By Ronald Constantino
NOT READY – Some people are eager to hold the Miss Universe pageant this year in the Philippines. They say that Boracay is the perfect venue as by late 2018 the world-class beach resort would have been rehabilitated. Maybe so but then Boracay will be only starting to reopen… with so many “birth pains” to attend to. We aren’t ready to host such a big event.
Besides, holding Miss U this year in the Philippines will lessen the chances of Catriona Gray to wear the crown.
Think of hometown decision talk. Holding it elsewhere will be fair to Catriona who is Miss Universe material.
By all means hold Miss U in PH, but definitely not this year. If and when Boracay is fully restored and operational, then welcome Miss U!
HONORED – Ricky Lo of Star noted that my name is on the list of Thomasians (UST alumni) in an article penned by the esteemed Tempo contributor Pit M. Maliksi. Am actually a graduate of San Beda (AB Journalism) but told Ricky am honored to be mistaken for a Thomasian. Such a distinguished UST company led by Bro. Nes (Cuartero).
Many colleagues presume am a UST alumnus… for one reason or the other. They ask, “Bakit wala ka sa homecoming natin?”
Well, how I wish.
THOMASIANS – Ricky names more Thomasians, starting with his late sister Lolita who finished pre-med at UST, but later shifted to pharmacy at Centro Escolar University. She placed in the Top 10 of the board exams.
Other Thomasians as enumerated by Ricky. The late Rustom Quinton (editor of the UST magazine Tilamsik) , Malu Tronqued Mapa, Manolo “Raoul” Tidalgo. Ching Alano, Lito Tacujan, former Misses Philippines Pilar Arciaga, and Cynthia Ugalde-Tan, Kit Tatad, Vic Vargas (Mr. UST).
Jean Pope and Gloria Garchitorena-Goloy, both of The Sunday Times magazine. (Goloy was the official chaperone of Gloria Diaz when she flew to Miami to compete in Miss U in 1969), Vicki Belo, Hayden Kho, the late Roz Galang (with Ricky in Variety, magazine of The Manila Times). Marie Castillo, Juanita Galang Trinidad.
If I may add more Thomasians: Emper J. Laput, Veronica R. Samio, Ding Aspacio, Nards and Cris Belen, Max T. Ramos, Eddie Liboon, Leo Sergio, Ethel Ramos, Flora Zaide- Valencia, Jullie Yap-Daza, (summa cum laude) Charlene Gonzalez, Charri Araullo (summa cum laude) and daughter Maitina, Dr. Jose R. Perez and wife Mommy Nene Vera- Perez (magna cum laude).
The list is by no means complete.
