Breakthroughs and bad English

Last week, I got wind of the Noynoy Aquino ad through Twitter. I rarely get to sit in front of the television these days, so I was happy to see that it was already on YouTube, perhaps uploaded by someone on his team. While I am still uncertain who to vote for, I’m always interested in Noynoy’s moves, most especially because of his colorful, if not yellow-hued, back story and the Kris Aquino magic that works both with him and against him.

The Noynoy ad was nothing short of magical, at least in his sister’s context. Kapuso and Kapamilya stars were brought together, supposedly working gratis, in a music video that shows all of them rallying behind Noynoy. There’s Regine Velasquez singing about being united and saying farewell to fear, there’s Sharon Cuneta content in merely raising a lantern, there’s Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera gazing lovingly at each other, there’s Ann Curtis and Mariel Rodriguez, and a sea of other beautiful faces that could only be united by Kris.

While I am wary of getting swept away by showbiz influence when it comes to political matters, I still find the ad inspiring in that it was, more than anything, a show of support for Noynoy by some of the entertainment industry’s brightest personalities. I also find it worrying that Noynoy would go the traditional route of politicians out to win the masses.

I was reminded of how Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo played up to Nora Aunor fans, of how Sen. Jamby Madrigal paid Judy Ann Santos to endorse her, and of how Manny Villar is giving houses away on Wowowee.

Still, I can’t help but feel that Noynoy’s music video, though a product of the same strategy, is hardly the same, if only for the fact that the celebrities backing him clear want to.

Surveys have been showing Noynoy’s overwhelming lead on the other presidentiables, especially in Metro Manila. He has been doing the rounds in the other provinces as well, and so many people have shown their support. With the music video, he’s surely breaking through to the masses, even as he has already won the hearts of most Ninoy-Cory fans.

As much as I love what Ninoy and Cory have come to stand for, however, I’m still on the fence concerning their children. What I truly hope for is that Noynoy finally talks about his political platform. Perhaps that would give a real face to a very real, long-time dream.

Manny rocks Jimmy Kimmel Live!

One other thing that kept me on YouTube longer than I had planned to stay was Manny Pacquiao’s guesting stint on ABC talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! He answered Jimmy’s questions adeptly, turned on the charm unintentionally, and unabashedly serenaded his fans, with a live band, with videoke classic “Sometimes When We Touch.”

If you missed it, google it.

I confess to initially cringing at his diction and grammar—a product of an educational system that emphasized correct English to a fault—but I also confess to realizing how bad I was being. I mean, Manny Pacquiao’s one hometown boy who’s done very well for himself that he’s got American celebrities lining up to meet him, and all I could focus on was how bad his English still was.

Bottom line: He is enjoying the success that, as of now, I’m only dreaming of.

Let’s give him a break. Where he reigns, what language you speak doesn’t matter. Why he reigns, it’s all because of his heart.

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