The best news of the week for me is that there has been a big drop in COVID cases in our country these past days. Let us all pray and hope that this decrease continues until the virus disappears totally from our country, and for the whole world as well. Another welcome news is that Cebu, Bacolod and Davao are getting more doses of vaccines against COVID soon. I hope it is not true that some people are hesitant to get vaccinated. Their folks should convince them to submit to it because it is our only defense against this virus.
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Now, now, have you also noticed how prominently Manny Pacquiao is being featured in the news, especially on TV, lately? Since he has no upcoming fight for showing internationally, could it be a confirmation of rumors that certain groups are urging him to run for president in the next election? Since President Duterte has made it clear that he is not interested in prolonging his stay in Malacañang, and only wants to go home to Davao, and does not seem to have an heir-apparent, is Pacquiao the ONE?
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No, I don’t think I would mind if, indeed, Manny Pacquiao makes a run for the post. At least we can be sure an honest man leading us. And since he is a humble person – yes, I have personally studied his character during the times he had fights in Las Vegas, I think I can vouch for his simplicity and common sense. As for money and worldly possessions, I think he has enough of those and will not need to steal from the government coffers. And I am sure he can discipline those thieves in office – he can just deal them a left hook!
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Aside from reports that the rate of COVID infections in our country is slowing down, it is also good to note that our climate remains temperate, while other places are being stricken by heat waves that have even caused mortalities among their residents. Weather experts are attributing this to climate change, and let us keep on praying that this will not affect our country. Meanwhile, let us be grateful for the doses of the Sinovac vaccines that have been provided to our city and let us help convince those who are still afraid to undergo it, for their own good.
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But isn’t it disturbing to hear that COVID cases are now spiking in Japan? I am particularly thinking of the Olympic Games, which may not take place in case the virus continues to surge. Of course Tokyo has been preparing for the big sports event that it is privileged to host this time, and if it does not take place, when will it ever get the chance to host it again? It is now July, and with that new report about the COVID incidents there, I guess the chances are diminishing.
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It seems that among the worst hit countries by this COVID is Bangladesh that now counts thousands of victims of the so-called Delta variant. Its government has declared a seven-day lockdown, where nobody is allowed to go out of their homes under penalty of imprisonment. I think the harsh penalty is justified because last Wednesday alone 8,882 cases were recorded! I did not hear what variant has attacked the country, but I can imagine those being penalized for going out and risking infection being told, “This is for your own good”.
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Meanwhile, as the rest of the world population is cowering in fear of the ongoing pandemic, China is celebrating the centennial, or 100 years of communism with a lot of fanfare at its historic Tiananmen Square. Its leader Xi Jinping was noted to have praised its 1.4 billion population, all of them believed to be members of the Communist Party, with pro-Democracy leaders jailed for “violation” of the National Security Law! How would you like to exist under such a government?
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What about Hongkong? Now, I hear, their slogan is “One Country, Two Systems”. Would you like to live under such conditions? But it seems all right for residents there, but as to how many of its population go for one system, and how many for the other, I’m afraid I have no idea. But if they all get along with each other, then it is no wonder that Hongkong is still a favorite destination for tourists and shoppers. It must be like living under a system of “Sauce for the gander is sauce for the goose”.*
