DENNIS Uy, the namesake of a more fortunate kinred spirit, is crying foul over the investigation of his internet firm by the newly-minted council of the city of angels.
Suddenly, my mind unearthed memories of a comic strip where a Chinese character shouted “wakanga” every time he met twisted people or a twist of fate.
There are several possibilities.
One, the billing statement sent to the LGU was denominated in abacus. I can’t blame whoever goofed up. With so much happening today this side of the disputed sea, courtesy of China, the impression we’re now a China province is understandable. Confucius, Isaac Asimov and other Chinese understand abacus. Hundreds to the left, thousands to the right, etc. Otherwise, the rest must pay in cash or credit card.
Two, hizzoner Jay Sangil, the favorite nephew of a famed columnist, was a good journalist but a poor mathematician. Let me get that right: politicians are supposed to be good at numbers, win or lose.
Three, and this is the most plausible, Uy used to be politically connectED. (Disclosure: caps all mine). It’s a simple lesson everybody must learn, whether businessman or politician: you reap what you sow.
Once upon a not-so-distant past, I met Uy at the lobby of a four-star hotel in Metro Manila. I was with Dong Gonzales, then not yet having a moist eye on the speakership, but thrilled that the forthcoming election looked like a walk in the park.
“Boy”, Uy excitedly opened up in Kapampangan that sounded more like Arthur of Oriental, you’re a sure winner”. You’re a ahead by a mile against your nemesis.” Uy was reportedly doing a survey of all local candidates at the time, and he had Dong way, way ahead.
Of course, we had a feast at the smorgasbord later, courtesy of the sure winner.
He wasn’t as Uy predicted. Dong lost, and lost big. By the proverbial mile or li, in Chinese.
But Dong is now deputy speaker, thank you, and Uy’s prediction might have been for a different time with the same nemesis. No, his name is not nemesis; I just don’t recall it at the moment. It rhymes with tomato.
Now that he’s in a different political aquarium, Uy must learn to swim like the rest, or he’s fried fish. The Chinese are known to play the long game. If he heeds Sun Tzu, it’s better to win without fighting. And you can’t fight city hall.
A piece of advice: stop sending collection letters to some media men who maybe months (years?) behind their Indian plans.
Forget, for the meantime, the departED, politically, that is. Also, don’t bother Mayor Pogi too much. There’s a lot on his plate. Traffic is one, probably. When he was yet a councilor, I commented on the traffic problem in the city. He had a solution at the ready: take the traffic aides off the street, especially at the Mining area.
I have yet to see if that’s done. Or I am naif.