FPJ and all that ‘body language’

Everybody’s invoking that silly expression, "body language", nowadays. Some people are convinced that President Macapagal-Arroyo will break her promise and run for re-election next year because of her, kuno, body language. A congressman swears former Governor cum Ambassador, now San Miguel top honcho Eduardo Cojuangco will run for the presidency because, he claims, his "body language" says so.

When queried by close friends (one of them my Alikabok) the following day, Danding didn’t say "yes" or "no", and neither did his body.

The only one I know who translated her body into language everybody appreciated was movie star – yes, star – Ara Mina. She went from bold star to "Bubble Gum", then to truly excellent "Best Actress". When the more prestigious award-giving organizations snubbed her well-deserved "best actress" award for the movie Mano Po last year, and didn't even give her honorable mention in their often over-publicized Famas festival (the scandal over award-switching and trophy snatching of some years ago forgotten, if not entirely, forgiven) Ara – whom intimates call Hazel – simply said, in all humility, it was okay lang. She didn’t complain or throw an artistic fit.

Last week, Ara Mina proven herself with finality. She won her first Best Actress trophy at the Metro Manila Film Festival for her stellar role in Ang Huling Birhen sa Lupa. (Yes, Virginia, there are a few virgins left). The movie, indeed, romped away with nine other prizes.

Ara burst into tears when she was handed her trophy – but we rejoice with her. Through hard work, sheer will to improve herself, and her natural beauty and simplicity, she’s come a long way. Now, that’s what I’d call much more than mere body language.

Harking back to that entertaining and significant movie, Mano Po, by which Mother Lily Monteverde trumped and offended rival studios, I think that Maricel Soriano should have shared the "Best Actress" prize with Ara – she was a really entrancing villainess – but that’s water under the bridge. Once more, hurrah for Ara!

* * *

Which brings me to my final anecdote on the subject. Last Friday night, I had dinner with one of the hottest properties in the "Who’ll-Run" guessing game, Action Star and an old friend, Fernando Poe, Jr.

There were, of course, 200 other guests in the "Shangri-La" restaurant celebrating the birthday of our STAR board member and columnist, Dr. Charlie Chante, but I was seated beside FPJ (really Ron Allan Poe) and his attractive lady, former movie actress Susan Roces.

Naturally, I popped the question to Ronnie the 100th time: "Are you running for President?"

For the hundredth time FPJ grinned and replied, "I have absolutely no experience for that kind of job."

His body language? He merely helped spoon some dimsum on my plate, in between being interrupted by swooning females begging to have their picture taken with him (a lot of males, too).

There’s no doubt that FPJ commands the hearts of many. But he won’t commit himself to running, despite the importuning of his pal, former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada, who’s keen to push him forward, otherwise – perhaps – Danding Cojuangco might be his alternative.

On the other hand, President GMA is also keen to talk things over with Danding. There’s a meeting scheduled, but I can’t say where or when.

I’m a dope when it comes to reading body language. Not even by using Braille.

As for our friend FPJ, whose first role, at the age of 14 was Anak ni Palaris (the spunky kid of the cartoon hero), then made his name in the 1960s with Tatlong Hari, he’s indeed the King of Philippine Movies. He’s played the role so often of the quiet guy, who, when provoked, turns into a twin-fisted or two-gun fury, fighting for the poor, for justice, for the right, that he’s synonymous with the "champion of the underdog" tag associated with his screen image. But can he translate this into the presidency?

In the last Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll, he rated 16 percent – a point above President GMA who got a plus 15-percent approval (a quantum jump, it must be said, over her previous minus 14 percent last March). In sum, in the survey taken from May 28 to June 14, La Gloria shot up by 28 percent. Now, that’s interesting. Will this tempt her to change her mind and post for a second term? I dunno. Remember, I’m dumb when it comes to this body language business.

* * *

In any event, the SWS poll was disquieting. It confirmed that Senator Noli de Castro (primarily an ABS-CBN broadcast "star" rather than a solon who’s racked up any palpable legislative achievements) continues to lead the pack.

Last time he was 20 percent. Now Noli’s gotten 22 percent in presidential preferences terms, just for intoning in that stentorian voice of his, "Magandang Gabi, Bayan!" Does this signify Good Evening – or, sanamagan, Good Night for Philippine democracy? Noli’s nice guy – but can he run the country from Malacañang? He hasn’t given us any inkling, but there you are; the survey speaks volumes about the gee-whiz type gullibility of our Pinoy and Pinay population.

Next is former Secretary Raul Roco who’s been campaigning non-stop and got 19 percent, then – as we’ve pointed out – FPJ who’s not campaigning at all, yet garnered 16 percent.

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson has dropped to 12 percent. Four percent went for Ramon "Jun" Magsaysay, three for Senator Loren Legarda (did she drop the Leviste, or what?), two for Senator Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel, and one percent for Vice President Teofisto "Tito" Guingona.

A caveat: Everybody’s still waiting for a wink or a nod from GMA. Her rivals are taking no chances, though. They’ve enlisted or planted spies and informants, and even saboteurs in the top levels of her administration.

What a crab-infested country we have!

* * *

One Malacañang insider insists that GMA won’t make a U-turn and run even if her ratings go still further up. The only thing which will matter is IF she gets a clear and unequivocal sign that voters want her to run. Now, let me say that every source these days is suspect. Everyone has his or her own personal agenda.

The Chief Executive will next be travelling to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, we’re informed. In September, or earlier? She’ll also go to Rome, then definitely go to Paris – she’s scheduled to address the Opening Session of United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, meaning UNESCO there on September 29. This is signal honor, since she will speak for Asia-Pacific, while the other primary speaker will speak in behalf of Europe and the West.

As for the President’s much-postponed state visit to Spain – tomorrow, by the way, is Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, newly-proclaimed – that’s still in the "iffy" column. Madre España may have to wait, but that could be subject to change. There’s a spirit of adhocracy in the itinerary of Presidential travels.

I had a very interesting chat with Spanish Ambassador Ignacio Sagaz Temprano, and I must say there was nothing temprano about him. We had dinner in the elegant home of Consul ad honorem Antonio "Tony" Rufino. Sagaz is an enthusiastic pro-Filipino (if that quaint expression can still be utilized), not the least because his lovely wife, Aurora "Bubut" Lapus, is a Filipina, a daughter of the late General Lapus. This is his second posting here. Between December 31, 1986 and April 8, 1992, he was Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission of the Spanish Embassy here, then, finally, Minister Plenipotentiary.

Ignacio hails from Jaen, Spain, and fits in nicely here since he’s a graduate of Law as well as holding a diploma in International Studies. He was Ambassador to Hanoi (the Socialist Republic of Vietnam), and was posted in the past in Canberra, Rio de Janeiro, Casablanca (Morocco), Brussels (for the European Community) as well as serving as Deputy General of Judicial and Consular Affairs in the home office in Madrid.

In any event, he handed us a message from His Majesty, King Juan Carlos of Spain, in Castellano, naturally, which we’re publishing in tomorrow’s STAR, having gotten it translated, together with our Managing cum Business Editor Tony Katigbak in our bad Chabacano.

The Ambassador and his wife had just gone to Vigan, Ilocos Sur, where he said he was impressed with the statue of my late father, Don Benito T. Soliven – which is in Plaza Burgos, but dubbed Plaza McDonald’s since the Big Mac emporium and the Golden Arches seem to dominate the square.

In Spain, they often prefer to eat Filipinos, some have told me in the past. No. they’re not cannibals. Filipinos is the name of a popular biscuit-candy bar. You can buy it in two forms: Brown outside but white inside, or white outside and brown inside.

This was not intended by Nachos, the original company which launched it decades ago, as a dig against the Little Browns in our society, all my Spanish friends had assured me in Madrid, Sevilla and Barcelona.

Viva España! We’re happy here in Filipinas.

Anyway – a proud Hispanic and Catholic outpost here in Asia – to be considered España Extension.

The trouble is, we’ve forgotten Spanish. In my dad’s time, where he was a congressman, then member of the unicameral National Assembly, our diputados and Assemblymen, and Senators used to shift in their debates, effortlessly, from English to Spanish. Now, neither our congressmen and senators, nor, alas, many in the general population even speak English. Nor Tagalog if you ask me. It’s Taglish as propagated by radio, television, and bagets-usage.