Honor guards, Aquinos play in 'Family Feud'

MANILA, Philippines - The men in uniform who stood motionless for more than eight hours as the nation gave former President Corazon Aquino her final send off last year were reunited with the family of the icon of democracy in the popular game show “Family Feud.”

Army Pfc. Antonio Cadiente, Airman 2nd Class Gener Laguindam, and Navy Petty Officer 3 Edgardo Rodriguez, who along with Police Officer 1 Danilo Malab were known as the “Fantastic Four,” slugged it out gamely with Pinky Abellada and her son Miguel and Ballsy Cruz and her son Jiggy on the program aired on Channel 7.

SN1 Gilbert Atienza of the Philippine Navy represented PO1 Malab, who was in the province.

The Aquino family took time out from their busy schedule to join the popular game show hosted by Dingdong Dantes, a leader of Sen. Noynoy Aquino’s youth group.

The Aquinos took an early lead but faltered in the end. The men in uniform came up with the win, and consequently the P150,000 jackpot prize.

“In behalf of the whole family, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Dong,” said TV-host actress Kris Aquino, who watched from the sidelines.

Kris, a mainstay on rival station Channel 2, said she would have wanted but “was not allowed to play.” She said she was delighted to see her sisters and nephews engage the four officers in a battle of wits.

The Fantastic Four breezed through the contest with plenty to spare after grabbing the lead in the second round.

The four needed 23 points in the survey question: “What are the usual gossips that happen in the office?” to win the contest.

Atienza’s answer that “the Boss has a paramour” gave them 27 points and thus the jackpot.

Rodriguez, Cadiente, Laguindam and Malab took center stage when they braved the rain and the long funeral procession during Mrs. Aquino’s burial.

Sen. Pia Cayetano filed a resolution commending the four honor guards at the Senate.

Family Feud is an American television game show that pits two families against each other in a contest to name the most popular responses to a survey-type question posed to 100 people. The local version airs on Channel 7.

Family Feud was the favorite game show of Mrs. Aquino when the family was still in Boston.

In fact, Kris told The STAR that they wanted to join the contest then but never made it because they were in the US for political reasons.

Hajji Alejandro, who was then married to Rio Diaz, and his children played in the same game show in the US years ago.