THERE is nothing much for me to look forward to these days. Not that I will be committing harakiri anytime soon but, honestly, nothing really excites me at this time. Nada. Zilch. Zero.
Well, maybe, the upcoming Captain America: Civil War will be worth the wait, especially after that dreadful Batman v Superman movie.
Anyway, there are certain things that I love and if you have been following this column for awhile, you will know that I am into music, sports, food and a bit of travel. I also love listening and learning from people in the business and diplomatic community.
As for music, you know there have been an influx of bands and artists that have performed in the country recently. There have been a few that got me excited a bit like the Richard Marx concert at the Kia Theater, the Inner Circle and Big Mountain concert at the Mall of Asia open grounds, and that Tom Jones concert that was canceled at the last minute. I never bought tickets for them, by the way.
But the one thing that really sucks right now for me is that Duran Duran, in all likelihood, will not be including the Philippines in its current Paper Gods world tour. The last time they were here was in 2008 for the Red Carpet Massacre tour.
The millennials may never understand it, but before there was mass hysteria of Bieber or One Direction fans there was Duran Duran. Before Napster even came out, this band was the first to make its music available online, legally. They were the first to make big-budget videos and use sophisticated stage production for their concerts. They married fashion with their pop sensibilities and rock edginess.
Look, Coldplay and U2 are supposed to be coming to town soon, but I am not really excited at this time. And please do not get me started with Robin Thicke.
As for sports, well, the NBA playoffs is well under way, in what I can only describe as totally lopsided and predictable games. I am not planning to watch most of the games at this time. But then again that is just me being a Utah Jazz fan.
It has been four years already since this team was in the playoffs. I am not using the injuries of key players as an excuse for them, but what really broke my heart is how they cannot close out games. During the regular season, the Jazz lost 17 games by five points or less or in overtime. That was a 50-win team that never happened.
As for food and travel, they hurt my pocket as much they add more weight to my already overweight body. But in a couple of weeks, our family will be going on a budget road trip as a part of my delayed birthday celebration. I believe I have saved a bit for that and I also know that I owe them as much.
So, with days filled with the repetitive process of waking up, quick breakfast, go through traffic, work, budget lunch, budget dinner, go through traffic, and sleeping late, I am glad that finally we have another Mailbag in our hands. This should be hopefully fun.
Just like the first time, these are actual e-mails from those who have stumbled upon this column in one way or another.
• I know the NBA Western Conference finals will be between the Spurs and the Warriors. I also like the Raptors’ chances of making it to the Eastern Conference finals. But, right now, I doubt if the Cavs even make it that far.—Jake, Pasay City
Rodel: Well, let me see. The Cavs will most likely win its series against the Pistons. Then it will, in all probability, be Paul Millsap and the Atlanta Hawks, another team that historically, LeBron and the Cavs have handled with ease in the past. So I guess the path for the Cavs toward the Eastern Conference finals will be relatively easy despite the internal drama they are having.
In the Eastern Conference finals, they will be facing either the Raptors or the Heat. This is where the fun begins, especially if Miami can find a way to upset Toronto. I guess everyone remembers that his royal baldness ditched Cleveland and his hometown for Miami some years back. He won a couple of championships there. Then two years ago, he made his homecoming after getting blown away by the Spurs in the NBA finals.
With Pat Riley, to me, always looking and feeling like someone straight out of the Godfather movie, this will be payback time, and Miami will try to humiliate LeBron in any way it can.
But still, here is the thing for me. No matter who comes out of the East, and I believe there is a good chance it will be the Raptors, the Spurs will just steamroll its way to another championship.
• Michel Miloda is awaiting your response.—invitations@linkedin.com
Rodel: I really do not know how to go about this type of e-mails. There have been some that found themselves on my inbox, which I have been ignoring. They said Linkedin is where you get to meet people from other industries and it is a way to further your career. But, this is still part of the social media, right? And social media is still something I do not want to part of. I do not have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or whatever social-media platform is out there. Just like that old television commercial, I believe that a handshake is still better than a fax.
Anyway, I met Mr. Miloda some years back when he was vice president of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. We occasionally meet at some social functions and he remains very busy with several projects. Looking forward to seeing you again soon, sir.
• Good day! Please find attached Department of Tourism media release: “A Salute to Valor: Palawan Liberation.” Thank you.—Tess Esguerra, Media and Communications Service, Department of Tourism
Rodel: Tess and her group have been doing a wonderful job for the Department of Tourism. They work well with the media. Hats off to them.
As for this event, I remember when it was conceptualized last year by Rajah Travel Corp. President Aileen Clemente and her hardworking team. I believe this project will be replicated in places whose historical significance to the country has largely been forgotten.
Trust me, if there is one person from the private sector that is deeply devoted and committed to the development of Philippine tourism, it will be Aileen. Everything that she does, she has nothing but the best interest of the country’s tourism in mind. I just cannot help but admire and respect her for it.
• This is Meg Chen from TVBS TV network. Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines (Teco) introduced you to us and we are very appreciative that you are willing to offer your precious opinions and analysis. The outline of the questions, please see the attachment. Thank you.
Rodel: Yup, that was my first television interview. Trust me, it was not easy. Well, I thought it was, until the camera was suddenly pointed in my direction. I know I got scared. I stammered, choked a bit, and probably forgot to construct proper sentences at some point. But I got out of it alive. If it does not kill you, it will only make you better.
Thank you very much Meg for the opportunity. I am looking forward to seeing you and Mr. Lee again very soon. Thank you very much to all the people at Teco. You are all positively building a bridge between Taiwan and the Philippines.
• What if when people die, they would wake up to the time when they had to make the most crucial decision during their previous life?—Ely, Caloocan City
Rodel: Wow. This is a tough one. I guess it is about correcting mistakes of the past. We are all haunted by our past in some ways, and there are times when we question ourselves over certain actions or decisions we made. I could easily reference Sinatra’s “My Way” here but I would rather go with Mike & The Mechanics’s “The Living Years.”
“So don’t yield to the fortunes you sometimes see as fate. It may have a new perspective on a different date. And if you don’t give up, and don’t give in, you may just be ok.”
• Rodel, great news!!! We started to promote the book. We will be launching it in two months. Kind regards, Mike
Rodel: Mike Grogan is Irish. I met him last year. He has been featured in this section in the past. Mike has embraced everything about our country and way of life. Honestly, I think he is more Filipino now than a lot of us. And I am glad that his book about us, Filipinos, is on its way out. I believed him when he told me that it will be inspiring. The title of his book is The Rise of the Pinoy: 7 Powerful Lessons from World Class Filipinos. Congratulations, Mike.
• Dear Mr. Alzona, Great story. Great writing. Great heart. Great column. Thanks. Glad to be sharing the pages of BizMir with you. Best regards, John Mangun.
Rodel: I know this is cheating a bit because this e-mail was sent to me by Mr. Mangun late last year. But, you know what? It continues to inspire me to do the work that we do the right way. Thank you very much again, sir.
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For comments, suggestions and reactions, I can be reached at raalzona@yahoo.com.
Image credits: Niggel Hernandez Figueroa