Roxas and Duterte like two little boys

Mar Roxas, the Liberal Party standard bearer stooped  down to the level of Partido Demokratikong Pilipino –Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte, who keeps boasting about his summary killing of persons suspected of committing crimes, and keeping mistresses in Davao City, not to mention his peppering his language with four-letter words. Duterte’s statements speak poorly of his moral capability to lead the country. On the other hand, I also  lament  the childish act of Mar of challenging Duterte to a slapping match.   

How did this tragi-comedy come about? Duterte, the monster killer, was irked when Roxas said the peace and order  situation in the southern city is all a myth. To which Duterte retorted that  Mar’s claim that he is a graduate of Wharton University in the US is a myth. Mar retorted with, if his challenger can prove that he  is a bogus Wharton alumnus, he would offer his face to be slapped and he would not budge, but if the challenger is proven wrong, he  would slap him. Mar has produced evidence of having a Wharton degree, but he has not slapped Duterte. But Duterte is not to be left hanging; he has challenged Mar  to a duel.

See how the two are like little boys?     

If Mar, however, is serious about gunning down (pun intended) his opponent, he can charge him of violating Article 261 of the Revised Penal Code.

According  to Article 26l, “the penalty of prision correccional in its minimum period (four months and one day to two years and four months) shall be imposed upon any person who shall challenge another, or incite another to give or accept a challenge to a duel, or shall scoff at or decry another publicly for having refused to accept a challenge to fight a duel.”

Duterte’s boasts, doubling  that they seem by the day, strengthen my belief that he is a dangerous man who should never be voted president.

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The actuations of presidential aspirants are a cause for wonderment, and I hope not emulation, to young people who are aspiring for high office with the pristine intention of serving the country and its people. They should not discourage Toff de Venecia, from running as the Liberal Party candidate for congressman of the 4th district of Pangasinan.

Toff’s filing for the post followed the withdrawal of his mother, incumbent Congresswoman Gina de Venecia of her candidacy at the Comelec’s provincial office at the Dagupan Astrodome.

According to Manay Gina, she and her husband, former House Speaker Joe de Venecia, decided that now is  the right time for Toff to enter the world of politics since he has “ a willingness and determination to help the people, most especially the youth.” Toff was agreeable, saying that  the youth “is incredibly vital to the community because like me, they are energetic, passionate, and full of ideas. I would like to galvanize them to become more involved in reimagining the fourth district, not to mention, bolster culture and education, industry, and tourism in service of the people.”  

Toff’s running does not mean Manay Gina is bidding farewell to politics. Toff, she says, “will serve the people with his style of serbisyong three-in-one wherein myself and Manong Joe will guide him every step of the way in continuing our legacy but elevating it with his style of consultative leadership and ideas that will bring the fourth district into the 21st century.”

Toff is a former child star, having appeared in sitcoms such as Ober da Bakod, Billy Bilyonaryo, HaybolRambol, and movies such as Pretty Boy and Kung Kailangan Mo Ako. He is formerly an editor for Chalk Magazine and is currently an editor of Young Star, the Friday youth section of The Philippine STAR where he also writes a regular column. He is the founder and managing artistic director of the progressive theater group, The Sandbox Collective, an experimental and cutting-edge Manila-based production outfit, responsible for the hit productions “Dani Girl,” “The Boy in the Bathroom,” and “No Filter,” and has been directing plays for various companies for the past six years.

Toff finished elementary school at the Colegio de San Agustin,  pursued higher education at the Ateneo de Manila High School and college at the Ateneo de Manila University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

According to Toff, he wants to continue the countless projects and endeavors that his parents have started but also forge new narratives in putting the fourth district of Pangasinan in the map. “My father (JDV) was the builder; my mom was the heart. I’d like to nurture the soul of our district.”

Toff  grew up in a cultured and intellectual setting. His  father, a journalist by training,  was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives five times.  He is currently a leading figure in the International Conference of Asian Political Parties.

Toff’s mother served as a congresswoman for two consecutive three-year terms. As president of the 80-member All-Women Congressional Caucus (The Association of Women Legislators of the Philippines Foundation Inc.) she founded, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development the  multi-awarded “Haven for Women” with nationwide branches which have already treated some 25,000 abused women; the “Haven for Children” which takes care of abandoned drug-dependent street children in Metro Manila; the  “Haven for the Elderly” which looks after senior citizens who are neglected by their families, and “INA” – Inang Naulila sa Anak Foundation.

In her recommendatory message to her constituents, Manay Gina said, ‘We earnestly believe that we have molded our son to become the best he can be,  to be interactive with the wellspring of emerging young leaders in this nation. And as parents, who have dedicated our lives to serving our people, we believe Toff is set to continue and enhance what we, our own parents and forefathers have achieved for the betterment not only of our district and Pangasinan, but for our country.”

The 4th District of Pangasinan covers Dagupan City, Mangaldan, San Fabian, San Jacinto and the miraculous Blessed Virgin Mary town of Manaoag, representing more than 500,000 residents

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Christmas is  the time for family and friends to get together, to share experiences and stories, to catch up, and bond.  Mothers  who have their hands full preparing for the endless feasts during the holidays, bring the whole caboodle to such restaurants as Bangus Restaurant for the best Filipino food  in town, or order  and pick up  home-cooked-style dishes  for dining at home.

Since December 1 until December 25, Bangus Speciallty Restaurant has been  giving away a  free  dish  everyday.  Being offered as  its  Christmas Special  treat for a minimum purchase of dishes, is   either one of Binusog  na Tinapang Bangus, Lumpiang Bangus, Ginataang Hipon and Binagoongang Baboy .

Patrons also sample Bangus Restaurant’s new dishes and desserts introduced on its 33^rd anniversary year,  a double “3” treat for its diners --- 3 new Busog Breakfast sets and three  new desserts worth the extra calories.

The three must-try Busog Breakfast Meals are the Crispy Tinapang  Bangus Flakes—pieces of bangus  tinapa fried to a crisp on its crispy skin, the Bangus Belly Sardines in Oil – prime cut of the fish cooked lightly in oil with special spices, and the Spicy Bangus Belly Sardines in Tomato Sauce – the fish belly in a piquant sauce.  All three Busog Breakfast Meals are served with garlic  rice, fried egg, turon na saging and overflowing coffee.

To end  one’s  hearty meal at Bangus, three new treats are the  Piniritong Leche Flan with Dayap dip, the Turong Ginataan and the Guinomis Turon.

Bangus Specialty Restaurant is located on  the ground floor of the Connecticut Carpark Building, Greenhills Shopping Center and at the ground floor  on the North Parking Building, SM Mall of Asia.

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