I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.
— Bengali polymath Rabindranath Tagore
January 9 appears auspicious as Alexandra ‘Alex’ Eala’s luck seems to be unfazed as our uprising idol advances to the semis in this year’s Auckland Savings Bank (ASB) Classic following a walkover win with her American partner Iva Jovic over the seasoned duo of Czechia’s Jesika Maleckova and Mexico’s Renata Zarazua in their doubles match.
Eala and Jovic will now take on the third-seeded duo of Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan in the semifinals set tomorrow, January 10.
The American-Filipina pair previously defeated Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina via straight-sets in the round of 16.
In singles matches, Eala defeated Croatia’s Petra Marcinko, 6-0, 6-2, in singles’ action to also punch a quarterfinal ticket.
The World No. 53 pride of the Philippines will take on Poland’s Magda Linette, who just defeated Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy in a grueling three-setter, in the quarters set also on Saturday.
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January 9 also surprised us with very sad news—a good friend, photographer Itoh Son, passed away while covering the Traslacion in this year’s Feast of the Black Nazarene.
As a tribute, we managed to quickly compose a eulogy for our fallen comrade and colleague . . .
I – know what it is to lose a friend so suddenly
T – oday I experience the once again so sadly
O – n a day that’s blessed with Jesus’ feast
H – ealing and raising people who have the
least.
S – o, we bid goodbye to our fallen colleague
O – ur dear friend who has a so heart big
N – ever forgetting his job without doubt.
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FOR your comments or suggestions, complaints or requests, just send a message through my email at cipcab2006@yahoo.com or text me at cellphone numbers 09171656792 or 09171592256 during office hours from Monday to Friday. Thank you and mabuhay!
