‘Gringo’ finally surfaces

Journalists and intelligence agents rushed to the Manila Hotel yesterday after rumors floated that one of the country’s most wanted fugitives, former senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan, would be the guest at the regular "Kapihan’ media forum.

The cameras were on the ready and the police on alert for the appearance of the former Army colonel. After an hour and a half of waiting, a man with a mustache, wearing a blue polo shirt, blue jeans and leather shoes arrived. He was accompanied by two bodyguards wearing dark glasses.

But this was not the real Honasan. Rather, it was the country’s premier impersonator, Willy Nepomuceno, who was the surprise guest at the regular Kapihan sa Manila Hotel to promote his shows on April 27 and 28, at 8:30 p.m. at the Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan.

Guests will include Madeline Nicolas, Bagong Dugo and Frida Lorraine with Gus Aldeguer directing.

Departing from the reality television show "Pinoy Big Brother," Nepomuceno said he would be joining instead "Pinoy’s Big Bother: The Conspiracy Edition" and Gringo would be one of the prominent personalities he would imitate.

The other "housemates" or personalities to be spoofed on the show are former President Joseph Estrada, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, comedy king Dolphy, boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, former President Corazon Aquino, her daughter talk show host Kris Aquino, former President Fidel Ramos and folk singer Freddie Aguilar.

To attract media publicity, Kapihan organizer Neal Cruz had said Honasan would show up at the forum. Intelligence personnel from the Manila Police District (MPD) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reportedly arrived at the hotel only to be dismayed upon seeing the comedian, thus changing the mood from serious to light.

Cruz even introduced the impersonator as "Senator Honasan." Playing up the role, Nepomuceno said he had already been talking with Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and was supposed to meet him at the hotel.

Honasan has reportedly opened talks with the government. "He (Secretary Gonzalez) was supposed to be here, but he chickened out at the last minute. I came here not to confront him... there are many allegations against yours truly," the impersonator said.

The real Honasan had been linked to the failed Oakwood mutiny in July 2003 and the destabilization attempts last February against the Arroyo administration. A Makati City Regional Trial Court issued a warrant of arrest against him.

But there were also instances, when he would not answer serious political questions, saying his jokes might get him into trouble. "My motive is just to perform. He said the real Gringo is Gregorio Nasaan" because he has been evading arrest. He added, "I know that Honasan is smart, and he knows that if he shows up here, he would be arrested."

The bogus former senator explained his own concept of the National Recovery Program. "I think there is nothing seditious, nothing libelous with my NRP. This is my confidential, but for your ears only... There are only four guidelines to the NRP — communication, organization, unity and peace." To easily recall the four tenets, just memorize the acronym: COUP.

When asked for his reaction to President Arroyo’s decision to commute the sentences of convicts from death penalty to life sentences, he said, "I don’t

know why she had to commute, may mga ibang paraan para makarating sa pupuntan (There are other means to get where you’re going)."