our HERoes

What we admire is so overwhelmingly male, so much of the time. And as a result, what we are willing to set aside, what we deem inconvenient, the worse-makers of more important male matters, is overwhelmingly female. If we want our heroes to be better men, and if we want more of our heroes to be women, and if perhaps we want a world in which our stories are more honest than the framework of heroes and villains allows, well - we have to start by telling the whole truth. ~ Jill Filipovic

In another life back in the Philippines I used to head the operations and administrative field office for a security expert whose specialty was to bodyguard visiting VIPs, foreign dignitaries, and famous personalities. Among them, Michael Jackson, Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson, and Kobe Bryant.

When Kobe came to the Philippines for his first promotional visit, he was so young he was still being chaperoned by his mother, the statuesque and elegant Pamela. The Lakers were still courting him for the NBA draft and he had yet to co-sign their contract.

He was a golden young man shining with all his dreams and aspirations, though perhaps no longer innocent and  already tainted by the world's demands and distractions. His first night at the hotel he was booked at, we had a problem with the security cameras in his suite.

It turned out they were blocked by hotel security because a few local beauties had come over to party and show him their personal brand of hospitality. On a world tour where every country falls all over themselves to be the standout host for such a star, does he ever get to say no?

Who knows what offers were extended to Kobe throughout his stellar career? Although there may be countless opinions as to what was proffered and what his preferences may have been. Some he may have even admitted to.

Way before this young man stepped into the arena, he was already being groomed for years. It's a good thing he loved basketball so much because honestly who can guess how much choice he may or may not have had regarding his career?

If we want our heroes to be better men, and if we want more of our heroes to be women, and if perhaps we want a world in which our stories are more honest than the framework of heroes and villains allows, well - we have to start by telling the whole truth.

Rest in eternal peace, Mamba.