Back To Back Win? Too Soon For Mister International?

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The unthinkable happens again with the feat of Francisco Zafra winning in Mr. International 2024.  Not that we are complaining ... but it just becomes odd that a "back-to-back phenomenon" had reared its ugly head again in pageantry. A case of too much ... too soon?

A back-to-back win is when a delegate or a team wins a title ... two in a row without any defeats in between. It is a rare feat so they say ... in unbroken sequence ... it describes events that happen one after another without interruption.

Let it be clear that I have nothing against the winner ... I love Francisco Zafra ... and he may have all the qualifications of the winner as seen by the judges. And it is unfair that you will strip him of that opportunity just because the previous winner was also from Spain.

However ... I am all for inclusiveness and giving others a chance. Not that the two runners-up are totally push-overs ... as a matter of fact in the interview ... the Philippines did better than the two. 

In the two-year existence of Mister International, it could have spread its wings by letting Peru, the Philippines ... or China win. Instead, they spread themselves too thin by biting more than they can chew. Imagine ... opting for a back-to-back decision ... was not well thought out .... it was a spur-of-the-moment decision ... that could have worked to their advantage had the judges deliberated the results. 

I don't mind if Mr. International had existed for more than twenty years (like Miss Universe) ... they could do the luxury of doling out back-to-back wins all they want. But two years in its history ... and if somebody asked them who are your past winners ... the glaring fact shows Spain and Spain. Wala na bang magaling ... except for Spain?

Peru and the Philippines are note-worthy winners, not that I am on their side. Spain for sure is not expecting a title based on the fact that they won last year (so there is no bad blood or animosity there if he falls short of getting the title). He can be a runner-up to give credence that their delegate was also outstanding ... but winning twice in a row looked like an overkill. 

And back-to-back win is like Haley's comet where they return to Earth after seventy-five years ... so in Spain's case, they have not entertained the thought. Only the judges or the organizers are making a fuss about doing everything faithfully and correctly.

Had they given the title to Peru ... more countries would be encouraged to join. Twenty-five candidates are not that much to be considered many. So how can the organization lure and entice more countries ... if there are flagrant leanings (whether true or not) skewed to a specific country?

Just a thought ... and to Mister International Organization ... I am with you all the way. I believe in your cause ... what happens are just labor pains ... too normal for an organization undergoing birthing throes.

Pageant Result: Mr. International 2024

The winners of Mr. International 2024 from left to right: Elias Silitonga - Indonesia - Third Runner Up, Estefano Balarin - Peru - First Runner Up, Francisco Zafra -Spain - Mr. International 2024 - Winner, Marvin Diamante - Philippines - Second Runner Up and Zeny Xianyang - China - Fourth Runner Up.  The pageant was held in Toledo City in Cebu last November 10, 2024.

Pageant Result: Miss Earth 2024

The winners of Miss Earth 2024 from left to right: Niva Antezana - Peru - Miss Earth Fire 2o24, Hrafnhildur Haraldsdottir - Iceland - Miss Earth Air 2024, Jessica Lane - Australia - Miss Earth 2024, and Bea Millan Windorski - USA - Miss Earth - Miss Earth Water 2024.   The pageant was held in Okada last November 9, 2024.

*ISANG PAALALA!* WAG MAGPALOKO! | Fr. Joseph Fidel Roura

Lawyer's Mumbo Jumbo

 We are not lawyers ... but we need to understand their lexicon (lawyers always have their own lingo only they can understand. Same with doctors, nurses, and engineers) 

We spend our waking hours on YouTube and we are always exposed to hearings and debates ... and also their private conversations ... and all we do is scratch our heads because they are using legal terminologies that sound too foreign and alien to our virgin ears ... and our mind wonders what are they talking about.

Let's start decoding and decrypting these words and phrases (it is irreverent for us to enter the sanctum of the in ... but desperate times need desperate measures) so the next time they use these terms again ... we are on the same page with them.  Not in limbo.

We will try to dissect and define them in simpler language so ordinary mortals and laymen (the amateur and the non-experts) can actively participate in the discussion ... and at the same time broaden their legal and paralegal stock knowledge,

So our word or phrase that is hitting the headlines today is: PRIMA FACIE.

1. PHRASE: Prima Facie

2. MEANING: You will know the word's meaning at first glance. Prima is a Latin word for "first" and facie is a Latin word for "face". So a prima facie means at first glance ... your first impression ...  at face value ... the "first look" or a presumption of what the situation appears to be.

The situation ... no matter how tangled the threads and the strands of the story ... is the most obvious and the most evident .... and is already sufficient and considered TRUE unless otherwise debunked or rebutted. 

Unless contradicted ... it is already enough in its face to establish a fact constituting a party's claim or defense.

 3. EXAMPLE: In legal contexts, it refers to evidence that is sufficient to establish a fact or raise a presumption unless disproven or rebutted. This concept is crucial in determining whether a case can proceed.

Looking at the investigation of congressmen on good governance ... one political observer notes: "There is a strong prima facie evidence that the Office of the Vice President had done malversation of funds based on testimonies presented."

OVP at DepEd: Bribery, Corruption, at Confidential Funds

Some Deep Thinking About Smiling Depression

If you are not a keen observer, your family member who is an OFW may be suffering from smiling depression. Especially those working in the Middle East. No offense to them, but let us call a spade a spade. Well even in America we encounter similar situations but not as bad as in ME.

I worked in Kuwait for 10 years, though I made a little breakthrough  (I was assigned to the Staff Development Unit) so the nature of the job is more on orienting new employees and teaching, making seminars, symposiums and continuing education programs  Having done before the nitty-gritty job of kowtowing to fellow colleagues- doctors. surgeons, internists, lab techs, radiologists, nurses, and mostly some obnoxious patients, life is generally hard- having to take care of patients who don't understand you, the culture was different not to mention the language barrier that complicates your every move.

Haven't you noticed your OFW mother or father telling you all the glowing benefits they get working in ME? They always talk about money and the experience they get.  They post photos that show they are happy but haven't you noticed how claustrophobic it feels when their photos are taken only in one setting - more often inside their rooms, their flats, and the lonely desert with camels and lambs in the background.

Did they ever tell you how bad her situation is? Did they ever tell how crippling being alone is and how silence is deafening? Did they ever tell you anything negative about her work, the people he is working with, or how badly his superior treated him badly?  Not with silent depression.

Did they ever tell you the stinging loneliness, that they are homesick, and when it is their day off they make themselves busy by cleaning the flat or washing their clothes just to maintain their sanity? They waste their time and money reaching you through emails, phones, or Skype and you don't even appreciate that because you are going for a date or busy with something else.  

Did you notice how they want to maintain a happy persona when you talk to them via Skype? They want to show you a happy face because they don't want you to sense that they are homesick. But at the back of their mind, they are crying, especially when they sense you get bored with their calls.  You are their lifeline in the Middle East, and here you are showing a deadpan/stoic attitude.

The OFWs are usually the most prone to culture shock because their assignments are of a nature that requires them to travel extensively to foreign countries and live and work with people from different cultures, languages, and backgrounds.  They have problems fitting in.  They are struggling with the language barrier.  They are worried about money management. And they are worried about maintaining their sanity and coping with being alone in a foreign land.

Statistics show a rise in the suicide rate in ME.  And maybe some of the factors are obvious: Victims not knowing they are depressed. or Victims not knowing they need help. And victims not knowing where to ask for help,

So the next time you see a happy face from an OFW ... think again!  If you see unwanted clues and hints of suicide, you need to worry.  That's your mother and father ... remember?