October 7, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — There is no shortage of showbiz personalities throwing their hats into the political ring.
Showbiz and politics have often been described as strange bedfellows, as these two worlds frequently intersect.The Philippine political scene is replete with examples of actors and celebrities, with their established public presence, tapping into their existing popularity to transition into politics, drawing on their influence to connect with a wider audience and
garner votes.
But there are also showbiz people who are not lacking in offers and perhaps strong voter appeal, but have chosen to shun politics.
Vic Sotto, who will portray the country’s top leader in the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival official entry “The Kingdom,” said that he’s leaving the real political life to his brother, former Senate President Tito Sotto, and his son, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.
“I leave that to my brother,” Bossing Vic told The Philippine STAR during a one-on-one recently. “He’s more comfortable. He’s more… ano siya, mas may karapatan kumbaga, ako pang comedy lang ako. I leave that to my son, Vico.”
Andrew E: I have no calling to enter politics.
“Although many times in the past, people have been talking to me, o, takbo ka ng ganun (run for this position),” he continued.
“I’d rather be in this industry, in this business, which for me, kahit papaano, nakakatulong ako sa mga kababayan natin, in my own little way.”
The veteran TV host said that he also gets to do acts of public service through TV5’s “Eat Bulaga,” the longest-running noontime show in the Philippines.
He further said, “You don’t have to be in politics to be of public service. Because with ‘Eat Bulaga,’ it’s more of public service. Sabi nga ni Tito, nagtatago sa pangalan na entertainment, but it’s more of a public service.
Vic Sotto: I leave politics to my brother and my son Vico.
“(You) provide a little help sa mga nanonood (to the viewers), provide entertainment and tawanan (laughter). It’s very important in a society. Yung mga bawas-bawas ng stress kahit konti. That’s why we watch cinema, the TV to lessen the stress — maiyak ka minsan, matawa ka, matakot ka.”
Andrew E, who was very visible during the last national elections being one of the main entertainers during the UNITEAM campaign rallies of President Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, bared to this paper that he was offered to be a board director at PAGCOR after the 2022 polls.
“Tumanggi ako kasi for me, it’s not my cup of tea and not in my heart. Siguro, naibigay na sa akin yung puwesto for entertaining millions of crowds. Para sa akin, OK na yun.”
The hip-hop veteran, whose hit songs have been repeatedly reworked into campaign jingles, said it was his first time to be offered a government position. “But offers tumakbo, ang dami. Ayoko. Sabi ko sa kanila, kapatid, yung calling, wala sa akin. Kasi kung yung calling nasa akin, ‘di niyo ako mauunahan. Nun pa ako nag-gagagawa ng mga civic activities, but no calling (for politics),” he explained.
With the midterm elections coming up, Andrew E admitted that there are still people urging him to run for an elective post.
“Hanggang ngayon… pero sabi ko start muna tayo sa mababa, vice president muna, alangan naman president kaagad. Napaka ambisyoso ko naman. Vice president muna,” he joked. “Biro lang. May I say it’s a joke. But to be honest, walang calling.”
Andrew E said that he’s focusing now on his plan to produce an international film to be shot in Japan. He is also set to hold his first major solo concert in 34 years on Dec. 11 at the New Frontier Theater.
King of Talk Boy Abunda, meanwhile, has also been courted in the past to run for public office but has turned offers down.
“Dati pa (I received offers to run). I’m the only one in the family who’s not been in politics. Kung talagang interesado ako, matagal na,” he said during an intimate interview for his show “My Mother, My Story.”
“The word is wala sa bituka. No fire in the belly. My sister right now is congresswoman. She was a nine-year vice mayor, nine-year mayor. Nanay (Lesing) was vice-mayor and konsehal. My father was a small-town politician. Hindi ko talaga siya ano…
“Madali mag-turn down. Before, when I was offered, Nanay was there. It was very easy,” the TV host recalled.
“Hindi naman ako shy, hindi ako nagpapahabol, pero wala talaga. But some of you know, I have a political consulting firm. I am familiar with politics. It has nothing to do with not knowing. Hindi talaga eh. I love showbiz.”
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