FPJ: Is he or isn’t he?

Elections 2004 are 24 months away and, already, the air is reeking of politics. So thick, in fact, is the political stench that I strongly suspect it has been worsening the pollution problem in the metropolis and breeding those viruses that are giving us lesser mortals (ma)lingering colds and coughs.

Besides GMA, the most prominent name being tossed about as "possible" and "probable" presidential candidate is none other than FPJ, Da King, who, I bet you, will win hands down if he does and/or dare run. But will he... would he?

Political wags have even come up with very catchy – and, I should say, "witty/funny" – slogans, such as "Pandak vs Panday," Pandak referring to You-know-who and Panday to the legendary screen hero made famous by FPJ. That slogan brings to mind the catchline used by GMA 7 a few years ago when the channel featured weekly an FPJ movie – remember FPJ sa GMA? At that time, of course, the GMA wasn’t even visible nor audible on the political scene yet.

I heard the FPJ isn’t pleased or amused by the "Pandak vs Panday" slogan. GMA is our President and FPJ agrees with most everybody that we should respect her, never mind what they say about this being a free country where everybody can speak his/her mind without fear of being thrown behind bars (unless, of course, you become "libelous" and are convicted for it).

Now, who could be behind this persistently recurring rumor about FPJ keeping a winking eye on Malacañang? Could it be the work of some paranoid minds? Is it some kind of a joke calculated to cause other presidential aspirants sleepless nights and drive them crazy and, therefore, not metally stable enough to run when the time comes?

Late last year when those "FPJ sa 2002" stickers sprouted like mushrooms all over Metro Manila, I’m sure "presidential hopefuls" got into a tizzy, breathing normally only when they were assured that, thank God, those were not political "feelers" at all but only advance promo for FPJ’s first movie for this year, Batas ng Lansangan, shown a few weeks ago.

Who’s afraid of FPJ? Will you please raise your hands?

I bet my one-year salary in The STAR that if and when FPJ, as I’ve been saying, "does and dares" run, he will – he would – win hands down; in the same way that Dolphy will and would win if and when he, too, does and dares venture into politics. To quote Dolphy’s now famous and oft-quoted line, "Madali ang tumakbo. Paano kung manalo?"

The big question hangs: Is FPJ running or not?

Several weeks ago, Funfare had an exclusive one-on-one with FPJ. Asked pointblank if he’d run for President (of this country), the soft-spoken, low-key, self-effacing King of Philippine Movies gave a one-word answer: "No."

In the next breath, he wondered aloud how politicians could tear one another to pieces in the media and, when they are together, they seem to be the best of friends, acting as if they’re not stabbing one another’s backs as soon as they turn around.

"I can never understand politicians," said FPJ and because he could not, I took it to mean that politics is a big no-no to him. Bless him.

That should set the record straight - for the time being.

Unless a strong, irresistible force makes him change his mind between now and 2004, FPJ is happy where he is – in showbiz and not in politics, never mind if he helped propel his good friend to the Presidency. He could make a President, all right, but he won’t dare to be one.

As of now.‘L’ could mean a lot

Until somebody told me that she’s "a relative" of the Will Smith, I didn’t bother searching for any signs of resemblance in the face of L. Smith, the newest contract star-rapper of Bella Tan’s Universal Records who was presented to the press yesterday along with another new rap group called BB Clan.

Well, "L" is Black, too, like Will Smith who also happens to have been – and still is – a rapper before he ventured into acting. She hasn’t seen Will in person yet even if she, like Will, also lives in L.A., but "L" claims that her father, computer analyst Renard Smith, is the first – or is it second? – cousin of Will.

"But unlike Will Smith who’s a wholesome rapper," smiled "L," "I’m not ‘wholesome’ at all. Not as ‘wholesome’ as he is, I should say."

Whatever she meant, maybe you should be the judge once you listen to her self-titled album to be released soon by Universal Records.

Born in L.A. to a mixed parentage (her mother, Nora Siobal, a nurse, is a long-time resident of L.A.), "L" – as in Llydel – is one of three children. She’s tall (5’8") and, since age 10, has been coming and going, shuttling between L.A. and the Philippines, studying in both countries. She’s now in her fourth year at the Roosevelt High (Marikina City). With her siblings in L.A., "L" is being Taken care of by her grandparents, Carolina and Angel Siobal, both from Pangasinan like "L’s" mom.

Last year, she finished as a runner-up in the Calendar Girl search of ABS-CBN’s MTB where she did a rap number during the talent portion. Deejay Mod was impressed with her act and recommended her to Universal Records.

"I never intended to rap professionally," said "L" who showed up at the presscon in a micro-mini (like the one she’s wearing in the photo on this page). "All I wanted was to finish college and go back to the States to work."

Asked what "L" could mean, she winked, "A lot. It could mean ‘loving’ or ‘lovely’ or ‘lovable’ or any word you can think of that starts with ‘L’."

Yes, even "lusty"?