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Twinkling with Ninfa R. Leonardia

Hurrah! News on TV, on CNN that is, announced yesterday that Las Vegas has opened 100 percent. That means all the gambling dens are now open to the public, but there was no mention about the capacity, that is, the number of gamblers, or amateurs, patronizing them. But, as many philosophers like to say, Life is a gamble, anyway. And where else can one forget his worries (or add to them) than by gambling on it? I wonder, though, if gamblers are also required to wear masks and shields.

***

I still remember the times I have been to Las Vegas. Of course all my companions persuaded me to “try” my luck so I chose the machines that accepted the lowest bets. Well, I did gain a few cents, but, really I got bored with it, and soon quit, while my friends were boasting about their winnings. I guess, I am not a gambler at all. My aunts and even my only sister Perla were mahjong players and were always talking about their games. No matter how they tried to convince me to learn, so they would always have a “quorum”, they soon gave up when I still couldn’t remember the rules.

***

But back to the subject of Las Vegas. Imagine, even in the pre-departure area at the airport, there are slot machines for those who want to either recover their losses or add to their winnings! My companions spent our waiting time playing, but I just watched them. I guess I really have no gambling instincts, the only gamble, and the biggest one I made in my life was putting up the DAILY STAR, and hanging on when everybody else was giving up. To this day, however, I cannot still confirm whether that gamble has worked, but since it is entering its 39th year, I guess it was not such a bad bet, don’t you think so, too?

***

There were several of us local journalists who founded the STAR, but most of them have now gone to their just rewards, and others had given up on us. But the Good Lord must have listened to our petitions, and helps us push on, despite all the trials, including not less than a pandemic! I am sure, though, that my fellow founders of the STAR, be they still around, or gone to their final rewards, are continuing to pray for it. They must remember the days when we were all so gung ho when we started, and probably regretted when they gave up on it when  things to be going  wrong  all the time.

***

The worrisome news is that a Sri-Lankan  cargo ship is sinking – I wasn’t able to take  down the location – and the oil spill from it could cause a lot of damage to sea life. Debris from it has been seen in some foreign beaches, but what is bothering  environmentalists is the effect of the oil it is spilling into the ocean. Do our marine engineers or specialists have no remedy for that? How far and wide could  the oil  it is spilling reach, and what will be its effect on marine life? Will it poison the fish we may be eating? Please, Dear Lord, save us from that!

***

As if the pandemic that is COVID were not  enough for countries to call a halt to whatever animosities they may have, reports have noted that Israel may attempt to oust  their President, Benjamin Netanyahu. I do not know what means they are cooking up, but are they thinking of imitating the Philippine method of “People Power”? I am sure the whole world remembers, and still admires us for driving away a dictator without bloodshed. I can still remember how our people virtually danced on the streets the night the flight  of Ferdinand Marcos was announced!

***

It is good to hear that more and more in Bacolod are submitting to vaccination. In other places, they have to be bribed  with vegetables or other goods so they will agree to be inoculated. Come to think of it, do we still have that many  illiterate or ignorant people? I hope we in Bacolod and Negros Occidental are not that  resistant. Who can put the fear of God in those ignoramuses who still refuse to be inoculated? Can our priests and ministers help in convincing them from their pulpits? This COVID is nothing to wipe off with herbs or oils.  Only science can handle it. If you don’t care for yourself, think of your loved ones!

***

Americans must welcome heartily the proposal of their new  President, Joe Biden, to  grant loans to student. For sure, many families had been impoverished by this pandemic and can hardly send their kids to school, especially those about to start college. This is one admirable plan of Biden, and I hope other countries will take a cue from him. But of course, the conditions for the loans must be airtight so that no one with bad intentions can take advantage of it. I think Biden’s idea is a very good one, because the best investment a country can make is in the education of its youth.*

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