ONE LAZY afternoon, I sat by our store, watching people pass by. I have always been amused with seeing people wear different faces and walk toward different directions at their own pace. To me, they are like characters in a movie, where each of them is the protagonist of his own story.

And the story that unfolded before me that afternoon was of the blind fiddler. They looked like beggars as they moved from one house to another. But I didn’t see them as such. To me, they are musicians. They are using their talent to make a living, just like anyone among us–only, they didn’t have better opportunities in their youth to enhance and showcase their gift. If they had, they should have been in a better situation now.

NO LESS than a World Boxing Champion is representing the province of Sarangani in the Lower House when the next session begins.

With a wide margin of over 11, 000 votes and getting the trust of about two-thirds of the voting population, Emmanuel “Manny/Pacman” Pacquiao knocked out the champion of a 17-year dynasty, Roy Chiongbian.

It took the COMELEC three days after the election before finally proclaiming the new set of provincial government officials due to delays in the transmission of election returns.

VICTORIOUS: (From L-R) Gov. Migz Dominguez, Cong. Manny Pacquaio, Election Officer Atty. Michael Abas, and V-Gov. Steve Solon

THE PEOPLE have spoken.

Following are the Final Official Results of the Local Election in Alabel, Sarangani Province:

Mayor

Re-electionist Corazon Grafilo of People’s Champ Movement won by a margin of 831 votes. It had been a close fight with Ronnel Español of Lakas, who the led the poll for a number of times during the canvassing, leaving the watchers gasping for breath.

Vice Mayor

It’s almost a 60-40 share in favor of PCM’s Vic Paul Salarda in the Mayoralty race, beating then Mayor Hernando Sibugan of Lakas..

Councilors

IT’S MOTHERS’ Day today. But it’s no different from the other 364 days of the year. Well, at least for me. It is because from the moment I realize how great my mom is, I’ve made it a point that each day is her day.

You wanna know how great my Nanay is? There are thousands of proofs but let me give you just five.

1. She didn’t think 14 is a large number; not even if we are talking about children to bear and to take care of. If she stopped giving birth after her 13th child, you wouldn’t be reading this blog. Could I thank her more that?

IN THE last two years, I barely had enough time for introspection. I have been occupied with so many things that I did not notice my emotional and spiritual hunger.

My time had been spent on adjusting to my job and adjusting to life at home. I’ve been away from home since 2003 and it had been quite stressful to be living in a new environment at home.

I had a difficult time facing up to the new challenges. I’ve been living outside my comfort zone for most of the time and I am always treading new grounds. The responsibilities are greater and failing is never an option.

LAST NIGHT, I was trying to figure out what went wrong with my life. I seems like entropy is working at an increased rate and I am now wallowing in a huge mess.

But I couldn’t figure it out. What I came up with instead is a list of things I hate about growing up and grown ups. My inability to fit in is what I think caused all this mess.

Four Things I Hate About the Grown Ups’ World:

HE SAYS I should be part of Introvoys. No, it is not because I can sing well. Definitely not. It is because when he asks me to sing, I only sing the first few lines of the song and he would always prod me finish it.

My conversations with Ken on the phone does not only keep me sane. They also make me realize some of life’s little lessons.

One recent insight I got from him is about beginnings.

Yeah, I am man of beginnings. I am always enthused with starting new things, trying out something new and something different.