I RARELY write about second fiddles. Don’t get me wrong but I know that they are equally important persons.
In real life, deputies or those with vice titles are also persons with power and certain authorities. They also make important decisions and can be relied upon on certain issues.
Sadly, they do not enjoy the same attention and respect as would their superiors. Blame it to multi-million dollar PR that relegated them to almost nothing. Take the case of Scottie Pippen to Michael Jordan, Dick Cheney to George W. Bush. In music, one cannot say that John Oates was not that valuable to Darryl Hall, Richard Carpenter to Karen Carpenter, Andrew Ridgeley to George Michael. Someone please tell me if these people have done less to make their duos more popular. On the other hand, they were there also there to prop up image, to serve as leverage, to bring fame, and contribute to success.
In the movies, Batman has relied on Robin, Aladdin on Genie, Han Solo on Chewbaca, Lone Ranger on Tonton. This list goes on.
Avoiding and ignoring alter-egos in my articles is not intentional though. But if someone next in line is full of potentials and is exhibiting extra ordinary traits (and performance) that are highly noticeable, then I might just find my pen scribbling for that person.
Take the case of Mabalacat Vice Mayor Gerald Guttrie Pineda Aquino. His regular posts on social media and occasional appearances in local newspapers are drawing attention. I remember advising him few years ago as a Communications practitioner myself to keep all these channels open.
His yield is doing some wonders. In fact, I did not call anyone (especially himself) for information I needed for this article. I just had to visit his FB posts.
The young vice mayor is all over the city – attending seminars (webinars), meetings, hearings, community outreaches. He is doing more than just KBP functions (Kasal, Binyag, Patay). I remember this act being done in the past by the former Apat Na Sikat in the City Council -- Noel Castro, Christian Halili, Eddie Soto, Benny Jocson that got them endeared to the masa during the heydays of former Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales.
He does not mind being “panakip sa butas” to represent Mayor Garbo, whenever the latter’s schedule is in a mess.
Geld, as he is fondly called, is not just a cut for KBP or other social functions. For one, he has an intellectual stature with the LLB (Legum Baccalaureus) attached as appendage to his name. Yes, being a lawyer gave him a perfect mold for the City Council seat, much more serve as its Presiding Officer.
He comes from a political family too. He is the nephew of cousins former Mayor Boking Pineda Morales and former councilor Emil Pineda whose wife, the beauteous Liza, is an incumbent councilor. Geld’s mother is the equally charming Preciosa, sister of Emil. Not to forget, he also has a grandfather who was a town mayor -- Carlito Pineda, cousin of his own Lolo Alejandro Pineda.
But coming from a political clan does not guarantee victory all the time. There were other Pinedas who ran for public office but lost.
In the case of Atty Geld, his rise to power, is a combination of many factors -- political savvy, deep war chest, good looks. The nino bonito type in an artistahin package makes him a ladies’ knight too.
His overwhelming victory over uncle Boking in 2019 can be attributed to his partnership with Mayor Cris Garbo, whose conqueror-vanquisher’s parents have yet to be born up to this day. Not that I am exaggerating but Garbo, with support from guys like Geld, is tough to beat in next year’s elections.
He and Garbo paved the way for a new kind of leadership and governance in Mabalacat City. Again, just like second fiddle Bernie Taupin who wrote lyrics for Elton John, VM Geld is giving Mayor Garbo some good music in his endeavors at the City Council. Approving the annual city budget and passing key resolutions and ordinances redound to melodious tunes for the people.
I think that this is the first time that people of Mabalacat are seeing a sitting vice mayor would be found holding office at the city hall on an almost daily basis. Even if there is no session or committee hearing on schedule for the day. Not only that, his office is lined up too with people seeking help even before he steps down from his car. His free notarial service adds to his value as a public servant.
No wonder he was recently conferred Philanthropist Award from one of the local church parishes.
Atty. Geld is playing his cards well, like Dick Cheney to George W. Bush in the post 911 wars they have launched, he is supportive in the many battles of Garbo and the city government – the pandemic, incessant demand for ayudas, orderly contact tracing and quarantine, fast-tracked vaccination. Of course, there are other battles to be won – moving governance with transparency and above-board fiscal management to a notch higher.
A word of caution though.
While Garbo’s stellar performance cannot be outshined by mere dole-outs of food, relief goods, facemasks and what have you by anybody, Atty Geld may opt to go slow in his do goodies especially community pantries especially in the company of others who may have selfish or vested interests.
This may be misconstrued as maneuvering and harping for the mayorship this early, something that may be taken advantage of to fuel some controversies. A little more patience from our deuteroganist, say until up to 2028 (although 2025 is an option), would make the harvest ripe (read: right) for the taking. Giving due deference to Garbo would make him more honorable too.
He should also be able to tell his colleagues in the City Council to mind their PRs well and not use their positions in government to advance their personal or family’s interests and business endeavors. He should shepherd them into becoming models in the City’s campaigns on environment, encroachments, public health and safety. He should remind them that a seat in the Sangguniang Panlungsod means they are legislators and are to craft some laws and not perform executive functions and even flaunt them.
I believe that Atty. Geld is a man garbed with all sincerity, humility and utmost dignity. He makes this manifest in his respectful demeanor, with his incessant “po” and “opo.” This is something that should continue in this age of millennials and tiktoks.
Second fiddle, sidekick, deuteragonist, he could be but VM Geld is first in a lot of aspects.
Diminutive he could be but VM Geld is tall and big in many ways.