THEY call it a “historic, career-changing” and one of the biggest “shockers” in recent tennis history. Filipina Alex Eala beat in the Miami Open quarterfinal five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek of Poland.
Which made the 19-year-old just the third wild card in tournament history to reach the semifinals, but the first virtual unknown who came into the competition.
Eala is elevated to world #75 from #140 and is assured of a berth in the main draw of the 2025 French Open starting May 25.
To many Filipinos who don’t keep track of events in the tennis world, the sudden rise of Eala’s star simply brings exhilarating joy amid the troubling and sad news here, in the nation and the rest of the world.
A dream-run for Eala, an occasion for rejoicing in the country.
MYANMAR,THAI QUAKE. Structures not built to withstand magnitude 7.7 temblor.
YOU must be among the tens of millions in Southeast Asia who felt the earth shake near midday of March 28 [2025].
The quake -- centered 12 miles from Mandalay, Myanmar -- caused buildings to fall in a matter of seconds. Its force was compared to that of several hundred nuclear explosions.
No contest between structures and the magnitude 7.7 earthquake. People far away from the devastation wondered, “What if it would happen to us here?”
ODDBITS
VP’s “HOT” SECURITY. A 30-year-old Lt. Raven Snapper (said to be his real name) is photographed when he’s near Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, which is most of the time. He’s said to be Mrs. Carpio’s second cousin.
MIKE RAMA FIRED, AGAIN. The Ombudsman, in a Jan. 3, 2025 order publicized last March 3, dismissed former mayor Mike Rama for allegedly awarding three garbage contracts without bidding. It’s his second, having been similarly sanctioned on Oct. 3, 2024 for alleged nepotism by hiring two brothers-in-law at City Hall. Won’t affect Rama’s eligibility to run, said Mike’s lawyer Collin Rosell.
NOT ON SPEAKING TERMS. Sister Imee, the senator, said she and her brod BBM, the President, haven’t talked with each other. (“Matagal na.”) That could be the reason her Senate committee investigated the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, which found a number of flaws and errors.