Manny Pacquiao, Number 2?

Manny Pacquaio is making headlines again with his latest victory against Juan Manuel Marquez a week ago but unlike his other knock- out wins in the past, this time many cried foul about the outcome of the game. Marquez himself said he was robbed of the trophy he's supposed to have. 

Many Sports journalists have expressed different opinions about this and again both boxers have each share of followers. Some conspiracy theories came out  claiming that the result is actually to protect the supposed match between Manny and Mayweather Jr.   

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Today, Yahoo Sports just released their latest roster of the Pound for Pound King placing  Manny Pacquiao (407 Votes) second only to Floyd Mayweather, Jr.(419 Votes) despite of the fact that Pacquiao's record is I believe more impressive than Mayweather's. Read: Floyd Mayweather, Jr. - Record: 42-0 (26 KOs); Manny Pacquiao - Record: 54-3-2 (38 KOs).Analysis has it that Yahoo demotes Pacquiao down because of his latest boxing performance.

Everybody is used to see Manny Pacquiao knocking out his opponent as early as third round in the bout but because his latest fight has to be decided by the judges based on the ring performance and not by the easy and obvious knock-out basis, we doubt about his victory. But of course, everybody is entitled of his own opinion just as we all have a choice whom to favor but at the end of the day, we all have to deal with the fact that in the fight last week, the judges favored Manny Pacquiao over Marquez.

Do ratings matter? I guess, but I believe that for the hearts of the many Filipinos, the race where he belongs to, Manny Pacquiao is still the only one WORLD'S POUND for POUND KING.

 

Christmas Blues

It is exactly 41 days before Christmas and although I can feel that the temperature around has dropped down, still I can't feel any Christmas spirit in the air. And as I am listening to Holy Night and other Christmas songs over You Tube now, the more I feel sad knowing that I will be spending Christmas away from home...again.

This is the second time that I'll be celebrating Christmas here in Thailand and I am still on the process of learning to get used to it. Yes, Thai people acknowledge Christmas day but not as how we Christians highly regard it. For them, it is only an ordinary day with Santa Claus as the main symbol of the celebration. It is not surprising at all that we do not hear any Christmas songs played in the malls or in their radio stations. In the malls, some Christmas Trees are seen but they lack several ornaments that make a Christmas Tree live up to its name. 

"Paskong Pinoy" is truly different. What I missed most about it is the usual putting up of Christmas decorations at home and in the classrooms in school. It has become a tradition that decorating the house as early as September has to be carefully planned. I missed the carolers too - though at times children have become annoying as they keep coming back every night singing the same songs but that is something that you don't see here. Then, of course, the "Noche Buena" shared by the whole family and friends on the Christmas eve. These are just few of the many things that a typical "pinoy" anywhere in the world misses during the Yuletide Season.

Nonetheless, Christmas far-way from home need not be gloomy and blue, we can choose to make it merry and joyful as we have friends whom we can share it with. After all, the real essence of Christmas is not all about Christmas decorations, foods, or gifts but the immeasurable love of God for us through Jesus Christ.

 

Advance Merry Christmas to all.    

   

Post Vacation Syndrome

Having been from a three-week vacation in the Philippines makes me lazy all the more. At this point, I feel like staying at home and lay in bed, watch TV or surf the net all day. It seems that I need to make new adjustments with the work routine again. 

It's the downside of having these long breaks. We get used to it and we find it hard to go back to the track because we all like hassle free days wherein we don't think of anything but relax and have fun. And yes, long breaks drain out your money too. The word vacation is synonymous to spending for me and is really a pain in the pocket.  

Still, I have no regrets taking that vacation last month with all the post vacation syndrome I'm having now. I just need little push to keep me back on the road. As for the money matters, I'm drained, yes, but the joy to see my family and friends back home is something that is incomparable and worth spending.

So for now, I need to get back to work...and save for the next holidays.

 

The High School Mini-Reunion

As we grow older, it's the more that we would like to hold on to the moments of the past when things were less complicated than the present. Those were the hey days when all that matters to most of us are friendships, young loves, parties and for others - school. And if there's one stage of our life that many of us would like to go back, it would be High School for sure because it is in those years that we started to create and develop an identity - a status symbol.

At home in Esperanza

Are these familiar to you? There's the Sporty Group or those students who always get to be excused in the class to do what most students would like to - play basketball, volleyball, tennis, sepak takraw and other sporting fields. How about the "Sosy" Group or those bunch of students who always show-off branded outfits? Then there's the "Astig" Group which create an intimidating image to the rest of the studentry. Of course, the Performers Group will always have a way to get the spotlight especially during school events and the Brainy Group which is likely headed by the most brilliant student in your class and all those who aspire to beat him in the academics.

At the Pegarro's in Laguna

The reason why I suddenly become nostalgic about High School years is because just recently, few of my classmates and I had a mini-reunion during my brief homecoming. The time was too short but it was so much fun bringing back those awkward moments and unforgettable experiences. Fourteen years after graduation is a long time and we have actually changed a lot. Most of my batchmates have already started their own family and are already making significant contributions to the society as career men and women. I could say that ENHS Class of 1997 graduates have already gone far from where we started as shy and timid individuals that we were before.   

At the People's Park in Tagaytay

It feels great to see Jacky, Plinggot, Dondon, Yul, Eden, and Gingging who really made an effort to travel in the middle of a dark and drizzly evening despite the lack of a very good lighting condition just to visit me at home. I am much delighted too that our get-together in Papa Lando and Neneng's home in Laguna was made possible with Jordan, Nino, Riza, Elvin and Boting's presence. It was truly a blast even with a limited number of attendees. I am looking forward to the next reunion and hoping to see more familiar faces.

Thanks Facebook for making a way for us to keep in touch once again.