Image: Instagram/@akosilolitsolis
It would be quite difficult to keep tabs on the number of celebrities who’ve crossed over to the realm of politics after some time in show business. Many politicians today had their early beginnings in the entertainment industry after all.
Former President of the Philippines Joseph “Erap” Estrada, for one, first gained fame as an actor and model before joining politics. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III started out as a songwriter, actor and host. Meanwhile, former senators Lito Lapid and Bong Revilla Jr. used to be action stars, whereas “Star for All Seasons” Vilma Santos is now Batangas’ 6th district Representative. Many more celebrities have since made the jump.
Whether celebrities should or should not join politics is a tricky topic reserved for fervent debates. While some see nothing wrong in crossing over, others question the qualifications that celebrities have, compared to, say, a politician who actually studied law, politics or economics. For veteran talent manager and columnist Lolit Solis, she finds herself in the former as she sees nothing wrong in the move.
Solis took to her Instagram last Sept. 7 where she shared a collage picture of Dingdong Dantes, Alfred Vargas, Richard Gomez and Vilma Santos. In her post, Solis likened Dantes to Gomez, who joined politics after some time in showbiz.
Solis’ post came after rumors circulated lately that Dantes may or may not have plans of going into politics. Whether or not there is truth to these speculations remains unknown, but one thing is for sure: Dantes has Solis’ full support.
“Dream nga ba ni Dingdong ang makapasok sa mundo ng pulitika? Nakikita ko kay Dingdong ang passion na nakita ko kay Richard Gomez noon,”wrote Solis. “Nabigo ang mga unang try ni Richard hanggang maging mayor siya ng Ormoc.”
(Is it really Dingdong’s dream to enter politics? I see in Dingdong the passion I saw in Richard Gomez before. Richard’s first attempts failed, until he became mayor of Ormoc.)
For Solis, Gomez has proven a lot with his leadership and is a brilliant public servant. She, too, used Santos as an example, saying, “Hindi rin akalain ng marami na magiging isa siyang mahusay na mayor at congresswoman. In fact, sinasabi na kung tumakbo siyang vice president, sure winner si ate Vi.”
(Majority also did not think that she could be an effective mayor and congresswoman. In fact, it is said that if she runs as Vice President, she will surely win.)
It’s not just Solis who holds the same sentiments. Back in 2015, President Rodrigo Duterte candidly said that he’d like to have Santos as his dream running mate, stating that she is a “good choice.”
Moreover, as per Solis, Dantes’ dedication and passion for work are ideal assets in being a good leader: “Hindi kasi matanggap ng iba na ang isang artista ay capable humawak ng posisyon. Hindi nila matanggap kung minsan na aside from being popular, may puso ang mga artista na magtagumpay bilang pulitiko, bilang leader.”
(Some people cannot accept that actors are capable of holding government posts. Some cannot accept it sometimes that aside from being popular, actors have the heart [to pursue] success as politicians, as leaders.)
Apart from Santos and Gomez, Solis too praised actor Alfred Vargas who finished his studies before entering politics. Today, Solis said, Vargas is one of the “respected members ng (of) congress.”
“Huwag natin isara ang ating utak sa mga may pangarap tumawid mula sa showbiz patungo pulitika,” she appealed. “Give them a chance to serve and feel, malay natin, isang artista ang magbigay ganda at ayos sa ating bayan.”
(Let’s not close our minds to those who dream to cross over from showbiz to politics. Give them a chance to serve and feel. Who knows, maybe an actor would be the one who can improve and put in order our country.) JB
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