Wonder of wonders

The United Nations Body for Culture blasted the declaration by a private foundation of the "New" Seven Wonders of the World. I am inclined to agree with the representative of the group who reportedly "scored" the replacement of the choices that have reigned since the year 200 B.C. Furthermore, if the ones who voted for the new wonders were really credible, they should have included one wonder from this country, and that is the way our elections are held, and how results are arrived at.

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I really do not believe they should have attempted to replace the existing Seven Wonders, Why didn't thy just add to them, if they truly consider these new ones so wonderful? For one, they did not even pick the Cambodian wonder that is the magnificent Angkor Wat. When we were in high school, our history teacher told us that the rice terraces of Banaue should be among those wonders. And if we are to look for more modern wonders, I will promptly nominate computers. Not only are they wonderful, they have also revolutionized communication and so many other functions.

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She is not from Missouri, the American State where people are known for demanding "Show me", but Margharita Boniver, the representative from Italy sent here to help solve the problem involving Fr. Giancalor Bossi's kidnapping in Mindanao, has shown that she is no patsy. Presented with the picture of Father Bossi, allegedly as proof that he is still alive, the lady sleuth declared that it would take more than that to convince them. Isn't it strange? We have two ongoing cases of abductions and in one, we are asking for proof of life, and in the other, at least proof of death.

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Meanwhile, it is beginning to look as if motorcycles are turning out to be vehicles of death, with fatalities in accidents involving them being reported almost everyday. The latest caused the death of a couple, husband and wife, who were riding in tandem when they were hit by a pick-up truck. I guess the law of averages is a factor. With so many of them on the road, chances of accidents also increase. Yesterday, at about 5:20 p.m., we counted 24 motorycles as we drove for two blocks, from Rosario and Lacson Streets corner to Lacson and Lizares Avenue. And most of them were speeding, even overtaking us and all the other vehicles on the road. Only one driver wore a helmet, his two backriders had their heads bare. Are the accidents until a wonder?

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Then there are also the ubiquitous trisikads that still feel they have divine right to prowl or creep along the major streets of the city. Often you wonder why traffic is going so slowly, until you find out that a trisikad is taking its time in leading all other vehicles on the same lane. Oh, and another factor that hampers the flow of traffic are pedestrians who, until now, still do not understand the message of traffic lights. This is true, especially in areas near schools, where students just saunter across the street even when the light is green. We appeal to school officials and teachers to please, take some time to teach your students how to interpret traffic lights - like RED for STOP, and GREEN for GO. And Green, by the way, does not mean that pedestrians are the ones who will GO.

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Two Filipino boxers made hay on the same day when Florante Condes wrested the mini flyweight championship of the International Boxing Federation from Muhammad Rachmar in Indonesia. In Bridgeport, Connecticut, Nonito Domaire knocked out IBF flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan on the fifth round. Darchinyan is supposed to be an undefeated fighter, winning all his 28 bouts - until he met Donaire. Condes is from Romblon, while Donaire, who now lives in the U.S. comes from General Santos, now known as Manny Pacquiao country.

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I read a report recently saying that Martin Nievera will be the one to sing the Philippine National Anthem during the next bout of Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas against Marco Antonio Barrera. I hope somebody will tell Martin to sing it the proper way, and, if possible to look at the composition so he can sing it the way its composer intended. Martin was reported as saying that he is thrilled and honored to be asked because he has always been a Pacquiao fan. By the way, when Senator Bong Revilla heard that Mayor Bing had again been asked by Pacquiao to hold his championship belt at the affair, he asked if he could be there and hold the other end, too. Nobody told him that there are some people here who say it is demeaning to do that.*

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