CANDIDATES have long used movie stars and other celebrities to endear themselves to the masses.
In some cases, the endorsement of these popular personalities has been responsible for the victory of the candidates they supported. What this proves is the drawing power of the celebrity rather than the charisma of the politician. Rarely has star power been used to enhance the chances of a politician who is already popular on his or her own merits.
With this in mind, we view the Liberal Party’s video featuring numerous yellow-clad television and movie personalities with slight amusement—and deep frustration.
Titled “fast forward,” the ad shows presidential standard bearer Manuel Roxas II and his running mate Rep. Leni Robredo smiling and waving as they enjoin members of the community—students, workers, family members—to thrive in a life of hope and promise under the Daang Matuwid.
Complete with dance steps and scenes of contrived camaraderie, the video tries to tell us—without asking us to vote for anybody just yet—that life will continue to be good under a Roxas presidency.
It is hardly surprising that the party would spend so much on the talent fees of these stars who would endorse the candidacy of the man who enjoys government machinery yet still lags behind in surveys. Even before President Aquino raised the hand of Roxas a few months ago, the party had been acting in desperation by scouting for palatable running mates for the former Interior and Local Government secretary.
That the party would use the drawing power of the stars to get the masses to notice its candidate also shows its low regard for Filipino voters. No national or even local issues are raised; no critical thinking is encouraged. One does not have to think at all: Just heed what your idols say, and an idyllic life, like the one depicted in the video, will follow.
We say “fast forward,” indeed—to a new administration that doesn’t have the self-righteousness, insensitivity and hypocrisy of this one.