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The STAR Musketeers

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Twinkling with Ninfa R. Leonardia

Dear Women of the Philippines: Aren’t you glad and thankful that your country, even if small, and not as wealthy as those with oil wells and other products that have made them so rich and proud, considers you equal to the men? If you had been watching TV lately, weren’t you shocked at the reports that women in Taliban are punished for going out unless fully covered? What would their authorities have done with our girls who roam around in mini-mini skirts, and spaghetti-strapped blouses? Or midriff ones paired with the shortest shorts?

***

Imagine yourself going to the grocery store or supermarket, with even your face covered and only your eyes showing? But that is still what some women in the world, even during this generation, have to observe under pain of punishment by the state. When you come to think of it,  however, we may not have been so liberated had the Americans not taken over our country from Spanish rule. But who knows? Spain  is one country I missed in Europe, although we were already very near it, my sister got so travel-weary, she dared me to go without her. But I hear that it is quite modern now.

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What’s the matter with some people in the United States? Of course we are not generalizing, but when another civilian was shot by a policeman in Minnesota, when the trial on the case of George Floyd, who was also shot dead by a cop, is ongoing, one cannot help wondering why they have suddenly become trigger-happy out there. The protests over the George Floyd killing are still going on, and this is another case of adding fuel to the fire of public indignation. Is something wrong with the training or the requirements for applicants for the police? They are supposed to protect people, not shoot them for no valid reason.

***

In the meantime, some Americans are worried and other are relieved by the announcement that President Joe Biden is planning to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan on September 11, after two American soldiers were killed there. The Afghans are naturally devastated because they have been counting on the protection of the American soldiers. But perhaps Biden felt that he does not want to lose more of his men for the sake of another country with which his own has no historical connection whatsoever. So now the Afghans must fend for themselves.

***

Did I hear it right? A news report on TV – I forgot the channel – said that one can still be infected by COVID even after being vaccinated. Does that support the rumors that there are fake vaccines also circulating? Now, how do our medical specialists determine which ones are genuine and which are fake? I hope our National Bureau of Investigation takes it upon themselves to trace the source of fake vaccines, and file charges against them. In this time of pandemic, those who take advantage of their fellow citizens by cheating tem in such dangerous manner, should be made to face a firing squad!

***

It was shocking to hear that the United States seems to top the number of COVID cases worldwide. Or could it only be that they are the most consistent and accurate in furnishing the figures to the media? Other countries may not have such accurate counts, which is why they do not get into the run-up of countries afflicted. I am afraid to know where our own country stands in such a list, if ever there is one. But one thing everyone should know and strictly comply with are the constant wearing of masks, and maintaining the prescribed “social distancing”. Simple rules that could save you and the people you are close to.

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It was a relief to hear that former President and multi-awarded movie star Joseph “Erap” Estrada is recovering and that it was not COVID that hit him, but pneumonia, which is now considered a minor ailment compared to COVID. But it was sad to see the former action star looking helpless in his sickbed at the hospital. But his son Senator Jinggoy has assured that his Dad is doing well, and we are happy for their family. Seems this newly discovered COVID has outdistanced other major ailments before. So let us not be complacent, listen and abide by all the rules and, yes, “protocols,” being issued, to stay healthy and well.

***

On Monday, the DAILY STAR’s 39th anniversary, we could not hold a grand celebration, but my “Three Musketeers” made me a special guest at a homey dinner at the quarters of my cousin Tutay (he now prefers “Tuts”) Corral and with only me, Glenn and Carlo Leonardia, my nephews, present. And who is D’Artagnan? Of course brother Pros, the power behind the presses. We observed social distancing, and there was Tuts’ talented better-half, Marissa, supervising us! It was fun reminiscing  on the STAR history and other matters. It was very heartwarming for me to see how gung-ho they still are over the future of the STAR and recalling the hurdles it had surmounted, through all our prayers and cooperation.*

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