NINE THOUSAND MILES AWAY FROM THE THRILL OF VICTORY, THE AGONY OF DEFEAT

Hesel in 9th Floor Pool of the
Castle Peak Hotel, Cebu City

From 9000 miles away,
the sting of the Cascos loss and the TSC legal setback are felt, as well as hope that the BISD board won't be locked into an unwholesome majority, but the impact of all that is lessened by demure femininity of Hesel Bloza,  my companion in the 9th story pool of the Castle Peak Hotel in Cebu City.

How scary was it that the totally corrupt and indicted Hidalgo County Judge Rudy Delgado was nearly re-elected?  RGV voters continue to be uninformed.

Here in Cebu City and likely the rest of the Philippines, no one comes close to questioning popular President Rodrigo Duterte's AK-47 approach to discovered drug dealers and their families.  

Yesterday, Duterte called for the "on the spot" execution of any in the Bureau of Customs found to be "fixers."

This morning, while Hesel still slept, I set out on a 6 AM walk, purposely turning into some neighborhood squalor much more severe than anything in Matamoros.  Everywhere I met friendly people who greeted me with a hearty "Good morning!"

From the editor:  Jerry McHale's republishing of yesterday's article is much appreciated, but his description of Hesel as a mere "piece" is inaccurate.  I'm considering Ms. Bloza as a partner, not simply a sexual object.  

Hesel(pronounced "He sell") is an avid photographer and videographer who feels we could make a life together despite a humongous age difference.

She has zero interest in the so-called night life.  When I asked her last night if she wanted to go to the "Chill Out Bar" on the 9th floor of the hotel, she replied:  "Why would we do that?"

So, we settled for a visit to the pool, which overlooks downtown Cebu City.

Challenges loom ahead as we meet her folks on the 12th, flying to Cagayan de Oro, another city on the water, but in the Mindanao province.

Already, a friend of the family has offered to "help" us out with a 3000 PHP ($60 USD) ride from the airport.

Not happening!