Queer, a puzzle

By Al S. Mendoza

BENJIE LIM isn’t just queer but is also a puzzle.

First, he stood me up some time ago during a dinner date in Singapore.

Next, I saw him dump GMA in favor of FPJ days before the 2004 May elections.

Then, he demanded GMA’s resignation in 2005.

Is it true he will challenge JDV in the 2007 elections?

Very recently, I heard he threatened to hit, slap if you will – of all people – the PUNCH’s iceman at the desk. If true, what a shame. Very un-mayorlike.

I have forgiven him in the Singapore fiasco.

His switch from GMA to FPJ in 2004, well, I saluted him for that.

I thought he could only do it to a Mr. Nobody like me. 

GMA? My, she is president. Ms Somebody. You just don’t turn your back on your president unless she’d done you wrong.

I saluted him again when, last year, he asked

      GMA to step down. My, that was something. Gutsy.

Next, he announced he might challenge JDV in 2007. My, if he fulfills his promise, I’ll salute him yet again.

Nobody fights JDV in his turf and comes out winner.

Only Erap owns the rare distinction of inflicting a major defeat on JDV. But that’s because anyone challenging Erap in a national contest such as the presidential fight in 1998 – when Erap’s popularity was at its peak – can only have two prospects of winning: Nil and none. 

Back in those days, Erap’s masa, which comprise 75 percent of our voting population, are unbeatable.

Poor JDV.  He was forced into a fight he couldn’t win – just like the captured rebels in olden Rome that were tossed into an arena where hungry lions lay in ambush.

But while Erap had the entire nation then as his personal playground, JDV has a vise-grip of his territory – then and now. 

I cannot see any reason for a JDV defeat to anyone in 2007.  Not to Lim. 

Maybe JDV will lose to Buloy Al Fernandez?

Maybe, but will my Buloy dare fight JDV, his friend and mentor and everything?

I’ve known Buloy to be a principled man. He will never, ever bite the hand that had guided him through the byways of life, given him the ropes when things seem to go upside down.

Actually, Lim should learn a lesson or two from my Buloy.

Lim may have millions but JDV can counter with a billion.

Buloy Al doesn’t even need a million bucks to defeat both.  But, as I said, he’ll never, ever do such a foolish thing as to challenge JDV, or even Lim, his indirect protege’.  The legacy of the Fernandez clan from Mama Angel down – honorable and therefore dignified at all times runs unadulterated in the genes and veins of Buloy Al.

Of the Lim-JDV duel materializing, I like what Gonz Duque said: “If and when Benjie and JDV finally fight, let’s all welcome it.  Why, because with all their money thrown hopefully into the political ring, the ultimate winners are the people of Dagupan and the entire district.

       Cool.

***

I read with glee last week in our Punch Online Section a letter from Leslie Tomines, my fellow Mangataremenian who now lives in Orlando, Florida. He said he was happy to read here the names of Caloy Rufo, Teody Lalas and Natnit Baptista.  The three were my fellow band members in high school.  We played Beatles, Zombies, DC 5, Bee Gees, etc. in those days without letup after school. Leslie also said he had honestly believed the four of us would all become rock musicians after high school. Well, only Caloy went on to become one. Teody lives here in Dagupan, married to a doctor. Natnit, I’ve lost track of his whereabouts. Me? Please call me a drinker but not a drunkard.  To Leslie, keep on punchin’!

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