When A Legend Dies

The death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna with seven others in a plane crash in Calabasas, California has shaken the world of sports, including Filipino fans of the legend. All nine people who died in the crash were on their way to Mamba Sports Academy to attend his daughter’s basketball game. It is said that the helicopter flew under conditions of intense fog. The humility of the late legend has found a place in the hearts of many that they feel his death as a loss of a member of the family. He is said to have lived a life of great charity and generosity for others, aside from being the only NBA star to stay in one team for a span of twenty years.

As we write this column, we are glad to note that as per broadcast and print media reports the fury of Taal volcano has subsided and ash flow has waned, which according to volcanologists are signs that eruption would eventually cease. It appears however, that many residents would not be able to return and continue to live in their former residential houses due to their destruction by ash flow, although video reports showed some residents who are trying to recoup whatever remains of their residences. Parenthetically, radio reports in Naga City has assured its residents, including those of Naga’s environs, that the Isarog volcano’s possibility of eruption is far-fetched, as it has already been dormant for more than four decades.

On the national scene, reports are that President Rodrigo R. Duterte is trying to distance away from the United States by prohibiting his cabinet members in going to the United States. At the same time, he has cancelled the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the US and the Philippines. It would appear that the action of the President is an off-shoot of the cancellation of Senator Ronald dela Rosa’s US Visa. Some observers however, expressed some doubts over the legality and effectiveness of the President’s order, considering that the US Visiting Forces Agreement amounts to a treaty between the two countries and therefore cannot be unilaterally scrapped. In the meantime, usual joint exercises between US forces and the AFP would have to stay in the back burner.

Lastly, we wish to commend the Legacion administration for declaring Sta. Cruz as the new development area of the city, and the ground breaking of the new City Health Office II in the site. This is an expression of the administration’s continuing commitment to provide health care services to the community, especially the poor who cannot afford health care.

TRIVIA: Greetings to my AdeNU high school ‘54 batch mate Jose “Peping” Favinir who will be celebrating his 85th birthday anniversary this coming Sunday February 2, with a fellowship dinner at the Champagne Garden.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: “HEROES GET REMEMBERED, LEGENDS NEVER DIE.” BABE RUTH

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE: “THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER FADES BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD SHALL STAND FOREVER.” ISAIAH 40:8