Next step for actor-politicians

Since Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada are hogging the headlines now, I thought of asking celebs how the beleaguered lawmakers’ arrest might impact other actors who would like to join politics.

At the peak of her career, my late mom (Inday Badiday) was urged by several groups to run for mayor of Quezon City. She declined, saying she did not have to hold public office in order to help and serve people.

I’m glad that Ma stuck it out with show biz. Politics is a lot more complicated than the entertainment biz. The good name you’ve worked so hard to build can be easily ruined if you don’t play your cards right in that arena.

I will not pass judgment on Bong and Jinggoy. Regardless of all  the negative news about them, I remain a friend to them and their wives, Lani and Precy.

May something good come out of this.  There must be a purpose behind every trial.

Understandably, many celebs begged off from commenting on the issue, since it’s quite a sensitive matter. Here are a few brave souls who dared to share their sentiments:

Joanna Ampil

JOANNA Ampil: “Be sure you want to serve.”

No matter what your background is, whether you’re  from show business or not, if you think you can give something back to the country, then go for it. But don’t get into politics if you have no concrete plans of serving. Spare us the heartaches and suffering.

Kim Atienza

Politics is a two-edged sword. It has its perks and its hazards. If you are really passionate about it, go for it! If you are in it for other reasons, it would be a losing proposition for yourself and especially for the people who elected you.

Suzi Entrata-Abrera

It’s fair warning to everyone, not just actors, that if ever they decide to join politics, they should be ready for the responsibility. They must remain focused on the task at hand and careful about the taxpayers’ money that is entrusted to them. It is never just black-and-white. It is the gray areas that can get anyone in big trouble.

Ronnie Quizon

My answer is not meant for actors alone, but for everyone. Good or bad, you are responsible for your actions, and answerable for the choices you make. [You may get dirty] for something

RONNIE Quizon: “You are responsible for your actions.”

that is or isn’t your own doing; you should have prepared yourself before you entered the muddy world of politics. You sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind.

John Arcilla

Actors  or not, we must take our duty to serve people seriously or we don’t run for public office at all. We, as actors, have a lot of power to influence the public.

If we must, we should use it to transform the historically corrupt political system into something better. Choose not to be swayed by trapos (traditional politicians) and make a difference instead.

We can be more relevant if we support the move to end political dynasties. We must create projects that will make Filipinos self-reliant.

Cuteness overload

Get set for cuteness overload in GMA 7’s new  child-friendly series, “My BFF” (premieres Monday before “24 Oras”).

The new show is top-billed  by child stars Jillian Ward and Mona Louise Rey. Jillian plays  Chelsea, who is a compassionate best friend to Rachel, a kind-hearted introvert  portrayed by Mona.

Unknown to Rachel, Chelsea is a ghost who hasn’t crossed over. She chooses to remain in the mortal world, hoping to reunite Rachel’s estranged parents, played  by Manilyn Reynes and Janno Gibbs.

The show is not just kid stuff. It serves to remind us that we can never be too young nor  too old to have a BFF.