Monday, April 07, 2008 Mercado: Home is where the heart is By Ram Mercado First Person
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has turned 61 last Saturday. Pampanga virtually gave her "favorite" daughter a red-carpet welcome on the eve of her birthday, a jubilant asalto in the land of her father.
Although she did not grow up in Lubao, she keeps coming back to the place, not only sentimental visits but in the concept of animus revertendi. Certainly, home is where the heart is.
She is not a native-born Kapampangan but she is one cabalen de facto. She carries the bloodline of an illustrious father, a former President of the Republic.
The local officialdom turned out en masse in her traditional birthday thanksgiving Mass at the San Agustin Church in her hometown, as well as the less privileged but admiring hoi poloi of the town.
As in the past, on a festive day like that Friday event, the poor folk of Lubao converged at the church patio where they were abundantly fed. Mrs. Lilia "Baby" Pineda, former municipal mayor and "expectant governor" was the quiet sponsor of a free breakfast for the multitude. Several supporters of the President, wanting anonymity, also donated sumptuous home-cooked dishes for the guests.
Not present in Lubao I could not narrate vividly the interesting tidbits of the occasion and the people who trooped to greet the celebrant. Among the reported lead welcomers were Representative Dong Gonzales (3rd dist.) and the Kapampangan Cinderella (BM Lina Bagasina).
But I was at the inauguration of the expanded terminal project of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, which the President toured after witnessing the contract signing of about US$125 million investment agreements at the airport.
It was CIAC president and CEO Chichos Luciano's shining moment, with the President's great delight visible in her glowing countenance, a faced shorn of the aggravating stress, long hours, and ceaseless problems besetting her and the nation. PGMA is truly TOTL.
I once asked Mrs. Arroyo the secret of that youthful and refreshing look. She mentioned the secret as correct "time management" and her prayerful nature.
Our society matrons in Pampanga who are into botox and expensive beauty creams should take a hint. Most people admire her youthful look at 61.
When Mrs. Arroyo is on a fighting mood, she puts on a red dress similar to the crimson red she wore last Friday.
Her arrival at the Airport terminal where she motored from Lubao was a victory party in a subdued motif. Pampangos truly love her, look at what Floridablanca did to Senator Kiko Pangilinan.
Judging from the ardor of the guests who had been waiting for her arrival, one could sense that everybody, indeed, loves a winner.
There was no military band playing martial airs like in Marcos's time. A marimba team from Angeles University Foundation, with Chancellor Manny Angeles around, set the mood of the occasion as it played native songs. During her tour of the expanded P55.9 million terminal, "Atin Ku Pung Singsing," accompanied the President's sprightly gait, as it does her march to the Batasan before she delivers the State of the Nation; during military honors for her, and in ceremonial walks honoring national heroes.
Cynosure of guests' eyes was on CIAC president Chichos Luciano whose project made the President rejoice quietly. After all, the Airport was named in honor of her late father, but chiefly because her dream of air passenger arrival that will now accommodate two million travelers a year.
Beside Luciano, the MVP of the day was CDC President & CEO Levy Laus who has been tasked by the President to expand the power transmission capability of Clark to the tune of P3 billion. If this is an indication of the continued term of the corporate celebrity. Laus would be finishing his government service up the President's term. Logically, you do not change horses in mid-stream, that is the message, folks.
I saw Representative Tarzan Lazatin (1st Dist.) who was in deep thoughts, especially when President Levy was around. Of course the two are in speaking terms, but not animatedly and for long, according to Clark media observers.
I can say without contradiction that PGMA has "star quality", a variation of that inexplicable power like that attracts people to a movie icon.
When she arrives at a public event, there is a rush of bodies, almost a stampede, with everyone wanting to get to her. You could have mixed Noranians and Vilmanians and not witness the crowd surge like that of the President's dramatic presence.
An object of curious wonder was Presidential deputy spokesperson Rely Fajardo. Local government officials, CBC executives and CIAC personnel took a close hard look at the comely former Palayan City Mayor, a Palace celebrity herself whose punk and articulateness get on the nerves of Opposition Senators and Arroyo critics. I consider her TOTL.
I am one of her local admirers, too, but I assure Ms. Rely I am not a jobseeker, being preoccupied in watching Tarzan Lazatin and Levy Laus outdo each other in serving the interest of the Aetas.
Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan, a future congressman, has the President's ears as her close-in escort at the Terminal. I often say to Sec. Ed, to go for it and make your dream come true!
While the local officialdom got attracted by Ms. Fajardo, the power girl from Palayan City; corporate executives focused on Fontana's beauteous PR girl, Arlene de Guzman. Arlene is the celebrated events organizer and PR expert who makes Jack Lam's tourist destination a success. She is also TOTL.
By columnist Bong Lacson's beauty standard, the main standout in the female crowd at the Terminal was City Councilor Maricel Morales, a former Philippine beauty title-holder. Lacson describes Marang as a stunning and talented girl, "TOTL", yes She wowed the male crowd with her well-endowed bosoms under a plunging neckline.
If senior newsman Rizal Policarpio would encounter the beauteous Marang on a forlorn evening, this aging bachelor may find himself liable under a new Republic Act I tell you.
