Many would say bad things against him. Many would discredit him in various on-line forums. Many would claim that he doesn’t deserve to be part of the Senate of the Philippines. And most often than not, these are the people who establish their judgment on news and commentaries from newspapers, publications and other media.
Would you believe me if I say that half of what is being put on your newspaper is not true? Would you also believe that out of what could be considered truth is actually half-truth depending on the biases of the writer and the publication?
Come to think of it, nobody really knows what people see among popular leaders, especially movie stars and so why they are being elected into positions in government.
What I can only suggest is to look deeper into the “persona” of each leader like in the case of Senator Lito Lapid.
Have you heard of Ben Tambling, Leon Guerrero or Geronimo? Millions of Pinoys under age bracket 45-60, especially those from the Muslim communities of Mindanao, are die-hard fans of the Senator. The man who portrayed these hero-characters in box-office hits during the 70’s, 80’s and up to the 90’s is one of the few action stars who really made a following aside from The King Fernando Poe Jr. and former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada.
It could be their looks or it could be their “reel” and “real” persona. For those who knows Senator Lapid personally, they would agree with me that he is a very kind-hearted person, easy to talk to, approachable, always ready to give a helping hand, can talk sense when he wants it, has a deep wisdom in politics and has an unexplainable charisma to the common people.
These may be the reasons why the common people, the majority of the Philippine voters, elect him into office despite the alleged corruption acts and incompetence.
Unlike other Senators, Lito Lapid would still be seen drinking with his drivers, cleaners, and house helpers. By the way, most of charges against him were already dismissed by the Saqndiganbayan, Ombudsman and the Supreme Court. So the allegations are still allegations as far as the Philippine government is concerned. He was not convicted of any crime or violation.
(Senator Lapid’s story is a story of many popular leaders who were elected into office because of their charisma. This is reality in Philippine politics. But dishonoring or discrediting people is easy when we put too much stereotypes into our system. If we want to see the real thing, better feel it and dig it deep. Just as it is, without the “packaged perception” from those who control the mass media.)
Would you believe me if I say that half of what is being put on your newspaper is not true? Would you also believe that out of what could be considered truth is actually half-truth depending on the biases of the writer and the publication?
Come to think of it, nobody really knows what people see among popular leaders, especially movie stars and so why they are being elected into positions in government.
What I can only suggest is to look deeper into the “persona” of each leader like in the case of Senator Lito Lapid.
Have you heard of Ben Tambling, Leon Guerrero or Geronimo? Millions of Pinoys under age bracket 45-60, especially those from the Muslim communities of Mindanao, are die-hard fans of the Senator. The man who portrayed these hero-characters in box-office hits during the 70’s, 80’s and up to the 90’s is one of the few action stars who really made a following aside from The King Fernando Poe Jr. and former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada.
It could be their looks or it could be their “reel” and “real” persona. For those who knows Senator Lapid personally, they would agree with me that he is a very kind-hearted person, easy to talk to, approachable, always ready to give a helping hand, can talk sense when he wants it, has a deep wisdom in politics and has an unexplainable charisma to the common people.
These may be the reasons why the common people, the majority of the Philippine voters, elect him into office despite the alleged corruption acts and incompetence.
Unlike other Senators, Lito Lapid would still be seen drinking with his drivers, cleaners, and house helpers. By the way, most of charges against him were already dismissed by the Saqndiganbayan, Ombudsman and the Supreme Court. So the allegations are still allegations as far as the Philippine government is concerned. He was not convicted of any crime or violation.
(Senator Lapid’s story is a story of many popular leaders who were elected into office because of their charisma. This is reality in Philippine politics. But dishonoring or discrediting people is easy when we put too much stereotypes into our system. If we want to see the real thing, better feel it and dig it deep. Just as it is, without the “packaged perception” from those who control the mass media.)
