Mikey: Sabit lang po ako! - FUNFARE by Ricardo F. Lo

Things don’t come easy to Mikey Macapagal Arroyo just because he’s now a First Son. You’re in for a big disappointment if you expect Mikey to be throwing his weight around or trying to have his way by simply dropping the "magic" line, "I am the son of GMA!"

No, according to Mikey who, in fairness to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s eldest son (now pushing 31), has remained as sweet and as humble and as down-to-earth and as friendly and as "non-airy" as he has always been. Ask those who know him well, like direk Willy Milan who has directed Mikey in three movies and is now directing him in another one, Sundalo, in which Mikey plays a soldier.

"On the set," said direk Willy, "wala siyang special treatment, no VIP treatment for him. He has no cordon sanitaire. He has bodyguards, all right, but you won’t even feel their presence. He arrives on time, much ahead of the rest, and he eats the same food as that of the crew. He’s still his old jolly self, very approachable, madaling lapitan."

Yes, approachable in the sense that he’s easy to deal with but not "approachable" in the sense that, you know, he can be used as an influence peddler.

"It’s a big no-no to us (meaning brother Dato and sister Luli), our Dad (Mike) and our relatives," stressed Mikey when he talked to five movie writers over snacks at Taste of L.A. (Roces Ave., Quezon City). "My Mom has been constantly reminding us not to meddle in government. She, like all of us, has always been guided by my Lolo’s (the late President Diosdado Macapagal) words of wisdom: Do what is right, do your best and God will take care of the rest."

Besides, added Mikey. "There’s no reason for me or my family to swagger around because sabit lang naman kami. It’s a temporary thing; it’s not forever."

Until now, Mikey still goes home to the Arroyos’ family residence at La Vista, Quezon City, where an uncle keeps him company. His brother Dato (Diosdado, Jr.) still has to move to Malacañang, too, and it’s only their sole sister Luli who lives with her Mom and Dad in the Palace.

"I have a few clothes there, said Mikey, "but I don’t live there."

The room once occupied by Bongbong Marcos is the one assigned to Mikey who found it "spooky" when he slept there once, hardly able to slip off to sweet slumber because of "strange sounds" he was hearing in that huge room with a high ceiling and a bed large enough for four people to wrestle around in.

"You’ve read or heard about the ghost in Malacañang, have you? Well, the ghost reportedly made its presence felt the night before the Marcoses left Malacañang and it did so only 15 years later and that was on the eve of the departure from Malacañang of Erap and his family. That’s why when I slept there," recalled Mikey, "I couldn’t sleep because I got this creepy feeling. It was as if unseen eyes were watching me, making my hair stand on end and giving me goose pimples. The ghost wears black, unlike other ghosts which appear in all-white."

It’s true, Mikey is running for Vice Governor in Pampanga along with incumbent Gov. Lito Lapid who’s running for reelection, but he isn’t expecting his Mom to campaign for him lest they again be accused of trying to build a political dynasty.

"Politics is nothing to me," said Mikey, running under the Lakas-NUCD ticket (in cooperation with the People Power Coalition). "In 1992 when my Mom ran for Senator, I was the one who organized her machinery all in three weeks. I also helped manage her campaign when she ran for Vice President in 1998," added Mikey who is an A.B. Interdisciplinary Studies graduate from Ateneo (where brother Dato is a second year Law student and where Luli finished a course in Foreign Service) and Business Administration graduate (special course) from University of California Berkeley. "Politics is in my blood and so is showbiz. Not many people know that my Lolo (Dadong) was a zarzuelista, along with Rogelio dela Rosa (whose sister, Lota Delgado, was ‘Cong Dadong’s’ first wife)."

While his Mom has lost 15 pounds since she assumed the Presidency, Mikey has gained five pounds and even the extra poundage hasn’t made him, well, throw his weight around. "As I’ve said," he reiterated, "there’s no reason for us to throw our weight around. Sabit lang naman po ako, e!"

Besides Sundalo, Mikey is also tackling the male lead in his other movie, Mahal Kita Kahit Sino Ka Man, with Judy Ann Santos as his leading lady (and Jose "Kaka" Balagtas as director). Can he now gather enough guts to finally court Judy Ann, his long-term crush, now that he’s a First Son?

"The more that I shouldn’t court her because some people might accuse me of doing so only because I happen to be the President’s son," said Mikey.

From a Senator’s son to a Vice President’s son and now to a President’s son. How have this status changes affect his lifestyle?

"It hasn’t," said Mikey. "I’m still the same. Look," he added, opening his wallet, "I don’t even have money. I only have P2,040 and no credit card at all."

But then, he has "face value," you know.

If a traffic cop sees him entering a one-way street, he would recognize Mikey’s face and maybe let him go with a smile.

"Even that," said Mikey, "hindi ko papayagan. Now that my Mom is President, I’m even more careful. I won’t even enter a one-way street."

Readers’ reaction

Here’s yet another letter from readers Marcelo RL and Charmaine DG commenting on the recent Bb. Pilipinas Pageant:

The recent Bb. Pilipinas 2001 pageant has proven anew that only a few Filipina beauties are intellectually ready to face the challenges of international competitions.

Among the 26 hopefuls, only the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe titlist can rightly claim to have given the most natural, well-thought of and substantial answer to the final question.

Zorayda Ruth Andam is a cum laude graduate of the country’s premiere state university and is in her third year at the UP College of Law.

In fairness to the infamous Cristina Fandino, she exhibited wit and confidence during the semi-finals and mind you, she was simply eloquent. Too bad, her "motherly" looks proved to be her Waterloo.

Candidate #8 Mi-chelle Reyes was a crowd favorite. Her throng of hakots, however failed to save her from disgrace as she gave an out-of-this-world answer to the question, "what is the most significant difference between the Filipina then and now?"

Imagine us puking as she blurted out, "The Filipina (gap)… ahhm; being a beauty queen does not depend on the luster of the crown but on the substance of the head and the heart." Good riddance! Picture her competing alongside the likes of Larra Dutta (Ms. Universe 2000) or Pranyika Chopra (Ms. World 2000) of India! Lalamunin talaga siya.

Jeanie Andersen of Baguio City (a perennial "thank you girl") is a classic on her own. Her "Quiet please" line will undoubtedly eclipse the popularity of Zorayda Andam’s answer.

Maricarl Tolosa who eventually bagged the Bb. Pilipinas World title seems to have spoken words beyond her grasp. "The Filipina now has a good vision in life, perspective, paradigm for a better future." Well, she could have easily won the Bb. Pilipinas-Thesaurus title had the organizers tried giving one. Alam kaya niya ang kahulugan ng mga salitang binitiwan niya?

As for this year’s panel of judges, we could say that it’s a good line-up – save for that basketeer who cannot even peruse the question which was obviously prepared for him.

Much has been said about the pageant. Crucify us if you want. Belie our claims if you please but you cannot change our two cents' worth on one of the most mediocre crops of Bb. Pilipinas pageant competitors.

Thank you and more power! – Marcelo Rl And Charmaine DG, Makati City