Allen Iverson: Franchise player no more

I always like Allen Iverson's effort in the basketball court, one of the few guys in the league who sacrificed and risked his body and gave his 100% to win. But since his disastrous pronouncements last season with the Detroit Pistons, you know the "rather retire, than come out of the bench thing" plus the fact that he is already 34 years old, his market value downward spiraled from there. In fact yesterday he signed a contract with the Memphis Grizzlies for only 3.1 Million US$, yes it's still a big money for us starving mortals, but not so for NBA Superstars and it's way too low from the 21 Million US$ he made last year.

Iverson relies on his speed to be effective on the floor, but with father time catching up he may have lost a few steps in terms of quickness than say Tony Parker or Devin Harris. Can you imagine a slower Iverson doing his famous crossover moves against these quick guys? I can't, I can't also imagine him fitting with O.J. Mayo in the back court. But Iverson says this year will be so personal that he will prove his critics wrong, I just hope that he is right, kinda like Iverson's final glory before he finally hang up his jersey.

Noynoy for President? Not so fast

I really can't comprehend why the reformist bloc, mosts are members of Liberal Party and Civil Society (if they are not one & the same) are pushing and spearheading the Noynoy for president campaign. Except for the fact that Senator Noynoy Aquino is the son of the late President Cory Cojuangco Aquino and the late Senator and National Hero Ninoy Aquino, and the big brother of superstar Kris Aquino, there's really nothing much on his resume.

But if the criteria for selection is because he is the only son of two of the most revered persons in our nation's recent history; and that you will also consider the fact that he is a product of a political marriage by two of the most influential and wealthiest political clan in Central Luzon or maybe even in the whole country, being a member of the oligarchy and a scion of both the Aquinos & the Cojuangcos, well that must count for something. But it only means like in the feudal times and politics of old that the privilege to rule or govern is inherited not earned, usually by a male heir . The very same thing that reformists are saying they want to change.

Although I can understand but not without a shriek, the political gamble and risk they are taking that maybe the public outpouring of sympathy during the wake & funeral of former President Aquino will be transform into a vote that may catapult Noynoy to the presidency. The coming survey results probably will be the determining factor if they were right, but until then it's too early to jump into their bandwagon.

Where great bands are born

It was almost a decade since I last visited this little but popular bar in front of UST along Espana Avenue, formerly known as Mayrics now called Sazi's Bar, obviously after Sazi Cosino, the bar's owner . I went there with an old friend half expecting Parokya ni Edgar or Eraserheads will be playing. Yes, Eraserheads folks that's no misprint, for a moment I lost myself and thought I was still living in the Golden Age of Philippine Alternative Music, the 90's. But I was not disappointed when I learned that Tropical Depression will be playing instead. The entrance fee is still 100 Php but this time your whole 100 bucks is no longer consumable like in the old days, instead you'll get only one beer free. Inflation rate, my friend explains, while taking jabs at Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's SONA claim.

After a few rounds of beer and after getting sober from nostalgia, the set finally started a little over 11 pm, Papa Dom looks old with noticeable whites on his beard, the usual Bob Marley cover kicks off after a long sound check. Then I realize after their first set that Tropical Depression has nothing much to offer in terms of original compositions with just Bilog na naman ang Buwan to feed our nostalgic appetites; too bad we didn't hang long enough to hear them play it. I left the club with a mental note that I will visit 70's Bistro, Conspiracy Cafe, and Xaymaca before this year ends. And it will be interesting to see if those great bands that were born in Mayrics as that old NU 107 advertisement quips, are now playing in those joints or maybe they are all gone now together with my old politics.