Even if a showbiz endorsement does not necessarily good governance make, the other way around is also true. Just because an actor or actress is endorsing a candidate, it doesn’t automatically mean the candidate’s no good either. By its very essence, politics is a game that needs to be played. Typically, in this country, like many others, mass popularity often wins the game, so even the best of them are forced to give politics the showbiz edge.
On Tuesday, I wrote about Team Yellow and its all-star cast, but I forgot to mention that Liberal Party VP candidate Mar Roxas’ wife, Korina Sanchez, is a celebrity in her own right. There are other celebrities who are wearing yellow. Martin Nievera is reportedly composing another song for Team Yellow, this time to be sung by Zsa Zsa Padilla. Kris has also named other celebrities who will endorse Noynoy and Mar: Claudine Barretto, Pokwang, Jodi Sta. Maria, and Jim Paredes. In fact, on Sept. 21, the APO Hiking Society led a group of musicians in a fund-raising concert for Noynoy and Mar at the UP Theater. Among those who performed were Aiza Seguerra, Bayang Barrios, Noel Cabangon, Isay Alvarez, and Leah Navarro.
And interesting side note: Boy Abunda was originally for Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party, but he switched allegiance when Noynoy finally accepted the challenge to run for president.
Team Orange
Erap has said he used orange first, but what’s freshest on my mind is Manny Villar and his Nacionalista Party-mates clad in the bright, citrus color. Surprisingly, next to Noynoy, Team Orange has the most power celebrities backing it, despite the huge disparity in number. Willie Revillame, of Wowowee fame or infamy, depending on how you see it, single-handedly bears the influence of, I don’t know, forty percent of the celebrities endorsing Team Yellow. I mean, who else can weather so many controversies and still stay on air? (Oh, right, Kris Aquino too.)
Another Nacionalista Party endorser is Dolphy, who, like Manny, had to work his way out of poverty to get to the top. I’ve always admired Dolphy, and he still has some credibility as far as I’m concerned, so I think he was a wise choice. One other Team Orange endorser is Efren “Bata” Reyes, who has his own rags to riches story as well.
While I have still have high regard for Manny, Dolphy, and Efren, what perplexes me is how in the world “Sipag at tiyaga” can ever mix with the indolence, dole-out mentality, and victim complex that Wowowee inspires.
Team Orange, too
Erap is still mum on his celebrity endorsers, but he’s still a celebrity himself, even more so now for the current generation as he has a movie with Ai-ai de las Alas showing, Ang Tanging Pamilya. He’s also very much connected with former actors who are now politicians, like Quezon City vice-mayor Herbert Bautista and son Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.
I know for sure that Erap will have more stars on his side—he has loyal friends in the industry. What I’m not sure of, however, is if these stars, like Erap himself, would still be relevant.
Team Green
In hot pursuit of the star power of the other teams, Team Green had to go the showbiz route, first courting Sen. Bong Revilla, who is now a guest candidate of the Nacionalista Party, before offering the VP slot to actor and game show host Edu Manzano. I am of the opinion that they’re after the macho vibe—which should differentiate them from the other tandems successfully. Apart from bearing impressive credentials, Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet Gibo Teodoro is a looker. And do I even have to say that his running mate, Edu Manzano, is still one of the handsomest, sexiest men in showbiz?
We should be seeing more of the entertainment industry’s faces, now that the campaign period has officially begun. Like in a variety show, expect bigger, brighter, and better things to come as politicians and their publicity arms officially woo us for our votes. Really, the party—or the circus, if you prefer—has just started.
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