State of what is happening locally

“A superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.”

—Confucius

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WHAT most Ilonggos wanted to hear after the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28 would be the SOPA (State of the Province Address), SOCA (State of the City Address), SOMA (State of the Municipality Address), and even State of the Barangay Address (SOBA).

In the first place, are there also such aforementioned alphabet speeches by local executives other than President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s  SONA? The answer is a big yes.

These speeches by the local chief executives actually have direct impact on the lives of Iloilo folks and are not difficult to decipher.

There were instances when local chief executives have found it more comfortable and practical to communicate with their constituents in this manner rather than dish out paid propaganda rigmaroles.

These localized executive speeches are also attractive and doable in many aspects since they are precipitated with frankness and variation; it’s easy to hold the local chief executives—governors, mayors, punong barangay (village chiefs)—accountable without going after the empty promises they made during the campaign period.

 

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What they deliver, plan, and promise in the SOPA, SOCA, SOMA, SOBA can be considered as the total assessment of their performances and competence while in office.

Promises they made during the election campaign can be rescripted, copyedited and forgotten, but not during this special edition of a frontal conversation with their constituents, which can be italicized and crosshatched.

Unlike the President’s SONA that is required by the 1987 Constitution, SOPA, SOCA, SOMA, SOBA speeches are not mandated by law but are delivered usually as a matter of practice or tradition.

On a national scale, SONA, normally given every fourth Monday of July at the Plenary Session Hall of the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, has always been much anticipated, scrutinized and even vilified. It depends on who gives the grade.

Vituperation for the President’s critics and praises to high heavens for the President’s loyal supporters and admirers.

The opposition normally has its own version of the speech delivered after the SONA.

 

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The social and mainstream media, including the news websites, have been burning hot with President Marcos Jr.’s SONA before and after.

Supporters and critics have lined up the things the president should have done in the past years—and the things he has to (and should) do in the coming years.

Local chief executives give their own addresses modeled after the SONA.

The Philippine Independent Church, a Christian denomination formed in the wake of the Philippine Revolution in the spirit of a national church, has also made a practice of releasing an annual "State of the Church" Address coming from the Supreme Bishop or Obispo Maximo.

When guests, spouses, and the female legislators themselves dressed like queens and Hollywoods stars, the “state” addresses were also subjected to intense criticism by various sectors.

If the “state” addresses tilted into being ostentatious and flashy with politicians and media personalities treating the occasion as a red-carpet fashion show, negative opinions flooded both the mainstream and social media.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

Was it really a reciprocal deal?

“As history has repeatedly proven, one trade tariff begets another, then another - until you've got a full-blown trade war. No one ever wins, and consumers always get screwed.:

—Mark McKinnon

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE’RE not mathematicians, but did the Philippines really get a fair deal when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “agreed” with U.S. President Donald Trump in a visit to the White House July 22 for the Philippines to pay a 19 percent tariff while the Philippines will lift all tariffs on imported U.S. goods?

We thought the meaning of a word “reciprocal” is mutual action or relationship? And reciprocity is the give-and-take that defines any healthy relationship?

Come to think of it. The 19 percent tariff rate was just shy of the 20 percent tariff rate the Trump administration was set to impose on the Philippines prior to the White House meeting.

And it's also higher than the so-called “reciprocal tariff” of 17 percent on Philippine imports the administration announced in April.

In his Truth Social post, Mr. Trump said: "It was a beautiful visit, and we concluded our Trade Deal, whereby The Philippines is going OPEN MARKET with the United States, and ZERO Tariffs.”

He added: "The Philippines will pay a 19% Tariff. In addition, we will work together Militarily. It was a Great Honor to be with the President. He is Highly Respected in his Country, as he should be. He is also a very good, and tough, negotiator. We extend our warmest regards to the wonderful people of The Philippines!"

 

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President Marcos Jr. is the first head of state from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to visit the White House during Trump’s second term. Trump sent a letter to Marcos announcing a 20 percent tariff on goods imported from the Philippines—a hike from the 17 percent announced earlier in April.

Again, we are asking, where is the reciprocity in the US-Philippines tariff deal?

According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, in 2024, the U.S. goods trade deficit with the Philippines was $4.9 billion − a 21.8 percent increase from 2023.

Top U.S. exports to the Philippines include agricultural goods, machinery, cereals and materials for semiconductor and transport equipment manufacturing

The reciprocal "Liberation Day" tariffs were first announced on April 2 and temporarily reduced to 10 percent a week later.

In his Oval Office meeting, Mr. Trump said the U.S. and the Philippines were "very close" to reaching a deal, calling Marcos a tough negotiator.

"We're very close to finishing a trade deal, big trade deal," Mr. Trump said, seated alongside Marcos. "And we do a lot of business with you, so a lot of income coming in for both groups."

 

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Because of the 12-round majority draw Manny Pacquiao was able to eke out in his April 19 tussle against WBC 147-lb king Mario Barrios, the Filipino part time politician is now singing a totally different tune: goodbye politics.

As we have predicted, Pacquiao will now continue fighting indefinitely despite his age. His performance against Barrios has motivated him that “age didn’t matter” and this is where real danger beckons.

As long as he can punch, jog, bob and weave there’s no way he will quit from prizefighting.

If he is given another chance to fight for the world title—a rematch with Barrios or in other alphabet world boxing organizations such as WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO, WBF, etcetera—Pacquiao will never say no; it will be a never-say-die attitude.

We continue to fear for his safety as medical science shows it is not safe anymore for any athlete in contact sports to be active after 40.

A retirement should have been in his radar a long time ago—when he was 36 years old, at least.

(The author, who is now based n New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

Draw means Pacquiao to continue fighting until he is 64

“Give me your answer, fill in a form, Mine forevermore. Will you still need me, will you still feed me, When I'm sixty four?”

—The Beatles

By Alex P. Vidal

 

NOW that they have given him reason to continue chasing for that elusive WBC belt with a 115-113, 114-114, 114-114 majority draw after 12 rounds against champion Mario Barrios (29-2-1,18 KOs) July 19 in Las Vegas, we expect Manny Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs) to continue fighting probably until he is 64 years old.

Battered but unbowed, Pacquiao agreed to face Barrios in a rematch or shoot for another title probably in another alphabet world boxing governing body.

Despite his slow but splendid performance against El Azteca, Pacman, 46, can still draw a crowd; the defeated senatorial bet can still make the boxing cash register ring. It will be business as usual.

At least, Pacquiao did not end up flat on his back that would have sent shivers down the spine of boxing authorities who refused to tell him straight enough is enough.

People who truly love Pacquiao care for his future after his “final” retirement. 

The risk of permanent injury continues to hang over his head like a Sword of Damocles.

 

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There is no sign he will make a second announcement for retirement. Pacquiao’s skills didn’t betray him; his stamina was solid, and he could have violently put away the lanky Mexican dynamo easily if he was at least 10 years younger.

They could have awarded the fight to Barrios to stop Pacquiao from further inflicting damage to his health by itching to fight more.

One of the two judges who scored 114-114 could have tilted the fight in favor of Barrios if the fight was really close by virtue of his being the defending champion.

But a draw is a draw. And rematch or another chance to shoot for a world title isn’t far-fetched. We all know nobody cared about Pacquiao’s health as long as he continues to amass millions of dollars win or lose—or draw.

We worry that he was allowed to fight at 46 and walked away with a majority draw.

We will worry more when he is 64 and is still fighting.

 

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In the undercard, Isaac Cruz as expected dominated late substitute Omar Salcido of Hermosillo, Mexico over 10 heats. Weighing 138.8, Cruz was heavily favored to beat Salcido, 139.4, who was coming into Las Vegas on the heels of a decision loss to undefeated Cuban prospect Andy Cruz.

According to Fightnews, Salcido was still seen as perhaps the more natural super lightweight and ringsiders were curious to see if Salcido could exploit Cruz perceived size disadvantage. But it took less than one round to establish that Cruz would have no trouble at 140-pounds.

Cruz dominated the fight from the opening bell, smothering and overwhelming Salcido with crisp shots from all angles and never letting the underdog get into any sort of rhythm.

Salcido won every round and after a one-point deduction was given to Salcido in the final round, Cruz punctuated the fight with a devastated right hand in the final seconds of round ten to send Salcido to the deck.

The scores were academic, with Cruz winning 99-89 on two judges scorecards and 100-88 on another.

With the win Cruz not only captured the interim WBC belt but also saw his record improve to 28-3-2, 18 KOs. Salcido fell to 20-4, 14 KOs.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

 

What use is another world crown if our national crown is damaged?

“I prefer to be alive, so I'm cautious about taking risks.”

—Werner Herzog

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

DO we really need another world boxing crown? Why not if it will catapult the Philippines back to limelight?

But do we need to sacrifice a national crown for that additional world crown?

Of course not. Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) is the Philippines’ national crown, a sports treasure who has been inducted into boxing’s Hall of Fame on June 8, 2025.

It should have been enough. Being enshrined in the Hall of Fame is already worth more than another world crown at this stage of Pacquiao’s life.

But the story did not end there.

The 46-year-old former Philippine senator will climb back the ring to face 30-year-old Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) for the 12-round WBC welterweight belt at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on July 19, 2025.

The former eight-division titlist from Saranggani province in Mindanao retired from prizefighting after losing to Yordenis Ugas (27-6, 12 KOs) by 12-round unanimous decision for WBA 147-lb crown on August 21, 2021.

 

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But the WBC and the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) agreed to sanction Pacquiao’s comeback fight despite being inactive for four years and his age.

In contact sports, neurological, orthopedic, and ophthalmological injuries are common. While some are life threatening others has the potential to cause lifelong disability.

Boxers, in particular, sometimes die in the ring due to acute traumatic subdural hematoma (SDH).

Concern is hence raised for the health and wellbeing of these older athletes. Should an athlete above the age of 40 compete in professional boxing? How old is too old to fight in boxing?

Unless medical science is wrong, we won’t argue that Pacquiao is risking a potential injury in his duel with Barrios win or lose as it is generally acknowledged that participating in contact sports after the age of 40 carries increased risks compared to younger athletes due to several age-related physiological changes.

Here's a breakdown of the dangers, according to medial science:

-Increased Risk of Injury: Decreased Muscle Mass and Strength: Muscle mass and strength decline with age, making older athletes more susceptible to strains, tears, and other soft tissue injuries.

-Reduced Bone Density: Bone density decreases with age, increasing the risk of fractures.

-Drier Cartilage and Tendons: Cartilage and tendons become less elastic and hold less water with age, making them more prone to wear, tear, and rupture.

 

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-Less Elastic Ligaments: Ligaments become less flexible, increasing the likelihood of damage when overstretched.

-Slower Recovery: Studies have shown that recovery rates from injuries are slower for older athletes, meaning injuries can take longer to heal and have more significant long-term impacts.

-Pre-existing Conditions: Conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis can be exacerbated by the impact and stresses of contact sports, according to AARP.

-Balance Issues: A degraded sense of balance can increase the risk of falls and subsequent injuries, says Sadler Sports & Recreation Insurance.

-Slower Reaction Time: This can affect an athlete's ability to make quick adjustments to avoid collisions and other injury-causing situations.

The specific injury risks are:

-Head Trauma and CTE: Repeated head impacts in contact sports are linked to an increased risk of long-term neurodegenerative diseases like Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), even in young athletes, according to a study published in JAMA Neurology. This risk likely persists or increases with age.

-Joint Problems: Contact sports can damage cartilage and lead to early arthritis, particularly in joints like the knees and ankles, according to 2aDays.

-Nerve Damage: Injuries such as "burners" or "stingers" are common in contact sports and can result in nerve damage, says 2aDays.

 

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Again, we will say it straight to the faces of those who did nothing, and say nothing when there’s opportunity to avert a potential disaster:  What use is another world crown if our national crown is damaged?

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)