Galawgaw. Kalog. Jologs. Nakaaliw.
That’s Alex Gonzaga’s on-screen image in a nutshell. That is why not a few were surprised to see her actively campaigning for a party list with a powerful advocacy. After all, it is unlike the bubbly and carefree younger sister of Toni Gonzaga and Luis Manzano’s wise-cracking best friend to stake her playful image and throw her hat into the current mayhem of Philippine politics.
So why has she decided to join the ranks of showbiz personalities who constantly link their names to different political candidates and parties whenever the political season comes around?
“I know that people say that whenever we come to an election year, it’s open season for those of us in showbiz for politicos looking for popular endorsers,” a serious-looking Alex began. “But for me, it’s not as simple as that. Kailangan ay naniniwala ako sa ipino-promote ko. Mahirap hilingin sa tao na iboto ang isang tao o party na hindi mo pinaniniwalaan. That is why I immediately said yes to Juan Movement Party List when they asked me to endorse them.”
Juan Movement is a party list that claims to be the party list of the new Filipino. According to their most famous supporter, she saw for herself that it is different from most party lists that merely promise the delivery of projects which are already provided by government whether at the national or local levels. Juan Movement is set apart with its formidable message and advocacy that aims to imbibe Filipino pride in everyone.
“Someone once said that sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward, and I firmly believe in that,” quipped Jun Llave, Juan Movement’s first nominee.
“Naniniwala ako na ang problema ng ating bayan ay nagmumula sa kakulangan sa pagmamahal sa bayan, sa ating kultura at sa ating mga tradisyon. Ito ang nais ibalik ng Juan Movementupang magkaroon tayo ng tamang pondasyon at tibay sa ating pagharap sa mga pagsubok na dumadating sa ating bayan.”
“Korek yan!” Alex excitedly agreed in her trademark cute and quirky way. “Dapat proud ka sa pagiging Pinoy, proud ka kung saan ka nanggaling. Right now na palakas ng palakas angsocial media, nagkakaroon ulit ng colonialism dahil sa dami na nakikita natin outside our country. Ang dami ko nang nakikilala na parang nahihiya sila sabihin kung saan sila galing, kung sino sila… pero lahat ng pinanggalingan mo, ‘yan ang kailangan mo para sa pupuntahan mo.”
In addition to fostering patriotism and love of country, Juan Movement also aims to promote and strengthen Filipino industry, agriculture, and commerce. And as Alex proudly intimated to the entertainment press, this includes the Philippine movie industry.
Reverting to Llave for the details, the first nominee explained, “I believe that our movie industry must be given more significant incentives in terms of government investment in the field of arts and culture, particularly in supporting the training of our technical staff so that we are assured of the continuous production of quality movies that promote the positive side of our culture, as well as to be able to confidently compete with the foreign movies that are shown in the local market.”
Clapping her hands together, the playful but seriously pro-Filipino celebrity quickly exclaimed, “And that is why I stand with Juan Movement, bilang isang Bagong Pilipinong may pagmamahal sa ating bayan!”