I ASSUME Ms. Beth Celis has attended at least the grade four class where basic science is taught. That she would find what she hears from a talisman expert worth printing is simply amazing. The trash superhero stories we see in films and TV today must be making kids out of adults, Celis included. But I insist that not everyone is happy or convinced with what she says. To quote people as a means of brandishing one’s opinion–in this case to imply that Manny Pacquiao is so strong because he wears an amulet–is to associate oneself with the baseless notions of the source, even if somewhere in the column she says something else. Celis is part of the boxing media who, after making bums of themselves by saying Pacquiao did not stand a chance against Oscar dela Hoya, are now creating stories to explain why he is so great. This one about amulet is novel, and catches the attention of readers. But it steals from public view the amount of work Pacquiao puts into his craft, which in my view is what adults should consider as basis for anyone’s success.

Ingming Aberia, Kassel Kristina Heights, Naga via e-mail

I hope President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo will notice the narrowness of the bus terminals erected in the middle of EDSA, especially the crowded stations during rush hours (North Edsa, Ayala and Cubao), which is an invitation to accidents. Yes I know Bayani Fernando (BF) benchmarked this against first-world examples, but he should be flexible enough to match this with our current state. I agree with BF’s projects. But to be an effective leader he should be flexible enough to listen to his subordinates and his people. Also, I would like to ask why the overpass in front of the SM City North is closed. Is this because MMDA constructed a bridge way leading to SM? By the way, the stairway at the other side leads to another narrow sidewalk. Another thing is how will the students of schools near SM cross EDSA? They are now walking at least one kilometer just to cross EDSA. Take note that bus stops are now too far apart. Lastly, maybe BF should take public transport on his way to office for one month (without his bodyguards and his convoy) so he could realize the sentiments of the people and commuters.

Eumir Tardecilla, Quezon City, via e-mail

IT IS good that the “KUL” taxi driver Sarmiento has been charged. There are many similar incidents that remain unreported, particularly those that victimized the youth and students. My two daughters aged 21and 6 almost got victimized by a taxi driver who they rode after getting a medical check up at Philamcare UN Ave. clinic almost a year ago. My eldest daughter noticed the driver texting while driving the length of UN Avenue. Sensing danger, she immediately texted and sought my help. When the driver observed that my daughter was street smart, he continued to frantically text and later made a call to someone. It was good that my daughter was briefed about such behavior. She asked the taxi driver to take them to the Ospital ng Sampaloc where I have thug friends who — if they caught up with the cabbie — would surely give him a lesson. I arrived at the Ospital ng Sampaloc minutes after they were dropped off, because I had a motorbike going full speed.

I go for the revocation of the drivers license of taxi drivers who are found to have criminal and malicious intention to their passengers. The LTO should do something about this. It’s the riding public who is at peril because of these monsters on the prowl in the metro.

Noel Magsanoc Matencio, Ermita, Manila, via e-mail

Having recently returned from not so long an absence, I could not help but observe; the country of my birth has sunk to a depth even lower than from where I noticed it last.

It seems so cruel but it appears one has to crawl up just to get to the bottom, which makes one wonder: what future holds the newly born and those Filipinos yet to be?

It may strike a nerve with many, but the dumbing down of the Philippines continue to spread, eating away whatever bright hopes there maybe for the young and their future, other than to leave their love ones and risk their lives in another country.

An image so wretched it challenges the mind, considering those frequent proclamations from so-called elite institutions of learning, claiming to be bastions of excellence in education. If only it were true.

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