Why is Borgy so bellicose?

E tu, Erap? Former President Joseph Estrada is nagging the Sandiganbayan to let him out of detention again so he can have his health checked up at a hospital. His doctors have enumerated possible maladies that he may be suffering from, but perhaps Erap only fears that he, too, might be suffering from a similar ailment as the presidential spouse who is still under close observation at the St. Luke's Hospital.

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One can't blame Erap, for sure, he does not want to get that sick or even to leave this valley of tears without first clearing his name. He must realize that he, like first gentleman Mike Arroyo, is also "a bit" overweight and could be a candidate for a similar condition. And well he might be, but for the fact that he is now under detention and cannot indulge himself as much as he used to during his days in the movies, or even in the presidency. At the resort in distant Santa Rosa, he probably has few occasions to hold binges and therefore has started to even look healthy.

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Well, there's another reason why the former president wants to come to town for a while. He will be marking his 70th birthday on April 19, and who wants to celebrate in a place so far away? So both he and President Arroyo are April's children. But they were born ten years apart, since GMA turned 60 on April 5, while Erap will already be 70, and if he takes care of himself, may even go farther, since his mother is now almost 102, and this could run in the family.

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What's the matter with Imee Marcos' son, Borgy Manotoc? Why does he get into so many violent situations? I recall that he also got into a fight in Boracay once and, lately, in Manila where he reportedly bashed a man who irked him on his recent birthday. What's eating this fellow? Are his shenanigans the reason why his mommy is quitting politics. He must be the favorite of his mamma or his doting grandma, Imelda.

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In the U.S., meanwhile, science has finally solved the puzzle over the paternity of the baby daughter of model and playboy personality Anna Nicole Smith. There used to be a problem determining who is the real father of Dannielyn Smith, whose mother died mysteriously a few months ago.

Three men were claiming to be her daddy, at least three had come forward: a photographer, Anna Nicole's live-in partner, and the husband of an aging actress. Well, the other day, laboratory results showing it was the photographer, came out and poor Howard Stern, who had his name in her birth certificate and actually had custody of the child, had to give up. Somehow, Stern looks like a better parent than Birkhead, but the DNA testing made it very, very clear. The triumphant Birkhead will get Dannielyn, and what fortune she will inherit from her mother.

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The sports pages are now spilling over with stories about the coming fight of our boxing idol, Manny Pacquiao, and Jorge Silos of Mexico. Silos is said to be coming with a vengeance because he wants to redeem the prestige of Mexican boxers. Both boxers have been giving out challenging statements to each other and the excitement is mounting. Reports say that Pinoys in the U.S., especially those living in Texas, have been zooming towards the Alamodone in Houston for the event they have called the "Blaze of Glory". Well, let's see whose blaze will be extinguished before the weekend is over.

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My friends in Manila have already asked around as to where the best place to watch the encounter would be. In Bacolod City the last time, several places made available for the showing of the Pacquiao-Morales fight and there may again be some this Sunday, even if many have since been disenchanted with the Pacman for going into politics. Well, I have heard many people say that they wish he will win against, the braggart Silos, but that he will lose in General Santos.

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A Filipino doctor, said to be one of the best in the United States, has been called home to look into the case of first gentleman Mike Arroyo. We are proud that we have Pinoys who have excelled like Dr. Alexander Yap, but he again reminds us that probably the costliest brain drain hitting us, is that of medical doctors leaving our country.*

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