Last lap - JAYWALKER by Art A. Borjal

We are way past the final lap, and the horses in the electoral derby are making their last spurt towards the finish line. At this stage, the llamados in the Senate race, numbering about nine, look like they are runaway winners. But what has caught the attention of political watchers is the race for the remaining four slots. Who among the dejados are going to make it?

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The last poll surveys by the reliable pollsters – Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia – were conducted more than one week before the storming of Malacanang by the pro-Erap forces. Since the violent event was quite traumatic for a great majority of the Filipino people, that siege at Mendiola and J.P. Laurel must have a great bearing on the outcome of the Senate race.

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The people’s recollection of the May 1 Day of Infamy and Shame, as they saw the gory scenes in vivid footages from television cameras, could turn previous poll surveys upside down. It could make possible winners sure losers. And it could make the dejados take center stage.

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According to SWS headman Mahar Mangahas, the May 1 siege at Malacanang could give a big boost to the senatorial candidates of the People Power Coalition. That is Prof. Mangahas’ gut feeling. But then, his personal assessment could be validated once the results of SWS latest survey – done after May 1 – are released tomorrow, Saturday.

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If Prof. Mangahas’ gut feeling turns out to be true, then two or three of the PPC candidates now breathing down the necks of the Puwersa ng Mesa bets who occupy Nos. 10 to 13 in previous surveys could surge into the winners’ circle. The three PPC candidates could be Bobby Tañada, Winnie Monsod, and Obet Pagdanganan. Their surge could thus affect the chances of Puwersa ng Masa candidates Orly Mercado, Gringo Honasan, Miriam Santiago, Dong Puno, and Johnny Ponce Enrile.

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After he learned that the Iglesia ni Cristo would endorse a majority of the Puwersa ng Masa Senate bets, Leonardo Cruz, a voter who comes from the middle class, decided that he would finally vote 13-0. Previously, he had opted to go 12-1 in favor of the PPC. "I now have to go 13-0, to help offset the impact of the Iglesia ni Cristo endorsement," Cruz said. This is an illustration of the backlash from an INC endorsement.

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Actually, Cruz’s sentiments are shared by many voters who would want to keep certain PnM bets out of the winners’ circle. Just to ease the impact of the INC endorsement, they are now voting straight 13-0. It would be interesting to find out the backlash of the INC endorsement, as leaked to media. By the way, this is being written prior to the official announcement of the INC’s final anointed ones.

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Last Sunday, while I was watching Sunday Mass over ABS-CBN, an annnouncement was made that Jose ‘JoeClem’ S. Clemente, the pioneering giant in Philippine tourism, was fighting for his life, and prayers were being requested for him. I thus offered that Holy Mass for him, hoping that he will win his battle for life.

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I last saw JoeClem about six months ago, at the coffeeshop of the Subic International Hotel in Olongapo City, of which he is a major stakeholder. Over breakfast, he told me of how he had undergone a kidney transplant and of his scheduled trip to the United States and Europe. That meeting with JoeClem at the Subic Freeport was actually one of many chance encounters with him, for he was a frequent visitor to his hotel.

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During the past 25 years or so, I often crossed paths with JoeClem. In Baguio City, I frequently checked in at his hotel near Burnham Park, until that hotel completely caved in during the giant earthquake in Baguio many years ago. And I think JoeClem was there at the Hawaii Hilton when Lea Salonga, then a toddler, sang before thousands of delegates to the convention of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). Lea was given a standing ovation, which lasted for a long, long time, and thus was a superstar born.

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JoeClem also dropped by often at the Manila Overseas Press Club, to meet with the late Ka Doroy Valencia. And I would often see JoeClem in meetings with then Tourism Secretary Jose ‘Sunshine Joe’ Aspiras, at various hotels and restaurants in Manila. And who would not see JoeClem in the conventions of tourism leaders? JoeClem was indeed a towering figure in the tourism industry.

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My last meeting with JoeClem at the Subic International Hotel was actually a time for reminiscing. We talked of good times in the good, old past. And we remembered people and events that, despite the passage of time, cannot be forgotten.

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As I bade JoeClem goodbye, I took note of the cane he was using. And I marvelled at how he had been so courageous in coping with the life-threatening illnesses that came his way: a debilitating stroke that paralyzed him many years ago and, more recently, a kidney transplant.

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Yesterday, I heard that JoeClem had passed away, after a massive stroke in San Francisco, California. His remains will be flown to Manila on Sunday, and his wake will be at the Christ the King Church in Green Meadows, Quezon City. I will drop by to bid JoeClem a final goodbye and to condole with his family and wife Alejandra, who sits with me at the board of the Kidney Foundation of the Philippines.

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Cecile Alvarez, the multi-awarded patron of the arts and culture, called me up yesterday to ask if I could guest in one of the television programs she is either directing or producing. I begged off for the meantime, explaining that I am still recovering from my recent surgery. Cecile understood, and then said that she was using for her radio and TV programs some of the inspirational text messages that I have been featuring in this column.

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To somehow compensate for my failure to participate in Cecile’s TV show, let me give some space to other text messages that were sent to me by thoughtful readers. I hope the following will serve the purpose of Cecile and cut-and-paste hobbyists:

Troubles seem smaller when you remember
the greatness of God!

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Those who thank God even in trials
turn burdens into blessings.
Peace be with you always!

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D Lord’s watching nearby
2 gve us His grace
& send us His luv.

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The good u do is never lost nor wasted,
For each kind act takes root
& evry bit of love y sow in tym
wil bear gud fruit.
God bles!

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Never rest in serving God...
until the good is better
and the better is best...
For the fruits of tomorrow
are in the seeds of today.

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May God’s loving eyes keep watch
as u go to sleep tonight.
May His arms embrace u
as u close ur eyes.
And may His voice be a lullaby
as I bid u gud night!

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My e-mail addresses: [email protected] and [email protected]