Big news is simply unending.
That is just my view, but am confident the truism is shared by many.
Anything and everything about “The Dream Match” of Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao is news.
Boxing aficionados around the world keenly await fight day, December 6, 2008, at MGM Grand Garden Arena n Las Vegas, the hotel and casino capital of the world.
We are talking here of “minimum”. Minimum millions!!!
Note that “Golden Boy” De La Hoya will take home a minimum of $15 million after fight night, whether he emerges victorious or vanquished.
The “Pacman”—the Philippines’ very own—is guaranteed a minimum of $10 million after the bout, also win or lose.
The stacks of cash are green money, man. Dollars, in short. For a welterweight, non-title clash that may be about two hours if the encounter lasts the distance (12 rounds).
In America, boxers in a world title fight do not only take the money as per contract. They also earn a hefty check from their share in the pay-per-view cable telecast. PPV [pay-per-view] subscription is $54.95 per. Admission ticket is in the hundreds, thousands, of dollars.
Both have a game plan, a lot of it a secret.
Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach says Pacquiao will knock out De La Hoya in the ninth round.
De La Hoya, multi-world titlist like Pacquiao, is not saying much, but he is as tough as a ring battler as ever and, surely, also has secret strategy that only he and his trainer and manager know.
My Tribune U.S.A. colleagues in America are officially media-credentialed for the fight and will feed “My View” the special highlights and sidelights.
Covering for Tribune U.S.A. are Editor-in-Chief Max Gelera Alvarez and Metro Manila Bureau Chief Ric L. Cobankiat.
Stay tuned.
President-elect Barack Obama assumes duties as the 44th President of America after his inauguration in Washington, D.C., on January 20, 2009.
I spent most of my time, during my second (and recent) U.S. tour, in Virginia and Maryland, near Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, the seat of the American federal government.
We will be seeing Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden take over from the present leadership after a long and contentious campaign, the most intensive, and the most expensive in the 232-year history of America.
Filipino-Americans in big numbers supported Obama.
In Manila, leaders are pleased to hear that the incoming President will pay special attention to Southeast Asia and is determined to broaden the arena of Philippine-U.S. relations.
Obama also has said he will focus greater attention, and action, on the plight of Filipino World War II veterans who have been waging a battle for overdue benefits, in advocacies at the U.S. Congress.
Defeated Sen. John McCain is meanwhile back at his Senate seat.
His running-mate, Sarah Palin, is back in Alaska to resume her duties as the state’s governor.
Ashbugs of Barangays As-is and Balayong [Bauan, Batangas] celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2011.
I visited my birthplace (Barangay As-is) recently to attend the organization’s meeting, presided over by Chairman Romy “Gimo” Robles, and backstopped by members, who were kids when they grouped together to form Ashbugs. In a pivotal role, of course, was Atty. Federico “Eddie” Manalo, a founding member. The meeting venue was the home of another charter member, Elmar Ma. Alvarez, of the Southern Luzon Bureau of Tribune USA.
Years evolve, so what were once young minds are now mature, adult minds.
Age, anyway, is a matter of attitude and disposition.
Joke and punning aside, age does not matter, because matter does not age.
Of course, that’s only my view!!!
