Below the Line
Magnificent 7?
Malacanang said that the Obama-Arroyo meeting would most likely focus on regional “peace and prosperity,” deducing from CIA chief Leon Panetta’s appreciation of the Philippines' pivotal role in the region.
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Only 7 solons would be included in the President’s official party to the meeting with US President Barack Obama. The Magnificent 7! Including the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly?
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Standard and Poor noted that of 21 Asia-Pacific countries reviewed, only 9 (including RP) are projected to post positive growth rate this year. The real problem is that our Standard is Poor.
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Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile sees “quick” automated elections in 2010 and assured, “We reduced our level of doubt as regards the capability of the machines and the system.” Not too capable, we hope, that the results are known before the elections.
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PGMA wants the Bureau of Customs to solve the shortage of police personnel and lack of firearms. Otherwise Customs Deputy Commissioner Horacio Suansing Jr. will sing his swan song.
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Amnesty for Abu Sayyaf? How to turn the other cheek… after you’ve lost your head?
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Eugenio Vagni, a water systems expert, is home and dry but dehydrated.
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Now it can be told: Manila rejected the Abu Sayyaf demand for the marines to withdraw from the area, but relented after the International Red Cross president in Geneva appealed to save lives… and after Sen. Dick Gordon shed a tear on TV.
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The “Black Pope” Jesuit Superior General the Very Reverend Aldo Nicolas, SJ, was keynote speaker at the Special Academic Convocation of the Ateneo Sesquicentennial (150th Year). He flunked geometry, which is why he is comfortable in any part of the world. He admonished graduating students unless they are battered by depth of education. Assault and battery by professors!
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What Ateneo president Fr. Ben Nebres, SJ, did not know is that the head of the Jesuit Order also studied at a De La Salle College abroad.
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The Ateneo Special Academic Convocation recognizes outstanding work by ordinary mortals who rise above themselves to become role models and inspiration for living in this impossible country. This year’s awardees were an all-male cast: Eriberto B. Misa Jr., Rev. Ciricaco A. Sevilla Jr., the Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Denis Murphy, Gregorio Brillantes, Jose Lacaba, Nicanor Tiongson and Jesus Palma.
Mercifully, an outstanding woman, Nicole Revel, the French anthropologist who spent half her life with the Palawan people and dreamed their dreams, was conferred Doctor of Humanities honoris causa, together with Ambassador Howard L. Dee.
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Headlines: “Pagcor chief upbeat on Entertainment City project” and “SM putting up more premium theaters and new IMAX.” When times are bad, we gamble or escape to the movies.
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Photo and personal details of the next head of Britain's MI6 spy chief, John Sawers, were removed from Facebook. That’s all right… photo was only one of his many disguises.
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American Geriatrics Society study reports 47,000 accidents on walkers and canes – 87 percent on walkers, 12 percent on canes. No report of accidents on skateboards.
Do we see a solution?



