TIME & TIDE/Rhodora M. Palinar
THE SUMMER HEAT is undoubtedly here. For a while we enjoyed chilly nights and mornings during the first weeks of March. But unfailingly as it always does every year – the heat started to creep in at the onset of the Holy Week.

The months of March and April are commonly associated with summer and yes – graduation. As early as the second week of March, some private schools already held their graduation exercises, perhaps to enable them to start enjoying an uninterrupted summer vacation beginning on the Holy Week. However I heard some students in the college level complain – that the Holy Week will be hell week for them as they have to review and finish their final papers since their finals week is set later on the last week of this month. Well, not a bad idea for penance, I suppose. Hehe.

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Now that the school year is at its close, I can only heave a sigh of relief. Temporary relief, that is, because while my daughter (the youngest in the family) has already successfully hurdled her first year in college, there are still the three remaining years to go. Yet the thought that one academic year is over, is indeed exhilarating. One year over, one step closer. Three years, I’m sure will be a breeze because as we all observe – days go by so fast. Wasn’t it like only yesterday when we celebrated Christmas? But look now – it’s almost the middle of the year! Whoa! There’s no stopping the clock, really.
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I am not a boxing fan but my husband is one great enthusiast for the sport. Last Sunday the famed Pacquiao-Marquez match once again glued him to his seat as he watched the blow by blow live coverage over USATV. And as usual, when there’s a Pacquiao fight, the whole nation keeps at standstill while people are holed in their respective homes watching, cheering, perhaps praying for the victory of Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao. Read more