Hippo hypocrites

 Cringe. I always cringe when I hear many of our politicians sling mud at GMA, Corona, et. al. Although facts will always be facts, and if they are indeed culpable, then they should be made to account. But this is not about those who are with sin (or those we assume are sure to have sinned), but rather, it’s about those who act as if they are without sin. Hogwash. These hippo hypocrites are holier-than-though hogwash (hippo because they are the biggest charlatans)!

 What would you feel if, after hearing a mega popular senator publicly condemn Gloria Arroyo (obviously for pogi points) for cheating in the 2004 elections, you find out that, fact is, his brother also talked to Garci a decade ago when he was still running for the senate? What’s more, he’s not the only one. There are hordes of politicians and operators who have cheated in every election they’ve participated in, and you hear them now casting the first stone as if they are spotless. It’s so nauseating just thinking about it, makes me want to puke.

 And now we have Corona’s alleged ill-gotten wealth involving several real-estate properties. Just look at the sanctimonious politicians ‘exposing’ him. Gosh. Why don’t we do an honest-to-goodness lifestyle check of all these people’s standard of living and I am certain most of them will fail the test.

 Again, it is not to reduce or diminish the gravity of whatever crime was committed. They will have to answer for that in due time (whether here on earth or somewhere else). But personally, and though we have to contend with our own challenges with incongruity (when we too are judgmental and inconsistent), hypocrisy to me is a bigger transgression being a double, even triple crime—you commit the same wrong, deny it, and accuse and condemn others for doing it. 

 Our Christianity has taught us how our Lord Jesus minced no words chastising and rebuking the Pharisees, Sadducees, the Sanhedrin for their hypocrisy as he embraced the prostitutes, criminals, and other outcasts in ancient Jewish society. Jesus believed in forgiveness, in second chances, but he seemed rather intolerant of those who weren’t as inclusive and accepting as he was. Makes me wonder, if Jesus was physically with us today, if he were a Filipino citizen, with all these sickening hypocritical tirades being hurled left and right—WWJD? Really, what would Jesus do?

***

 Mövenpick Resort and Spa Cebu just had a spectacular New Year’s Eve Gala with the famed Follies de Mwah of Manila. Hosted by Cebu’s premier master of ceremony, Jude Bacalso, guests who attended it described it to be ‘very old Hollywood glam,’ ‘very Vegas-style/Moulin Rouge,’ and ‘very Gossip Girl.’ Shows how, despite people’s varying perspectives, people can say they had fun in so many ways! It was certainly a fabulous way to kick of 2012. Thanks to everyone who came, especially Mayor Mike Rama and former Councilor Joy Pesquera, and former Deputy Speaker and Mrs. Raul Del Mar.

 For Sinulog, Mövenpick’s celebration starts right in the lobby where devotees and tourists alike can take photos of a giant wood-carved Santo Niño (the Holy Child Jesus), the focal point of the Sinulog festival. Owned by my Acebedo side of the family, the 10-foot sculpture has won in several previous Sinulog parades as official entry to the float category. Made by master carvers from Paete, Laguna, known to be the country’s carving capital, it could very well be the largest wooden image of the Santo Niño on display throughout Cebu during the festival.

 This, along with Sinulog dances, a Larsian-inspired barbeque and spa party (SPA-rty), and other activities make Sinulog at the Mövenpick—whether for tourists or road-tripping locals—truly exciting and enticing. See ya there! Pit Senyor!

***

 Tonight on The Bottomline with Boy Abunda: Catch the Emmy Award-winning Filipino producer of America’s Next Top Model and the Tyra Banks Show, Michael Carandang, as he takes the hot seat in an inspiring New Year episode.

***

Email:[email protected]