Why the alliance between beauty and power? Is beauty marrying power one of the best avenues for social mobility and escape in our semi-feudal and oligarchic jueteng republic, where Marimar-type beauties overcome socio-economic barriers and end up with the power elite like Fernando Joses (but not all the powerful men have his physical looks)? Were these men of power seeking "trophy wives" to display to society, or are their instincts sexually drawn by irresistible physical beauty, or have they really fallen in love? Is power really the true and most effective aphrodisiac for the world’s most beautiful women? Is the tantalizing attraction between beautiful women and powerful men one of the true equalizers and democratizing forces in our socially inequitable nation?
Two other women who parlayed their physical beauty, charisma and sex appeal to conquer the hearts and bend the will of powerful men were Evita Duarte of Argentina and Cleopatra of Egypt. Evita became the extraordinary First Lady and co-ruler of dictator Juan Peron. Later after her death, the dictator wed another beauty but who lacked the brains and charisma of Evita. Her name is Isabel and she became perhaps the first woman president in the world but she failed miserably as a leader. Another beauty was Cleopatra, who mesmerized and conquered Roman emperor Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony. She presented herself to the Roman ruler rolled up in a grand carpet, in a theatrical grand and sexy entrance. In 5,000 years of Chinese history, Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty was the only woman to formally take over the Dragon Throne unlike other women who ruled behind the scenes as widow, empress dowager or empress. Empress Wu was only one of many imperial concubines, but she later grabbed total political power. Empress Wu was a remarkably successful leader despite criticisms by some male chauvinist historians. Proving that polygamy is not only a male vice, Empress Wu at the age of 72 in year 697 took two Zhang brothers as her lovers and "indulged their every whim" according to historians. As Oxford-educated female historian wrote of her: "Wu Zetian was an extraordinary woman, attractive, exceptionally gifted, politically astute and an excellent judge of men...Her rise to power was steeped in blood. But her government succeeded in extension of Chinese power abroad, strengthening imperial authority and satisfying popular needs of the masses."
A warning to aspiring beauty queens and future Assunta de Rossis. There is a darker side to the Cinderella saga of beauty marrying power in Philippine society: It is that of mestiza actress Maria Teresa Carlson who wed Ilocos Norte political warlord Rudy Fariñas. Her life eventually ended up in tragedy and inexplicable violence. Before Maria Teresa Carlson, the other beauties romantically linked to the powerful Fariñas included sexy actress and now Danielli Spa entrepreneur Vivian Velez who had a horrifying experience of their sex video once being widely circulated. Many people are amazed that showbiz queen Nida Blanca was once married to notorious and powerful landlord Congressman Romy Jalosjos. Few people chronicle dark tragedies, preferring to dwell on fairy tale telenovelas similar to the Pretty Woman film or Marimar TV series of poor beauties being swept off their feet by charming powerful men with hearts of gold.
In our semi-feudal and oligarchic society trying to become an American-style democracy, our equivalent of aspiring royalty are political warlords and landlords who have a long history of courting beauty queens or showbiz personalities. Some of the few women are a combination of beauty and brains but many of the beautiful wives of powerful men have only physical beauty as their asset, thus resulting in the phenomenon of the declining quality of genes of our traditional power elite, and giving great opportunity for new aspiring achievers to amass wealth and authority for themselves as the new power elite.
A young Wharton-trained businessman told Philippine STAR: "I agree fully that many powerful men in Philippine society marrying beautiful women will mean not an improvement of ability and talents, but of appearance for the power elite, an improvement in form, not substance. This diminution of talent will allow room for other new aspiring powerful men and women to rise, making the social, economic and even political authority of the old power elite never permanent. This is a different funny form of democracy, a situation which gives room for others in Philippine society to rise. In a way, this shows that all men and women of talent in Philippine society can still make it despite our many social, political and moral problems."
Jo Ramos explained that she is not "showbiz, but belongs more to the disciplined (underlined) corner of entertainment for the past 18 years." A Cebu-based doctor wrote that Jackie Ejercito Lopez should have been included on the list of well-behaved presidential daughters, asking if this column had so easily forgotten that Erap was also once president of the republic.
Thanks to Solita Monsod, Oscar Orbos and their staff for using this column’s Aug. 25 topic on philandering politicos as the topic for their popular Debate TV program on GMA-7 last Aug. 29. Despite some delay, all e-mails and letters will be answered. Criticisms, complaints, suggestions, jokes, threats, tsismis and love letters are always welcome. Please send them to wilson_lee_flores@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 14277, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.