NO RESPITE from political talks, no matter which coffeeshop I chose.
As I had it up there at La Nilad in SM City Pampanga Thursday last week, I sought refuge at Starbucks, SM City Clark during the weekend.
True to expectations, Ashley Manabat, editor of the defunct Pampanga News and the mothballed Luzon Banner was there. Plus, but of course, the local media’s bon ami Mayor Boking Morales of Mabalacat.
Boking was reveling on the results of the latest survey commissioned by the Mabalacat Business Group that put him atop at 54 percent, with perennial loser Anthony Dee at 23 percent and wannabe mayor Dr. Victor Tiglao at 8 percent.
“With Boking’s closest pursuer Dee said to be opting to run for vice mayor in Tiglao’s ticket, the Mabalacat mayorship is already decided, nine months before the balloting. Even with their combined results, they are just too far behind my mayor. “ Ashley judged, with the finality of a Supreme Court decision.
First rule in war: Do not underestimate your enemy. Tiglao may do a Dr. Catalino Domingo. Apung Cati dealt Boking his only loss – in 1992.
“No comparison absolutely between Tiglao and Domingo. The latter is known for doctoring for free; the former, the exact opposite of it.” Still an adamant Ashley.
“Yes, Tiglao has an image problem impacted upon him by their family-owned hospital in San Joaquin. There is even a song appended to it.” It was Deng Pangilinan, Mabalacat’s double visionary himself, butting into the talks even before he grabbed a seat.
Really, what song?
“Mona Lisa.”
For Allah’s sake, how did that song get to be associated with a hospital?
“La..lalalala..laa…Many sick have been brought to your doorstep…they just lie there…and they die there…” Deng going down memory lane with a very good impression of Jukebox King Victor Wood there. (In this age of i-pods – jukebox?– I feel so ancient.)
Corn, popping all over there with Deng’s rendition.
So we give, Boking will not have a problem, how about his vice mayor, Dr. Pros Lagman?
“In a one-on-one face-off with Tiglao in the last elections, Lagman won by a mile. How much more now that the vice mayorship is a three-cornered fight?” It was Joey Pavia of Punto, a Mabalacat voter, giving his thousand-peso worth to the talks.
Three-cornered? Who’s the third candidate?
“Konsehal Numero Uno Noel Castro.”
The same guy who run for Barangay Dau chairman and was avalanched with votes by Atlas Morales in 2008?
“No, that’s Jun Castro, the factotum of Gov. Mark Lapid. He is running for councilor under Tiglao.”
Okay.
“Castro and Dee will eat into each other’s constituency. That will leave Lagman’s bulk intact. Besides, the vice mayorship of Mabalacat appears to have been titled to Lagman. He is just unbeatable there.” Joey, pushing all the more for the quiet but very effective doctor there.
So no contest there too? Mabalacat looms to be a boring proposition in 2010.
“Not totally. Things may perk up with the entry of a new face in the battle for the provincial board.” Deng now a bit excited.
I can only think of old faces: Senior Board Member Cris Garbo and two-termer Tars Halili, then there’s long-retired Richard Gomez-lookalike John Santos. Who’s the newcomer?
“Why, even more handsome than Richard Gomez and Piolo Pacual combined: it’s Super Pogi!, who else”
Who?
“Super Pogi, also known as Carmelo Lazatin, Junior.”
All agreed: Yeah, Super Pogi will provide a stimulant to spike the elections not only in Mabalacat but in Magalang as well.
And all raised their espresso brews to Super Pogi.
As I had it up there at La Nilad in SM City Pampanga Thursday last week, I sought refuge at Starbucks, SM City Clark during the weekend.
True to expectations, Ashley Manabat, editor of the defunct Pampanga News and the mothballed Luzon Banner was there. Plus, but of course, the local media’s bon ami Mayor Boking Morales of Mabalacat.
Boking was reveling on the results of the latest survey commissioned by the Mabalacat Business Group that put him atop at 54 percent, with perennial loser Anthony Dee at 23 percent and wannabe mayor Dr. Victor Tiglao at 8 percent.
“With Boking’s closest pursuer Dee said to be opting to run for vice mayor in Tiglao’s ticket, the Mabalacat mayorship is already decided, nine months before the balloting. Even with their combined results, they are just too far behind my mayor. “ Ashley judged, with the finality of a Supreme Court decision.
First rule in war: Do not underestimate your enemy. Tiglao may do a Dr. Catalino Domingo. Apung Cati dealt Boking his only loss – in 1992.
“No comparison absolutely between Tiglao and Domingo. The latter is known for doctoring for free; the former, the exact opposite of it.” Still an adamant Ashley.
“Yes, Tiglao has an image problem impacted upon him by their family-owned hospital in San Joaquin. There is even a song appended to it.” It was Deng Pangilinan, Mabalacat’s double visionary himself, butting into the talks even before he grabbed a seat.
Really, what song?
“Mona Lisa.”
For Allah’s sake, how did that song get to be associated with a hospital?
“La..lalalala..laa…Many sick have been brought to your doorstep…they just lie there…and they die there…” Deng going down memory lane with a very good impression of Jukebox King Victor Wood there. (In this age of i-pods – jukebox?– I feel so ancient.)
Corn, popping all over there with Deng’s rendition.
So we give, Boking will not have a problem, how about his vice mayor, Dr. Pros Lagman?
“In a one-on-one face-off with Tiglao in the last elections, Lagman won by a mile. How much more now that the vice mayorship is a three-cornered fight?” It was Joey Pavia of Punto, a Mabalacat voter, giving his thousand-peso worth to the talks.
Three-cornered? Who’s the third candidate?
“Konsehal Numero Uno Noel Castro.”
The same guy who run for Barangay Dau chairman and was avalanched with votes by Atlas Morales in 2008?
“No, that’s Jun Castro, the factotum of Gov. Mark Lapid. He is running for councilor under Tiglao.”
Okay.
“Castro and Dee will eat into each other’s constituency. That will leave Lagman’s bulk intact. Besides, the vice mayorship of Mabalacat appears to have been titled to Lagman. He is just unbeatable there.” Joey, pushing all the more for the quiet but very effective doctor there.
So no contest there too? Mabalacat looms to be a boring proposition in 2010.
“Not totally. Things may perk up with the entry of a new face in the battle for the provincial board.” Deng now a bit excited.
I can only think of old faces: Senior Board Member Cris Garbo and two-termer Tars Halili, then there’s long-retired Richard Gomez-lookalike John Santos. Who’s the newcomer?
“Why, even more handsome than Richard Gomez and Piolo Pacual combined: it’s Super Pogi!, who else”
Who?
“Super Pogi, also known as Carmelo Lazatin, Junior.”
All agreed: Yeah, Super Pogi will provide a stimulant to spike the elections not only in Mabalacat but in Magalang as well.
And all raised their espresso brews to Super Pogi.
