Lightning rally tidbits

THERE was no lightning last Friday and nobody was hit. There was just a political surge by Team PNoy in Talisay, Silay, Victorias and Bacolod. It was a blitzkrieg. This is a German term for “lightning war.” It is a form of warfare used by German forces in World War II. In a blitzkrieg, troops in vehicles, such as tanks, made quick surprise strikes with support from airplanes. These tactics resulted in the swift German conquest of France in 1940.

The senatorial bets of Team PNoy landed in Negros Occidental in two areas: Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and Cynthia Villar arrived at the Silay Airport at 7:20 a.m. PAL Flight. The rest docked at Bacolod Real Estate Development Corporation (Bredco) Port around 8:30 a.m. They all met at Bacolod Pavilion Convention Center where around 3,000 independent women of Bacolod attended. Most of them are from ages 25-50 and are housewives or former OFWs. Around 9:15 a.m., they were at Talisay City Public Plaza for the first wave rally. At 9:45 a.m., they started arriving one after the other at Silay Public Plaza.

They were welcomed by Mayor Jose L. Montelibano, Congressman Albee Benitez, and the Silay LP candidates for councilors. Mayor Oti was joined in by Mayor Lourdes Escalante of the Municipality of Manapla with her LP group also. By 10 a.m., the conservative estimate of the crowd is not less than 7,000. Many were still arriving. The emcees from Manila are Long Mejia, JinkyOda, and Manny Paksiw. I observed that the Silay LP local connection is well organized. There were representatives from the barangays, farmers' group, fisherfolk, vendors, drivers, hacienda workers, business and youth sectors. Traffic flow was smooth. Each sector had a designated area at the plaza.

The medical teams were positioned in strategic places. The physical setup was precise and the other Silaynons who were late in coming formed a reception line in front of the Sen. Jose C. Locsin Cultural and Civic Center. Most of them were young people. I was told that they mistook Koko Pimentel for Coco Martin (the actor). Someone added that Anne Curtis is coming with Coco Martin. That's the wonder of gossip. I knew all these because our Tourism Office is in front of the lobby of the Civic Center. Sometimes I took time also to see and hear what was happening outside of the office. I was also intrigued by the gossip and ... Anne Curtis.

I did not have the opportunity to see all the candidates or their representatives but I was able to bump on some. Edgardo Angara was the favorite of not-so-old-women. He received hugs and kisses. The wife of Benigno "Bam" Aquino is a beautiful asset. Jamby Madrigal is very assertive. She proceeded to Victorias right after her speech. She did not have the opportunity to taste “lumpia de Silay.” Ramon Magsaysay did a “masa entry” to the stage from the crowd. He followed his father's style. Antonio Trillanes IV was not there but he was represented by his “look-alike,” a fellow Magdalo. The “matronas” from the crowd were amazed. Grace Poe was represented by her handsome son. The son has the quality of the matinee idol just like FPJ. Cynthia Villar is very comfortable in Silay. She has been here for several times promoting her “hanepbuhay.” The big crowd drawer is Loren Legarda. The crowd control policemen had a hard time explaining to the crowd that Loren is not an angel yet. She really is an icon.

Loren was accompanied by Mayor Oti and wife Marissa, the Silay councilors, DepEd Officials and the Tourism staff to inaugurate an E-classroom at OkingJison Integrated School donated by her. Senator Legarda in the past donated also a Daycare Center for Silay. She promised to the principal to add one more classroom. She distributed also her kits for climate change.

I hope Silaynons and Negrosanons could be entertained again when Team UNA would visit Negros Occidental also. It's good that the candidates spoke on platforms and performance. Nobody did a joker. Listening to them is a lot of fun. Nobody attempted to be funny.