Dressing the part
PRESIDENT-elect Rodrigo Duterte gave an ultimatum to three PNP generals to step down now and avail of their retirement benefits before he takes over on June 30.
During our periodic test, our chemistry professor Dr. Salvador Balalta called out “I saw someone cheating. If he doesn’t come clean, he will get an automatic 5 (fail) this semester.”
Before the end of the day, Gary Lising approached the professor, meek and humble, to excuse his desperate attempt and to surrender his codigo. “OK, Gary, but don’t do it again. I will just give you a “4” this time… By the way, you are the 4th person from class to come forward…”
Gary now wonders how many PNP generals will retire before June 30th?
DRESSING THE PART. President Ramon “The Guy” Magsaysay introduced the barong tagalog to Malacañang. Ferdinand Marcos adapted the jusi shirt-jac. Cigar-chomping Fidel Ramos wore his barong long sleeves with both cuffs turned up to demonstrate a working president.
But Duterte Harry chaffs at the collar and would wear a barong only “pang burol.” Moreover, Digong’s history lessons remember the barong as the shirt Indios were forced to wear — shirt tails sticking out (to distinguish natives from the peninsulares), no pockets (so they cannot steal), and of translucent fabric (so they cannot conceal weapons).
Thanks to Chard Pultache and Ronnie Adaza, who are credited with Duterte famous checks, SM malls overflow with checkered shirts in all sizes and patterns. The last time this was popular was when Gene Autry sang “Ghost riders in the sky” in the black-and-white cowboy flick of the same title.
To the rescue, Manila Bulletin came out last Monday with a beautiful timely article with illustrated sketches by talented couturiers offering barong tagalog designs for Duterte Harry to wear at his inauguration: Cora de Jesus Manimbo (tricolors of our flag); James Reyes (no exception to jusi for formal, fuss-free linen for casual); Cary Santiago (open front, natural cotton fabric); Delby Bragal (golden eagle embroidery); Dennis Lustico (geometric pattern, voile); Eric Pineda (dyed cotton in muted colors suggesting Yakan
UNSOLICITED ADVICE. If Duterte won’t really give up his signature checkered shirts, why not just upgrade to Burberry checks, with the President’s logo embroidered? (He may even earn endorsement payola from the British brand.) Maybe in shirt-jac? Optional gear to match: Corduroy trousers, Timberland hiking shoes.
TRIVIA ON ‘THE GREATEST’. We mourn the passing away of Muhammad Ali for whom the final bell rang 33 years after a bout with Parkinson’s.
The world got a taste of Ali in splendid form with both his fists and his mouth. When a member of the commission in charge of the gloves the fighters would wear told Ali they would be held in a prison for safekeeping before the fight. “My gloves are going to jail?” shouted a wide-eyed Ali. “They ain’t done nothing yet!”
When Pacman was just a glint in his father’s eye, Ali was a legend in his time — a record of 56-5 with 37 knockouts… won heavyweight title three times… won and defended the heavyweight championship in epic fights in exotic locations… spoke loudly on behalf of blacks… and famously refused to be drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War because of his Muslim beliefs. His last act of defiance was in December when he rebuked US presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s call for a ban on Muslims entering the United States.
The ailing Ali grew larger than life at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and again carrying the Olympic flag at the 2012 London Olympics.
He fought in three decades, whipped the fearsome Sonny Liston twice, toppled the mighty George Foreman with the rope-a-dope in Zaire, and nearly fought to the death with Joe Frazier in the Philippines.
When Ali introduced his mistress to Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, his wife back in Chicago Belinda Khalilah Ali Boyd saw the introduction on TV and flew posthaste to Manila to confront his indiscretion. Ali said the “Thrilla in Manila” was “closest to death.” Dunno if by that he meant his fight with Frazier last night or the hell hath known no fury of his wife Khalida. FEEDBACK: