Mary Grace Poe for Senator?

Today’s headline has to be in question mark because even if other papers have reported “with certainty” that she is running for Senator in the 2010 elections, Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares is in truth still in the “to be or not to be” stage.

And that’s the question: To be or not to be a candidate?

“I’m not sure yet,” Mary Grace, daughter of Da King and Susan Roces, told Funfare Update. “I was surprised when it came out in a paper that I was running when I haven’t made up my mind yet.”

Without fanfare, Mary Grace has been going around the country, sometimes alone or with the group of Pres. Erap Estrada or that of Sen. Chiz Escudero (who is also a “presidentiable”), meeting with the supporters of her late dad FPJ.

“I’m still trying to get the ‘pulse’,” she said. “Pinupulsuhan ko pa. Maybe I will make a decision middle of this year.”

As it is, Mary Grace said it’s “premature” to comment what party (Danding Cojuangco’s NPC which is grooming Chiz as its standard bearer?) she might run under if and when.

“Basta,” smiled Mary Grace, “I will make a formal announcement once I reach a decision.”

Reader’s reaction

Here’s a belated reaction to Funfare Update’s story about Didith Reyes who died in December last year:

Dear Ricky,

Peace!

It saddens me to read about the passing away of Ms. Didith Reyes.

I had a chance to meet and have a long talk with Didith in early January 2007.

Didith was a good neighbor to my mother in Project 2, Quezon City. When my mother died, she paid respect, stayed long hours in vigil and prayers, and attended Mass at my mother’s wake at the Sto. Domingo Church Mortuary. Her visits (my only encounters with her) gave us a chance to talk about life’s challenges and trials. She had profound and wonderful insights.       

Didith longed for spiritual renewal. That was one thing she hinted at. I guess she had no hesitation talking about it because she saw me wearing my Dominican habit, and she saw me officiating a Mass for the soul of my mother. Yes, I am a priest.

There was a scheduled “Parish Renewal Experience Seminar” later that January in Sto. Domingo Parish. I invited her to come and let herself available for the program. She told me though that she had to find a substitute for her in her job at Ricky Reyes Haircutters so that she could be free to attend the three nights and two days of renewal activities. It was unfortunate that she was not able to make it. I am sorry for myself that I was not able to see or even to talk with her again after the burial of my mother.

Didith was at the wake of my mother because my mother had loved her. The compassionate in my mother saw in Didith the survivor in the dog-eat-dog world, fighting hard to amend the mistakes of the past. It was just unfortunate that few people were there to give her that chance. She also lost my mother, a neighbor who saw in Didith her beauty despite her bruised ego and face, grace despite being weary at times.

Thank you, Ricky, for writing such a wonderful piece about Didith. Yes, she deserves to take a rest. Kindly extend my condolence to the people within your reach who truly care for Didith. Kindly tell them that somewhere out there in Ethiopia, someone is saying a Mass everyday for the eternal repose of the soul of Didith Reyes.

Sincerely,

Fr. Greg Fabila Gregory, OP

Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia, Africa

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