The Philippine Online Chronicles

Tonight, we were watching the evening news on tv -- my sons and I.   A not too usual happening since they usually come in late from work, from a night out, from a badminton or basketball game, or from whatever it is young adults are usually pre-occupied with.

As most of you know, commercial breaks on tv nowadays are outnumbered by political propaganda. On an given night, the viewer is treated or jaded (take your pick) by the beaming faces and shining promises of Gilbert (Gibo) Teodoro, Manny Villar, Noynoy Aquino, and Eddie Villanueva, not to mention those of vice presidential hopefuls and senatorables. Personally, I have to give it to these candidates, though -- many of these ads are imaginatively conceptualized and professionally, with some even subtly executed, making them visual and cerebral treats. But perhaps compliments are due the cooks? I mean, you know -- the media specialists that created them.

As my sons and I watched one campaign ad after another, I thought it was a fine opportunity to take a quick survey of my children's political preferences and views. I knew from previous conversations we had that they had not really made definitive choices, in the same way that I have not. But we all agreed happily the pickings were not as slim as in previous elections. For the first time in a long time, it seems, it is no longer a question of choosing the lesser evil. There were enough good men running.

To begin the ball rolling, I said: "You know, I sorta like Gibo. He seems to have what it takes."

"Oh yes," Eric agreed. "He is a good administrator. He has a reputation for competence, for hard work, for delivering. Very articulate, too. But ..."

"It is not only that he seems competent," I interrupted before I could listen to his ifs and buts. "Gibo has this look about him. His eyes, his smile, his face. It is a good face, an open face." I almost take pride in being intuitive, you see.

"Charming nga siya, Mommy. But ..." this time it was Joel who demurred.

"It is not just charm," I interrupted again. "See how he talks. He talks straight .. there is no attempt to impress. He's not glib-tongued. And he listens well when interviewed. Besides, I read what a psychologist thought about him -- that he has open body language, which translates to trustworthiness."

"Yes Mommy, but ... ano ka ba Mommy," Eric said in an almost exasperated tone and this time I let him go on, knowing I have provoked him enough. "Do you want Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) to go scot-free when her term ends? Everyone has to earn his just desserts. What Gibo should have done is to run for senator first, make waves as legislator, and keep a distance from the present administration. Then he could eye the presidency."

"So does it mean, you, we should vote for Noynoy Aquino?" I asked, baiting.

Now, I have always said I have nothing against Noynoy. In fact I like it very much that he is a reluctant candidate, in the same way that her Mom was. Political reluctance calls to mind the beautiful Biblical passage that anoints and exalts the humble. But the oh-so-humble and reluctant Cory Aquino was a transistion president -- everyone knows it. And she did superbly, as such. The present times, however, call for a tough administrator, statesman and economic leader. We need change -- economic , moral, social, environmental -- like a parched land needs rainfall. Noynoy hasn't distinguished himself much in the Senate. He was laid back, lackluster. Good genes and absence of a bad record seem to me to be fragile basis to mount a hotly-contested presidential campaign on.

"Well," Joey interjected. "Surely not Manny Villar."

"Why not," I shot back. We all loved Manny when he banged his gavel to adjourn that historic session of the House of Representatives that ushered in Erap's impeachment trial about a decade ago.

"Mommy, don't you see," Eric again was speaking with a hint of annoyance in his voice. "The guy has been spending gazillions long before the campaign officially started. He is a businessman ... he would want a return on investments."

Well, we didn't discuss Eddie Villanueva, Jamby Madrigal, Erap Estrada, JC de los Reyes and Dick Gordon . No one mentioned them . Maybe next time.

Next time too, maybe, I will talk politics with my apolitical daughters.

Photos by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado. Some Rights Reserved.