Sungka challenge

Residents of Quezon province, particularly workers and daily commuters, are outraged over the dire condition of the roads from Gumaca to Guinayangan.

The recent typhoons that battered Bicol and Southern Tagalog severely damaged the roads making them resemble a sungka board — on which a traditional game is played where pebbles are dropped in holes.

As a result, travel time between Gumaca and Guinayangan has drastically increased from the usual one hour to a grueling three to four hours.

Despite this, the provincial and local governments appear oblivious to the situation.

“What about emergency situations? What about the goods that need to be delivered on time? We’ve been enduring this for months. The construction is progressing so slowly. Why won’t they use strong foundations and quality materials? Because they’re pocketing the funds,” a resident told DAILY TRIBUNE.

Commuting from Manila to Guinayangan, passing through the towns of Gumaca, Lopez and Calauag, usually takes six hours at night. Due to the pockmarked roads, however, the journey now stretches to 11 hours.

Local officials seeking reelection must demonstrate genuine care and concern for the public whose votes they are eagerly courting.

Lady luck smiles

Being in the right place at the right time has helped this rookie coach emerge from the shadow of his decorated mentor.

A sports patron has grown tired of hiring foreign coaches to whip his teams into competitive form in one of the country’s top-tier leagues.

The sports godfather asked a league official, in a chance encounter at the airport, about an available local tactician to handle one of his clubs.

The official recommended the long-time deputy, one of the national team’s assistant coaches he was with in an international tourney. Talk about a lucky break.