WILL the Rectos and lone Manzano score a triple victory come next year’s mid-term local/national elections?
As everybody knows, two from the illustrious Recto family and one member of the Manzanos are in the political derby — all partymates.
For the executive post, Vilma Santos is running anew as Batangas governor with her eldest son Luis as her runningmate. Vilma’s son Ryan Christian by Finance Secretary Ralph Recto is trying his luck as a congressional candidate from the province’s sixth district.
Vilma Santos (center) is running anew as Batangas governor with her eldest son Luis Manzano (second from right) as her runningmate. Ryan Christian Recto, meanwhile, is the congressional candidate from the province’s sixth district. PHOTO BY ROSELLE AQUINO
Ate Vi, accompanied by her hubby, filed her CoC in the morning of October 3 at the provincial capitol. So did Luis with his supportive wife Jessy Mendiola and Ryan.
The pervasive scent of combined strength in red hue wafted through the air as their entire team flashed their collective optimistic grin amid a jubilant crowd.
It’s common knowledge that local politics doesn’t sound Greek to the Star for All Seasons.
After all, Vilma had served her full terms straight — as Lipa City mayor, as the first woman governor of Batangas province and lastly as Lipa representative.
Adding them all up, we are talking about 27 long years!
That too long duration though did not snatch Ate Vi from her first love — acting — let alone uproot her from showbiz.
Still very much entrenched in the entertainment biz, she had successfully managed to juggle her schedule without compromising her public servant duties.
Having incredibly achieved such a feat, let her gubernatorial bid anew serve as a challenge to the naysayers out there. I dare say — counting in every voting precinct in the entire Batangas, this early, is over!
Ate Vi, however, isn’t the complacent-type. If I knew her well enough, like anybody else, she still finds herself on pins and needles.
Never been a bit too confident, as she always says: “Ang tao naman ang magdedesisyon (It’s up to the voters).”
This is perhaps the reason why the actress needed Luis to partner with her.
Already exposed to the Batangueños whenever Ralph could not make it to barangay activities (such as financial assistance payouts, etc), it’s Luis who’s in the front line where he gets to hobnob with the locals who share their unpleasant stories worth listening to.
Ate Vi emphasizes the need for a synergized partnership with Luis: “All because he represents the new blood. He’s tops as far as technology is concerned since we’re in the social media age.”
This makes her youngest son no different from Luis, having witnessed his mother’s getting into public service the very first time.
“Imagine Ryan was only three years old then and he’s 28 now? He grew up understanding my work more than my being in showbiz.”
This is essentially Ate Vi’s reaction particularly addressed to some quarters who question both of her sons taking a political shot.
Modesty aside, she can feel the genuine kindness and sincerity in Luis’ and Ryan’s hearts to be of help and service even to those they randomly come across.
“Hope for the best, God will take care of the rest,” as Ate Vi’s oft-repeated, if hackneyed aphorism.
Aware of the fact that this world is replete with ne’er-do-well bashers — no matter how you please them — the gubernatorial shoo-in has this to say: “They’re prepared!”
And as far as how the Batangueños perceive of them as vice governor and representative, respectively, is concerned: preferred.
Bashers, eat your heart out!
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