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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Do celebrities make politics look good?

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Last month, an Emmy Award-winning actress who currently stars in an American political satire comedy series, jested about politics being almost the same as showbiz. She said her experience of both worlds has taught her that the similarities outweigh the differences. And she even continued gushing: “Politics is just show business for ugly people.”

For the American actress it was just a joke, like the series she is part of, we have to take it at face value. Nothing really serious.

While, it’s true that politics hardly shows any difference from showbiz, the first has turned into a landscape where showbiz personalities are no longer content being just endorsers. They are now at the forefront selling themselves as public servants.

Joseph Ejercito Estrada seeks reelection as Mayor in Manila

Certainly, Joseph Ejercito-Estrada is by far the most successful showbiz personality to ever get elected into office. If not because of that one faithful day when he was ousted from the Malacañang, he would have been a perfect prototype of successful celebrities who crossed over from silver screen to political arena.

Now, the so-called Mayor-President is seeking re-election in Manila and today, he expects that electorate in the capital will cast their votes to keep him in power.

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Vicente Sotto

The comedian known as the one-third of TVJ, is running for senator yet again. In Sotto’s last 24 years as a politician, he has spent three six-year terms (1992 to 1998, 1998 to 2004, and 2010 to present) as senator, and two years serving as chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board under the Office of the President. Most of all, he’s popularly known as the senator that holds office on the set of Eat Bulaga.

Vilma Santos

In 1998, she entered politics and ran for mayor of Lipa City, Batangas where she won three consecutive elections, becoming the city’s first female mayor. Ate Vi became Governor in 2007 and once again became the first female governor of the province. The Star for All Season was reelected Governor of the province in May 2010 and 2013. Today, the multi-awarded actress is joining millions of people who will exercise their right to suffrage while she seeking a congressional seat representing the lone district of Lipa.

Alfred Vargas

Before he started wearing pleated trousers and white barong, the actor was donning provocative and skimpy bikinis leaving almost nothing to someone’s imagination. Now, the 36-year-old former Bikini Open star is running for another term as congressman. He’s running without opposition in his district in Quezon City.

Alma Moreno

Alma matters to those who enjoyed her shows like The Other Side of Alma, Rated A and Loveli-Ness where she comfortably displayed her figure in sexy, high-cut skimpy outfit called “tangga.” She ran for mayor in Parañaque in 2004 but lost. In 2007, she was elected as councilor in the same city, and was re-elected in 2010. In 2012, she became the first female National President of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL). You see, she’s not inexperienced after all. But are her experiences enough for her to win a seat in the Senate?

Edu Manzano

Following a three-year term as Vice Mayor, he ran an unsuccessful campaign for Mayor of Makati City in 2001, losing to Jejomar Binay. With no political machinery (just his popularity as an actor), no one could have guessed that the actor-host would continue his dream to become a national leader until he filled his COC to be a Senator.

Manny Pacquiao

As a sports legend, Pacman was on a rocket path to success and respectability. He has endorsed politicians outside the country but the same thing obviously didn’t happen when he was defeated in the election in 2007. He aimed to represent the 1st District of South Cotabato province but lost. Now a religious fundamentalist, the boxing superstar wants to be like his fellow celebrities like Bong Revilla, Tito Sotto and Lito Lapid, you know, as a Senator.

Isko Moreno

Like Alfred Vargas, our guy used to wear spandex underwear before leaving showbiz for good. Moreno served three consecutive terms (nine years) as councilor for Manila’s first congressional district. While in office, he took a crash course in Local Legislation and Local Finance at UP. When he became Manila’s vice mayor, he went to Harvard and took up “Emerging Leaders” executive and crisis management programs. Believing he already has enough experience and clout, he is trying for a seat in the Senate this time.

Herbert Bautista

After his first term as Vice-Mayor, he ran for Mayor in 1998, but lost to then-Mayor Ismael Mathay, Jr. Bistek returned to politics when he was elected as the City Vice Mayor thrice in 2001, 2004, and 2007. Trying to yet again prove his clout, the former actor is now seeking his third and last term at the helm of the most populous local government unit in Metro Manila.

Daisy Reyes

The former commercial model, actress and beauty queen is joining a long list of showbiz personalities who are taking small-town politics by storm. The Cariño Brutal star and papaya soap vendor is on her second term as councilor of Pateros. This probably gave her the confidence to run for mayor in the municipality famous for balut and salted eggs.

Richard Gomez

Goma started his political career in the 2007 elections when he ran for senator but lost. Gomez decided to run for congress in 2010 but was disqualified by the Comelec because of his failure to sufficiently establish residency in Ormoc City.  His wife Lucy Torres replaced him and won. Trying his luck again, showbiz’s tall, dark and handsome actor is running for mayor in his wife’s native city.

Jolo Revilla

Show business in not kind to this 28-year-old Revilla. If not because of his last name, he wouldn’t be able to snatch any role in a TV show or movie. Yet, he still remains as a talentless actor who didn’t even inherit his father’s charisma. Good thing politics is their business in Cavite. From his grandfather and father to his mother Lani Mercado, who is running for mayor in Bacoor, their presence in the province is undeniable.

Mark Lapid

His being elected Governor of Pampanga at the young age of 24 is probably the best thing that happened to his career, both in politics and in showbiz. He is now running for senator under the Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid ticket. On the other hand, his father Lito Lapid, who obviously had an illustrious showbiz career than his son, relegated himself when he decided to run for mayor of Angeles City. 

Vandolf Quizon

Inspired by his mother and his stepfather’s successful attempt at politics, the young Quizon is running for councilor in Parañaque City. Meanwhile, his half-brother, Jeremy Marquez, who was probably roped into politics by the same inspiration, is eyeing the second higesest office in Parañaque City hall (unopposed).

Inday Garutay is running for councilor in San Juan City

Here are some of the celebrities whose names will appear in the ballots today: It’s Showtime host Jhong Hilario is taking his “sample” as councilor of Makati City; Dan Fernandez, vice-governor of Laguna; Daniel Fernando, vice governor of Bulacan; Jukebox queen Imelda Papin, running for Congress represnting a district in Camarines Sur; Roderick Paulate, councilor, 2nd district of Quezon City; Jomari Yllana, councilor of 1st district Parañaque; Ronnie Rickets  for congressman of Muntinlupa; Monsour del Rosario seeking reelection as councilor for the first legislative district of Makati; movie producer and MMFF regular E.R. Ejercito running for governor in Laguna; and Star Magic talent and Are You The Next Big Star? contestant Alex Castro, councilor reelectionist in a Bulacan town; and cross-dressing comedian/host Inday Garutay running for councilor in San Juan City.

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