Well, the die has been cast, so to speak, and Boots has confirmed that, yes, she’s running for Senator in May’s elections under the administration’s LAMP Party. Which means that Boots has to relinquish (she has, effective Feb. 9) her position as head of the government-owned IBC Channel 13, to be replaced by Lito Balquiedra.
Is Boots unable to say no to President Erap, her leading man in several comedies (such as the Tatay na si Erap series)?
"In times like this," said Boots, "I feel that I could contribute to the country with my two-cent’s worth."
It’s Boots’ first foray into the political fray (after saying no to persistent invitations back in 1995 and 1998 elections) and she’s ready, willing and able.
The LAMP "tempting" offer came just when Boots was deciding to just concentrate on acting following her resignation as IBC 13 head (you see, she quit her post not for the elections but for, yes, "art’s sake").
Asked who she wants to be ranked with once she’s in the Senate (she’s predicted to be a "sure winner"), whether the feisty Miriam Defensor-Santiago or the demure-but-intelligent Loren Legarda-Leviste, Senadora Boots thought a while and said, "I’d rather have my own identity."
Good for her, ‘no?
I would like to share with your readers some often-used phrases which articulate people like you use in column-writing, short stories, everyday conversations, etc.
1. Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Meaning: Reveal the truth.
Background: Refers to a con game practiced at country fairs in old England. A trickster tried to sell a cat in a burlap bag to an unwary bumpkin, saying it was a pig. If the victim figured out the trick and insisted on seeing the animal, the cat had to be let out of the bag.
2. Hooker
Meaning: Prostitute.
Background: Although occasionally used before the Civil War, its widespread popularity can probably be traced to General Joseph Hooker, a Union soldier who was well-known for the liquor and whores in his camp. He was ultimately demoted and Washington prostitutes were jokingly referred to as "Hooker’s Division".
3. High on the Hog
Meaning: Luxurious, prosperous.
Background: The tastiest parts of a hog are its upper parts. If you’re living high on the hog, you’ve got the best it has to offer.
4. Caught Red-Handed
Meaning: Caught in the act.
Origin: For hundreds of years, stealing and butchering another person’s livestock was a common crime. But it was hard to prove unless the thief was caught with a dead animal... and blood in his hands.
5. Bury the Hatchet
Meaning: Make peace with an enemy.
Origin: Some native American tribes declared peace by literally burying a tomahawk in the ground.
6. Lay An Egg
Meaning: Fail
Origin: From the British sport of cricket. When you fail to score, you get a zero – which looks like an egg. The term is also taken from baseball, where a zero is a "goose egg".
7. Born With a Silver Spoon In Your Mouth
Meaning: Pampered; lucky; born into wealth or prosperous circumstances.
Origin: At one time, it was customary for godparents to give their godchild a silver spoon at the christening. These people were usually well-off so the spoon came to represent the child’s good fortune.
(Source: The Best of Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader)
Fourteen young women from each of Navotas’ barangays are vying for the title. Now on its third year, the contest seeks to promote tourism as well as enhance goodwill in the local community.
Wendy Valdez is the reigning Miss Navotas.
Spearheaded by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), this year‘s search began with the "Search for Miss Barangay 2001" which ran from Nov. 10 to 30 last year.
The criteria for judging are stage presence, 20 percent; poise and personality, 20 percent; casual wear, 15 percent; casual interview, 15 percent; and question and answer, 30 percent.
The pre-pageant activities include an acquaintance party, walking session, swimsuit competition and talent night.
Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco said that Miss Navotas will bring home P20,000 in cash; the first runner up, P10,000; and the second runner up, P5,000.
The special awards include Best in Swimsuit, Best in Long Gown, Miss Talent, Miss Friendship, Miss Photogenic and Miss Cooperative.
The Miss Navotas 2001 working committee is made up of Jose Ranel Ruiz, Patricia Agcaoili, Regina Serrano and Evangeline Cruz from the municipal government and Rey Lazaro, Reng Ruin, Jessie Sevilla and Jonell Orencio from the Malabon-Navotas Designers Association.