Impossible Dream
Balitang Kutsero
by Perry Diaz
Illustration by Dave San Pedro
Folks, it’s election time and it’s time again to dream the “impossible dream.” Why not? To dream the “impossible dream” is better than not to dream at all. But there are also those who made their “impossible dream” come true. Diosdado Macapagal, the poor boy from Lubao, made it… and then screwed it up! Erap Estrada made it… and then blew it! Gloria Macapagal Arroyo made it… and then messed up everything! And there are still some people who wanna be president? They must be gluttons for punishment!
According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), there are 21 presidential candidates so far. Among the wannabes, maybes, and nobodies, the first to file his certificate of candidacy for president was 39 years old (he’ll turn 40 on Feb. 14) John Carlos de los Reyes who goes by the moniker of “JC.” He is currently serving as an Olongapo City councilman. I’m not sure if his moniker has something to do with it, but JC has the blessings of a Catholic bishop to run for prez. For his campaign slogan, JC should borrow from the song, “Impossible Dream,” this line: “To fight the unbeatable foe.” Who can beat Noynoy?
By the way, JC is a nephew of Sen. Richard Gordon who launched his presidential bid under the “Bagumbayan Movement” and composed his “Bagumbayan Manifesto” in blood. Well, it seems like he may have abandoned his presidential ambitions and might just campaign for his nephew. However, should he decide to run, his campaign slogan should be: “To try when your arms are too weary.” Getting old and nowhere to go.
Another presidential wannabe is Metro Manila head honcho Bayani Fernando. He truly believes that he will win notwithstanding his 1% approval rating. For his campaign slogan, Bayani (means “hero” in English) should borrow another line from the same song: “To run where the brave dare not go.” Indeed, Bayani is trying hard to live up to his name.
And there’s retired four-star general Hermogenes Ebdane who thinks that he had what it takes to win the presidential race. His campaign slogan should have been: “To reach the unreachable star.” A few days ago, Ebdane abandoned his presidential bid. He must have found out that the stars are much farther than the moon. Nice try.
And there’s Nicanor Jesus III Pineda Perlas. His nickname is “Nick.” But the “III” after his middle name “Jesus” bothers me. I’ve never seen it used that way. Well, he woke up one day with a dream of becoming the president. He then created a website and spelled it all out, that is, his program of government. Very impressive. But his approval rating is a virtual zero. Well, people probably don’t have time to visit his website… or most probably, didn’t have a computer at home. His campaign slogan should be: “To follow that star no matter how hopeless.” Hopeless, indeed.
And there’s evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva who is confident that he will become the next president. In a recent press conference, he said: “Tuloy ang laban, wala nang atrasan” (The fight goes on, no retreating). He said it’s about time for the country to have a righteous and genuine leader. Hmm… I think his slogan should be: “To right the unrightable wrong.”
And last but not the least is Ernesto Ramos. Ernie is a Fil-Am dual citizen who resides in Florida (USA, not Pampanga). He organized the Democratic Party of the Philippines (DPP) and had it certified by Comelec which means the party can field candidates in all levels.
A few days ago, I received an email from Ernie which says, “Greetings! Just to keep you updated. I’ll be leaving for Manila Friday (Nov. 27) and we should be ready to file our COC before the Comelec on Monday, Nov. 30 — at high noon.”
Ernie said that he’s running for president of the Philippines! Not only that, he said that “DPP will have a slate of national candidates from the president/VP to our 12 Senators, to the Congressmen, Governors and Mayors.” Holy goat! Not even Gibo Teodoro, Noynoy Aquino, Manny Villar or Erap Estrada could put together a slate of 12 senators without sharing or borrowing “guest” candidates from other parties. I can tell Ernie is not dreaming. This guy is really serious. His campaign slogan should be: “NO GUTS, NO GLORY!” Attaboy, Ernie! Go get ‘em!
A presidential candidate that truly earned my respect is Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Chiz bolted from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) because he didn’t want to be “owned” by any groups or individuals. A few days ago, Chiz announced that he has abandoned his presidential bid. Had he decided to run, his campaign slogan would have been: “To fight for the right without question or pause.” Your time will come, kiddo.
Meanwhile, the Aquino-Roxas, Villar-Legarda, Estrada-Binay, and Teodoro-Manzano tandems are ready to roll. Well, I’m not sure about Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro with his 2% approval rating. He’s stuck at the bottom of the pit. And some of his party mates are abandoning him for Aquino or Villar. “Mga balimbing!” (Turncoats!) His campaign slogan should be: “To be willing to march into Hell for a heavenly cause.” I’m not sure though if Gibo’s cause is “heavenly” — it looks more like it’s for “Gloria in excelsis Arroyo.”
Indeed, many believe that Gibo’s anemic approval rating is caused by Gloria’s “kiss of death.” He’s been warned but instead he let Gloria kiss him… on both cheeks. That’s what I call, “double whammy.”
A few days ago, at the national convention of Lakas-Kampi-CMD (LKC) Gloria stepped down as the party chairman and handed the job to Gibo who didn’t have a choice cuz nobody else would take the job! Now, I call him, “Tonto.” And as Tonto would tell the Lone Ranger, “That right, Kemo Sabe.”
But it was Gloria’s speech that says it all. She said that LKC is the party of the “future.” Yep, for once Gloria was right cuz she knew that LKC is not the party of the “present” and come June 2010, it will be the party of the “past.”
Hey, it looks like its’ going to be a colorful campaign season. Noynoy selected his mom’s color — yellow — as his campaign color. With the alliance of Manny Villar and Bongbong Marcos, they’d be using a combination of Manny’s orange and Bongbong’s red. Erap Estrada would use all the colors of the rainbow because his senatorial slate consists of politicians that changed colors all the time. If Gibo doesn’t have a color yet, I suggest that he use white so that he doesn’t have to change his color when he surrenders.
” heartly dedicate this song to noynoy” Impossible dream…heheheheh.
– FME
(Sent by email)
This one is a much better scope: Rigoberto Madera Jr., a 61-year-old who claims to be a retired “six-star general,” was the first person to file his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for president Friday at the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Madera said God had conducted survey in October and said he was in the top spot, way ahead of President Joseph Estrada. After he wins the presidency, Madera said his next step is to become successor to US President Barack Obama and then secretary general of the United Nations. He also wants to become “emperor” of the Philippines and deliver the country out of its economic rut. ====laugh out loud but true====
Hi Perry–
Great article! Thanks for mentioning me, brod. Just arrived in Manila Sunday AM. FYI — our DPP had a marathon meeting last night filled with contentious and conscientious discussions. I was deeply impressed with what I saw and heard — no ego-tripping except genuine patriotism to make good our duty to country.
We selected 49-year old Col. Diosdado Valeroso as our VP, the current PNP Attache to the RP Embassy in Beijing, China. Dado was the Baron of PMA Class ‘81 and served as a multi-medalled intelligence officer in Mindanao. He’s also the founder of YOU/RAM — Young Officers Union — which formed the Magdalo Group. He’s decided to sacrifice his military career and join us to pursue The Impossible Dream.
“Anything for Duty to Country, that’s a soldier’s pledge” — a la bira, sugod ng sugod — he truly inspired us last night.
Lastly, the DPP finalized its 12-person Senatorial slate of ordinary Pinoys doing extraordinary work for their constituencies — representing Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon — Christians. Muslims, Lumads, etc. The Maguindanao massacre was put into perspective. How did we as a people stoop this low to evoke nothing more than a senseless disregard for the sanctity of life — akin to pure and simple barbarism.
You’re right — we’re serious! Our motto:
“… Tiwala at pag-asa ng Bayan!”
Today at high noon — Bonifacio Day –the members of our DPP National slate will march to the Comelec to file our CoCs — after a 2-hour Q/A forum at the CBCP Conference Hall in Intramuros with100/plus selected student leaders from around Manila’s university belt.
You bet — no guts, no glory! We only live but once — so we’re fired up and ready to go — bro! As FVR would say:
“Kaya natin ‘to.”
FYI — a major political party will soon join DPP. Abangan ang susunod. There — you’ve got the first shot from DPP for Perryscope.
Many thanks again. Best regards – take care and God bless!
Ernie Ramos
P.S. Let’s rally the FilAms to support our WWII Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act — remember that’s the second phase of our FilVets Act. I would not want you to forget our promise to our FilVets while we were at the RP Embassy in DC on December 3-6, 2006. Just reminding you, brod, just reminding you … hehehe/LOL.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Hi Ernie,
Good job, my friend. Go all the way!
Best,
Perry
Perry, you are kind on this “Impossible Dream”, ang kanilang pagkukunwari at walang personal dignity.
At panlilinlang, ito ang malaking bagay eh.
In the process, para bang ginagago ang karamihan sa atin. Of course, alam natin na marami ang gustong magpagago, Pero iyong medyo matino ang isip, dapat sugpuin itong mga gusto tayong gagohin.
Cesar Torres
(Sent by email)
there is a lot of time for Gibo to wake up to reality… now that he holds the lease on the party.. he can be practical and give up his bid and ask his supporters to look at Noynoy… that will give us a majority president… but even if he does not, Noynoy will still win.. with all the big stars singing for him? this is the very first where the 2 giant channels joined forces in propelling anyone to success…
however, if he will hang on to the kahiyaan syndrome and stick to the last, he may really find himself in the last
the survivor and the sure winner, win or loose is— loren… she knows her game so well she waited for the ripe time…
as for brother eddie, he has already proven that his flock can not deliver the votes, he better choose one to endorse… that will give Noynoy the extra edge….. brother, when God talks, He delivers.. you tried once and you lost, take the hint… it was not impossible for God to hit the cheaters with a lightning bolt and He did not, meaning you were not meant to be.. please be sensitive… God has chosen David (Noynoy) to fight Goliath (Corruption), just lift your hands in support… God Bless our election…
Hey Scoop,
Nice, witty story…
But I agree with “FME,” whoever this guy is. “The Impossible Dream” is Noynoy’s song, indeed. Mar Roxas will win as VP, but Noynoy is going to lose as prez, that’s for sure!
Gibo is Uncle Sam’s choice, so he’s the ONE. Kaya, tapos na ang laban.
Mga katoto, kung sino ang gusto ng Amerika, yung ang panalo. Anyway, noon senador si Noynoy, wala naman ginawa ito para sa bayan. No-can-do when he was a senator, no-can-do rin yan pag naging presidente na. The only thing that’s going for Noynoy is the Aquino name, that’s it.
Onli in da pilipins!
upps! am sorry i forgot my HERO… i admire this guy until the Lord touched Noynoy and i hope he too will find it in his heart to give up and be a hero like mar… for him to comtinue the good work in marikina or the whole of rizal… he is such a good man but his time has not come… the same is true of gordon… in time these two can work as a team with hagedorn… wala akong tulak kabigin sa tatlo they are all very good leaders… love them so much by just looking at their performance. this election is not just about performance it is about uniting the country against all forms of corruption that has eaten us alive and that is Noynoy for now.. just like among ed last election for pampanga.. now we know the difference when we unite. no gold no guns can break…
Perry,
Ordinary Filipinos like me dream for a better Philippines!
The politicians too have their dreams and I am concerned
because they dream while awake – and that makes some
of them dangerous turning their dreams to reality.
Not for the good of this country or their constituents
but for power and lots of it.
We cannot fault these political animals because many of
our voters do not realize that when they begin to sell their
votes they have practically enslave themselves for the next
three or six years.
They do not have the right to complaint because they prefer
their elected leaders to run their government like hell.
When will our countrymen ever learn!
ka rashid
ksa
Hi Perry,
Your “Impossible Dream” article is very creative. Is that what they call creative journalism? I am very much impressed! It was an excellent read.
If Filipinos continue to judge a candidate based on his association and not on his explicit platforms of government,
then this song, sad to say, is not for those candidates you mentioned here, but for all of us.
Sa mga presidentiables wala na talagang puwedeg pagpilian maliban kay Noynoy Aquino. Si Money Villar lahat na lang dinaan sa panunuhol, transactional politics pa rin ang pinaiiral. Si Erap naman naranasan na natin kung anong klaseng pamamahala meron siya. Kay Gibo naman ang kanyang plataporma ay ang ituloy ang uri ng pamamalakad ni Gloria ang proteksiyunan ang lahat ng sumoporta sa kandidatura ni Gloria.
Kung popular lang sana si Perlas puwede pa kaso mahirap sumugal sa isang kandidato na wala namang pag-asang manalo, kaya si Noynoy lang talaga ang natitirang puwedeng pagkatiwalaan ng ating pangarap kahit impossible dream pa ito.
Hi Sal,
Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate it.
Best,
Perry
Perry,
Last I heard, 51 na ang nagfile ng COC for presidente. And GMA filed today her COC for congresswoman, (?) district, Pampanga?
Andrew Tauli
(Sent by email)
Hi Andrew,
It’s going be a chaotic election with the new automated election system. I heard that Gloria is running unopposed. For sure, she’ll go for the Speakership. A sad day for Pinas.
Best,
Perry
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