Is white LP’s new yellow?

NOYNOY Aquino swam to Malacañang in 2010 in a river of yellow: yellow banners, shirts, ribbons, streamers, flyers.

Started by his mom Cory who became president in 1986 also in an avalanche of yellow, the color has been family and party brand.

Team P-Noy bets for senators this year wear yellow. It’s the brand, with which the Liberals rally supporters and supporters identify themselves.

When LP acting president Joseph Abaya said the other weekend the campaign period would show differences between LP and UNA as black and white, UNA secretary general Toby Tiangco criticized it as [1] confusion of branding and [2] demeaning black skin.

UNA asked: Is LP brand now white instead of yellow? Or is LP referring to dark features of UNA leader Vice President Jojo Binay and fair skin of P-Noy?

The comparison was carelessly mean as it hinted of differences in complexion. But suggesting it was a racial slur was absurd. Pinoys have never been intolerant of anyone because of skin color.

What’s bad about being dark? Even Nancy Binay credited her recent surge in senators’ poll ratings to her swarthy look, which unmistakably tags her as her dad’s daughter.

Metaphor

As to branding color, we don’t think the LPs are giving yellow, which has made two Aquinos president and could make Mar Roxas one.

White, with black, was used by LP as metaphor to tell UNA, “You’re so not like us.” As figures of speech go, meaning can be lost or twisted.

P-Noy was clearer and more contemptuous when he scoffed at those wearing “dilaw” but not certain of their color inside.

[paseares@sunstar.com.ph]