now i know why it's "pichay, itanim sa senado." and this i realized while on the bus back to lb. calamba is always the most saturated part of the travel route for campaign posters and i would have to agree with marites vitug, they are veering towards soundbites. migZ. chiz. TAO. ang gara.

ambaduy.

i had to laugh at myself for only understanding this morning the, er, nuances of "pichay, itanim sa senado." no need to actually conjure nuances to a campaign slogan in the first place. if i were in the staff of prospero pichay, i would suggest something more, well, nutritious to chew on.

lb politicians seeking reelection are also going the way of admin-style posters - big picture of the governor, smaller pictures of the vice-governor and board members. in this case, a big picture of perez (already too familiar by his infamous daily tambay ritual at the corner of mercury drug crossing come rush hour). his picture is then followed by those of the vice-mayor and councilors. now, i know what baby sumangil and lulu principe look like. these are names which become familiar during election season. (i think they've been candidates since the early 90's.)

meanwhile, i got a message from p. early this week: a former prof is running for party list representative and is 'inviting' his former students for a thursday dinner. no campaign solicitations involved, just our presence. suweet.

first reply: free dinner?
second reply: i never thought he's the type to run for office.
third reply: them academics are running for a congressional position one by one. a foreboding sign like the locusts?