I BROWSED the files from my old cellphone’s memory card the other night and had great fun reminiscing memories that each photo brings back. It’s a wonder how happy memories make you teary-eyed, while sad ones elicit a smile.

I had a good laugh after realizing what these three pictures have in common:

Same Face

Sir Nerpy is very like Kaiser and vice versa. They are alike in many ways that students can’t help but notice. Looking and dressing alike is one amusing fact. Kaiser’s impersonation of Sir Nerpy is icing on the cake. Seeing them together in almost the same shirt color and wearing a mailman’s bag in a similar fashion is worth taking a pic.

WHEN I bought my Honda XRM-125 last year, I was told that it would be a hot item for carjackers on the road. I did not feel fear then. With the ubiquity of motorcycles on the road, I did not think I would get noticed by these bad elements. When the news broke last week, however, I started to fear for my own life.

Photo Courtesy of Rencalago.com

Last week, a habal-habal (motrcycle-for-hire) driver from my hometown was reportedly killed by an unidentified man, who also stole the driver’s vehicle. When I heard about it, it was already the third case of the same crime that took place in a span of just one week. The crime was carried out in the outskirts of my hometown.

I HAVE always loved going places, but I have always believed, too, that traveling is synonymous with spending. An out-of-town holiday then remains an elusive dream for me.

If there’s one person whose travels make me envious, it’s Enrico Dee of Byahilo.com who gets to travel from one tourist destination to another.

SoCCSKSarGen bloggers got the chance to meet him in an event called Byahe Na! A Fireside Forum with Professional Travel Bloggers presented by GenSantos Online Magazine and GandaEverSoMuch.com at Little Dubai Kebab Grills last Wednesday night.

Photo Courtesy of Hector Miñoza

CONGRESSMAN EMMANUEL Pacquiao has been sworn into office as Representative of the Lone District of Sarangani to the Congress this morning at the Provincial Capitol Park, Alabel, Sarangani Province during the Inauguration Program officiated by Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.

According to reports Pacquiao personally requested Judge Jaime Y. Infante to be the inducting officer, so the latter assisted Justice Carpio during Pacquiao’s oath taking.

Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez also took his oath for his last term as the province’s governor.

In his speech, he highlighted how Sarangani has improved from being the fourth poorest province in 2004 to being the 14th after his two terms as governor.

THE SUMMER break is about to end. I have almost given up on my hope that this year’s break could match the fun I had last year. But moments with fellow bloggers in Southern Mindanao have spiced up my would-have-been boring summer. And yes, just before the rainy season begins, my fellow bloggers in SoCCSKSarGen, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro will make sure that, again, I could say I had one great summer this year.

Tomorrow ( er, that’s later today I forgot it’s a few minutes after midnight already) at 8PM, bloggers will converge at Piyesta KTV Bar in Robinson’s Place GenSan for the SoCCSKSarGen Grand Eyeball. Here’s the poster designed by Rabsky:

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