OFW Living in Hong Kong

Pacquiao-Marquez 3: Who Really Won?

2011-11-15T16:37:00.001+08:00

According to Manny Pacquiao, he clearly won.

According to Marquez, he was robbed, meaning he should have won.

According to the three Judges, err, two of the three judges, Manny Won. The third judge said nobody won, it was a draw!

So who really won?

Officially, in the record books, Manny Pacquiao did.

In Juan Manuel Marquez's book (and mind), he's won over Pacquiao three times already! Of course his fans, and many others including other boxers, scribes, and pundits read the same book.

On the other hand, it was so surprising to see many Manny Pacquiao fans expressing their own judgements that it was Marquez who won!

I think it's testament to the fact that the fight was so close. Analyzing how the judges scored the bout adds to this observation or contention: it was easy to fix the scoring in Manny's favor because Marquez didn't win very clearly! It's like, Marquez could have been declared the winner and Manny (and his camp, and diehard fans) will complain to high heavens he was robbed!

Looking at how professional boxing matches are scored, I can definitely say that Manny Pacquiao won. Just look at the four areas used in scoring fights:

1. Aggression. Manny was the aggressor almost all throughout the fight. By that I mean he was the stalker, he was aggressive (one can argue Marquez was aggressively defending himself :) while landing counter punches). Both Marquez and Pacquiao landed shots. According to stats, Pacquiao landed more. So even if Marquez felt that he landed the cleaner shots, it doesn't matter. Manny was the aggressive fighter who was able to land jabs and power shots too.

2. Defense. Both of them got hit cleanly, so both fighters' defense was not able to give them any advantage. In this category, it's a draw.

3. Ring generalship. Who controlled the tempo? Again, I scored a draw in this category. Both fighters were able to use their styles but were not able to control the fight with it. Marquez was able to neutralize Pacquiao's attack with accurate counter punches but he was not able to land more punches than the opponent. Pacquiao on the other hand was not able to land more telling blows while attacking. So it’s a draw in this category.

4. Clean and Hard Punching. Both fighters had their moments. In Marquez's mind, this is where he won the fight. But was it enough to win the fight? In my mind, no, he didn’t do enough. I still scored it a draw in this category.

On this line of argument, I agree with the judges' verdict that Manny Pacquiao won. Yes he did win, but not in a very convincing manner. Which means this fight will continue to be discussed and argued for more years to come. Nuff said...

iPhone Fatigue

2011-10-07T08:06:00.002+08:00

Steve Jobs is gone. What else can one say? He was a genius. He introduced exciting gadgets. He's rich. Well, I don't really know the guy...

In Hong Kong, almost every other guy carries an iPhone, some with bunny ears, in pink. I asked myself if I was going to be one them (not the pink bunny phone protector ;) too. My answer to myself was no. I just don't like the iPhone...

Permanent Residency, Closer for Helpers in Hong Kong?

2011-10-01T15:21:00.000+08:00

The ruling against the immigration guideline that excludes domestic helpers from "applying" to become permanent residents is a welcome one! I might add that aside from being unconstitutional, it reeks of discrimination. Of course Hong Kong denies that, and there are many excuses already given why it is not so.

To make things clear though, what the domestic helpers won is not automatic residency after 7 years of stay in Hong Kong but the right to apply for permanent residency!

What's the difference, you may ask? Quite simple really, just like in countries like the US and Canada or the UK, you need to apply to become legally a permanent resident or citizen. In the US for example, after two years of having an H1 visa, you can apply for a green card and after a few more years you can apply for naturalization to become a US citizen.

In Hong Kong you don't become a citizen, you become a permanent resident. For professional workers (like engineers, architects, musicians, flight attendants, etc.), you can apply for residency after seven years (as the Basic Law or mini constitution of Hong Kong says). This right to "apply" was what the helpers won in the recent ruling.

Is there a chance that the ruling will be reversed? Yes. The Hong Kong administration with no less than the CEO Donald Tsang have expressed their disappointment over what the court of first instance has ruled. That makes it clear that the administration's stand is not to let helpers become permanent residents of the city. They're going to find a way not to let that happen. If they fail, there's another way they can deny domestic helpers permanent residency.

Once the application is handed in, scrutinized, vetted, and studied in detail, the immigration office can actually still not grant residency due to reasons like (1) health - if the applicant will put unnecessary burden to the healthcare system of Hong Kong, (2) financial - that the applicant has no means to support herself/himself, (3) Etc.

When I applied for permanent residency, the immigration office requested bank accounts statements, lease contracts, tax returns, and certificate of employment. From that alone you can see what they're trying to ensure before granting permanent residency. They don't want you to become a burden to their society, a valid concern.

Will the government approve application for permanent residency for helpers? That remains to be seen.

In the meantime, will there be negative side effects of the court ruling? Yes I think there will be some if I may guess:

(1) Helpers will not be allowed to work in Hong Kong for more than 6 years. This is not unique as Taiwan allows helpers to work there for 3 years only.

(2) In the long term, helpers will not be allowed to work in Hong Kong altogether. This may be difficult, but it can happen.

Hong Kong Home Prices Coming Down?

2011-09-20T22:48:00.002+08:00

There's an indication that home prices are coming down. Big companies are slashing their prices albeit very slightly...The problem is, even if it does for 50% I may still not be able to afford one! How disappointing. But life is beautiful still!

Legal Win by Mayweather

2011-09-19T23:27:00.002+08:00

So Mayweather can box! He won, hurray! I'm not satisfied though, no, I'm very dissatisfied. If there's going to be a rematch, or a next fight, I'm not buying ppv still. I'll just check the results in the newspaper the following day!

"Noted!" Lives!

2011-08-13T17:39:00.002+08:00

I was so surprised to see this piece of news saying that the Supreme Court replied "noted" to a request to have access to poll cheating evidence!

I can still remember Sharon Cuneta's husband saying this same word again and again...

Bus Bomb in Manila

2011-01-26T08:20:00.000+08:00

"In November, the US, Australian, British, Canadian, French and New
Zealand governments updated their travel advisories to the Philippines
to warn that terrorist attacks were likely. Some of the warnings said
that an attack would take place in Manila."

This is a quote from the local English newspaper (SCMP.com), and it catches one's attention immediately. Warnings like this are taken seriously by these nations (who gave out the warnings to their nationals) but scoffed upon in Manila.

I remember that when these warnings were given, Manila asked these countries to reconsider as there were no risks of travel to Manila! Now that this event occurred, these nations will feel vindicated and Manila ones again will appear to be a bumbling know-nothing poor nation.

I know the feeling and attitude of locals (as I'm one too!). It is something like this: "This bombing in EDSA/Buendia is a very small location (just like Glorietta, remember that bombing?), this is not going to happen in my place.". However, when you are reading a newspaper account from the outside, you will feel that the bombing is everywhere! And the decision, to be safe, is not to travel to the Philippines.

It's the same in Russia, there's just one bomb which recently exploded, but many will think twice before travelling there. One thing I noticed though is that, no country issued a travel advisory warning before or after the event!

One thing I can say about these bombers is they're real terrorists, they don't care who they hurt. The place for them to be is jail. May the authorities find them.

As OFWs, we feel helpless regarding these things. We go about our activities as usual as there's nothing else that we can do. As ordinary people, we're powerless to do anything after the fact. At the same time, we can be more alert and see whether we can be of help in identifying possible bombers and report them to concerned authorities. This is a good idea, but how can we do it? The feeling of helplessness is just so deflating..., pardon please my bubbling.

Steve Jobs is Sick

2011-01-17T23:46:00.002+08:00

What's going to Apple in the eventuality of Steve Jobs' death? (As we all know, we all die.) Is the company going to be able to continue to churn out new, interesting, trailblazing products and generate oodles of revenue? Compared to a cult, when the leader dies, the movement usually, also dies. A tech company with hundreds if not thousands of cool engineers and hundreds of lawyers and managers is definitely not the same as a religious cult, yet many believe that when Steve Jobs is gone, the company he helped start and resurrect may also go the way of the dodo. Nobody can be certain of course, but great uncertainty will exist for sure.

Just today Steve Jobs was granted a medical leave of absence. Will he be back, or will be lose his battle with sickness sooner than investors would like?

Cebu Pacific Trick: Save 100, pay 300 more!

2010-11-25T09:34:00.001+08:00

That should how it really read in Cebu Pacific's website. But of course, it's not presented that way. In the website, during the booking process, you will see that you can save 100 pesos if you buy this promo. If you don't have checkin baggage, you can save this small amount. So for light flyers, this is a good deal.

For many, this is a trap. There's a small popup that tells you the limit for carry on luggage is 10kg. For most flyers who are used to using standard cabin size bags/tolleys, this is a blind spot. We don't "see" it as a threat.

If you are over this 10kg limit, you're going to be charged 400php penalty. Thus the statement I made at the start! What a tricky way to earn money! I hate them for it. If you share the feeling, warn all your friends!

Pacquiao's Win

2010-11-14T21:46:00.003+08:00

Pacquiao was good, Margarito was slow, Pacquiao won. Mayweather exposed ducking Pacquiao, some believe he's smart in doing so. Pacquiao-Mayweather not going to happen, ever.

Barok lives.

OFW Insurance, Mandatory?

2010-11-10T08:07:00.004+08:00

I like insurance benefits. It gives protection to those left behind (upon death), or oneself. But it's a pain and added burden, if you bear the costs!

The current brouhaha here in Hong Kong is regarding the newly imposed mandatory insurance for Filipino OFWs. It merited top billing in the South China Morning post today. As there are 140,000 Filipino workers in Hong Kong, there are almost the same number of employers affected! (As there are employers who have multiple Filipino workers, some even with five.)

All OFWs coming out of Manila, as the new law imposes, should be covered by insurance with the employer paying the premium. It's quite simple. But of course, in real life it's not that simple. Here in Hong Kong, workers are already covered by insurance paid for by the employer. It's required by Hong Kong law. Should these workers be covered by the new Philippine law still? I personally think no. It's unfair to the employer.

What should the employer do then? Either grin and bear it, or worse, stop hiring the Filipino worker. Bad for the Pinoy worker, isn't it? I believe this is what's going to happen.

Even without this new insurance law, Filipinos are already losing their jobs to Indonesians. With it, the process will be hastened.

Technic Employment Services has already halted deployment of new Filipino helpers in Hong Kong because of this! How cruel that is to those who were waiting a few more days to work.

This is a case of reaping bad returns even when seeds were sown with good intentions. Another short-sighted law produced by our not so bright congress. A few will benefit, but many more will suffer because of it.

Why Should HK Property Prices be Lower than 1997 Levels?

2010-10-29T11:27:00.000+08:00

This was the question asked by a Hong Kong property executive. A very innocent question by the looks of it and quite normal for a person selling real estate. What could be better for him and his company? Higher prices and bigger profits of course. Add to that a wish for prices never coming down ever!

Going back the question, if you are a property owner, you would say, "yeah, why should it be lower? It should be higher!". 1997 is centuries ago, 2011 is almost here, just factor in inflation and prices should be higher. There's really no reason for real estate prices to be lower than 1997 levels. In addition, there's no property bubble here. Prices are just higher.

On the other hand if you are an ordinary Hong Kong guy or family without a personally owned home and waiting for a long time to get one, you definitely need to wait longer, or another option is to just quit waiting. As things are going at this time, with prices going up so fast salary increases will definitely not be able to catch up with real estate price increases. Guys like these (including me) would say prices should be lower than 1997 levels so that more HK people can afford to buy their own homes. It's a very lame reason though as wishes by people don't get answered anymore. The market's definitely being played well by people who are asking the question posed in the title of this post. I'm sure the HK government is not going to mess things up by doing more to adding measures to lower prices.

So, powerless poor guys will settle for rants on the internet (just like this one) to express their hopelessness but keep on plodding along. What's there to do?

Disappointed with Android OS Tablets

2010-10-23T10:42:00.001+08:00

I tried Apple's iPad and the experience was great! The device was very nice to look at, the response was quick, the apps I like handled great. I actually loved it, except for the price, and the inability to tinker with it. So I am waiting for a better priced Android based tablet. It looks like I need to wait a longer time to get something good, or jump and go get myself an iPad.

I tried out Chinese made Android tablets and was greatly disappointed. I got a hold of the 8-inch Dale (pronounced Da-lee) Android 2.2 tablet and didn't really expect much. Still, there was a lot not to be liked. It's looks was actually not too shabby, but the responsiveness of the device was just not there. Putting in a 16gb microSD card was easy but it took some time for the device to recognize it and read and present the contents. Viewing jpeg files was a pain, reading pdf files with the installed software was worse. I quit. It was not stable.

I have the same experience with the 10-inch ePad (Android 2.1). Actually it was worse. I felt so disappointed.

Maybe I'll get a better experience with products from bigger companies like Samsung? Maybe, but it looks like they're going to sell their goods at the same price levels as Apple! Ahhh, more disappointment. But I'm patient...

Poverty in Hong Kong

2010-10-04T12:33:00.002+08:00

Today's newspaper mentioned that a lot of Hong Kong people are poor, 1.26 million are considered to be below the poverty line. That's very high considering that Hong Kong has around 7 million people only!

For first time visitors of Hong Kong, you will see glitzy places, high rises, etc. that shows opulence and great riches. Yet living on the ground tells a different reality, many are still poor even if they're residents of a rich country/territorry. (Of course the Philippines is the opposite, there are many rich people even if the country is poor!).

In Hong Kong: Big Sigh of Relief for Ronald Singson

2010-08-20T21:14:00.004+08:00

Fortunately for Ilocos Congressman Ronald Singson, he was granted bail for his revised case of drug possession (from drug trafficking). If not, every time he's taken in of the correctional facility (or holding area for accused), all the cavities of his body (definitely not tooth cavities!) are searched for drugs and other prohibited items (including weapons). When this inspection is done, he's also strip searched! It must be a huge embarrassment and inconvenience for this wealthy and pampered "elite" of the Philippines.

That's not to mention that in these "prisons", there's no air conditioning system except for cooling fans! That's also if you're lucky enough to have a fan pointing at your cell...

In Hong Kong, there's no "palakasan" system. Everybody's got to deal with the justice system. I would assume that Ronald will be found guilty (as he's already confessed to possession, did he?), and permanently barred from entering Hong Kong.

Kris Alert

2010-08-02T07:49:00.005+08:00

To all available bachelors out there, Kris Aquino is once again available! That is after her marriage to basketball star James Yap is finally ended. Is there any doubt it's going to happen? In my mind, there isn't. Kris is the president's sister, she's rich, she's famous, and powerful in her own right. She can make it happen. Expect to hear about the result in twitter...

If you're available, and Kris fancies you, are you going to return the affection? I suggest you think about it not just twice, but a thousand times! Kris' baggage is just top heavy. She's been involved with multiple partners, her mouth-power is well known, her children from previous affairs is also something, and knowing about all your marriage troubles in twitter, facebook, or in the Buzz (or Win na Win) is something that is possible!

These baggages though are nothing compared to the "benefits" Kris can bring for you. If you can disregard the negative, go ahead. The best thing in the package Kris can do for you is she can make you president!

Gigantic Shift in NBA

2010-07-10T21:48:00.003+08:00

Lebron James, Chrish Bosh, Dwayne Wade...three big NBA names in one team. How exciting can a team be? (Nevermind the cost of tickets in the Heat's arena going to be!).

The signings Pat Riley orchestrated (or did he just got lucky?) is one gigantic shift of power in the NBA. Miami is going to be the team to beat, no question. Can they be beaten? Definitely!

Was Chrish Bosh's decision lamented in Toronto? Maybe by some, but there's not much whining there compared to what's happening in Cleveland. Why the big fuss about Lebron's leaving then? It's a big deal because it's like your beloved boyfriend or girlfriend just dumped you! Who's not going to get hurt by that? Some people react more violently than what some Cleveland fans are doing now, but just be careful not to go overboard as you just might find yourself together with Lindsey Lohan (oops, where did that come from?)!

As for me, I'll join those cheering for Miami! Go Heat go! Beat LA, beat LA!

Increase in China Exports + Decline in Sales in USA and Europe = ?

2010-06-11T21:45:00.002+08:00

Stock markets rose when China reported that exports rose significantly. US reports decline in sales (EU has been having problems of its own). What will it mean? Obvious would be unsold stocks, right? Today however, obvious doesn't mean definite! It's a very interesting financial environment we're having...

Bailout for Spain?

2010-05-29T09:29:00.002+08:00

Greece got into trouble and bailed out by the IMF and the EU. Spain is getting into trouble to. Is it going to get the same treatment? Hmmmm, interesting!

Who Voted For Jocjoc Bolante?

2010-05-11T19:06:00.003+08:00

As of this time, Jocjoc Bolante is losing (salamat naman!) in the province of Capiz governatorial race. But he's got 107,552 votes! Who voted for him? Does it mean that what he's accused of is something that these people didn't believe in? Or these people don't know about the accusation? Or what? Filipinos (Capizeno's especially) are difficult to understand. Somebody accused of something so huge (crime against the nation and the Filipino people) should not be given a chance to prove himself innocent while he's sitting in position of power. Well, that's just me.

But what about the automation project? I had my sincere doubts but as of this time, it looks like it was a big success!

Young Binay Declared Winner in Makati

2010-05-11T07:12:00.002+08:00

Binay was already officially declared the winner in Makati. That was fast! How is it compared to manual count? I have no idea...

Chaotic Elections Loom

2010-05-04T23:03:00.004+08:00

Only a few days are left and the elections are upon us yet more problems seem to crop up unabated.

Electronic readers can't read votes. If it can't read it can't count. There are precincts without phone signals. If there's no signal it can't send the count. The flash cards containing election information (precinct number, candidates, voters, etc.) are problematic and need replacement. Garbage in garbage out!

Come election day, chaos will reign I fear.

Bragging Rights

2010-05-03T23:16:00.003+08:00

Mayweather weathered a Mosley attack and then returned the favor plus some. He won fair and square, now he's got bragging rights against Manny Pacquiao. How quick the tide turns!

Even with all the money for these two fighters can earn if they do face each other, the barrier seems higher now for that to happen. Time to move on!

I would tend to agree with many out there that this fight (between Pacquiao and Mayweather) is not going to happen although reality is, nobody knows what's going to happen in the future.

Mayweather is one egotistic sob, and Manny Pacquiao is not far behind either. What else would move him to run for office if he was not? He's got some sort of messiah complex, believing that he's going to save his people. This run for office has definitely sidetracked him from what he does best.

The main reason for this fight not happening is the blood test procedure that Mayweather wants to impose on Pacquiao as he'd done with Mosley. In his mind I'm sure he's sure it's reasonable. On the other hand what makes it unreasonable is that Pacquiao is willing to have his blood taken and tested not just within 24 hours of the fight.

One question is, if Pacquiao dopes himself after the last blood extraction within 24 hours of the fight, is it going to make any difference? Let's say it does, isn't the blood test immediately after the fight catch him doing that? I would say it will. This is why I call Mayweather's demand unreasonable, and gives credence to the claim that he's just using this issue to dodge Pacquiao. He may really be afraid to fight the little man from the Philippines after all.

What Li Ka Shing Din't Say

2010-03-31T14:07:00.002+08:00

What Hong Kong's wealthiest man didn't say speak volumes: real estate in Hong Kong is overpriced at the moment and buyers must beware! But of course, everybody can be wrong, including Li.

Drugs and Boxing, Pacquiao-Mayweather

2010-03-19T11:05:00.003+08:00

I'm all for drug testing, let all athletes be tested olympic style. Store the blood and whatever and test again in the future for drugs undetectable today.

Let Mayweather, Mosley, Pacquiao, and everybody be tested! But just get it on, bring Pacquiao and Mayweather in the ring!

Of course Mayweather has to beat Shane "sugar" Mosley first, and he's no patsy. Mosley has a bigger chance of beating Mayweather than Clottey had of beating Pacquiao.

Another point to compare later on is the PPV count between Pacquiao-Clottey and Mayweather-Mosley. What do you think, which fight will have more buys?

State of Confusion

2010-03-19T07:39:00.002+08:00

In the Philippines, nobody really has a good grasp of what's going to happen next. However, I'm absolutely certain that certain groups are planning certain scenarios just like during the EDSA revolution that toppled the Estrada administration. During that occasion, we all thought too that it was an unrehearsed or unplanned event, but after happy people gave interviews and revealed secrets of the behind the scene maneuverings, we understood that it was scripted.

The triumphant script writers of that event are now in power. These same people are up to something again. The state of confusion, i.e. people don't really know what's happening, helps or plays into their master plan.

Pacquiao Fights Again

2010-03-14T07:20:00.003+08:00

Update: Yikes, it was not a fight, it was a training bout. Too bad for the PPV patrons...

It was just a few months ago when Manny Pacman Pacquiao was fighting Miguel Cotto. Today he's fighting Joshua Clottey. It should have been Floyd Mayweather Jr but by now everybody knows why it didn't push through.

Despite Clottey's non-big-name-status, this fight still has generated a lot of buzz and most probably will have a lot of people watching. No surprise there as Manny Pacquiao is now a big boxing brand, people will pay to watch him no matter who his opponent is.

The promoters have once again given his opponent a "chance" to win that bettors have actually given Clottey a 1-7 chance to do so. And indeed, he has the chance as anybody who can punch does. Now, all he's got to do is deliver that one big punch and send money "Manny" Pacquiao to the hospital as he's said. Let's get it on then. Go Joshua go!

Recycled Real Life Story

2010-03-09T15:39:00.001+08:00

Everytime one finds a red-and-teary-eyed kababayan (man or woman) in the streets of Hong Kong, the list of most probable reasons is short. Take a look (in a woman's point of view):

Husband carries on an affair.
- He spends the money she sends on the paramour instead of the children.
- The lover lives in the home she built.
- The lover mistreats the children.
- Etc.

Husband gambled away their savings and properties.

Daughter assaulted by husband.

Teen son impregnated his girlfriend.

Teen daughter impregnated by her boyfriend.

Somebody killed somebody (all in the family).

A loved one passed away back home.
- Everybody expects her to shoulder the expenses.
- She was not allowed to go home and attend the wake and burial.
- Didn't see the deceased loved one for a long time and won't have the changc to see her for the last time.
- Etc.

The boyfriend married another woman.

Got sacked.
- Has borrowed lots of money and now has no way to repay.
- Has tons of debt back home.

Feeling homesick.

Etc.
- She's a con artist.
- She's gone crazy because of any of the above.
- ...

When you look at the list, it's very impersonal and you don't get affected. However, when you're there beside her you can't help it but feel her pain.

Own home in Hong Kong at last?

2010-03-09T11:39:00.001+08:00

I have posted here before that I've been priced out of the housing market because prices have gone stratospherically high. Now, powerful people are calling for the government to build more HOS (Home Ownership Scheme) homes. These are government built "cheaper" homes and definitely affordable!

It's going to take a long time to land one of these cheap homes, but at least if they build more of them, there will be more chances. Go go go! Fai ti! (faster!).

Elections are coming, Trouble is looming

2010-03-02T17:11:00.001+08:00

The biggest show in the Philippines is ongoing, participants are crazily vote shopping, the COMELEC is nail biting. The COMELEC should worry as it is going to implement an untested nationwide automated elections. If a single home computer problem could wreck havoc to one's time , energy, and sanity, a nationwide implementation of this magnitude and importance certainly could bring utter disaster as the worst case scenario.

At to that the ongoing rolling-blackouts! You may have the best computers (which I think the COMELEC doesn't) and the best written software (while the COMELEC has an untested one) but if there's no power to run it, there's just no way it's going to work!

In this NOEL (no-election) scenario caused by whatever it is going to be, I can think of one person is going to benefit immensely. If it really plays out like this, I'm sure she's going to be very happy!

Dirty Fight to be CJ?

2010-03-02T12:11:00.001+08:00

Carpio's name and reputation was attacked on account of his role in the acquisition of Filipino citizenship for his wife! What's going to be next? This is getting to be exciting! It just proves that Filipinos really has the knack for the dramatic in the boring world of law.

Is it Corona then for CJ?

MRT-LRT Loop

2010-02-26T09:13:00.001+08:00

This project is a very good one. I hope they do more of these like the extension to Cavite in the south and to Bulacan in the north.

Who gets the right credit for this project? Gloria gets the credit of course as this was started and completed during her term.

An Obama Observation

2010-02-25T09:01:00.001+08:00

At this point, my personal observation on Barack Obama is that he is a "smooth" talker yet not all powerful really to implement what he says. On being smooth, he's not really that smooth as say, Clinton, because he speaks with a little choppiness when he's thinking on what to say next.

To me, he's become all talk with an air of confidence that can be perceived as cockiness (or cockiness that can be explained as confidence, whichever way you like it). His novelty have faded. He's a little "grating" and not so likable anymore.

Mayweather Missing the $40M

2010-02-10T16:22:00.001+08:00

It might just be a freudian slip on the part of Mayweather senior when he said that Manny Pacquiao is stupid to have let go of the 40 million (US dollars) he could have earned in fighting his son Floyd Mayweather Jr.. but there it is in the open now, they too are ruing the lost opportunity to earn that big an amount!

Besides, didn't his son also refused to fight due to his own reasons?
As usual, proud people will never acknowledge their mistakes but pass the blame to others instead. The Wayweathers are proving this once again.

Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada Lead Senatoriables

2010-02-05T10:29:00.001+08:00

What does that survey say about our voters (particularly those who were asked in the survey)? Very simple, they like Bong and Jinggoy to be their senators. As to why, I don't know. My best guess is they're guwapo sa personal and they're quite famous due to movies they made, TV show appearances, and family fame.

Are they going to be good senators? They're incumbent senators and their records are there for anybody's examination. I don't like what I see.

I'm not going to vote for these two guys. I know they're going to win still even without my vote, but one just have to go with what he believes in.

My President is Dick and my VP is Bayani.

Bad Times for Fung Shui and Tao Masters

2010-02-02T11:11:00.001+08:00

Recent news in Hong Kong spelled bad luck for Fung Shui master and Taoist masters. Today, Hong Kong's High Court dismissed Fung Shui master Tony Chan's claim to Nina Wang's estate. Last week, a Taoist master from the mainland China was convicted and imprisoned for using his powers to defraud a clerk of her money and sexual favors on the side. A few weeks back also saw another Taoist master jailed for tricking an aspiring model for sexual favors in exchange for rejuvenating her modeling career!

These masters are giving their trade a bad name. Tony Chan's case was very interesting though as what was at stake was billions of dollars! Unfortunately, the stars didn't align right for him.

Mosley-Mayweather!

2010-01-31T11:44:00.003+08:00

Oh, Mayweather isn't afraid of Sugar Shane Mosley after all! This is going to be a very good fight. I hope Mosley wins.

Another point to follow is the dope testing methods the two will agree on. Will they use what Mayweather insisted he and Pacqauio take (that scuttled the blockbuster non-fight)?

Wesley So Blunders Big, Loses

2010-01-30T08:07:00.004+08:00

The game was exciting, Wesley was winning, but in the end he loses it with a great blunder. I thought he should have captured the knight here or maybe pushed his Rook to a2, but instead he forked the Rook and the Queen. The opponent was then able to force a mate with a check by the Rook (Wesley will be forced to capture with his King and then mate will come with the opponent's Queen in tandem with the Knight.). Sayang, Wesley could have taken the lead.

Underwhelmed by the iPad

2010-01-28T09:59:00.001+08:00

I was very interested on the new gadget Apple was going to release. After the revelation, I'm much underwhelmed. What's new? Not much. Everything it can do can be done by some other way.

I'm not an Apple fan and I'm staying this way.

Is Barack Obama a One-Termer Pres?

2010-01-20T14:26:00.001+08:00

With his recent defeat in Massachusetts and the not so recent governatorial defeats in New Jersey and Virginia, it looks like Barack Obama is going to be a one-termer president! He's a likable guy but he just brought so much hope but delivered none (so far) that his support is deflating. Poor guy, such a good talker but...

James Yap Troubles

2010-01-19T10:47:00.001+08:00

I can imagine what might be in James Yap's mind these days. What the heck was he thinking when he married Kris Aquino? Why? Aside from the glamour, what else could she have offered him?

Washing clean and dirty linen in public is just a no-no in a family life! Yet that's what Kris is doing all the time and she sees nothing wrong with it. She always justifies herself and her actions and belittles that of James'. Poor guy, the wife has run away again brining with her their children.

Where Will Hugo Chavez bring Venezuela?

2010-01-18T14:42:00.001+08:00

This man with the messiah complex surely believes what he's doing for his country is the best and only way. Even people with the best of intentions and best brains can't do this alone, and certainly not Hugo by his lonesome. The future is scary and Zimbabwe comes to mind.

Money Wasn't Enough

2010-01-11T16:01:00.001+08:00

Yeah, it turned out that big money wasn't enough reason for Floyd Mayweather Jr to overcome his fear of Manny Pacquiao's alleged PED (Performance Enhancing Drug) use. Nor was it enough for Manny Pacquiao to overcome his fear of energy-sapping blood draws for drug testing. Come to think of it, some (poor) guys sell their kidneys to live!

If Mayweather was truly confident he could handle Manny Pacquiao, this silly thing about random blood tests to detect illegal drug use is a minor quibble. It could be overcome.

If Manny Pacquiao really wanted to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr, he too could have overcome his dislike for blood testing. But then again, how can one explain fear of cats, heights, and others?

As a true blooded Pinoy and my line of reasoning above, I put full blame on Floyd for this botched fight. It could have a very interesting and exciting fight. Sayang. But who knows, I'm sure there's still a chance it could happen in the future.

Pacquiao Calls Mayweather's Bluff

2009-12-25T00:15:00.000+08:00

This is how I see what's happening during the fight's negotiations. And I like the way it's handled.

If the fight doesn't push through, Mayweather loses more as he's the one in need of money more. However, I still believe it's going to happen, there's just too much money involved.

Moot

2009-12-14T16:26:00.001+08:00

Gloria Arroyo declared Martial Law -> the Supreme Court deferred -> Congress hemmed and hawed -> Gloria Arroyo lifted Martial Law -> Supreme Court declare Martial Law question moot?

Funny! Gloria Arroyo gets her way all the time.

Avatar the Movie - a must watch?

2009-12-09T16:40:00.001+08:00

I watched Titanic a couple of times and I didn't get tired of it. I think I can still watch it today and still enjoy it. Titanic with Leo di Caprio and Kate Winslet is a movie by the director of Avatar, James Cameron. There are other noted Cameron movies of course, but it was only the Titanic that I watched so many times (with different friends). I was wondering if this sci-fi, 3-d, futuristic, etc. movie will have the same effect on me, and others?

Let's see...

The Magdalos Were Right

2009-12-07T10:52:00.001+08:00

One of the claims of the Magdalo group of soldiers a few years back (July 27, 2003) in their military misadventure (the Oakwood experiment - or mutiny) was that the government was selling weapons to the enemy which are then used to kill government soldiers. What were found in Ampatuan Maguindanao from the properties of the Ampatuan clan are irrefutable proof to that claim.

Another claim was that the military was used to tamper the elections. Can it be that the proclamation of Martial Law in that province will be used to "cover" what was done and "silence" those in the know? Even without these recent findings and developments the Magdalos back then were believable in their claims, they were just outmaneuvered by the opponent.

The Magdalos were right, then what of it?

Pacquiao Vs. Mayweather on March 13, 2010

2009-12-03T11:50:00.001+08:00

If reports are true, Floyd Mayweather Jr has accepted to fight Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao on March 13, 2010! This is exciting.

However, will Pacquiao fight in the ring or concentrate on becoming a congressman? Really interesting.

Vote Feliciano Serrano as Pampanga Congressman

2009-12-02T10:13:00.001+08:00

If you're from the second congressional district of Pampanga, you should vote for Feliciano Serrano.

The only reason for this is that his opponent doesn't deserve the position. It's not healthy but voting for somebody not because you want him to serve you but because you don't want the other candidate is actually valid sometimes. It's like vote for anybody else except Adolf Hitler as president.

I'm actually quite surprised that many are supporting Gloria Arroyo, the other candidate, to run for Congress. The way they spin the situation is slick: "Who else has done this before? Which president has come down from the presidency and done something better?". Cool. Actually, cold, very cold.

I believe that Gloria Arroyo doesn't care about what people think, she just cares about herserlf, her family, and her own agenda: to remain in power.

As we speak, she's using and abusing her power as president to be elected to Congress. There's more to come. Can she win? Only a miracle can prevent her from winning, so, vote for Serrano! (Someone from Pampanga should start a facebook group in this if not yet done.)

Arroyo the Messiah

2009-11-30T15:30:00.001+08:00

Gloria Arroyo is said to be running for Congress. There's nothing wrong with that unless you change the sentence to "President Gloria Arroyo will run for Congress"!

I can't fathom the shallowness of Gloria's mind. For some people, the presidency is the ultimate position one can aspire for. She's got it, and now she wants to become a Congresswoman? To me that's just crazy. If she was not able to change things in the Philippines as president, how could she do so as a legislator?

Of course, the little lady has her own agenda and whatever that is, only Mike knows. I can guess, but I'll just wait for confirmation when she's finally elected as the Congresswoman from Pampanga. My wish though is that she runs for that office and be soundly defeated! That would be poetic justice for somebody who would like to insult the presidency. I don't believe she even thinks that way, she just believes that she's the messiah, the only one who can save our country. As such, she makes perfect sense.

Amazing Wesley So

2009-11-28T22:47:00.002+08:00

The run of impressive wins continue for child chess prodigy Wesley So! He completed his third straight conquest of super GMs at the 2009 World Cup of Chess in Russia by defeating american Gata Kamsky 1.5-0.5.

So beat Kamsky in the first game of their third round match then in a fighting 2nd game accepted a draw which allows him to proceed to the next round. Amazing achievement at such an early age. Well done, and keep it up.

Beasts in Ampatuan

2009-11-26T10:22:00.001+08:00

What kind of man could possibly do such a dastardly act? I say no man. Whoever ordered and executed the rampage are beasts.

Justice must be carried out. It's just too gross to be left alone and the perpetrators to be allowed to continue to roam the land.

Pacquiao-Mayweather Must Happen

2009-11-17T15:51:00.001+08:00

I have mentioned it before: Pacquiao is good. After the win over Cotto, that may now sound an understatement! Manny Pacquiao is very good, a great warrior! There's also no doubt that Floyd Mayweather Jr is a very good boxer. It is therefore a must that they meet.

The ginormous amount of money each fighter stands to make will be the main reason this fight is going to happen. Pacquiao is a fighter, he's not going to run away from Floyd. Floyd might really be in need of money that even if he doesn't want to fight Pacquiao, he must.

It's going to happen. 50-50 share in the proceeds. 50-50 chance to win for both. 50-50 chance too that the fight is going to be a bore. Still, the excitement of the wait will be good enough. Com'on guys, get ready to rrrrrumble!

Misleading Unemployment Numbers

2009-08-10T06:57:00.002+08:00

a quarter a million jobs lost but unemployment rate dropped by 0.1%

The previous US unemployment rate as 9.5%. Last month of July, there were about a quarter of a million more who lost their jobs. But, the unemployment rate dropped to 9.4%. Crazy!

How do you explain that? If 250k jobs is about 1% of the labor force, it means that 500k people stopped looking for jobs, but still are unemployed. However, if you're not looking for a job, the government do not include you as an "unemployed"! Fuzzy counting...

Priced Out of the Hong Kong Property Market

2009-08-07T18:12:00.001+08:00

It is very frustrating looking for a good flat to buy as prices has gone up so fast. Even if there is a recession, Hong Kong condo/flat prices has steadily gone up pricing out ordinary Joes like me out of the buyer's market.

This is one reason why I'm missing Tung Chee Hwa. He was the Hong Kong CEO who had a "mass" housing program which made home prices in Hong Kong go down. Nowadays, everybody seems to have accepted the reality of high prices. It is the real estate developers and agents who are laughing their way to the bank! The "poorer" end users are the ones who just have to make do with older and smaller apartments to live in. Or, be a forever renter.

Will there be another mass housing project in the future of Hong Kong? I hope there is.

Eerie

2009-08-05T17:16:00.001+08:00

Ninoy's death toppled Marcos (it was not a one day development though). Could Cory's death topple Gloria? It's just a thought that this great number of people can be agitated to yank Arroyo out of Malacanang, but I guess it's not going to happen.

Nikon D300 Upgrade = D300s

2009-07-30T13:35:00.001+08:00

Now it has come to pass after all the denials and rumors, the upgrade to the very popular Nikon D300 has arrived (will arrive actually in August).

As for me, I'm just waiting for the price of the original D300 to come down! I don't really need HD video and the other upgrades (except maybe the additional SD card slot because SD cards are a lot cheaper?), so the D300 is fine with me.

Missing Tung Chee Hwa

2009-07-27T14:38:00.001+08:00

Tung Chee Hwa was the first CEO of Hong Kong after it reverted back to Chinese sovereignty. He moved for an Home Ownership Scheme in Hong Kong with the plan that all Hong Kongers shall have their own home. However, this plan "backfired" on him when property prices were affected by the plan and went down (to a more affordable level). This was good for the people, but bad for the property developers!

I am an ordinary Hong Kong man, in this issue then, I miss Tung!

Bowing Low in Taiwain

2009-07-27T06:50:00.003+08:00

The 2009 Jones Cup basketball tournament has exposed the steady improvement of basketball in other Asian countries leaving behind the unsteady one in my home country.

Filipino basketball players have improved. Even the foreign born players have added some spice with their athleticism. The improvement is just not as fast and organized compared to its neighbors.

This is the trend, and some have expressed apprehension that in a few years time even the minnows in the region will surpass the once pround Philippines. It's a reality waiting to happen, I think. Sad but true, what else can one say?

Inside Nogie's Noggin

2009-07-22T16:47:00.001+08:00

House speaker Prospero Nograles has revealed what's inside his head. He's full of praise for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and he's wondering why people don't like her eventhough she's been one of the best performing Philippine presidents ever.

This indeed is the other side of the fence. Survey after survey has revealed that Arroyo is disliked, even reviled by many (majority). But of course, the other side of that majority is the minority which supports and likes Gloria. Evidently Prospero Nograles is in that smaller group. No surprises there...

There are now More Indonesian than Filipino DH in Hong Kong

2009-07-16T16:06:00.001+08:00

It came late but come it did: Indonesian: 129,612 Filipino: 128,630 as of the end of June 2009. That's the number of domestic helpers of the two biggest suppliers nations of DHs to Hong Kong. (In Hong Kong, domestic helpers (DH) are defined as FDH (Foreign Domestic Helpers.)

It was first projected that this was going to happen in 2005. It did not at that time or for a few more years, but as mentioned it is now a reality.

It is not the whole story though. The number of Filipino DH did not really go down a lot, actually it has managed to increase a little bit. The change then is in the bigger and constant increase of the Indonesian maids.

Some reasons were given as to why:
1. Indonesian helpers accept cheaper salary.
2. Indonesian helpers accept it if their employers don't give them days off.
3. Indonesian helpers speak Cantonese.
4. Filipino helpers' advantage of speaking English has lost its appeal. Hong Kong people now believe they don't speak good English.

There might be other reasons.

Personally, I believe that our ladies should not come to Hong Kong as helpers anymore. I hope that something can be done: that opportunities are created wherein they can be gainfully employed back home and love it, instead of bearing the difficulties and challenges they face here.

It's painful to see many who have worked here countless of years without seeing betterments in their life or even just prospects. Many who have gone home for good, has to come back and do the same again, and again. Yes, there are those who have gone home "for good" more than once.

That's life for so many Filipinas here in Hong Kong. Majority of them believe that this is actually better than just staying and finding a source of income in the Philippines. Unless this sentiment is changed, this sad cycle isn't going to end.

Vacation Time, Where to Go?

2009-07-10T10:28:00.001+08:00

A very good question...where to go? What to do? How long?

Corporal Punishment for a Filipina Helper

2009-07-03T11:11:00.002+08:00

We all make mistakes, that's life. When Julieta Selga served her 7-year old ward undercooked food (allegedly for the second time), her female employer grabbed her hair, slapped her three times, asked her to kowtow to her a hundred times and pushed her face to the floor! When the male employer arrived home that same night, he used a folded newspaper to hit Julieta on the neck and head!

The order of events in March 23, 2009:

1. Julieta was preparing to serve her ward.

2. One way or another the female employer found this out and that got her ire. She grabbed Julieta's shirt, pulled her hair, and slapped her in the face and head three times.

3. At 7 pm of the same day, the male employer arrived home. He used a folded newspaper to hit Julieta head and neck. This employer must have felt his slave deserved some type of corporal punishment and a newspaper slap was the kindest way to do it instead of the guillotine.

4. An hour later, the lady employer was still fuming. She asked Julieta to kowtow to her one hundred times literally. If the male employer read stuff on French revolution, the female employer must have read up on the Japanese ways. Not content with a hundred kowtows, she grabbed Julieta's head and used her face to mop the floor! How cruel.

Julieta reported to the police the next day and the couple was arrested. Good for them!

Yesterday, the verdict for the male employer was handed down: Henry Kwok Wai Keung, 42 years of age, was fined HK$5,000.00 and ordered to pay Julieta HK$3,000.00 as compensation. Henry admitted in court that he assaulted his maid.

No verdict yet for the "Japanese Empress", Wan Sau Yee, who asked her maid to kowtow to her a hundred times. The judge warned that she can be given penalty stiffer than her husband.

I can understand the anger the parents felt. Just imagine it was your child served undercooked food (think of salmonella infection, tummy ache, etc. that it may cause) and you may feel the same. However, the physical and mental punishment given was highly inappropriate.

It just proves to us that even in this modern age, some people still live in the Stone Age as shown by the way they deal with fellow men.

Nikon D300, D300s, D400 Trouble

2009-06-23T17:58:00.001+08:00

I've been waiting and waiting, but none has come so far. I've been holding on buying a D300 because a replacement might come soon. I know that the D300 is a very good camera and can last you another 5 years (maybe) but for such a big investment, I believe it is prudent to wait and see the "new" camera before buying a D300 if the improvements are not that good anyway.

If the improvement is only video capture, for example, I won't get the new cam. But having a new camera released will automatically mean a price drop for the D300. I'm thinking on this line and it keeps me from buying. I'm sure I'm not alone doing this. Reasons might differ, but I think mine is reasonable. And besides, my older trusty Nikon DSLR is still alive anyway. I'm sure it's going to be worth the wait.

When it finally comes, is it going to be the Nikon D300s or D400? I don't really care, it's just a name.

Still Using that Toilet Roll as Facial Tissue Paper?

2009-06-16T10:54:00.001+08:00

If you are, stop!

I first noticed that only Filipinos (as far as I know) use toilet rolls as facial tissue paper with impunity when I put a roll on my desk while working in the US. A concerned officemate asked me why it was there, and she said "eeewwww!" when I showed her it was for my mouth and nose. It was almost the same reaction when I told her I eat dog meat and it tastes so good...

Again, I digress.

Here in Hong Kong, another finding of the Consumer Council was that these tissue rolls contain bacteria and fungi!

Therefore if you're sensitive, you better stop using toiled rolls on all your sensitive parts! Best option still (when available) is good old soap and water. But then again, even bottled water's cleanliness is questionable. Gosh, what's happening to our world?

Boil Your Bottled Mineral Water Before Drinking

2009-06-15T16:40:00.001+08:00

It sounds weird, but that's just what the Hong Kong Consumer Council told Hong Kong people to do! How's that for an irony?

We buy these expensive bottled water because we believe they're clean and therefore safe for consumption. Now here comes this reminder? It's crazy!

The reasons are quite clear, eight out of four samples contain excessive levels of bacteria and fungi. What are we to do then? Maybe just drink straight from the tap and save money, after all, Hong Kong tap water was certified to be safe for consumption some time ago...

Why Kill?

2009-06-12T10:20:00.001+08:00

When a domestic helper kills her employer, one can just ask that question. Why kill? Why indeed?

Whatever the circumstances were, there's just no reason for taking a life. Unless of course somebody thinks that taking lives is justifiable, and when it does, it just shows you the mental problem this person has.

Yesterday, it happened here in Hong Kong. A 35 year-old Filipina domestic helper who has worked for the employer for a few months murdered her employer. There was a call for help at 5 a.m. (who's already awake at this very early time?). A guard came to the the employer's door, called the police, the police came, forced open the door with the help of firemen, and the gory scene was found. The employer dead in the living room (with hack wounds). The helper was found in her room, blooded, and with hand injuries.

The helper has spoken to fellow FDHs (Foreign Domestic Helper) in the building and told them of the difficult relationship she has with the employer who always was scolded by the victim. That she was very demanding.

Is that worth taking a life? Not at all. We might be able to find reasons for the murder, but it will never be justifiable.

Kaka and Ronaldo Together at Real Madrid!

2009-06-11T17:20:00.001+08:00

So who could have guessed it was going to happen? Now it's going to be reality. Real Madrid just splurged cash on two very talented players. Next would be hoping to turn this expense into wins and Real's return to glory.

Could it happen that Kaka and Ronaldo won't bring much to Real? Unbelievable isn't it? But stranger things have happened!

Prudential Educational Plan: To Cancel or Not?

2009-06-05T12:25:00.001+08:00

We got educational plans for our children. What made us choose Prudential was their track record within the family: parents bought plans, the children studied and graduated in college using the plans bought. We had no problems at all, until now. We fear that Prudential Educational Plans will fold and we will lose the money we used to buy the plans.

In my mind, the only way Prudential can survive this crisis is for them to be able to regain that license to sell new plans. New plan holders' money will definitely guarantee payment of benefits to old and fully paid plan holders. Having said that, it leaves a certain bad taste in the mouth because it appears that you're supporting some kind of a Ponzi scheme...

If we cancel or pre-terminate the plan, we will not be able to claim the full face value of the policy. We may just be able to get 70% as stated on the contract. 30% means a huge loss (e.g. 120,000 Pesos if you're holding a 400,000 Peso policy). On the other hand, if we don’t' terminate we might lose the whole amount. You have to decide for yourself, you just can't trust what Prudential employees tell you.

This is a difficult decision to make.

We were given these steps to follow if you want to pre-terminate your plan:
1. If you're the policy holder, you can go direct to Prudential's office in Makati (I think it's in Gamboa St.). If not, you can get a lawyer and draw an SPA (Special Power of Attorney) for somebody you can trust to do it for you. Prudential can give you a generic SPA. Complete in triplicate.

2. Bring your documents to prudential and apply to pre-terminate. Documents include the original copies of the policy, certificate of full payment, copies of 3 IDs with signature and picture. If not the policy holder, the SPA bearer must have copies of 3 IDs of the policy holder plus his own IDs.

3. During application of Pre-termination, a Prudential employee will compute in front of you how much you're "entitled" to withdraw. You need to be watchful here, read your contract well and know your rights. Prudential might use some kind of "computation" where the number of years you have paid will be less than what you believe. It is critical to how much percentage you're going to receive.

4. After application, Prudential will release the payment in about 6 weeks.

Con-Ass Juggernaut

2009-06-03T09:42:00.001+08:00

There's just no stopping the Con-Ass juggernaut in the House of Representatives. Whatever reason our congressmen have in passing the bill, they've succeeded in doing so no matter what others may say.

What it simply means is that if this bill becomes law, the Philippine constitution will be amended by Congress (composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives) which will be formed as a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass).

What can they change? Apparently, anything they like.

What is so dangerous with this power? For the administration allies, nothing. They actually believe it is for the good of the country right now. No need to wait for Arroyo to be out of office. On the other side of the political fence, what they fear is an amendment that will extend Gloria Arroyo's reign in power.

What can ordinary people do? Or do they care at all?

Shane Mosley is a Man!

2009-06-02T18:20:00.001+08:00

There's no question Shane Mosley is a man, a brave man. He has just agreed to fight Manny Pacquiao at a catch weight of 144 lbs. Compare that to the loud and boastful Floyd Mayweather Jr who is the spitting image of his father in the same qualities, and you can see that Shane doesn't run away from good fighters; and in addition, paints Mayweather as a loud mouthed coward of a fighter!

Hopefully this fight becomes reality as I'm sure it's going to be an awesome and exciting fight between two very fast and talented fighters. Pacquiao-Mosley 1!

If this fight materializes, I will bet on a bigger and good fighter again: Mosley.

Good News, Bad News

2009-05-27T11:12:00.001+08:00

The good news: Hong Kong taxpayers were gifted with an 8,000HK$ tax rebate for tax year 2008-2009. However, the government must still be projecting a bad/difficult few months ahead that it has to give back this much tax money. I'm not complaining, I'm actually quite thankful!

The bad news: a lady who contracted the swine flu virus interacted with a lot of people, including a rush hour train packed with commuters! Hopefully she did not infect any.

North Korea's Folly

2009-05-25T14:53:00.001+08:00

Launching inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBM), exploding nuclear bombs, cutting off talks, threatening to acts as act of war, are examples of ways North Korea and other rogue states to get their way like a child throwing a tantrum. Today, it was North Korea's underground nuclear detonation that was measured on the Richter's scale to be at intensity 4.7 that shook the world and South Korea's stock market.

This reclusive country is so rogue (doesn't want to play by the rules) it just goes through with whatever it wants to do whatever the consequence may be. Of course in their own minds (or minds of its leaders) the effect would be beneficial for the motherland. What are they expecting? More food aid and more attention probably.

It might also be a proof of capability. If North Korea wants to earn money by selling this technology to countries that have desires to be nuclear-capable, it has proven to buyers that it can deliver.

However, combining two-and-two together, the launch of an ICBM in early April and today's nuclear test gives North Korea the "ability" to deliver a nuclear warhead to as far as the US state of Alaska!

How much fear does it pose to its neighbors, and to its adversaries (like the US)? Apparently, not much. If North Korea poses such a threat as what Saddam Hussein painted of himself, then there will be another Korean war. It is not a good result for insisting to have this kind of technology claimed to deter aggression from enemies and make the country safe.

That's the folly of North Korea, they spend so much resource in developing this war/fight technology that might in the end cause their country to be destroyed or perish. While these things are happening, we can see too that ordinary North Koreans are the ones suffering. Stupid, lunatic, crazy. Maybe these adjectives describe both their actions, and their leaders.

Sex Sells: The Hayden Kho Scandal

2009-05-22T16:05:00.001+08:00

I'm sure video pirates already made a killing out of the Hayden Kho sleazy videos. It's been like that for a long time, sex sells. Just look at advertisements on TV, magazines, and billboards and you'll see beautiful men and women endorsing all sorts of goods. (Politicians pretending to sell goods are exceptions!).

Aside from the commercial side of things, another important question is: who posted the video files in the internet? There's no question that it was Hayden Kho who took them (he's definitely a pervert!). It appears that only him, Belo, and Kho's doctor friend surnamed Chua had access to these files.

Belo dumped Kho when she got saw the video clips. How was she able to get access to it/them? What did she do to the clips? Was she so mad at Kho that she had to shame him by letting the whole world see how perverted her "former" lover was (they seem to have reconciled)?

Chua was Kho's friend. Maybe Kho bragged about his conquests to him. If he did upload the files to the internet, what was the motivation? So many questions and no solid answers...

One thing we learn from this is to never do things like this even if it looks like fun! However, legally speaking, people who invade other people's privacy must be made to suffer, some kind of punishment must be meted out.

Ambassador to US, Sacked?

2009-05-21T16:36:00.001+08:00

Is it really true that Willy Gaa was sacked because he was unable to take a picture of Gloria Arroyo with Barack Obama? Wow!

If true, what does that tell of our envoys and what does that tell of Gloria Arroyo further? That's conduct unbecoming of a president! Shameless and petty, if you ask me.

Time to Repay TARP Funds

2009-05-19T16:20:00.001+08:00

Banks are now trying to quickly return the TARP funds they received from the US government. I guess it's now time to regain control of their businesses and get rid of the tentacles of big brother America.

When these banks are finally "independent" from government, they can go back to their merry ways of creating wealth for their .... officers!

Economic Spin

2009-05-13T12:06:00.001+08:00

There's no way to go but up! This happens of course when you hit bottom, like when you just lost your house, your car, clothes, and caja de hierro in a fire. You got nothing left, so there's no way to go but up. An optimist's thought.

The Philippines' export numbers dropped by about 31% in March, 8 percent lower/slower than in February, ergo exports must be recovering! A lot of crap to me, but perfectly sensible to a lot of people including some newspapers printing this nonsense.

I can't help but to compare this to Stephon Marbury in the NBA who hit bottom in his career (due to weirdness and other stuff) but helped the Boston Celtics top the Orlando Magic in game 5 of their Eastern Conference semi-finals duel! Yeah, there's no way but up for him too, but I digress.

Back to the economic spin of "exports drop bottoming out so it must be recovering", in economics there is what they call an L shaped recovery (compared to a U, V or even W). There's also the possibility of a long L! It's good to receive good news, but please, whoever is responsible in dishing out this kind of spin, be more believable will you?

American Banks Posts Profits! European Post Losses?

2009-05-07T16:30:00.001+08:00

In the past few weeks, American banks posted or reported impressive gains. Today, French bank Societe Generale reported a loss of nearly 2 billion euros because of new write downs and provisions. The underlying reason was that value of its real estate-linked assets in the US were further devaluated.

That underlying reason gives one pause and may attribute US based banks profits to a new accounting rule change which allows them to value their assets to whatever they want it to be! Well, it may not really be like that but, it definitely can be so! Sleight of hand number crunchers usually have in their bag of tricks.

Whatever the real reason is doesn't matter much as markets all throughout the world are racing upwards at blinding speed with flu or no flu at that! The great recession/depression talk now seems like distant memory.

Bear talk however warns one and all that bear market history has this kind of fluctuations. So if you're in the market or have re-entered the market, be on the lookout that you don't lose your shirt...

H1N1 in Hong Kong

2009-05-05T00:05:00.005+08:00

The "unlucky" hotel where the lone H1N1 infected person checked into

Some would think that how Hong Kong handles the lone infection in the territory is an overkill, but just like the World Health Organization (whose head incidentally is a Hong Kong native), Hong Kong believes that it's better to err on the side of caution.

The hotel where the guest checked into was quarantined, including all guests (and guests' visitors and travel agents) and staff. Most remained in the hotel, some chose to stay in a faraway quarantine location (a Hong Kong government guest house, used I believe by Hong Kong civil servants). What's interesting though is that some guests who checked into the hotel were able to give the Health Department and the police a slip, and they're nowhere to be found! These guests must think that they're better off where they are.

I can sympathize with those tourists "trapped" in the hotel. They came to Hong Kong to have a good time or some business, but they're now as "prisoners" inside the hotel having nothing to do but eat, sleep, watch TV, and maybe talk on the phone.

The government though has expressed the intention to reimburse what needs to be repaid and help those stuck in there to proceed or back to where they want to be when the 7-day quarantine expires. This is no replacement though to missed appointments, business, or good time these people have lost.

On the other hand, this is an extreme situation that needs extreme measures. I think that they just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. For what is the alternative? That they be allowed to do whatever they want to do as visitors? But what if they have been contaminated and spread the H1N1 virus to more people? Nah, I believe this was the right thing to do however unpalatable it is to those affected.

After checking the Hong Kong observatory site tonight, I saw that Manila might be in for an unpleasant typhoon on the 7th of May (night time)... The international code name of this typhoon is Chan-Hom and if forecasts were to become reality, it will hit Manila with more than 100km winds!

The Pacquiao Mystique

2009-05-04T15:37:00.001+08:00

He started his professional career at 106 pounds but he's fought the last 3 fights at 135, 147 and 140 respectively. For a yo-yo dieter and weight loss junkie, that's nothing, but in top-flight professional boxing its significance can be a matter of life and death.

Manny Pacquiao's last three fights were dream fights hundred of pugilists can only have in their dreams. Not only were they moneymakers, they too were very high in stature. They were the best boxers available at the given time. The mystique is that before each fight, the opponent was given the benefit of the doubt and great chances to beat if not annihilate Pacquiao. In De la Joya's case, Pacquiao was actually the underdog. However, in each fight the opponents were the ones made to look like amateurs.

Even after smashing victory over Hatton, the possible opponents in line once again appear to have great prospects of beating Manny Pacquiao! Take a look at Manuel Marquez, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley, or Miguel Cotto; they appear to be superior (with the exception of Marquez) because they're bigger and because they've also achieved a lot and made a name of their own in the sport.

That's the mystique, opponents believe they can beat Pacquiao but come fight time, Manny executes them! Could it be the same for the next opponent, whoever he is whenever it is going to be?

Pacquiao or Hatton?

2009-04-30T16:34:00.001+08:00

Bookmakers are definitely for Pacquiao as with the millions of Filipinos all over the world. English fans go for Hatton expectedly. Both are rugged fighters. Hatton is big and strong. Pacquaio is fast and carries a lethal punch too (while he was fighting in lower weight classes). So who's going to win?

As with the De La Joya fight, I will go with the bigger and good fighter: that is Hatton. My heart goes for Manny of course, but a good bigger fighter almost always beats a good but smaller boxer!

Of course I lost my bet with De La Joya, I'm hoping I'll lose my bet for Hatton too.

Surgical Mask Time Again?

2009-04-29T17:24:00.001+08:00

I see people wearing surgical masks in streets, buses, trains, and other areas: in Mexico that is! This swine flu pandemic is scaring people once again and bringing back bad memories of SARS. Hong Kong should have enough experience in handling the new threat and the new things learned during SARS' time will help Hong Kong people deal with it properly. Given all that, people are still buying lots(boxes) of surgical masks, flu meds and stuff.

Hong Kong is such a densely populated area that even the government isn't taking chances. Government officials know that once it's here, it's going to be very difficult to contain. So they're trying to prevent it from coming, makes sense to me.

Mockery of Justice

2009-04-24T11:08:00.001+08:00

In my heart I would like the Philippine justice system to work properly for the benefit of the nation and citizens. In my mind, I know it's not so.

The recent reversal of Smith's rape conviction against "Nicole" is a case in point.

I would really love to think that justice was done, and that Smith deserves his freedom. If that is so however, it means that so many errors were committed by people including "Nicole", the lawyers, the courts, the women's rights movement, and others who were instrumental in having Mr. Smith incarcerated. And that Mr. Smith was actually the one hassled and persecuted because he had some fun.

That's the reason why in my mind this was a sweetheart deal signed and sealed by the "higher-ups" in the detriment of the Philippine justice system. Why would an ordinary person like me bother to go to the courts if I can't expect to "win" against people in position?

There are many other reasons and cases (proven or not) that make people like me be disappointed with how things work in our society.

I believe that an orderly nation can be achieved by having a solid justice system. Unfortunately, I can't say that the Philippines has one.

Malunggay Rush

2009-04-09T11:31:00.002+08:00

Life must be really difficult in Manila. I caught these kids rushing over the fence to get some malunggay (moringa) and if lucky some mangoes...

Ways to avoid smelly feet.

2009-04-03T10:33:00.001+08:00

If your wife tells you you're out of the bedroom because your feet smells, what should you do? Go to the internet of course and look for the answer! Here's what I found:

Wash your feet with strong anti-bacterial soap.

Wear clean socks.

Don't wear the same shoes everyday - give used shoes at least 24 hours before wearing them again.

Wear well-ventilated shoes.

Always wear socks, made of cotton is best, or other absorbent materials that absorb sweat.

Change your socks a few times a day.

Buy absorbent Odor-Eater shoe inserts.

Apply an antiperspirant to your feet.

A Nation of Servants

2009-03-30T12:04:00.002+08:00

Another blogosphere storm is brewing against a Hong Kong writer named Chip Tsao. In his March 26, 2009 article entitled The War At Home, he called the Philippines a nation of servants.

I myself felt a certain twinge of pain in the gut when I read the write-up, but I have to temper that feeling a bit because it is a satirical piece. However, this piece was done in a very bad taste. I've read some, and I always get the message and the "funny" element of satire. Mr. Tsao's writing this time didn't feel like one of them. It’s just plain bad writing.

The online article has elicited a lot of "bad" comments as well and carried by national dailies back in Manila. I'm sure the storm this little piece has spawned will not die a slow and silent death.

An apology from Mr. Tsao is in order here.

Update:
The article has generated a lot of noise and controversy that it has since been pulled from the web site. I am posting it here:

The War At Home
March 27th, 2009

The Russians sank a Hong Kong freighter last month, killing the seven Chinese seamen on board. We can live with that—Lenin and Stalin were once the ideological mentors of all Chinese people. The Japanese planted a flag on Diàoyú Island. That’s no big problem—we Hong Kong Chinese love Japanese cartoons, Hello Kitty, and shopping in Shinjuku, let alone our round-the-clock obsession with karaoke.

But hold on—even the Filipinos? Manila has just claimed sovereignty over the scattered rocks in the South China Sea called the Spratly Islands, complete with a blatant threat from its congress to send gunboats to the South China Sea to defend the islands from China if necessary. This is beyond reproach. The reason: there are more than 130,000 Filipina maids working as $3,580-a-month cheap labor in Hong Kong. As a nation of servants, you don’t flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter.

As a patriotic Chinese man, the news has made my blood boil. I summoned Louisa, my domestic assistant who holds a degree in international politics from the University of Manila, hung a map on the wall, and gave her a harsh lecture. I sternly warned her that if she wants her wages increased next year, she had better tell every one of her compatriots in Statue Square on Sunday that the entirety of the Spratly Islands belongs to China.

Grimly, I told her that if war breaks out between the Philippines and China, I would have to end her employment and send her straight home, because I would not risk the crime of treason for sponsoring an enemy of the state by paying her to wash my toilet and clean my windows 16 hours a day. With that money, she would pay taxes to her government, and they would fund a navy to invade our motherland and deeply hurt my feelings.

Oh yes. The government of the Philippines would certainly be wrong if they think we Chinese are prepared to swallow their insult and sit back and lose a Falkland Islands War in the Far East. They may have Barack Obama and the hawkish American military behind them, but we have a hostage in each of our homes in the Mid-Levels or higher. Some of my friends told me they have already declared a state of emergency at home. Their maids have been made to shout “China, Madam/Sir” loudly whenever they hear the word “Spratly.” They say the indoctrination is working as wonderfully as when we used to shout, “Long live Chairman Mao!” at the sight of a portrait of our Great Leader during the Cultural Revolution. I’m not sure if that’s going a bit too far, at least for the time being.

Chip Tsao is a best-selling author and columnist. A former reporter for the BBC, his columns have also appeared in Apple Daily, Next Magazine and CUP Magazine, among others.

NCAA March Madness 2009

2009-03-28T09:33:00.001+08:00

It's that time of the year again! I'm enjoying the games as much as I can, you can too by going to http://mmod.ncaa.com/video. The games are free.

Anti-Gloria Mail

2009-03-27T11:29:00.001+08:00

I got this from my email box...I think that some people are giving more credit to Gloria and her ilk than they deserve.

To All Filipino Overseas Workers (OFWs):

The Financial Analyst of World Bank would like to inform each and every one of you that the present currency exchange rate of US Dollar to Peso is actually $1 = 52 pesos. Your government is manipulating the exchange rate for some years now. It is very much improbable and impossible that the Philippine Peso is appreciating compare to Euro, British Pound, Rials, and any other foreign currency. Even your ASEAN neighboring countries are suffering from the Global Crisis. Singapore, a developed country is affected by depreciation of their currency what more of your country?

We admire you for your hard work but we also pity you for having such a very corrupt government that is taking advantage of your hard earned money. The ARROYO ADMINISTRATION is blatantly milking each and every OFWs all over the world of billions of pesos for its own greedy, selfish ends. Investigations reveal that this milked money from OFWs will be spent to BRIBE not only PGMA's pet COCODILES in CONGRESS but some in the SENATE as well for her to PERPETUATE IN POWER BEYOND 2010. The rest would be deposited to the family's SECRET ACCOUNT in Switzerland.

Another money-making scheme is the LOTTERY DRAWS. Filipinos should be aware that all LOTTO DRAWS are orchestrated, and
big money goes to the two sons of the lady president. Recent example is the SUPER LOTTO 6/49 draw, where supposedly two individuals from Luzon won. Do you know WHO these individuals are? It's Mikey and Datu, who else? One might ask how could the draw be rigged when it is being televised in front of millions of viewers. The answer is simple. As you all know, all bet combinations are being entered into PCSO's main data base as it is on-line, therefore, it is easy to determine which combinations were NOT betted upon.

If they want to raise big money, no winners will be declared until the JACKPOT reaches sky-high because they could
dictate the outcome at will. When it's "HARVEST TIME", viola, there would be "winner or winners" and the process repeats all over again. One might ask how this is being done. One insider told our investigators that actually the "DRAWN BALLS", six balls to be exact, are the only set which could fit into the transparent tube which sucks the balls up. All others are slightly bigger than the diameter of the tube which could not be distinguished by the viewers, therefore, there's no way they could be drawn!

You Filipinos are being skinned alive, fried in your own fat and lard by your own government. Do you ever wonder why president-elect BARACK OBAMA, avoids your president like a stinking leper?

OFW Remittance Will Not Go Down Much

2009-03-26T14:46:00.001+08:00

The reason is that the Filipino OFWs' mentality when it comes to money is unique especially when it's about sending money to loved ones: money has to be sent come what may.

Remittance will not stop as long as a source is still available. Take the following:
1. Withdraw everything from bank account.
2. Cash advance from employer.
3. Take a loan from friends.
3. Take a loan from banks and other lending companies.
4. Pawn watches and jewelry.
5. Stop eating 3 times a day.

OFWs will combine two or more of these ways from time to time. Some would risk losing friends just so that the family back home will have their monthly allowance.

Remittance will only stop when the OFW is back home. Sad but true.

When Your Ward Dies

2009-03-25T10:57:00.001+08:00

You're a domestic helper in Hong Kong. Your young ward dies under your watch. What could be on your heart and mind?

A lot of things could be on our kababayan's (countryman) mind who is surnamed Oliveros because her alaga; Roche, a british toddler, died apparently due to accidental strangulation with a blind cord.

The accident happened in a huge yacht while Oliveros was in the kitchen cooking. The toddler showed signs of cord strangulation in his neck, and he was unfortunately not resuscitated by responding doctors who tried their best.

Accidents can play a terrible game on ones mind sometimes, and I just can imagine what could be on the parents' and helper's right now. I don't know them, but I do feel for them. I don't know how I'm going to feel if an accident like this happens to me, but I know it's tough losing a loved one.

Rude Outburst

2009-03-24T16:02:00.001+08:00

You don't know me? I want you fired! That's what Boyet Fajardo basically told employees of Duty Free Philippines. While he was at it, he made one cashier cry and kneel down in front of him!

Now, he's explained it as a "creative outburst"! What was the outcome of his creative outburst? Blogswarm against him and a petition to boycott his RTW (ready-to-wear) products.

Creative outburst usually creates something "creative", a work of art. The explanation therefore is just damage control. I think that Fajardo deserves the scorn he's reaping right now. I hope he learns his lesson and becomes a better person because of this.

Signs of Life In the Stock Markets

2009-03-23T16:50:00.001+08:00

After some really disappointing months in the stock markets, the past few trading days have been pleasantly surprising. Today's rally even more so.

The bulls of the market are back and firmly hoping that the start of something better has finally arrived. The bottom was reached and there's no way but up once again.

The bears are still sticking on their more negative read of the future. This is a bear bounce with nowhere to go but down.

Both sides are of course guessing, and one of them will ultimately be correct.

Today's bounce was due to the announced plan by the US government to finally handle the toxic assets held by US banking and other financial companies. The investors are counting on the series of moves to actually work. When they actually work, the markets all throughout the world are bound to bounce higher.

A very good question is what if they're not going to work? Then the bears' prediction of falls and more wealth destruction will come to be.

On which side are you?

Surprisingly, I'm on the middle ground. I've stuck to just being an ordinary employee living off with my monthly salary. I've divested myself from all market investment products (except CDs) and difficult to sell properties. This way, I don't experience the emotional turmoil brought about by the ups and downs of the markets! I now think that keeping life simple is the best way to go.

Many Pinoy Seamen Will Be out of Work

2009-03-18T18:09:00.001+08:00

Hopefully for a short period of time.

One can never know what problem in employment will come next, but news bits when culled and put side by side paints a rather gloomy picture. Japanese merchant ships might repatriate 40,000 Pinoy seamen. Look deeper and you will see that it's not only the Japanese who employ Filipinos. We have a good name when it comes to this line of work so our seamen are all over the world. World production of goods has gone down drastically, inventory of goods are so high, and producers have stopped production.

As an aside, this problem is so serious in Hong Kong's neighbor, Guangdong. The police have issued an alert because a lot of migrant workers - Chinese workers from the "provinces" - can't find jobs because a lot of factories have been shuttered and many more have slowed down production significantly as there are no orders from all over the world. The police said that crime is on the rise. A favorite trick of criminals (some of the migrant workers are turning to crime) is to use a van, snatch a victim, divest his valuables or force ATM access codes of them and empty out their accounts.

Going back to our maritime/sea based workers, many more will definitely be asked to "rest" for some time as there will be little to deliver. Our sea based OFWs pitch in a big percentage in the remittance revenue of our country. What the airlines will do next, which is to park their planes, confirms the slowdown in the delivery of goods and people. Everybody is affected, directly or indirectly.

The economic downturn, despite the rally in the stock markets around the world, has not ended yet. It is prudent for us to be careful, and wise with our finances. You never know if you'll be part of the 7.7% officially unemployed Pinoys soon.

Wowowee In the Senate?

2009-03-17T16:20:00.001+08:00

It's going to be very interesting if we will have Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, Edu Manzano and now Willie Revillame in the senate!

These guys have very high awareness among the masses, and recent surveys (which ones?) show that Edu and Willie are shoo-ins, if they so do desire to be senators of the land. Never mind that actors in the senate have really done nothing of consequence (many non-showbiz senators are the same, lol!) when they're seated.

I wonder what really compels this kind of people to seek elective offices. Well, they have the fame and glory achieved in the entertainment industry. Maybe they're seeking power too? I also wonder if Manny Pacquiao will become a senator if he runs for the senate. He's the most popular of them all today. He's got the cash too. It's a potent combination in Philippine politics.

I would never go and vote for any of these guys for I know that they won't be able to draft needed laws to alleviate Philippine conditions. I have seen how then senators Ramon Revilla senior and Lito Lapid graced the esteemed senate with their unfathomable silence (most of the time), I have seen how Jinggoy Estrada used his being senator to protect his family, and I have seen captain barbel flex his muscle in the same chamber. I didn't like it, so why vote for them?

Of course, I'm just one voter. Democracy allows the majority to select their officials and I would never go as far as the elites of Thailand would like to go. These people would like to select their own officials and override the choice of the majority. That's why if these showbiz people become senators, we deserve them. What we can do as a nation though is to increase the level of literacy and literally "intelligence" of all so that we can choose senators (and other elected officials) not just because they're popular. It's a long way, but I personally believe it's a very good road to take.

Times Are Bad

2009-03-10T16:34:00.001+08:00

Helping family members in times of need is necessary, the right thing to do, and painfully heavy sometimes. When it's monetary, it's heavy even if you earn in HK Dollar. It's heavier when the family member is living in a more expensive place to live like Canada or the US...

Witnesses Tagged Mike Arroyo - Zubiri

2009-02-26T14:41:00.001+08:00

According to senator Miguel Zubiri, some witnesses tagged Mr. Mike Arroyo as being part of the cartel that colluded to capture WB projects in the Philippines. These witnesses were interviewed by the World Bank during their investigations regarding bidding anomalies. The FG's name appeared in the preliminary reports of the WB, not in the final report.

So there it is, Mike Arroyo was really tagged by some witnesses.

Zubiri's spin was of course to protect his pal, Mike Arroyo. He's focusing on the "no proof" angle. How convenient. These guys are pros, they're quite good at covering their tracks. Since the ombudsman has had this report for a long time, the culprits must have already done what needs to be done!

Congressman Bolante?

2009-02-17T07:48:00.003+08:00

Wow, we're going to have a congressman named Jocjoc Bolante if he wins! I assume he's going to run in his home province, Capiz.

Here's an item at panaynewsphilippines.com:
JOKE-JOKE IS RUNNING
THREE (3) hours after the command conference presided over by Inday Judy, Joke-Joke Bolante also met his leaders and fellow alumni.

The venue was Villa Patria, just 50 meters away from where the grand and popular lady conferred with her “special squadron.”
More than 200 local leaders in the province met with Joke-Joke, who assured them that definitely he will run for congressman either in the First or Second District of the province.

In his brief speech, he recalled his experience in a US prison and how he was able to survive the agony of loneliness and other forms of destructive persecution.
The meeting was indeed very successful and “fruitful.”

Judging from the kind of leaders Joke-Joke has and the positive reaction of his friends and leaders, no amount of black propaganda would destroy his strong resolve to go to the House of Representatives next year.
Congrats in advance, Joke-Joke!
Say mo, Cong. Iggy?
Cong. Tony “dies-dies” laughing!

Me too, I'm laughing and crying at the same time!

Extended Holidays

2009-01-30T09:16:00.001+08:00

Financial tsunami or not, I'm on extended vacation! It feels good to be disconnected (from the internet that is) from the everyday hassles of living. The planned early retirement has gone out the window by the way...

What Change Was Obama Trumpeting?

2009-01-23T14:50:00.001+08:00

Three things so far:
1. Close Guantanamo Bay detention center.
2. Close "secret" CIA prisons abroad.
3. Outlawing (with announcement) torture.

Good questions would be:
1. What's next?
2. Will these changes bring good to America (and the world)?

Yes, change is good but not all change from bad to good. It can also be from bad to worst!

Negotiation 101: Pacquiao Vs. Hatton

2009-01-21T17:35:00.001+08:00

It started at 50:50, Pacquiao said he wants 60, Arum said no way...then 52:48, Pacquiao said 55-45 and it's a go. Arum said take it or leave it. Hatton said the same. Should Pacquiao leave it?

The difference is 3 percentage net points more for Pacquiao, a miniscule amount. The revenue pot is enormous. If the fight doesn't push through, all parties lose a lot.

What should Pacquiao choose? I say he should stick to his word: 55-45 or nothing. It's not the money now, it's prestige. A 50-50 split is an insult to Manny, a 55-45 split is respect for Hatton's drawing power. It's Hatton who wants to fight Manny more than the other way, his party should give in.

Manny should agree to any other fight with the percentage of the purse on his favor even if the amount is less. That's what I mean when I say it's about prestige and respect and not about money. Business wise it's not good, but who said it's all about business? It's about pride too.