Everyone wants a chunk of Manny Pacquiao. The minute the WBC Super Featherweight Champion landed on Philippine soil he was immediately surrounded by politicians, government officials, the media and just plain folks who wanted to bask in the triumphant aura of the homecoming warrior dubbed as the Pambansang Kamao (the National Fist). Imagine being the Fist of the Nation. This is a heavy burden for even for a seasoned slugger such as Pacquiao.

No wonder he looked pale and harried, per radio reports. The mob followed him around like a school of friendly piranha. To be sure, even before boarding the plane at LAX, he was already being crowded by a motley crew of hangers-on and various other colorful characters, famous and obscure. Gov. Chavit Singson was with him in the ring after the fight and on the plane back to Manila. Manila Mayor Lito Atienza was at the head of the welcoming party. Congressman Miles Roces was the designated driver. President Arroyo was waiting like an eager schoolgirl in Malacanang. And so on.

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Imelda Marcos has finally come into her own as a fashion and lifestyle trendsetter. She launched a line of costume jewelry last Saturday which is considerably less “Imelfific” than what she used to collect during her heyday. Made of beads, buttons and various odds and ends sourced from her recent forays into Divisoria, the Imelda Collection promises interesting and one-of-a-kind pieces. The collection also includes gowns, handbags, shoes (!) and gewgaws with photographs of a much younger Mrs. Marcos. The items are as unique and gaudy as Imelda herself.

But what does Imelda the brand stand for ? It may be a tongue-in-cheek send-up of the extravagant lifestyle she was once famous for. The lady has a sense of humor and a talent for burlesque. She believes her image to be a marketable commodity and she may be right. Lately, her visage has been silkscreened on a number of trendy “retro” T-shirts.

Unfortunately for the masses, the Imelda Collection is not sold in stores and may be viewed by appointment only.

Gregorio Honasan, former Senator and perennial coup plotter, was captured the other day for the nth time. The former Army colonel, on the run due to his alleged involvement is several attempts to force out the Arroyo administration, was nabbed in the early morning hours in vicinity of the house of his rumored mistress. The injured Honasan was taken into custody amid a media frenzy. So goes the continuing saga of Gringo.

Having more than a nodding acquaintance with ex-Senator Honasan, the Warrior Lawyer can attest to the man’s personal magnetism. He will look you in the eye, give you a firm handshake and make you feel that “We’re in this together, Brother”.

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As expected, the first item on the agenda of the now Democrat-controlled U.S. Congress is to look for a way out of Iraq. There has been talk of gradual troop reductions in the coming months until some kind of graceful exit is made. Easier said than done. The Commander-in-Chief is still committed to continuing the conflict, until “victory” (however this may be defined) is attained. War also has a momentum of its own which cannot be halted by mere rhetoric. Even strong public opinion, as expressed in the recent U.S. legislative polls, may not be able stop the war.

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Our household has been in the grip of a fever induced by the past two seasons of Desperate Housewives on video disc. Symptoms include lack of sleep, gasps of surprise and sudden laughter. My daughters have mutated into couch potatoes for the duration of the semestral break. My wife spends hours on end glued to the tv or the pc, following the misadventures of the ladies of Wisteria Lane (a play on hysteria ?)

My theory is that if you watch Desperate Housewives long and often enough, you begin to exhibit the colorful neuroses shown by the characters of this semi-sitcom, semi-soap opera about the implosion of American suburbia. When I tease my wife about it, she gets peeved. Which means my theory might be valid.

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