Monday, March 26, 2007 Seares: Scolded like a maid, treated like ‘sa-op’ By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
FIRST, Lahug, Cebu City Barangay Captain Mary Ann delos Santos griped that Mayor Tomas Osmeña was being insensitive when he said she might run for mayor because she needed money for a an ailing father.
He sees me as if I were his peasant worker (“sama kog sa-op niya”), she said. Actually, more of political whore than farmhand, if she accepted the bribe.
Then, Consolacion Mayor Avelino Gungob wailed he was “scolded like a maid” by Gov. Gwen Garcia, for supporting Luigi Quisumbing over Rep. Nerry Soon, Gwen’s bet.
In medieval times, traitors were skinned alive. That’s a no-no now, so Gwen tongue-lashed him instead.
Election season
Crybabies, the cynics say, it’s election season and Mary Ann and Gungob were in line of fire.
Yet many people expect a lot from leaders. And people don’t like them boorish or bitchy.
Tomas is near hopeless on GMRC, grader subject on manners. He wears brusqueness as brand and style.
Gwen is sweet and demure as she can get but in three recent flaps, she publicly blew up. Unlike Tomas who can be cool in hurling insults, Gwen can blaze away non-stop.
Being ‘taray’
Stress afflicts points-driven leaders. An occasional raving the public can appreciate and overlook. Yet people still cringe over presidents, or mayors or governors, dumping civil calm for ugly tantrum.
People like leaders who are no wimp and pack a wallop, but only when being “taray” is to defend the oppressed or hound the wicked.
By the way, these days, with scarcity of good help, one doesn’t scold maids. And peasants tote a mean scythe or bolo.
