|
Monday, December 08, 2003
Mercado: Otso-otso, mga chicks sa Senado
By Ram Mercado
PHILIPPINE politics has become one lucrative entertainment industry. It is show-biz driven, money-propelled, and star-struck.
The evolution of Philippine elections to one stellar roadshow demands candidates who can attract the crowd, or lacking genuine talent, must exude charisma, and most important of all, can spend a fortune.
Even Claro Recto, Lorenzo Tanada or Jovito Salonga, should they be running in today's senatorial elections, will be plastered by the likes of Noli de Castro, Tito Sotto or Sonny Jaworski.
One does not understand what bad spirit has descended on this "pearl of the orient seas." It could be the advent of the electronic media, a whiplash of Hollywood culture and the crude alcohol used in local rums, gins, and beer that addle the common man's brain.
With a probable Fernando Poe presidency, the nation will taste the ultimate in show-biz politics. The coming of the Panday has been ushered first, by "spaghetting pababa, spagetting pataas," and today's fave song "otso-otso" which may as well presage the dark age of national survival.
These songs have captured our youth who comprise about 60 percent of the populace. In their time, as the decisive sector of the voting citizens, they will walk the uneven, nay, crooked path along life's highway, "pababa ng pababa, pataas ng pataas".
If "otso-otso" indicated our national direction, we are in for a tortuous and winding ordeal, with sudden curves that turn into a dizzying zigzag. Bike enthusiasts know what an "otso" condition is: it is a flat tire, with its rim warped and twisted into an "8". It is a useless and discardable item.
Now comes Mr. Suave, and watch this, Hoy, hoy, hoy, hoy, hoy, hoy! If the electorate chooses to balance the Senate composition in next year's Congress, there would at least be eight (otso!) future lady senators, including the incumbent, Sen. Loi Estrada.
The new Senate aspirants have that "show-biz" quality, plus the added long-time exposure to electronic media, the film, TV and radio. Not one is less than a multi-millionaire; all have the experience in public service, the name recall, and money to boot.
Former senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, Rep. Imee Marcos, former senator Nikki Coseteng, reelectionist Sen. Tessie Oreta, former governor Tingting Cojuangco, the Speaker's wife, Manay de Venecia, and heiress philanthropist Jamby Abad Santos Madrigal.
With Sen. Loi, the above aspirants, should they make it to the Senate can strike a balance between the eternal conflict of the beauty and the beast. At worst, the women lawmakers while in a tactical huddle, may look like it is a meeting of the Mothers Club. But that is less threat to the nation's welfare than some male senators plotting to deprive the people of certain rights or selling the country down the river.
I specially want Miriam to be the Senate president to establish order in that body. Being the most "taray" of the women, she can whip the Senate into a disciplined and caring entity. If things go wrong she can also resort to her 9mm pistol which she carries handily.
On dull days, the lady senators can parade their ternos or their power dresses, including the pashmina, and may teach the youth one or two tricks on fashion sense. Sen. Tessie, it is sad to note, is predicted to land on a dire situation. The nation will miss the Oreta jig.
The "Dancing Queen" should start learning the otso-otso in this difficult competition which already has welcomed the latest show-biz entry, the future Senator Manuel L. Lapid. Lapid is predicted as sure winner in all preference polls by Lakas party.
No matter how baduy one can get, hoy! (times 6), the otso-otso is better than the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars), Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-Aids) and the curse of Panday.
(December 8, 2003 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
