MANILA, Philippines — Yesterday, 18 May, was International Museum Day. International museums are open on Sundays. (Many close on Monday or another weekday).

Before presenting my credentials to French President Jacques Chirac, I made sure that he received our gift of a royal malong for his pet project, Museé Quai du Branly on ethnic arts. And used it as bragging rights for our tête-à-tête.

Cherche la femme: Cultural divide between New York and Paris. The knowledge that he had fathered a child with their housekeeper and governess was the “terminator” in the 30-year marriage of Gov Arnold Schwarenegger and Pat Shriver.

Across the Atlantic, Paris is aghast and believes that Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF chief and front-runner socialist candidate to challenge French President Nicholas Sarkozy, was victim of sex sting operation and rough US justice.

The Philippines is somewhere in-between — macho men who are under the saya… a nation struggling between church and state on RH bill.

Mr. Shooli sent this Chinese riddle: Why when man sleep with 10 women, he macho… while woman who sleep with four men is slut? (Answer at the end).

WHO’S IN CHARGE? The tragic accident of Chit Simbulan only dramatizes the daily hazard to commuters. Buses are every day racing, zigzg-zagging lanes, and flashing their lights behind to push you out of their path. Dinadaan sa laki.

LTFRB served 30-day suspension of the franchise of Universal Guiding Star Bus... MMDA announced search for escaped driver and conductor… DoTC goes through the motions of rendering Commondeath Ave. safer… A front-page upper-fold photo shows traffic enforcer holding up 60-km sign between speeding vehicles (a daredevil inviting an accident to happen).

Who’s in charge? When everyone is quick to press release, nobody is responsible. And after the heat blows over, nothing happens, nobody’s to blame, nothing is done.

If I call (How’s my driving?) 092 1448 7777, will LTFRFB discipline or fire the kamikaze?

Singapore enters new era as founding father Lee steps down. Meaning, like an MMDA Lee kuan U?

Turning out Merceditas Gutierrez turns out to be the easiest part… choosing a successor from 32 nominees (as of this writing) is the tough part. All are intelligent and high profile; but not everyone is wise.

The ombudsman should be apolitical, equable, has no axe to grind, can think independently. It would also be nice to have beauty and brains. And by that, you know who I am referring to…

Miriam tells Pacman to back off as poster boy for church anti-RH bill. From sweepstakes poster boy to altar boy.

ANSWER TO CHINESE RIDDLE: Mr Shooli say: When four keys open one lock, that bad lock. When one key open 10 locks, that master key. Feedback: jaz_aide@yahoo.com