Man of few words won Susan’s heart

STA. ROSA, LAGUNA — No talk not only means no mistake; it can also win the heart of a woman.

Veteran actress Susan Roces said yesterday she fell in love with her husband, presidential contender Fernando Poe Jr., precisely because he does not talk much.

"I get turned off sa mga tao, lalo na sa mga lalaki, na putak nang putak (I get turned off by people, especially men, who talk endlessly). That’s not my kind of man. That’s not my kind of leader," Roces told The STAR during a break from her campaign sortie in this province.

It was the first time that Roces publicly defended her husband, the standard-bearer of the opposition Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP), on the issue of his refusal to face other presidential candidates in a debate.

Poe, a high-school dropout due to circumstance, is now in a statistical tie with President Arroyo in the surveys. He has been criticized for his supposed inarticulateness and lack of political experience.

Yesterday, his wife proved more articulate and daring in tackling head-on the debate issue, mostly in flawless English.

"For this noisy generation, everybody is so opinionated. That’s why our country is in chaos. Everybody is talking (all) at the same time," Roces said, adding that people have all but lost the art of conversation.

"Roces said debates "will not clear" issues and would even be an exercise in futility simply because "nobody listens."

Roces also criticized the media for harping on her husband’s position on the presidential debates and the reported fears of investors that a presidential front-runner like him can scarcely explain a lucid program of government.

"Who is saying these? It’s the newspapers that are saying these. One thing, before the written platform (of Poe), they said FPJ (his initials) does not have a platform. So it was printed and given out. Then they said ‘walang laman ang platform (platform is empty)’. No matter what FPJ does, they will never be satisfied," Roces said.

But Roces apparently is, because she said debates are not part of her life with Poe. Instead, she said: "I only love him and I only kiss and hug him."

Even if she can converse better than her husband, Roces would rather not take on the suggestion of former senator Raul Roco, Alyansa ng Pag-asa standard-bearer, that spouses of presidential aspirants face each other in a debate.

Roces, not without sarcasm, reiterated suggestions by others that Roco should instead debate with his wife, Sonia.

Yesterday Roces barnstormed the towns of San Pedro, Biñan, Sta. Rosa, Sta. Elena, and Cabuyao with the KNP’s local candidates and the relatives, friends and supporters of the entire KNP national ticket.

Roces was mobbed by people, who wanted to see and touch her because she was their "idol" and "FPJ’s wife."

Roces went to a wet market in each town, and spoke briefly at each stop. Using a codigo (small piece of paper with notes), she recited the names of all the KNP national candidates and the opposition’s local bets in Laguna. She also mentioned the achievements and the national issues taken up by the senatorial candidates.

Though she has been dubbed "Mrs. Palengke," Roces said she’d rather be known as "Mrs. Kababaihan."

And March being women’s month, Mrs. Kababaihan said her remarks were tailored for the occasion, touching on issues that affect women most, such as the rising prices of commodities and electricity rates.

Roces has become more active in the campaign in the past two weeks, mainly visiting wet markets with friends from show business, particularly movie producer Lily Monteverde. She has yet to appear in the same campaign sortie with Poe. — With Rene Alviar