Why Carlo says no to politics

Once again, like several times in the past, Komiks King (and producer-director) Carlo J. Caparas is being wooed to run in next year’s elections, this time for governor of Rizal. And again, Carlo is emphatically saying "No, thank you!" for a very good reason.

"Politics is dirty," he told Funfare a week after he was given the Pylon Perpetual Peace Advocate Award by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) during its 102nd foundation anniversary (with PUP OIC president Dr. Dante Guevarra personally handing the trophy to Carlo).

"My wife Donna (Villa, Marian Patalinjug in real life) comes from a political clan in Cebu, and she has seen how dirty politics is," added Carlo (who is the only novelist I know after whom a street, in Pasig City, has been named). "In politics, you get power, all right, and we know how power corrupts. It can also destroy people. Nobody who enters politics, no matter how spotlessly-clean, comes out of it still clean. Kahit paano, nadudungisan ka. If I enter politics, baka madungisan ang pangalan ko at mabansagan akong nang-uumit."

As it is, said Carlo, he has been serving the people in his own humble way through his writings – and getting awards in the process.

This year alone, Carlo has received two major non-showbiz awards for his showbiz achievement. First was the Bayani ng Wika Award from the Komisyon ng Wika and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for his komiks works read by millions (including even out-of-school people) and, that’s it, the PUP peace award for his TV show KKK (Krusada Kontra Krimen) shown once a week on PTV 4, ANC and RPN 9. His two other also award-winning shows, in collaboration with wife Donna, are Pangarap Kong Jackpot (sponsored by the PCSO), aired thrice a week on IBC Channel 13, and the value-formation Diyos Ko, Mahal Mo Ba Sila?, shown daily on PTV 4. (His classic komiks story, Bakekang, is a current top-rater on GMA 7.)

Next month, Carlo will receive yet another award, the Gusi Award, another peace prize likewise for his works on TV and the movies. More than 2,000 dignitaries (some of them awardees, too) from around Asia are expected to grace the event slated at the Meralco Theater.

So, why run (in politics)?

"If ever I run," said Carlo, grinning, "I will run away from politics."

If only other politically-amibitous showbiz people would do the same...!

Briefly Noted

• Congratulations to Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos and son Ryan Christian Recto for their twin-victory. The mother received the Gawad Munting Ngiti from the Philippine Pediatric Dental Society, Inc. "in recognition of her steadfast commitment and inspiration to Mga Munting Ngiti in Lipa City, Batangas. The resounding success of the project can be attributed to her tireless personal participation and enthusiasm in the spirit of bayanihan and volunteerism. Her singular dedication to uplifting the health of the Filipino child and constancy of her support for the project have helped it earn First Prize in the Bright Smiles Bright Futures Award by the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry held last Nov. 2 in Syndey, Australia." On the other hand, Ryan won three gold medals in all three contests he competed in at the recent Grade 4 Activity Day of La Salle (Greenhills), namely Bigkasang Pilipino, Interpretative Reading and Elocution. See, Ryan can now boast that, like his mom, he’s also a grand-slam winner. No wonder Papa (Sen.) Ralph Recto is grinning from ear to ear.

• I didn’t know that director Solfia Coppola (whose new movie, Marie Antoinette, is much-awaited, following her award-winning Lost in Translation) studied in the Philippines until I read a recent issue of Premiere magazine. Sofia was quoted in the article as saying, "I went to school in a lot of different places. We were in the Philippines for a couple of years during Apocalypse Now. I remember my dad taking me in helicopters; I’d visit all the departments (on the set) and hang around..."

• Tonight is the last-night wake for Mommy Elma Cruz, Tirso Cruz III’s mother who died last week at age 73. Burial will be held tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Himlayang Pilipino in Quezon City. The wake is at the Cruz residence at 148-A, 9th St., New Manila, Quezon City. Condolence to Tirso and wife Lyn Ynchausti.

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