Allan follows Vi’s politics

MANILA, Philippines - It’s not a coincidence that Allan Paule seems to be taking the road trodden by Vilma Santos in his fledgling political career. The connection is cosmic, if a bit conscious, and it starts with numbers, the defining digits of our lives, according to anyone’s numerology — Arabic, Chaldean, Chinese, Hebrew, Nordic, Orienta and the Western generic calculations.

Allan is turning 44 on Dec. 23 at about the same age that Vilma decided to turn a new leaf in politics in 1997; and the very first time she considered and accepted the offer to run for mayor of Lipa City in Batangas, even though she was not actually from the place. The rest, as they say, is history.

And that history continues and remains contemporary, an ideal inspiration to other stars aspiring for public office. Allan’s spontaneous gush of praise for Vilma’s political performance and record is quite avid.

He enthuses: “Bilib ako kay Ate Vi. Sana, lahat ng artista na pulitiko ay tulad niya. Talagang trabaho at public service ang priority at inaasikaso. Ang maglingkod at magsilbi sa buong mamamayan at iba pa. Dapat, ganoon lahat ang mga leader natin at nang umunlad na tayo talaga.”

And as if to prove Allan’s statement, Vilma is reportedly running unopposed for her third term in May 2013. The actor-politician is aiming for the city council of Muntinlupa for the first time at the very same elections.

Why only now? Allan intimates that he has been asked several times before to join politics, but he always turned it down. “Gusto ko kasi pagsumali ako sa pulitika, I’m with the right people. Kaya nang inalok ako ni Congressman (and former Sen. Rodolfo Biazon), pumayag na ako. Mahusay na tao si Pong, and I look up to him as a role model.”

Right now, the candidate actor is in the thick of things, in an early attempt to familiarize voters and their party. As expected, Allan always figures as the most popular face and name in his group anywhere they go in Muntinlupa’s streets and residences, thanks to his showbiz persona.

The public’s attention humbles him though, or so he admits with a shy smile. At the same time, it also makes him apprehensive, and he feels a certain kind of fear. “What if I lose?” Allan asks himself in a moment of sudden reflection.

To be honest, that should be the least of his worries. Allan’s biggest challenge to date is how to top the Muntinlupa councilor’s list of winners come (what) May!

If it is any indication, the forthcoming 38th Metro Manila Film Festival Philippines (MMFFP) is manifesting certain signs for Allan and people to ponder and see. For one, the actor seems to be all over the place as he appears in three important entries, from the main competition to the New Wave sector for independent cinema, to wit: Mark Meily’s El Presidente; Ronaldo Bertubin’s Gayak; and Armando Lao’s Ad Ignorantiam.

Whoever said that the entertainment industry is dying must be the one in the throes of death, figuratively or otherwise. The truth is, showbiz has spawned thousands of its kind and has spread to almost all areas of modern existence, most especially business and politics. As everything else is anyway.

Vilma and Allan appeared together in Chito Roño’s The Healing, shown last July and August. Something somewhere is indicative of a certain experience here, there and everywhere. A new but similar political animal is dawning.