CALASIAO, Pangasinan, Philippines – Candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) claim prolonged exposure to the sun because of their rigorous campaign schedule has taken its toll on their skin.
“You have seen our schedule from morning till evening and in between that there are motorcades. Kaya nga ang itim ko na (That’s why I’m so dark),†former senator Ernesto Maceda said.
Maceda noted that Team PNoy candidates only conduct half-day sorties and do not hold motorcades.
“We are definitely reaching double, triple of what Team PNoy is reaching,†he said.
In a chat with reporters, Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay said the skin tone of her arms is now much darker than her legs.
San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor Ejercito said unlike their rivals in Team PNoy, who maintain their mestizo skin, their skin tone is getting darker because they spend longer hours on the campaign trail under the heat of the sun.
“It’s tiresome. Those in the administration are fortunate. Ang sarap ng buhay (They have it good) compared to us. Di nangingitim (They don’t get tanned),†Ejercito said.
Ejercito said Team PNoy candidates do not have to barnstorm every town because their political advertisements are being aired almost every hour.
He said Team PNoy bets also seem to be confident about their prospects because of the endorsement of President Aquino, whose popularity remains high.
Nancy Binay said they have no choice but to spend a lot of time on the campaign trail given their limited resources. “If we can’t place ads, we will be the ones to go down to the grassroots to campaign,†she said.
But UNA senatorial bet former Tarlac governor Margarita “Tingting†Cojuangco said getting tanned should be the least of their worries.
“It’s okay. When you want to achieve something, you have to work for it,†Cojuangco said.
“Mag-glutathione na lang sila (They can just use glutathione),†she said.
Cojuangco said nothing beats personal interaction to introduce themselves to the voters.
“It is also essential that we go down from our vehicles and shake hands with the people,†she said.