Speaker Jose C. De Venecia, Jr. raising the hand of my husband to endorse his candidacy in the local elections some years back
Every time I see on television celebrities like Sharon Cuneta and Lucy Torres Gomez endorsing their spouses for the coming May elections, I can’t help but recall the time when I too, was in the same situation.
You see, some years ago, my husband was involved in local politics. He served as councilor in his hometown in Bugallon, Pangasinan from 1988 to 1992 during the term of former President Cory Aquino. Incidentally, during his incumbency, he had the chance to work with Senator Francis Pangilinan, husband of megastar Sharon Cuneta. Francis or Kiko as he is now known (showbiz reporters gave him the name Kiko) was then a Councilor in a Quezon City district. That time, he was still a bachelor though engaged with a non-showbiz lady. In 1991, he convened all councilors in the entire country and formed/founded the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL). My husband was elected National Auditor.
As founding officers of NMYL, Francis, my husband and the other officers would then frequently meet in meetings and conventions not only in Manila but in other parts of the country such as the Visayas and Mindanao. Those meetings had somehow formed a bond among them, and thus brings no wonder why, in his provincial sortie to promote his Senate reelection in Pangasinan some two weeks ago, Francis was said to be looking for my husband in the press conference. Too bad hubby was in Manila attending an orientation for his new job at GMA-7, hence they were not able to see each other.
Anyway, I digress. The real topic of this entry is not about the NMYL or Francis Pangilinan. It is about my taste and experience of local politics.
I was not at all in favor of my husband’s political ambitions. From the very beginning, I had told him of my disapproval, and that if ever he pursued his plans, he could never expect me to join him in his campaign. He insinuated at first that I might go with him in doing the house to house rounds if I ever changed my mind, but I was always quick to say that I could not leave our small children alone with their nanny. Fortunately, this served as a convenient alibi everytime he would reiterate his invitation.
So in the first post-dictatorship (after Marcos regime) election that was held in 1988, hubby filed his candidacy for councilor in his hometown. I did not say a word anymore after that and I just left him alone to do his heart’s wishes, as he too, literally left me alone with the kids and househelp at home because he had to be in his hometown for the campaign. He came home only occasionally and mostly on late nights.
One late afternoon, he arrived home and alerted me that I needed to go with him on that evening to the general rally to be held at the town plaza. It was the final leg of his ticket’s campaign sortie, and all spouses were “required” to go. I was taken aback, as from the manner by which he talked, there was no way I could say no.
Well, anyway, I thought it would be just for once, and it was the final rally so I thought why not. So there we went. When we arrived at the town plaza, I was overwhelmed by the throng of people gathered to witness the rally. I thought maybe there were showbiz people invited to entertain them, but I later found out there were none. Then I almost collapsed when I learned that the “entertainment” for the night would be the candidates themselves, and their spouses! Apparently, all candidates were to render musical or dance numbers with their spouses on stage. I was freaking out inside me; I wanted to run but I was trapped.
When it was my husband’s turn to sing, I was amazed to see people swooning for him when he rendered his “national anthem” - My Way. You can just imagine how I cringed on stage as he called on me to join him. Then the crowd yelled: “Kumanta ka rin, Mrs. P!” (You have to sing also, Mrs. P!) I felt like I was melting while I belted out some lines of that “unpardonable song” (sorry, Mr. Frank Sinatra).
“Yes, there were times, Im sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way!”
Oh my God! Was that my voice breaking? Or was it the screech of a passing car that I heard?
Well anyway, my husband won in that election. But his winning did not at all waver my impression on politics. I would remind him many times: “Politics is a dirty game, and you can’t play that game without dirtying yourself.” He did not heed me, and so for a time a wall built itself between us. We lived in different worlds - he with his politics, and I with my teaching job and the children.
After he served his term as councilor, his ambition went a step higher. He decided to run for vice mayor. There was no stopping him. Seeing how determined he was in his pursuit, I began to think: If I won’t support him again this time, and he didn’t win, I would be carrying my guilty conscience for life.
I therefore donned my campaign gear - rubber shoes, jeans, shirt, buri hat - and most of all, my prettiest, most charming smile. We hiked from barangay to barangay, stopped in every house, shook hands, waved, smiled, laughed and jested with the drunks, cooed at the babies, exchanged gossips with the housewives. We did everything - short only of planting rice in the ricefields because it was summer thus planting season was not yet due.
I knew the big rally would come. So I prepared myself. Before the start of campaign period, I borrowed my sister in law’s karaoke for me to practice my vocal chords on. I chose to sing the theme song from the movie Prince of Thieves (Robin Hood) that starred Kevin Costner, because I liked the lyrics and I thought it would move my husband if he heard me sing it, and so if ever he would not win in that election, he might reconsider retiring from politics to be a simple, plain citizen - at least, for my own sake, but most of all, for the sake of peace in our family.
Here’s that song. Would you believe - I performed solo?
(Everything I do) I do it for you
Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you’ll search no moreDon’t tell me it’s not worth tryin’ for
You can’t tell me it’s not worth dyin’ for
You know it’s true
Everything I do - I do it for youLook into your heart - you will find
There’s nothin’ there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all - I would sacrificeDon’t tell me it’s not worth fightin’ for
I can’t help it - there’s nothin’ I want more
Ya know it’s true
Everything I do - I do it for youThere’s no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There’s nowhere - unless you’re there
All the time - all the wayOh - you can’t tell me it’s not worth tryin’ for
I can’t help it - there’s nothin’ I want more
I would fight for you - I’d lie for you
Walk the wire for you - ya I’d die for youYa know it’s true
Everything I do - I do it for you- Bryan Adams
Unfortunately, he lost in his bid for the vice mayoral post. But fortunately on the other hand, he found his way home to the arms of his wife and children. Now, he is but a simple, plain citizen. And I have no worry anymore of his getting dirty and all, in that muddied pit called ‘politics’.
Politics will always be dirty and corrupted. It will never be clean.
I guess to be really clean it’s hard ’cause people tend to end up being more corrupted and they tend to give empty promises.
It’s good that your husband came out of the political arena unscathed and unsoiled… a lot don’t. Most are sucked deep into the tar pit, along with their idealism. Pinoy politics can do that even to the best of people…
Your story remind me of my cousin who again is running for Mayor in our town in Iloilo, breaking his promise to his wife that they’ll both enjor their retirement with their Grandchildren (as he always said, had he known that grandchildren are more fun to be around with, he’d had them first).
He was a vice mayor, switch with his mayor, but was defeated by the ex-mayor husband who came back to town politics to exact vengeange for his wife lose last election ( he was a provincial board member after serving his full term as town mayor and pass it to his wife)
Now my cousin and the current mayor will be at it again and we can’t even support him financially I think because it will be illegal and also we are all hard up here anyways. Yesterday my own party here called for my annual contribution as we are expecting the oppositions to vote down yesterday’s budget and luckily one party support it to pass the house. So no election right now, but anytime since we are a minority and we (our party) either call it or loss in no-confidence motion.
It’s a little different though, our elections here, bring out the best of our countrymen and women, irregardless of parties or ideologies, they all work for all Canadians, here and outside the country…
wow!! i should have heard you singing
siguro maganda boses mo no 
hay lam mo ako din i hate politics, ewan ko ba pero sa side ng father ko mahilig din sila sa mga pulitika na yan…
… reminder.. sabi mo gagawa ka ng meme hehe tag kita
wow! nung una nalaman ko na lit instructor ka pala, tapos wife ng isang politician, tapos singer?
what a revelation rhodora, teka anuba magandang itawag ko sayo
pero hanga ako sayo ha dahil sa prinsipyo mo with regards to politics pinabayaan mo talaga si sir lol!! wawa naman si sir
Paki podcast naman ang kanta! You must have a good singing voice, kung ako siguro mababato ng bulok na kamatis. Someone told me before that you have to sell your soul to the devil to be successful in politics(poly- many, tics- blood sucking insects) or you must be in PBA league(politics, basketball, artista) to really get the votes. I had a taste too, being an SK council member- I had to pass up the opportunity of being the SK president because my studies were more important. I really got turned off by the way the senior council ran things. It’s a good thing that your husband was content in going back to being an ordinary citizen.
at least your hubby knows that you have supported him through thick and thin, through time and tide, and wow! that was really a feat! croaking the first time in front of a throng of people, but confident and practised the second time around. and yes…simple life with family is much better than the dirty game of politics. good choice!
Hi Rhodora
I think it’s better not to engage in politics anyway lalo na sa ngayon… palala nang palala ang politika
I bet you’re a good singer
Eh dapat pala sana you’d be rubbing elbows with Shron Cuneta. So, you were not meant to be a politician’s wife , buti naman. May I ask if your hubby is happy with the way it turned out?
Nakakakililig naman yung choice mo for your song - Bryan Adam’s pa. It was so appropriate, given that you were really doing it for your husband.
I’ve also harbored bad notions about Philippine politics - there’s always the possibility that the good ones get soiled in their bid for the elections. It’s the system, not the people themselves. I sincerely hope that it will change - and maybe it will, in a thousand years hehe.
after the Marcos dicatatorship, politics (and even governance) in the Philippines is likened to Pasig river, no matter how many and how huge the rehabilitation is, and no matter who leads/head the project, it stays the same: polluted, dirty, smelly.
good thing your husband’s already out of the mush pit, we can still serve our country without having to dip our hands on pasig river, err.. politics.
i have just seen all the kingsmen and it showed how dirty politics was. i’m glad di nadumihan asawa mo. next time, don’t post only the lyrics but i hope we’ll hear your voice on how you sang it. hehe ;p
It is sad to read and see what people think about politics in the Philippines. Smart and good people might decide not to run because of that and you might miss some great leaders…
It’s interesting how politics is a vital part of our existence; it need not necessarily be dirty. It’s the addiction to power that can easily soil any politician. Be that as it may, glad that your husband has chosen a less bumpier life by accepting a post with GMA-7. Wasn’t this originally owned by Uncle Bob? I had one of those Dick Tracy watches. I was a member of the Dick Tracy Club Club … hehehe.
That must be one for the ‘most unforgettable experience/s’ chapter of your life.
What about a semi-retired rock group of 25 and 30 somethings, singing Chikitita (most requested song) for a friend’s campaign sortie. Had our fathers told us that they know Boom Tarat Tarat, it would have been easier.
In politics, especially during campaigns, a lot of people can do many things that are impossible to do under normal circumstances.
What about a podcast of that famous rendition of (Everything I do) I do it for you. ha ha ha.
I magine when you become Atty. Rhodora, chances are you would be invited to thrown in your own hat into the political ring. Who knows that you might not be convinced — especially if by then your kids will have been all grown up.
I smile at the image of my friend going house to house and performing in campaigns. And convincing Francis to support her and join in.
You would have come full circle.
I don’t doubt you’lll be a good and upright government exec. And don’t forget your friend annamanila by then ha?
I admire the way you supported your husband. Like you mentioned you don’t want him to be involve in Politics and yet you supported him because yes…he is your husband.
You know what? He should really buy you bunch and bunch of red roses!!!
So he’s been there, done that
and you were always by his side.. how sweet. Yihee! 
I enjoyed your story ! I guess you had to step out of your comfort zone hehe
BTW my wife once worked for the de Venecias when she was in Pinas 
I’m glad your hubby didn’t pursue politics anymore after he lost. I don’t know but I really have negative impressions of politicians in this country. It can’t be helped. Although I believe not all are ‘dirty’ (like your hubby), but most of them are disgustingly corrupt.
na-i-imagine ko habang ini-interview sila dawn zuleta, sunshine cruz, sharon. parang makikita na rin kita
hirap sa politics ngayon, kahit di ka corrupt ay kakainin ka ng systema. dito lang sa lugar namin SK pa lang kurakot na.
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TILL THEN!
I know how hard it is to not be in the same boat as your spouse. But at least you tried to support him even though you were opposed to his political ambitions. You are a good wife rhodora. And btw, goodluck to your daughter.