WE join the entire Filipino-Chinese community as it celebrates its New Year’s Day today, or the entry of the `Year of the Water Dragon’. Gaya din sa ating mga Pinoy, bawal ang magsuot ng kulay itim, bawal mangutang at bawal ding magmura, magalit at magsalita nang ’di magaganda ngayong araw na ito. If possible, wear something red, pink or orange for luck.                                                                                                                    

Pinoy man o Tsinoy, ‘Kung Hei Fat Choi!!!                                  

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Still reeling from the shock that the impeachment of Chief Justice Corona has brought, talaga namang marami sa ating mga kababayan ang nahilo at higit na nagulat sa biglaang pagkakasibak kay Magtanggol Gatdula, bilang hepe ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).                                                                   

As we all know, Gatdula and several others were implicated in the alleged kidnapping and extortion of Noriyo Ohara, a 32-year-old Japanese woman who fled to the Philippines in 2009 to escape the Yakuza who had allegedly killed her father and was after her neck, too.                                                

Ohara had been living with the Marzan family in Pangasinan when he was allegedly kidnapped by NBI agents last October. 

While detained at the NBI, an official allegedly extorted P6 million from her supposedly in exchange for freedom but again, allegedly, she was not freed, prompting the Marzans to seek help from the media.                                                                         

This no longer sounds foreign to me. 

About a year ago, a Japanese friend narrated what happened to his kababayan who came to the country supposedly for vacation.                                                                                              

May Pinay na nakipagkaibigan sa nasabing Hapon through the Internet at nagkita sila sa Makati Cinema Square. Pagdating ng Hapon, kasama ang isa pang Hapon din na kaibigan niyang tourist guide, nandu’n ang Pinay na nagkataong 17 anyos pa lang pala.                                                   

Biglang may mga dumating daw na nagpakilalang taga-NBI at binitbit ’yung dalawang Hapon sa NBI headquarters sa Taft Avenue.                                      

Doon ay pinitsa na ’yung Hapon ng P1 milyon kundi ay kakasuhan daw siya ng paglabag sa Anti-Child Abuse Law at ikukulong.                             

Natural, bumigay ’yung Hapon kaso hanggang P500,000 lang daw ang kaya niyang ibigay. Pumayag naman daw ’yung mga taga-NBI pero pinapirma ito ng parang promissory note kung saan ipinapangako niya na babalik siya para sa balance. Lumipad agad ang Hapon pabalik ng Japan and vowed never to return.                                                                     

At that time, we asked permission if we could write about it. Kaso, nu’ng tinanong niya ’yung kaibigan niyang involved, hindi ito pumayag dahil sa takot, kaya ’di na namin isinulat.                                                                     

The NBI may deny this story all they want, pero para sa akin, walang motibo ’yung kaibigan ko para maghabi ng ganitong uri ng kuwento.                 

The whole point here is, kahit pa mawala si Gatdula sa NBI at nandu’n pa rin ’yung mga NBI na dumampot sa sinasabi kong Hapon, parang pareho lang, ’di ba? Sabi nga ng mga Tsinoy, paleho len.                                                                                                    

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Beauty tip: Moderate dandruff sufferers should use a normal anti-dandruff shampoo daily or on alternate days, leaving on to dry scalp for 20 to 30 minutes, then leave to lather on for at least ten minutes. Be sure to rinse thoroughly as shampoo and soap residue can actually aggravate skin problems. Once the dandruff is under control, shift to twice weekly shampooing. (Source: Dr. RosaryMay Canay-Diaz of the Le Californian Beau Medical Spa/410-8424/450-1388)                                                                                                                  

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Jokjok (from Eddie ‘Gwapo’ Tan of Padre Herrera St., Tondo, Manila) -- A Nigerian girl got married to a Chinese man. She gave birth to a baby boy who eventually died.  At the the burial, her aunt came crying, repeatedly saying ‘I KNEW IT!’ Curious relatives asked her what she knew.  The aunt said: I knew it! China products…they don’t last!                                                                                                                               ***                                              

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