SEN. JINGGOY ESTRADA

He is not running for re-election in next year’s mid-term elections (his term is until 2016) but Sen. Jinggoy Estrada will be busy nonetheless when the campaign period starts on March 2013.

In an intimate luncheon meeting with some members of the entertainment press, Sen. Jinggoy said he will be campaigning for his father, former Pres. Joseph “Erap” Estrada, who is running for mayor of Manila; and his eldest daughter, Janelle Marie, 23 years old, who is running for councilor of San Juan. This alone will keep him on his toes.

What can he say about political dynasty? It is recalled that when his mother, Dr. Loi Ejercito, became a senator, he also followed suit, prompting then Pres. Erap to say to this writer, “First time ito nangyari, kahit sa ibang bansa, hindi nangyari ito na mother-son kapwa senador.” He was evidently very proud of the feat achieved by his wife and son.

Sen. Jinggoy reminded everyone that “marami magkakamag-anak sa Kongreso at Senado.” He doesn’t think that a political dynasty is bad per se. “Why should we deprive the electorate the chance to have choices?”

Among the six bills that Sen. Jinggoy filed and made into law was the Kasambahay Bill which, after 15 years of languishing in Congress, was finally enacted. Among others, the Kasambahay Bill dictates the minimum wage for domestic helpers.

The young-looking senator hasn’t made a movie for quite sometime but he said he is not turning his back on movie production. He’d like to do a movie in the near future and when asked who he’d like to be his leading lady, he jested, “’yung kanais-nais kahit hindi malinis…” He later corrected it to mean as someone not more than 30 years old.

Sen. Jinggoy looks young but he said he has not undergone any procedure, like Botox, yet to enhance his physical appearance. He’d like to try Stem Cell Therapy, but he said, “Ayaw ni Precy (his wife), baka daw may side effect.”

Is he thinking of running for vice president or president someday? Sen. Jinggoy said, “Depende sa survey.”

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Jiggy Manicad – 2012 TOYM Awardee

Broadcast journalist Rodrigo “Jiggy” Manicad, Jr. is perhaps the most-awarded broadcast journalist in the country, his achievements now topped by his being chosen as one of the recipients of the 2012 Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awards.

The Junior Chamber International (JCI), the TOYM Foundation, and the Gerry Roxas Foundation chose Manicad as a recipient of the prestigious award which is given to young men aged 18 – 40 who have significantly contributed to the welfare of their countrymen, and whose selfless dedication improved their chosen professions.

Jiggy is a broadcast journalist who has always taken the risk and reported “live” from war zones not only in Mindanao but also in the Middle East.

“I do, however, take the necessary precautions,” he said. “But sometimes I believe it is Divine Providence that saved me from danger.”

He revealed that he was supposed to join the entourage of the Mangundadatus in Maguindanao, but somehow his instinct prevailed on him to interview Manny Pacquiao instead. That small voice which he followed saved him from the Maguindanao massacre.

He also came out unscathed from a military helicopter crash, even as he called, in another incident, for a military helicopter to pick up a bleeding soldier and airlift the victim of a firefight with enemies. The rescue helicopter never arrived and the poor and helpless wounded soldier was drained of blood and died.

“I often inject my own philosophy especially with the documentaries I make,” he said. “In order to enhance the awareness we are promoting among the viewers. They must be guided to make a stand.”

“When we present urgent problems,” Jiggy added, “the government often responds positively and immediately implement solutions, and that for me, is already a great reward, which also shows that the documentary is effective.”

Many of his investigative stories were also instrumental in the capture of notorious offenders and the rescue of hostage victims.

Some 17 years now in his profession, Jiggy has already achieved what other broadcast journalists could only dream of.

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A ‘Sosy’ Problem Clarified

If you notice that the name of the director (Andoy Ranay) isn’t in the credits of the movie “Sosy Problems,” GMA Films’ entry to the ongoing Metro Manila Film Festival, it is because he himself requested it so.

“We only acceded to his request,” Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar explained to some movie writers who attended the red carpet premiere of the movie at SM Megamall Cinema 5. But the request was precipitated by what Gozon-Abrogar described as a “minor issue” – they were not able to shoot a scene which Ranay would have wanted to include in the movie, because they were already running out of time. “If we couldn’t submit the movie on time, we would be fined P4.5-million a day!” Gozon-Abrogar explained further.

Anyway, the premiere was attended by the four “sosy” leading ladies – Heart Evangelista, Rhian Ramos, Solenn Heussaff, and Bianca King – and their special guests like Sen. Chiz Escudero, Heart’s special someone, and Sen. Miriam D. Santiago, among others.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 28, go to Mrs. Edna Azurin of Philippine Red Cross QC Chapter, Ms. Claire dela Fuente, former Rep. Hortencia L. Starke, Marietta Tamondong, Marni Ocampo of Sari-Sari, twins Jo and Reb A. Disini, Cynthia Garcia, Mary Anne Salcedo, Amy Espino, Olga Apostol, Shari Bravo, Christopher Beato, Jocelyn Morales, Carlos B. Cruz, Emgy Gamboa, Jill Yulo, Aaron Junatas, Nino Fajardo, office of PCSO GM, and New York-based Nino M. Sampilo… Happy wedding anniversary to Danny and Rose Clariño, Christopher and Ma. Cindy Louise Jimenez, Rey and Beth Burgos, and Chichos and Nanett Luciano… Belated b-day greetings to Dr. Floro Gascon (Dec. 22)…