Stealing EDSA
THE audacious Maribel Lopez has done it again, flouting the rules and flaunting it with verve and a lot of nerve!
But if I were 30, 40 years younger, I might have done what she did. But then 40 years ago I would not have taken video of myself in motion, driving a car like an enraged terrorist and endangering the lives of 19 heads of ASEAN and non-ASEAN states. You stole EDSA, Maribel!
In the first place, why two lanes for just 19 VIPs when one would’ve been enough? Two lanes closed off to tempt the gods on a five-lane, busiest highway? The delegates’ convoys did not travel in batches, their cars as they zipped by were few and far between. So who stole EDSA?
Actually, scene-stealing Maribel was just acting true to form as a resident of a city of 13 million who have to fight for space to squeeze through traffic; when they wait for a ride; each time they deal with government to pay taxes, buy a license, apply for a passport.
As Roman Cruz Jr. wryly theorized, like nature the Filipino abhors a vacuum– a vacuum implies blank, empty, blessed room for one and more!
Another scene stealer in a nice way was Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. At his personalityplus best, shirt sleeves rolled up to the elbows, he smiled his way through adoring crowds, like they knew him as cozily as they “knew” fellowCanadian Justin Bieber.
The PM showed his touchy, feely side, gamely reaching out to shake hands with meet-and-greet dancers at the airport. Carried babies and briefly chatted with their mothers at a maternal clinic funded by his government. Enjoyed a Jollibee stop and rode in an e-jeepney. For this peoplefriendly visit, the local embassy had their ears to the ground listening for what would click with the crowds. It pays to be telegenic, too!
Stealing the scene in a blushful, almost timid way was Mr. Duterte’s partner, Honeylet. A shy presence in pale pastels, she looked much more poised and stylish after 17 months as the President’s companion. Without a doubt she’d appear more self-assured if reporters and TV anchors stopped calling her the President’s commonlaw wife.