If Pops were Troy, would he marry Pops? - FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo

A few issues ago, Funfare asked Gary Valenciano to play the If I Were... game, this corner’s often-interrupted series (for want of eligible/qualified subjects?) and Gary V. passed it with flying colors.

It’s Pops Fernandez’s turn to play this seemingly innocuous game which is actually a revealing one. Ask the (amateur) psychologist who helped Funfare devise the game calculated to draw out the real, inner self of the star on the spot.

This time, there are two sets of questions. The first consists of If I Were (somebody else) and the second, If I Were (inanimate objects and places).

Here are Pops’ very revealing answers, If She Were...

1. The Pope — "I would reach out to all the people in the world. I’ll ask leaders of rich countries to share with people of poor countries – divide the wealth among the less fortunate."

2. Julia Roberts – "My God, with $20 million per movie, I’ll enjoy my life! But I won’t stop working. I’d do more movies and make more millions. I’d request for more interesting leading men. And then I’ll continue enjoying my life."

3. Madonna – "I would have the same babies and marry the same guy. It’s hard to be an icon but I’d know how to cope with it. It’s hard to find somebody who will love you for who you are, it’s true, but I won’t stop looking for the right one. I’ll get what I want and I’ll do anything to be happy."

4. Erap – "If the people are already accusing me of doing what they say I did, I would go out to show to the people that I’m wrong. If I really have all that money, I won’t keep it to myself; I’ll give it to the people."

5. President GMA – "I’d do my level best to improve the lives of Filipinos and make the country a better place to live in."

6. US President George W. Bush – "Since I’m the most powerful person in the world, I’ll do everything in my power to maintain peace in the whole world and ensure a better future for all citizens of the world. I’ll also help the poor countries. I’ll see to it that no war break out in any part of the world."

7. Wonder Woman – "First, I’ll change my outfit; I’ll change my style. Since I’m that strong, ay, ipaglalaban ko lahat ng mga babae."

8. The Richest Woman of the World – "I guess all the men will fall for me. Gosh, I don’t want to be in that position! I wouldn’t know what to do with all my money. But then, I can use the money to help the poor."

9. Troy Montero – "If I were Troy Montero, would I marry Pops Fernandez? Why not!?! Pops is a nice girl, isn’t she?"

10. Martin Nievera – "Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Would I court Pops again? I guess so – the proper way. I’ll try to figure out first what I really want in life, whether it’s my career or just to have one woman in my life. Hindi maganda ’yung dalawang sabay, di ba? I should make a choice, just one choice, and not let another woman wait for me to take her back."

And here are Pops’ answers to If I Were (second set)...

1. A Book – "Spiritual, definitely! I read spiritual books and they help me a lot."

2. A City – "Rome. By all means, Rome! Why? Because it’s historical. It’s a beautiful and romantic place. Rome, by all means!"

3. An Animal – "A bird. I wanna be a bird. An eagle. It’s a strong bird; it can soar; it can lord over everything in its domain. I’ll keep an eagle eye on everybody and everything."

4. A Movie – "A comedy para maiba naman, para naman I can entertain people. I don’t want to remind them constantly of how sad life can be. I want them to be happy, to make them laugh naman for a change."

5. A Flower – "An orchid. I think it’s called a Vanda. Or a cattleya because it’s beautiful, especially ’yung malalaki. And it lasts for a long while, unlike a rose which wilts a few days after you pluck it."

6. A Tree – "An acacia because I want people to sleep in my shade, so weary people can rest under me. Imagine, I can give comfort to tired souls!"

7. A Fruit – "Strawberry. I like its color. Brilliant red. It’s sweet, too."

8. A Piece of Jewelry – "A bracelet. I’m a bracelet person, you know. I seldom wear a ring or earrings, but bracelets I wear all the time. It’s a good investment, too. The more bracelets I have, the happier I will be."

9. Perfume – "A cologne. A baby cologne. It’s nice, hindi siya nakakasawa. Gentle on the skin and the frangrance is very subtle and very refreshing."

10. A Song – "A ballad, definitely. I would be the song When You Say Nothing At All. It’s my song for my kids. You know what my favorite lines are? These: A smile on your face lets me know that you need me, there’s a truth in your eyes saying you’ll never leave me. A touch of your hand says you’ll catch me whenever I fall. Beautiful lines, aren’t they?"

And now, if she were not Pops Fernandez, who would she be?

"Princess Diana! She had an interesting life. It was not exactly a happy one but she went through it with grace and dignity. She showed her strength and she touched a lot of people."

(On Saturday, Feb. 24, starting at 8 p.m. at the Folk Arts Theater, Pops and Side A – Joey Generoso, Kelly Badon, Naldy Gonzales, Joey Benin and Ernie Severino – will topbill the post-Valentine concert What You See Is What You Get or WYSIWYG which promises to be a night of romance and a two-hour party. Produced by Eight Designs and Marketing, a group made up of young and progressive career people, "WYSIWYG" also features the Manouvres, The Hotlegs and The Opera, with the support of sponsors STI, Don Henrico’s, Grand Boulevard, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Joey 92.3 100.3 The Hive, Manila Bulletin, Magic 89.9, Citilite 88.3 and K-Lite 103.5 Tickets are available at Ticket World outlets at in National Bookstores, Robinson Galleria in Manila and EDSA; Tower Records, Music Museum Greenhills and at the Eight Designs and Marketing office at tels 895-80-06 and 412-41-30).