Yes, Dear!

My wife and I will be attending a binyag (baptism) on Sunday. Though I was not asked to be the ninong (godfather), I'm technically the baby's ninong since my wife was asked to be the official ninang. Of course, there'll be the usual reception lunch after the baptism. Fine food will be served in the company of good friends. It's going to be great and I'm sure it will be perfect. Riiiight...

I have one small problem though. Sunday morning, Manila time is Pacquiao-Dela Hoya fight night in Vegas! For sure, I'll be fidgety... and so will the other ninongs and male attendees. I bet the priest will be restless, too. The parish probably paid for pay-per-view in the church's multi-purpose hall.

Baptism ceremony is at 9am. Same time as the bell for round 1 will clang. I'm guessing husbands will either be late or not show up entirely.

I asked my wife: "Can I not go?" She looked at me expressionless. "You can bring the car", I continued, trying to be cute. She smiled at me. The kind of smile that only involved the lip and cheek muscles. I gave a nervous chuckle while she stared with her contrived smile. Awkward silence..."Just kidding", I said. "Have you bought our gift?" I laugh nervously. Then she gave me her sweetest most sincere hug...and smile.

I called my nephew and asked: "Can you record the fight?...And can I borrow your Phone with the TV?"

I dozed off watching Hatton vs Malignaggi

Sunday noon is usually fight day (or fight night in viva Las Vegas) in lazy Manila time.  While we usually wait for our bulalos, sinigangs, and adobos to get cooked, my brother and I tune in to undercard fights of up and coming boxers.  On a good fight day, we can discover new fighters who may face a bright future in the sport.  Unfortunately, our very own Boom Boom Bautista's undercard fight did not impress the judges score card decisions in his fight yesterday against Heriberto Ruiz.  It's actually the Boholano's second loss in Sin City. Well, the guy  is young and he still has a lot going for him. 

On the other hand, the main event (Ricky Hatton vs Paulie Malignaggi) had big name celebrities witnessing the over-hyped event.  Italian stallion Sly Stallone and highest paid footballer David Beckham supported Malignaggi and Hatton respectively.  Yes, I did say over-hyped.  It was as if excitement got stuck in the Baccarat tables and decided to not attend the highly publicized fight.  Even if the MGM Grand Garden was packed and as noisy as a football stadium, the drowning chants of Englishmen sounded already celebratory as Hatton dominated the fight from the time the bell clanged for round 1. Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi failed to show his magic. His lazy right hand seemed as if it took the whole day off. His double left jabs, though sharp and snappy, only slapped Hatton's face for mere points. In the end, them points fell short as well. In the 11th round, the fight was stopped at the request of Malignaggi's corner. His corner men waved their white towels to take him away from more punishment.  Besides, Malignaggi stopped throwing punches.  The Magic Man was dismayed.  So was I. He should've taken the fall. That would've made the fight less lousy.

While 'tis true that Hatton has the power, he does not have the lightning fast skills of Pacquiao.  Had it been Pacquiao that fought Malignaggi, The Magic Man would've kissed the canvas before the fifth round.  If this is the Ricky Hatton that is hungry for Manny Pacquiao, then the Hit Man needs a higher and faster caliber "gun".  The Pinoy Pac Man will gobble him whole, with his ho-hum skills.  

In my opinion, Hatton can whoop Manny's ass... in speaking proper English.

From Washington to Manila to Vegas, baby!

As far as Manila is concerned, the Obama fever and honeymoon period is over. While it is true that most Filipinos are happy for the historic win of the first African American President of the most powerful nation in the world, Pinoys are naturally shoulder shruggers and take the wait-and-see attitude hoping that the Change that came to America will come here as well.  In what size, shape, and form? The ridiculously corrupt Congressman's  guess is as good as the hilariously smart-ass manong barbero (barber). Wait-and-see.

We have, time and again, been criticized by the world and branded  a nation with VERY short memories and attention spans. In my opinion, that is totally untrue, unfounded, and unfair... Hey, did you hear about the possibility of Manny Pacquiao losing his title?! You haven't?! 

(from abs-cbnNEWS.com)

CHENG DU, CHINA- Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao must cough up $30,000 within the next 15 days or be stripped of his World Boxing Council lightweight title, the WBC said on Thursday.

The boxing body's governors, meeting in Cheng Du, are demanding the fighter pay sanctioning fees they say he owes, or they will take his belt.

"Manny Pacquiao is a great champion and the pride of the WBC. But he believes he is the ruler of the organization and that is not going to happen," WBC President Jose Sulaiman told Reuters.

"If he doesn't want to do it, he goes his way and we go our way. He has made a fortune with the WBC. He became famous fighting WBC Champions like Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales and now he's trying to kick us in the back and send us home. We cannot do that.

"I am very disappointed because he's a friend, he is the hero of President Arroyo and of the whole country of the Philippines, and I feel very bad because of the way that we've been treated. But the phone is there and the door is open."

The WBC is also insisting Pacquiao pay $100,000 within 15 days of his anticipated fight against Oscar de la Hoya or face the same punishment. That non-title fight is scheduled for Dec. 6.

It was not clear, however, if the WBC has received request from any party to stop the Pacquaio-de la Hoya bout.

Sanction fees?  Great idea, Mr. Sulaiman...found in the rule book or not, that's a brilliant moneymaker while protecting the interests of the WBC.  This is showbusiness. They'll understand. Besides, Manny can raise the moolah faster than he can say the word BUKSENG!  

Now, what was I writing about?...Forget it! ... Place your bets, hermanos!