Mark today, as it will never come again. Today is unlike any other Wednesday. Are you dressed to the nines on this 9th day of the 9th month of the year ’09?

* * *

As Marc Anthony said, whence comes such another!

Time, like Shakespeare, never repeats. It will be a long while before we see magic numbers again.

* * *

Those who swear by auguries will make decisions of far-reaching consequences. Marriages will be joined; houses moved into.

* * *

Sharia law, however, allows men only 4 wives, not 9. One may try for more only if he had 9 lives.

* * *

Today Presidential wannabes will file certificates of candidacy…including one Noy… Noy… Noy.

Masses will be offered throughout the country on the 40th day of Cory’s death.

* * *

Successful stockbrokers may give up their pile, wife and mistress, and start a new life as artist in a far-away isle. Frustrated wordsmiths can try to launch as columnist.

* * *

And if you are none of the above, try your luck at lotto with lots of 9’s; or give excitement to an uneventful life as philatelist and send your letters postmarked 9.9.9.

* * *

My tailor learned in kindergarten that a stitch in time saves 9.

* * *

But Washington Sycip will tell you that the Chinese prefer the number 8… infinity stood on its head. “888” car plates command a premium in Hong Kong.

* * *

When Ambassador-designate Pablo Araque was calendared to present his credentials in New Delhi on 9 August 1988, I tried to move it one day earlier to the 8th … hoping Indian numerologists would appreciate an auspicious 8.8.88. But the Chief of Protocol read me the Riot Act on the president’s convenience.

* * *

When my brother Bing and his wife Lally wanted a memorable Caesarian birth-date for their first-born, they chose the 4th of July 1997. Now their son Jan-jan can’t forgive them for missing being born on 7.7.7.

* * *

But they came out of the cold when ordering two martini’s. “Dry?” the bartender asked. “Nein, zwei,” they chorused instinctively.During the Battle for Britain, two German spies slipped into London and entered the exclusive Athenaeum Club.

* * *

Some lucky guy may get a “999” plate number for his Mercedes today. But his car-plate better be right-side up… upside-down it’s triple sixes, and that’s trouble! Feedback: jaz@mb.com.ph