• Grace ‘burnt out,’ not running? • Who among Tulfos is running?

The 2019 mid-term elections are one full year away and already, names are being thrown around as “probable candidates,” some of them political neophytes (Freddie Aguilar among them), some running for reelection and some have lost in previous elections but are trying again.

As of now, even if she topped a Pulse Asia survey on the Magic 12 “most likely” to win in the senatorial race, Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares is uncertain about running for reelection. “I was burnt out from the 2016 campaign,” she told The STAR. Grace lost in the presidential election that year but has remained very popular and very winnable, garnering in the survey 70.8 percent of the votes of 1,200 adult respondents aged 18 and above.

Guests at a recent dinner with friends wondered what Grace and Sen. Tito Sotto were talking “seriously” about, but Grace insisted that it had nothing to do with politics. Tito‘s term (third and last) is good until 2022.

Because his brother Erwin Tulfo made it to the Magic 12 (seventh to 13th slots with 36.7 percent), Raffy Tulfo is rumored to be also running. I should say that Raffy is “winnable” since he commands quite a big following not just nationwide but abroad (where there are Filipino communities) in his TV5 program Wanted sa Radyo (also aired on Aksyon TV). In fact, every election season, Raffy is “courted” by various groups to run but no, thank you…as they would say, “no way, Jose!”

Asked for the nth time by Funfare about it (you know: is he or isn’t he?), Raffy insisted, “I am 1,000,000 percent sure that I am not running,” adding, “why should I when I can serve people better, as I have always been doing, without holding a government position?”

Raffy’s Wanted co-host Nina Taduran agreed.

Sen. Tito Sotto: Good until 2022. Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares: Enough is enough?

“He is serving people around the country,” said Nina. “Hindi limited ang kanyang nasasakupan.”

I agree. Raffy is helping perhaps more people, especially the poor and the downtrodden, than do many elected officials. Those with problems seek out Raffy for help more than they do public officials and they get prompt (speedy) solutions before Raffy’s one-hour program is over.

What about the two other Tulfos?

“Still thinking about it,” Ramon texted Funfare. “Lack of resources is a big challenge.”

“No such plan,” said Ben who, like his brothers, is a fearless crusader against criminals and corrupt officials, that’s why his program is titled Bitag (trap in English).

“Right now,” according to Ben, “I am busy with my company. I run an independent production outfit, a content provider for PTV4.”

Robin Padilla, a Duterte supporter, is also saying  “no” to running for any public office. Has broadcaster Jiggy Manicad resigned from GMA, 'hinting' that he might run for senator? Arnell Ignacio, another “showbiz” who heads a government agency concerning OFWs, expressed surprise when asked if he was running. “May tsismis bang ganoon? No plans,” he said.

That brings us back to what the late Comedy King Dolphy said about running, “Madali ang tumakbo. Paano kung manalo?” 

For the record, Dolphy made that classic now-oft-quoted statement in an interview with The STAR more than a dozen elections ago.

Maestra competes for 4 major awards in US filmfest

Maestra director Lemuel Lorca and stars Anna Luna (center) and Gloria Sevilla

Maestra, produced by Carl Balita, is competing for four major awards at the Philadelphia Independent Film festival (PIFF): Best Foreign Film, Best Director (Lemuel Lorca), Best Actress (Anna Luna) and Best Supporting Actress (Gloria Sevilla).

Titled An Educator for international release, the movie has already won Best Actress for Anna at the Five Continents International Film Festival (FCIFF) in Venezuela.

Written by Archie del Mundo, Maestra is a social drama about three generations of courageous teachers, inspired by true stories.

Now a Star Magic talent, Anna is in the cast of the Kapamilya soap Hanggang Saan. Her last movie was Star Cinema’s Changing Partners.

Pulp Summer Slam kick-off

Held recently was the kick-off meeting of Pulp Summer Slam XVIII, slated for May 5, Saturday, at the Amoranto Stadium, Quezon City. Gates open at 12 noon and the music starts at 1 p.m. until 3 am of Sunday, May 6. There will be 13 international headliners and three outstanding local bands. The multi-pass with freebies costs only P805. Seated,  from left: Shield Z’s Emmanuel Harder; QC Amoranto administrator Alex Abila; Pulp Live World VP Happee Sy-Go; Brgy. Mariana PB Bong San Miguel; Grace Glory Go, QC Station 10 Commander PSupt. Ariel Capucao; Doña Imelda PB Concepcion Malangen; Horseshoe PB Francisco Aguilar; and Obrero PB Jose Segundo. Standing, also from left: APS Security’s Dante Borja; Pinagkaisahan PB Vincent Saab; Pulp Summer Slam organizer Vernon Go; Don Manuel PB Jimmy Lim; Don Manuel PB Antonio Calma; Sto. Niño PB Sergio Gonzalvo; QC DPOS Traffic Operation’s Ronald Mallari; and Nilo Baguio.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)