the sole focus of the country's development effort. Corruption in varying degrees has also plagued many of our Asian neighbors but they have managed to achieve economic dynamism nonetheless, with sound population policy complementing reasonable economic policies.

Moreover, the argument that a large population resulting from rapid growth is good for the economy is starkly contra factum (i.e., without factual basis). If, indeed, that were true, the Philippines, whose population (along with Nepal's and Pakistan's) has been growing the fastest in Asia should have the most prosperous economy and with minimal poverty. Alas, these three countries are the region's spectacularly laggard economies.

The fear of a "demographic winter" seems highly exaggerated. Simple demographic analysis would show that, if the average number of children per woman (currently 3.3 children) drops to the replacement level of 2.1 (expected to occur by 2035-2040), it would take another 60 years or so before Philippine population ceases to grow, by which time population could total about 178 million under a "business as usual scenario." To illustrate, while South Korea, China and Thailand had reached the 2.1 fertility replacement level prior to or in the 1990s, they continue to grow owing to "demographic momentum" (i.e., large numbers of couples entering or already in their reproductive ages). And, certainly, these countries will have the resources and be better prepared to deal with problems associated with ageing.

The assertion that the RH bill is pro-abortion and anti-life is an opinion that cannot be imposed as dogma. In fact, there is no unanimity — not even among theologians — on the question of when life does begin. The official view of the World Health Organization is that pregnancy starts after, not before, the fertilized ovum settles down in the uterus to become viable. Contraceptives, by definition, prevent ovulation, fertilization or implantation in the uterus. Hence, they cannot be regarded categorically as abortifacient or anti-life. (See the very recent Medical Experts' Declaration on Contraceptives.)

So, what's the score on the RH debate? It appears that the arguments contra are largely assertions based on ideology rather than on empirical research. Gratis asseritur, gratis negatur ("What is freely asserted can be freely denied"). By contrast, the arguments pro appear anchored on empirical studies and further consistently supported by inter-temporal public opinion surveys.

The population issue is long dead and buried in developed and most developing countries, including historically Catholic countries. If the government abides by the age-old dictum Salus populi suprema lex ("The welfare of the people is the supreme law"), it cannot continue to play blind to the merits of the RH bill just to accommodate the demands of the conservative religious groups. Such an accommodation largely explains why the bill continues to be debated and hang in the balance in Congress.

The passage or non-passage of the bill will significantly affect people's lives one way or the other. Based on reliable public opinion surveys, it will matter to people how their elected representatives vote on the bill, as it seems to have mattered to the outcome of the 2010 elections.

* * *

Ernesto M. Pernia, Ph.D., is with the UP School of Economics in Quezon City and a former lead economist of the Asian Development Bank. E-mail at empernia@skybroadband.com.ph.

PHILIPPINE STAR HEADLINE NEWS TODAY

'Slow pace of debates means no RH bill OK' By Marvin Sy (The Philippine Star) Updated September 28, 2011 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III claimed yesterday that the slow pace of the debates would make the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill this year very unlikely.

Sotto said that at least eight senators are lined up for interpellations on the RH bill and at the pace of the debates, it would take several more months for every member to say his or her piece.

Congress is going on a break in the middle of next month and would resume session in November so there is little time left between now and the break to accommodate all of the senators interested in participating in the debates.

Sotto, who along with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, is strongly opposed to the RH bill, said that Senators Sergio Osmeña III, Ralph Recto, Panfilo Lacson, Ramon Revilla Jr., Loren Legarda, Manuel Lapid Jr. and Francis Escudero have been lined up for the debates.

"So we could not finish the interpellations before the break this October," Sotto said.

In spite of his opposition to the bill, Sotto said that he has no intention of ending the debates and would in fact still set the continuation of interpellations this November.

However, even one of the sponsors of the bill, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, had accepted that the debates would not be completed within the year because when Congress resumes session this November, priority would be given to deliberations on the proposed P1.8-trillion national budget for 2012.

Sotto said that he wants the debates to continue so that the public would be enlightened about what the measure is all about and, based on his own opinion, would see that the bill is unnecessary.

"This is the first bill in the history of the country that divides the nation. This is dividing the people," Sotto said.

He said that he was not against the objectives of the bill as stated by its sponsors Santiago and Sen. Pia Cayetano, particularly providing RH services to women, especially the poor.

"We can provide them these services but we don't need to pass a new law for this," he said.

Sotto said that by his own count, there are eight senators who are against the measure, another eight who are neutral and seven who are in favor of the bill.

He said that he is certain that aside from Santiago and Cayetano, the other senators who are supporting the bill are Francis Pangilinan, Lacson, Osmeña, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Edgardo Angara.

Sotto noted that there is no party stand on this measure, particularly the Liberal Party, even though the administration has included it among its priority bills. He said that he believes President Aquino is neutral on the RH issue.

"Let us just strengthen the existing laws but not giving P3 billion for the purchase of condoms. So many people are already suffering from hunger. Can these contraceptives help alleviate their hunger?" Sotto said.

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PHNO-BE: VAT ON TOLL FEES LEGAL: SUPREME COURT WON'T STOP VAT ON TOLL FEES


 


VAT ON TOLL FEES LEGAL: SUPREME COURT WON'T STOP VAT ON TOLL FEES

MANILA, OCTOBER 2, 2011 (STAR) By Edu Punay - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) may impose the 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) on toll fees starting tomorrow despite the pending appeal on its imposition, the Supreme Court (SC) said yesterday.

In July, the SC ruled on the legality of VAT on toll fees. In the same ruling, the Court lifted the temporary restraining order (TRO) it issued on Aug. 13 last year on the imposition of the tax.

It also upheld the power of the executive branch to impose VAT on franchise grantees like tollway operators.

"With the lifting of the TRO, the VAT on toll can now be imposed, notwithstanding the pendency of a motion for reconsideration," said Court Administrator Midas Marquez.

Through a memorandum filed last week, the petitioners in the case – former Nueva Ecija congressman Renato Diaz and former trade assistant secretary Aurora Ma. Timbol – made a last ditch effort to stop the collection of VAT on toll fees, insisting on their argument that toll fees should be exempt from taxes.

Marquez said the SC failed to act on the pleading because the justices were not able to hold their regular full-court session last Tuesday because of typhoon "Pedring."

He said the Court will still resolve the appeal and eventually rule with finality on the legality of the imposition of the tax on toll fees.

In its ruling in July, the SC cited the lack of law exempting toll fees from coverage of the 12-percent VAT levied on goods and services.

"If the legislative intent was to exempt toll way operations from VAT,as petitioners strongly allege, then it would have been well for the law to clearly say so. Tax exemptions must be justified by clear statutory grant and based on language in the law too plain to be mistaken. But as the law is written, no such exemption obtains for tollway operators. The Court is thus duty-bound to simply apply the law as it is found," stated the ruling penned by Associate Justice Roberto Abad.

The petitioners, however, argued: "It is the clear intent of the legislature (in RA 8424 or Comprehensive Tax Reform Act of 1997 and RA 7716 or Expanded Value Added Tax law) to exclude the toll operations and the toll fees collected are excluded from 'sale of services.'"

They also reiterated their argument that the new tax measure violates the law because it is tantamount to the imposition of a double tax on motorists.

The petitioners cited the ruling of Court on the case Manila International Airport Authority vs. Court of Tax Appeals, City of Parañaque, in which it declared toll fees as a user's tax.

"Considering that toll fees are considered 'user's tax', it logically follows that the imposition of VAT on a user's tax is in effect imposing a tax on a tax, and not a tax on 'sale of services.'

There can be no VAT if there is no sale of services," the petitioners argued.

They also argued that imposing VAT on toll fees is "impractical and incapable of implementation" and "will just create an arbitrary and unwarranted financial burden to motorists in Luzon."

'No significant effect'

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said the imposition of 12-percent VAT on toll fees will not significantly raise fares and prices of consumer goods because it translates to a toll fee increase of only 1.6 centavo every kilometer per person.

"I'd like to clarify that it should not have a significant effect on fares or prices," Henares said.

She warned bus operators and goods suppliers that unreasonable increase of fares and prices of goods is tantamount to profiteering.

She also noted that VAT on toll is a different issue from toll fare hike.

"It's a different issue from the toll fare hike. Whether or not the toll will increase, the VAT on toll is going to be collected," Henares said.

The BIR expects to collect P500 million to P800 million from the imposition of VAT on toll from October to December this year and an estimated

P2.3 billion to P3 billion for the year 2012.

Back taxes for VAT on toll fees, estimated at P6.5 billion, will no longer be collected.

The amount represents VAT on toll that should have been collected from 2007 to 2009.

The tax was supposed to have been implemented as early as 2005 when amendments to the VAT law were passed, but strong opposition from toll way operators caused the delay.

The BIR had been arguing that the VAT on toll is not a new tax and should be imposed in accordance with the VAT law.

Under the amendments

to the law in 2005, franchise receipts of franchise holders such as toll operators are subject to VAT.

The agency, under the administration of then BIR commissioner Joel Tan-Torres, had planned to implement the controversial VAT on toll in April last year but deferred this after the Toll Regulatory Board and tollway operators asked for more time to prepare for its implementation.

The BIR was assigned a tax collection target of P940 billion this year, higher than last year's target of P860 billion. Next year, the agency is mandated to collect P1.06 trillion.

'Ill-timed, ill-advised'

Sen. Ralph Recto, an ally of President Aquino in the Liberal Party, maintains that the imposition of VAT in toll fees is "ill-timed" and "ill-advised" because of the rising prices of fuel and fares which can affect the prices of basic commodities.

He said the government does not need to impose the tax, having enough funds because of under-spending this year.

"It's not needed; it's not in the law. It has no intention and is ill-timed. Economic mayhem is coming, especially in Europe and the US. Now is not the time to do that," he said after the budget hearing of the Department of Energy yesterday.

He said, nonetheless, that he respects the decision of the President to impose the tax.

"There is a decision made, and they have decided that. There is nothing we can do," said Recto. "The wishes of the President should be followed. Even if we pass a bill, the President can veto it. Majority have signed the resolution because they know it. This matter has been discussed for a year now."

He believes the difference in their opinion will not affect his relationship with the President.

"I cannot speak for the institution… it's a judgment call. And that is his judgment. I think it is ill-advised," he said.

Senators Joker Arroyo, Manuel Villar and Recto introduced Resolution 602, which expressed the sense of the Senate on the move to increase the fares at the Light Rail Transit and the Metro Rail Transit and the VAT on toll.

A total of 14 senators have expressed support to defer the imposition of the tax.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has expressed support for the resolution while Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, and Senators Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, Gregorio Honasan, Ramon Revilla Jr., Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Antonio Trillanes IV manifested to become co-authors.

Minority Leader Alan Cayetano and Miriam Defensor-Santiago also signed the resolution.

Revilla, chairman of the Senate committee on public services, debunked the explanation of government economic managers that only Metro Manila residents benefit from the yearly P8-billion subsidy provided to LRT and MRT.

Revilla noted that a majority of train commuters also come from nearby provinces who work and study in Metro Manila, and use the trains.

Malacañang has rejected the resolution.

Arroyo said President Aquino should engage in a dialogue with the Senate.

"The Palace should listen to the Senate. It is a Senate resolution, which reflects the sentiment of the Senate, meaning that is the Senate stand," he said. "This attitude (of the Palace) is unhealthy. They insist on their position, period. Our recommendation is not wrong, we have discussed this a number of times."

Arroyo pointed out that train operations worldwide are subsidized by the government.

"The resolution is a polite way of telling the executive to reconsider their position," he said. "The Senate is going out of its way…I think we deserve an explanation, and a little more consideration." - With Iris Gonzales, Christina Mendez

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PHNO-SP: FLOYD MAYWEATHER: NO MORE RUNNING / ROACH HITS MAYWEATHER 'CHEAP-SHOT'


 


FLOYD MAYWEATHER: NO MORE RUNNING / ROACH HITS MAYWEATHER 'CHEAP-SHOT'

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 (STAR) By Guest Blogger Pio Garcia -[PHOTO (Pacland fan art)] Floyd Mayweather's recent "win" over Victor Ortiz last Sept. 18 ended with one question:

When are you going to face Manny Pacquiao?

As if by habit, he answered incoherently when questions pertaining to the Filipino champ came up.

Come on, Floyd. The time is high for you to stop parrying and deflecting the questions. Until you say you face him, without any of your ludicrous demands, we will forever haunt you. No more running, Pretty Boy, only fighting.

To many who are saying that Mayweather tarnished the sport of boxing by winning via an underhanded one-two combination on an unaware Victor Ortiz, true he did that. But keep in mind, they've touched gloves already and so, fight is on. It was not Pretty Boy's fault that Ortiz was like an amateur waiting for the ref to look at them before he resumes his fighting stance.

Once boxers touch gloves after the break, they should have their hands up already. As is the case, he was hit up high, and went down hard. In former ESPN color analyst and now coach of the Golden State Warriors, Mark Jackson's words, "hand down, man down!"

With the win, Pretty Boy has nothing left to do except to face the best there is today. It is already there, just waiting for this American with such absurd demands to put his pen where his mouth is: sign the freaking contract already! Do you want to see people wearing KFC shirts with your face as the logo and not Colonel Sander's, Floyd?

That would be short of calling you a chicken as you keep ducking Manny Pacquiao. And you being a man, I'm sure you wouldn't like it one bit and send Floyd Sr. to start the trash talk war to which the Filipino champ would never bite, being the educated man that he is.

Oh sorry, did I hit a nerve with that education quip? That was my intent. Maybe, in blind rage, you'd end up succumbing to Bob Arum and sign that deal to get in the ring with the dude you've been dissing and saying he's taking performance-enhancement drugs (PEDs), Pretty Boy.

Bring that 42-0 record you're bragging about while telling everyone Manny Pacqiuao has accomplished less than what you have done. Seriously? You must be the one who's high, oh "Money" one. Perhaps the lack of education shows through your knowledge that people outgrow their bodies, especially athletes like you.

Come to think of it, even your fellow Americans aren't backing you fully. Pacquiao has the entire Philippine nation behind him, something you'd only get in your dreams.

Come on Floyd. I'm not the only one begging to see a superfight. If you really have that ability to back up your runny mouth, why not do it? Unless... you are scared?

There's no more running Floyd. With you win, the gauntlet for the superfight has been thrown. And whether you like it or not, you were the one who initiated it by taking up a fight with Victor Ortiz to prepare for a southpaw. It's time to put up or shut up.

No more running.

Roach hits M'weather's 'cheap shot' versus Ortiz By Joaquin Henson The Philippine Star Updated September 30, 2011 12:00 AM 17 comments to this post

[PHOTO - Freddie Roach]

LONDON – Legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach is making big news here even as he is far away in Baguio City attending to Manny Pacquiao in preparing for the Juan Manuel Marquez fight set in Las Vegas on Nov. 12.

In the weekly British magazine Boxing News, Roach said Floyd Mayweather looked "terrible" in knocking out Victor Ortiz to wrest the WBC welterweight title last Sept. 17. When both Ortiz and referee Joe Cortez weren't looking, Mayweather landed two undefended punches to end the bout in the fourth round. Roach called it "a cheap shot."

"Victor was landing a few left hands and that was a good sign for me if Manny fights Floyd," said Roach. "But obviously, Mayweather's right hand was accurate and dangerous and that's something we would have to deal with as a southpaw. Floyd's given me a good idea of how his mind works fighting a southpaw. A lot of people think the best punch against a southpaw is the lead right hand and that's definitely Mayweather's tactic and something we'd have to get ready for or something I hope we have to get ready for."

Roach said he's confident Pacquiao and his other high-profile champion Amir Khan will beat Mayweather if ever they face off. Khan is slated to stake his WBC lightwelterweight crown against Lamont Peterson on Dec. 10 and could be next in line for Mayweather.

"I know there has been a lot of talk about another of my fighters, Amir, fighting Mayweather, too," continued Roach. "We've got Peterson first and funnily enough, I was just in the Olympic training camp with him. It was kind of a mistake but we did a rotation workout and Peterson ended up in my rotation and after two rounds, his trainer found out and pulled him out. He has a good style and is very physical so we have a tough fight ahead of us. But after Peterson, we will go after Mayweather. I love that fight, I was hoping Manny would get there first but I know both my fighters can beat him so I have no worries."

Roach said Mayweather showed signs of slowing down against Ortiz. "I think Victor had the right idea – to rough him up," he went on. "That's why I think he butted him, he was just way too apologetic. I think he should have got on with the fight and maybe, headbutted him again because that's the way to beat Mayweather, to take him out of his game. He frustrated him with that headbutt, you could see him complaining and crying but you can't be compassionate. This is a physical game. Ortiz got caught up in it and it cost him."

Roach noted that Mayweather, 34, isn't as quick and fights more flat-footed than ever before. "He doesn't move around the ring like he used to, you can see that," pointed out Roach. "There are definitely signs in the last three fights, that he's not as mobile as he used to be. He's more hittable but what the Ortiz fight showed me was, because Manny's a nice guy also, that you can't be nice to this son of a ***** because he will take advantage and land a cheap shot if you let him."

In Pacquiao's last two fights, he eased up on Antonio Margarito and Sugar Shane Mosley, allowing them to survive the distance. He could've stopped both opponents but mercifully let them off the hook. Roach said Pacquiao can't afford to be sympathetic to either Marquez or Mayweather.

"Manny kept touching gloves with Mosley and I told him, 'You're touching gloves with this old man and he's trying to knock you out,'" said Roach. "One punch can change things so I was trying to urge Manny not to be so compassionate with Mosley or Margarito. I think he should have knocked both guys out."

Meanwhile, Boxing News editor Tris Dixon has called on Mayweather to prove himself in the ring against formidable opponents and stop playing footsies with pretenders. Dixon chided Mayweather for dissing 80-year-old boxing announcer Larry Merchant instead of engaging the likes of Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Paul Williams, Sergio Martinez and of course, Pacquiao.

"(Mayweather) may not like to admit it but there is one man out there who can test him, maybe even defeat him and that is Pacquiao," wrote Dixon. "Yet he keeps putting up roadblocks to make other fighter's lives difficult and his easier. He tells Pacquiao to take a certain drug test. He tells Amir he has to beat his gymmate Jessie Vargas before he can take him on. He lines their paths with obstacles and asks them to 'take the test.' It's about time Floyd tested himself. Take the test, Floyd. Fight Manny Pacquiao."

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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

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PHNO-SB: NO OTHER WOMAN: NOT JUST ANOTHER INFIDELITY STORY


 


NO OTHER WOMAN: NOT JUST ANOTHER INFIDELITY STORY

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 (STAR) By Nathalie Tomada - Star Cinema/Viva Films' No Other Woman stars (from left) Anne Curtis, Derek Ramsay and Cristine Reyes. |

The thorny issue of infidelity gets explored in the film No Other Woman, a co-production of Star Cinema and Viva Films. It may be a recurring theme in the movies, but No Other Woman is not just another infidelity story, according to its cast and director.

Derek Ramsay takes the leading man role as the husband caught between the already ideal wife (Cristine Reyes) and the other woman (Anne Curtis) who just won't back down. The wife doesn't play martyr and meek, but neither is the mistress.

No Other Woman director Ruel Bayani said in a presscon, "It's a modern story. The wife is already perfect and yet, the cheating still happened. We're not delivering the film's message from some intellectual or moral high horse. Hindi kami pwede magmarunong. The film is open to interpretation and insight."

But what would the cast do if and when thrown into the same situation? How would they deal with cheating — not necessarily in marriage, but in their romantic relationships?

Derek said that, while he doesn't know what he's capable of doing when he finds out, he shares the opinion of Cristine that the cheating partner would have to be asked to make a choice.

Said Cristine, "Papipili-in ko siya, kung di ikaw ang pinili, then you're not meant to be. "

But, of course, it's easier said than done. Explained Anne, "If that happens, you'd immediately think, it cannot be. Better separate. But the thing is, when you're put in that position, you just can't do it; you have to be sure that it's going to be you (who's chosen)."

Did they ever experience being cheated on?

Anne, without naming names, said, "Yes and masakit. It gets to the point when you don't know yourself anymore. But it becomes part of growing up because it teaches you to be mature and how to handle relationships better."

A lot has been said about men being "polygamous" by nature. But Derek, who claimed that he's never been unfaithful to long-time girlfriend Angelica Panganiban, begged to disagree, "Are all men wired the same? I don't think so. I have my parents as an example. They have been married for 38 years, and they had their problems, but not once it was because of a third party. It really depends on the relationship, that's why ayoko magmadali. Get to know each other because if you're not ready and you go through rough water, you'll drown."

So, how does a hunk like Derek resist temptation? "Just work."

Meanwhile, there's a perceived trend that local moviegoers go for comedy-themed films. While the film's emotionally charged scenes are interspersed with some light hearted moments courtesy of Carmi Martin, who plays the mother of Cristine's character, how are they taking the pressure of making a hit out of this film given its genre?

Cristine said, "No pressure, I feel confident (of the film)."

"The pressure is always going to be there. Based on feedback from my Twitter, they liked it that it's a more adult -themed movie, and it's been a while since nagkaroon ng ganitong set-up," Anne said. "I think people are excited to see that kasi sa panahon natin ngayon, maraming nakaka-relate to it. And that's what makes us even more nervous, that is hopefully we can live up to expectations."

Derek, for his part, said, "The pressure is there everytime na gumagawa ako ng project. But that's side of it, which I throw over my shoulders. I'm there to give my 100 percent work. Pagkatapos lumabas yung pelikula that's when I start worrying about it. Actually, people tend to watch comedy, sa dami ng problema natin sa Pilipinas. But watch this film and you can learn a lot of things. There are films which you cannot apply in real life. But you can grab a lot of lessons here."

And what are the lessons to be gleaned from No Other Woman?

"If you know from the very beginning it was wrong, don't do it. You'll know it from your gut feel if it's right or wrong. From the bottom of your heart, you'll know," said Anne.

Derek said, "Life is full of temptations. But whatever decision you make in whatever situation in life, what's important is how you deal with the consequences of your actions."

Rated A by the Cinema Evaluation Board, No Other Woman opens today in theaters nationwide.

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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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PHNO-SB: SHE HAS HER DREAM HOUSE & FIGURE, WHAT ELSE IS JINKEE HOPING FOR?


 


SHE HAS HER DREAM HOUSE & FIGURE, WHAT ELSE IS JINKEE HOPING FOR?

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 (STAR) PEOPLE By Joanne Rae M. Ramirez - (PHOTO - Jinkee Pacquiao, on a 'losing' streak.)

While world boxing champ Manny Pacquiao has been winning fights left and right, his wife Jinkee has been on a losing streak. Her weight has dropped from 55 kilos to 49 kilos, with several inches gone, too.

She is as disciplined as her husband when it comes to her diet, barely touching the chicken salad (which was delicious, by the way) during a lunch we had recently at the Shangri-La Makati.

She is also quite candid about how she lost all that excess baggage on her body and gained all that glow on her face.

"I've had liposuction on my arms, abs, back, legs, lahat na," the Belo endorser smiles sweetly. "For my face I've had Ulthera (a skin-tightening procedure), facials and fillers." She also takes Belo Nutraceuticals, a whitening and anti-aging pill with 250 mg of compacted gluthathione and collagen that reportedly lifts skin from within as it provides strength, elasticity and resilience.

She says looking good is her weapon as much as Manny's left hook on the ring is his.

"Ayoko nang magalit, magpapaganda na lang ako," she told celebrity dermatologist Vicki Belo.

* * *

Of all her material possessions, which is her most cherished?

"Siguro yung bahay sa Forbes," Jinkee answers without batting an eyelash. "It's big, it's beautiful, it's really my dream house!"

Of 1,200 square meters in floor area, the Anton Mendoza-designed house in North Forbes Park looks straight out of a Banyan Tree resort — sans the ocean (there is an infinity pool, however, and several ponds whose running water drowns the noises from nearby EDSA). The three-story house is predominantly of glass and wood even as its façade is of solid stone.

Construction on the house, which nestles on a 1,600-square-meter lot that sits back-to-back with a house-and-lot reportedly owned by Richard Gomez, began three years ago for a prominent banker.

Neighbors saw Jinkee drop by the property at least thrice — she reportedly fell in love with the banker's house at first sight, and especially loved the entertainment area by the pool. The Pacquiaos then reportedly offered the banker a price he couldn't resist — P388 million.

"Malaki, lahat malaki, may theater pa. Kahit sa bahay na lang kami mamalagi ng mga bata," she gushes of her dream house, which makes her neighbors with Sen. Loren Legarda and the Indonesian ambassador as well. Jinkee originally wanted to buy a house in nearby Dasmariñas Village, but found the Forbes house a real knockout.

Asked if it were true that Manny's application for membership to the Manila Polo Club was really rejected, Jinkee simply says, "I've heard rumors of that. Pero di naman type ni Manny na mag-member sa mga (country) club."

[A side view of the Pacquiao mansion in North Forbes Park. For Jinkee, their three-story dream house is her most cherished material possession. Photo by ED RAMIREZ]

With her dream house about to be turned over to her on Sept. 30, all the Hermes and Chanel bags her heart desires, and enough blings in her vault to ransom a prince, what else is there for Jinkee to dream about?

"A trip to Europe?" she answers. "Hindi pa kami nakakabiyahe ni Manny sa Europe. Every time somebody talks about all the sights to see in Europe, I always wish I knew what they were talking about…"

But when she and Manny go, she wants their four kids — Jimuel, Michael, Princess and Queen Elizabeth — to go with them. "Pag nag-eenjoy ako, lagi kong iniisip ang mga bata. Kaya dapat sama-sama kami when we go to Europe for the first time."

She isn't even picky when it comes to hotels, she claims. Even when people tell her some of her favorite hotels are no longer of their stature. "Basta gusto namin, doon kami."

Despite her husband's fame and fortune, and her own knockout of a makeover, Jinkee remains reserved. When STAR columnist Mons Romulo asks her if she will be going to a gathering of congressional spouses (Mons acts as her brother Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo's 'first lady' in Congress while he and Shalani Soledad have yet to tie the knot), Jinkee says she is not sure.

She tells me later that sometimes, she is still ill at ease among politicians' wives.

"Medyo mahiyain kasi ako. Iniisip ko kasi, 'Sino kaya ang aking makakusap, baka sa tabi lang ako, although pinapansin din nila ako," says Jinkee.

When I marvel at her humility and ask her how she keeps grounded, she says, "Dapat, lumingon ka sa pinanggalingan mo. Stay the way you are. Pati ang pakikitungo mo sa tao, kung ano ka noon, dapat ganoon ka pa rin. Bakit ko naman babaguhin?"

Jinkee believes that aside from material wealth, a good education is what she and Manny are determined to leave their children. All four, including the three-year-old, study at Brent, where they are said to be without celebrity status.

"A good education — hindi mawawala 'yon sa kanila."

She thinks the two girls may aspire to join showbusiness, for they are extroverts like their father and their Lola Dionesia.

The boys, according to Jinkee, are shy like her.

This proud mother says she will support her sons' choices for a career — but with a BIG exception. Boxing.

"I won't allow any of my sons to take up boxing. Hindi ko kaya. Even at home, even as a game, they cannot indulge in boxing. They have no toys related to boxing. One boxer in the family is enough. Tama na 'yon," she stresses. Their father is willing to take all the blows for his children's future, points out Jinkee.

Jinkee thinks Manny will have two more fights before he throws in the towel. After that, will he then throw his hat into the political ring?

"Wala talaga 'yon sa plano ni Manny," believes the supportive wife, "pero hindi mo rin matitiyak ang kinabukasan."

She knows whereof she speaks. From a simple saleslady in General Santos City to a billionaire's wife, from a 55-kilo frumpy young matron to a 49-kilo knockout in Hermes, she's gone a long way… and there's no stopping her yet.

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