For Annabelle, the campaign is a healthy, learning experience; How Erap copes with the rigors of campaign

Even if she has been eating more since the start of the campaign, Annabelle Rama (who’s running for congresswoman in the North District of Cebu) has been losing weight and she tells Funfare why.

“Ngayon lang ako nakakapag-exercise ng ganito,” she admits.

Her son Richard Gutierrez has just come back from Cebu where he accompanied his mom in some of her sorties, with the other Gutierrez children (Ruffa and brothers Raymond, Elvis, Rocky and Ritchie Paul, together with their dad Eddie Gutierrez) also pitching in.

“Yes, it’s true,” confirms Richard. “My mom doesn’t mind walking on the streets kahit mainit na mainit. She doesn’t seem to get tired even if she covers a lot of places kasi malaki rin naman ang North Cebu. Some of the barangays are located in the mountain kaya umaakyat ang Mommy sa bundok. In the morning, she goes around shaking hands and in the evening, she attends caucus.”

For Annabelle, a political greenhorn, the campaign has been a learning, besides healthy, experience.

“I’m learning a lot about my fellow Cebuano,” says Annabelle (whom Robin Padilla likens to Gabriela Silang in his endorsement “kasi matapang niyang ipinaglalaban ang tama”).

“Nalalaman ko ang mga kailangan nila so I know how I can help them.”

Richard adds that he admires Cebuanos a lot.

“They are peaceful citizens, that’s why Cebu politics is never violent. Dinadaan nila ang solusyon sa botohan.”

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And how is former Pres. Joseph “Erap” Estrada coping with the demands of the campaign around Manila where he’s running for mayor (with fellow actor, incumbent Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, as running mate)?

For somebody who has just turned 76 (last April 19), Erap is doing very well.

I’ll give you an idea of how he takes care of his health from the following excerpts from a “body talk” I did with him, not too long ago, with his answers very relevant to the current campaign:

What kind of diet do you follow?

“I eat anything, especially during this campaign.”

Aside from lechon, what’s your favorite dish?

“Among the native food, I love kare-kare.”

Favorite vegetable?

“I like the Ilocano dinengdeng and pinakbet.”

What about fruits?

“Any kind of fruit.”

How much water do you take per day?

“Not much. Mas maraming coffee. I take a minimum of six cups a day. I developed the habit as an actor, palaging lamay kasi sa shooting, eh.”

Are you taking vitamins or medications?

“No. As I said, I am healthy. I haven’t been sick since I was nine years old.”

Wow, really?

“Except for my bad knees.”

Have you gone under the knife?

“Yes, on my knees, and when I was circumcised.” (He didn’t say when.)

Do you have regular executive check-up?

“Yes. Every six months. I have a personal physician.”

Do you work out?

“I do but not the strenuous exercise because of my bad knees. I have a gym at home but I hardly use it now because I’m busy with the campaign. I have a treadmill but I don’t use it. The only workout I do is calisthenics. I have a sauna at home. Nagsa-sauna ako for 30 minutes every day. I sweat out the impurities and the toxins in my body. And that’s when I pray — when I’m having a sauna. I can’t concentrate in public. I pray more effectively when I’m alone.”

What about, uh, “sexercise”?

“These days, very rarely. Walang time, eh.”

What part of your body needs improvement?

“I have lost a few pounds since the start of the campaign. I still have to lose more. Kailangan ko pang mag-reduce, magpa-payat.” (He stands 5’8” and weighs 187 lbs.)

What’s your favorite pastime, watching movies?

“I have no time to watch movies, not even TV.”

How do you divide your time between your work and your family, er, families?

“I spend Sundays with my family. We hear Mass together in the afternoon doon sa aming chapel. Then, we have dinner together.”

How much sleep do you get per night?

“Four hours. Enough na ‘yon.”

Last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

“Read the newspapers and watch the newscast.”

What section of the newspaper do you read first?

“The front page and then the sports page.”

Do you still look at other women?

“Siempre. Hindi mawawala ‘yon, ikaw naman.”

What’s the first thing that you notice when you meet a woman?

“The boobs.”

How’s your sex life?

“Very good. That’s what keeps me alive.”

Are you able to please, uh, all of them?

“Yes, I can. I have to.”

(And then he laughed and laughed as if the joke was on him.)

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