Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri used to be a member of the Spice Boys, a group of young congressmen who played a major role in removing then-President Erap Estrada from Malacañang.
That group also included Rep. Nonoy Andaya, Camarines Sur; Rep. Mike Defensor, Quezon City; Rep. Ace Barbers, Surigao del Norte; Rep. Hernani Braganza, Pangasinan; and Rep. Ricky Sandoval, Navotas-Malabon.
It was during those years that my sister-in-law and I were about to disembark from a plane that happened to have Zubiri as a passenger, too. I had a hard time removing my carry-on luggage from the overhead bin, and he was kind enough to help me. Each time his name is on the ballot for a particular election year, I always remember that moment, because he could have shoved us aside and left the plane ahead of us.
If you’re curious about where the Spice Boys are now, two decades later, there’s Google. But I think it’s safe to say that Zubiri has been the highest achiever so far, even if he’s no longer the Senate President. The Pinoy now realizes how fast the name behind that position can change according to the wiles of the incumbent senators. Which way is the wind blowing now? Your guess is as good or bad as mine.
At least this much the Pinoy knows: Sen. Lito Lapid can never be Senate President. He’s not noisy enough. The Senate President wannabe has to make some noise in order to be noticed.
And look who’s being noticed now: Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who recently revealed she’s planning to run for higher office in 2028. Which got me thinking. If only she had joined the “Miss Saigon” cast, she could have been the next Lea Salonga, with whom she starred as one of the Von Trapp children in Repertory Philippines’ “The Sound of Music” in 1980. She was 14 years old then.
But fate had other plans. If Hontiveros becomes president, or vice president, in 2028, that will prove fate is on her side. Is that better than winning the Tonys? Salonga did win Best Leading Actress in a Musical for “Miss Saigon” in 1991.
My unsolicited advice: Hontiveros should run for president. Because no one ever remembers who the vice president was for a certain term. Unless he or she is Vice President Sara Duterte. I’m absolutely sure the Pinoy will never forget her.
There was that time many years ago at a wedding when I was talking with someone who wanted to discuss my columns with me. Other guests at the wedding were greeting him, and I was like, “Why? Who is he?” I was completely clueless.
It was only later that I learned he was then the vice governor of Misamis Oriental. That’s the province where I live, and I still had no idea. See? People only recognize the main people: mayor, governor, president, but not their vice. Even congressmen and senators have to be extra noisy for the Pinoy to recognize them. Except for Lapid. He can stay quiet for as long as he likes, and he’ll still win in the next election. Still waters run deep, as they say.
