There’s a concept in literary criticism that art imitates life.
Another school of thought asserts that life imitates art.
When an actor acts the role of a madman that’s art depicting reality. There is an abundance of crazy people around.
The closest example of this duality is the actor-politician. There are politicians who were actors first and became successful in the art of make believe in public office.
Marquee names in a bygone period were Rogelio dela Rosa and Diosdado Macapagal. Their experience in zarzuela honed and developed their acting skills and the ability to manipulate people’s emotions.
Macapagal rose from Congressman to Vice President and highest official of the land. Rep. DM was our guest speaker in our high school graduation. He was a terrific speaker, a rabble rousing orator. Decades later I discovered he was imitating the style of Hitler who mesmerized his mammoth audience with h is powerful oratory.
During the campaign for his re-election, I saw cabalen fanatics shed tears as he emotionally appealed for their support. The handsome drama actor in the days of the zarzuela was at his best again.
Sen. Marcos beat him in his own game. Anac ti Batac with his eloquence and native braggadocio delivered his perorations like the other Fascist- Mussolini. While the Poor Boy from Lubao was fiery, Marcos was ferocious.
Before winning public office, the father-and-son tandem, Lito and Mark Lapid rose from the ranks of the cinema world. The two are in league with those actors who journeyed from acting to politics. The tandem is a rare phenomenon in Pampanga politics.
Still, politicians are made by their kin like CSF City Councilor Reden who basks in the glitter of her actress daughter Sheena Halili; and Angeles dad Jericho Aguas with ex-wife actress Isabel Granada. Actor Richard Gomez repeatedly failed in elections until actress wife Lucy Torres-Gomez decided to use her clout. Sen. Kiko is where he is today because of Sharon Cuneta.
One of my favorite Pampango actor-politicians is former vice governor Clayton Olalia. Clay played good politics during his tme in the Capitol. He moonlighted as character actor in Yakuza flicks where he plays gangster roles, with credibility. Another ex-vice governor and-part time action star is Mikey Arroyo famous for reel or real rom-com.
A crooked politician’s life is a fairy tale written by the devil.
If Pastor Quiboloy won a MOKA last year, Brother Eli Soriano deserves one. Brother Eli is a son of Apalit while Quiboloy is a son of God.