Two Boxers, a Reluctant Politician and a Reality Check for Balikbayans

These are what we have for you this week.

Freshman senator Grace Poe stunned everyone when she topped the Senate race in 2013, and she has since impressed people with her intelligence, her articulateness and her championing of issues that affect the common man. Now as the 2016 presidential derby heats up and frontrunner Jejomar Binay's credibility collapses, Grace Poe is being touted as a possible contender. Will she or won't she? Journalist Criselda Yabes shares her insights.

As "Manny," the movie, begins its run this week, its director/producer, Ryan Moore, talks to our regular contributor Anthony Maddela about Manny Pacquiao, the complex celebrity he studiously followed and filmed.

Another world boxing champion, Flash Elorde, who died 30 years ago this month, is remembered by Manzel Delacruz, who, as a child, met the boxing hero and never forgot his goodness of heart. 

For those who are on the cusp of moving back to the Philippines, there are some harsh realities that you have to contend with, as Bella Bonner honestly and humorously lists in "10 Things I've Learned in Manila."

Hope 2015 is turning up roses for you.

Heroes in the Fight Against Ebola

We depart from our usual dose of weekly stories to bring you an exclusive, first person account on the war on Ebola in West Africa from my friend, Dr. Jorge Emmanuel. Jorge spent the months of November and December 2014 in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. As the chief technical adviser to the United Nations (UN) on medical waste, he was requested to go to Africa to develop guidelines for dealing with Ebola-infected waste and train hospital staff and waste-disposal workers on its safe management.

Jorge’s account is not only very informative on symptoms, statistics and scenarios (political, social, economical, medical) for every country affected, but also very emotional and powerful as he meets children who are suddenly orphaned, patients arriving in wheelbarrows, pilots paying for gas from their own pockets in order to fly aid workers, local and foreign medical workers, including Filipinos.

There are many heroes in the fight to contain and eradicate Ebola in the region, from the doctors, nurses and ambulance drivers to the funeral staffers and waste-disposal workers. We can only imagine what it was like for those who died, for those who risked their lives and for those who survived only to find out they have no family left. I personally want to thank all of them for their courage and bravery.

And to my friend, Jorge, thank you for what you are and what you do. I am so proud of you, my fellow Pinoy. When we see each other next, I will gladly shake your hand. No need for an elbow bump.

A Conversation with Pope Francis • The Filipino-Malaysian Connection • Last Year’s Most Read Stories • Street Food in Manila

Allow me to personally greet you a Happy New Year. Both our editors are on vacation, so this gives me the perfect opportunity to personally thank you for being a loyal reader. I know you have many reading choices, so we are especially grateful for your following, comments and feedback.

It’s the first working week of the New Year, and despite resolutions and promises, it is difficult to erase bad habits. We can at least try. It is said that goals should be set one at a time -- the simpler, the easier to achieve. But let us take you back shortly to 2014 to highlight our ten most popular stories. You may want to read these stories again.

Pope Francis will be in Manila mid-January and travelers are being warned to stay away from visiting. He has redefined certain traditional concepts of the Catholic Church, but much more needs to be done. Contributing writer, Marilen Danguilan, presents thought provoking questions to the popular pope in a wishful interview. I would also like to hear what his responses might be.

Our Southern California writer, Anthony Maddela, introduces us to two new faces in ABC Family’s “The Fosters” – Filipina Ashley Argota and Jordan Rodrigues, an Australian with Malaysian descent. Together they “rock.”

Our Video of the Week features National Geographic’s take on Manila’s street food. I must confess, I have never tried balut and I don’t think I ever will, but for everyone who has, I applaud your courage!

Happy reading. May you have a year of hope, compassion and love.