Image: Facebook/Ogie Diaz
Actor-talent manager Ogie Diaz gave his two cents’ worth in regard to celebrities endorsing politicians in the upcoming midterm elections.
One or two appearances in sorties may be free, as per Diaz, but for those who are present in most of the campaigning, best believe they are sweetly paid.
“Prangkahan na tayo, kailangan din namang mabuhay ng mga artista,” said Diaz via Facebook on May 8. “Hanabuhay pa din yan. Peak season ang campaign period. Kitaan yan ng datung, kaya MERONG KITA diyan. At kalakaran na yon.”
(Let’s be frank, artists need to live. That’s still work. Campaign period is peak season and there is something to earn there. It has always been like that.)
He added that celebrity appearances in political advertisements are either paid or pro bono. It depends, he said, if the candidate really believes a certain celebrity has the capacity to garner votes for them or the celebrities themselves believe in what the candidate is fighting for.
“At the end of the day, mas masarap mag-endorse ng kandidatong gusto mo na, kumita ka pa,” he quipped.
(At the end of the day, it’s better if you endorse and earn from a candidate you like.)
Being actress Liza Soberano’s talent manager, Diaz thought it apt to mention that a lot of politicians have reached out to her for endorsement.
“Dami nag-aalok. Laki pa ng offer,” he said. “Pero siguro, hindi pa sa ngayon. Baka someday or sa next election.”
(Many offered and their offers were huge, but I think now is not the right time. Maybe someday or in the next election.)
Diaz also shared his own senatorial bets, some of whom are from the opposition, including lawyer Florin “Pilo” Hilbay, Samira Gutoc, Chel Diokno and Bam Aquino, as well as Dr. Willie Ong and Neri Colmenares. For Diaz, these figures are those he think the people need as representatives in the Senate. /ra
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