Powerhouse team vs. “TH” line-up

By Eva C. Visperas

Maybe you want a peek of the big day when the Fernandez-Fernandez camp versus the Lim-Mata line up filed their certificates of candidacy for the May elections, particularly for Dagupan City.

At high noon March 29, cheering supporters, with hundreds of tricycle  drivers, ordinary folks, placard-bearing voters, and countless other patrons, relatives of resigned Immigration Commissioner Al Fernandez now running for mayor and successful businesswoman  Belen Fernandez for vice mayor trooped to  the city Commission on Elections Office.

Their complete slate for councilors also joined them, including Dr. Jess Canto, Dr. Alfie Fernandez (also an Atty.), Fred Quinto and the seven re-electionists, namely: Dada Reyna, Farah Decano, Jose Netu Tamayo, Alex de Venecia, Pacoy Torio, Michael Fernandez, Chito Samson.

Complete with balloons and the marching and lively music from the national champion University of Luzon Drum and Bugle Corps, their team’s morale was high because of the spontaneous and overwhelming support from the people.

They were embracing each other, welcoming them for their comeback, some even crying in joy, others were chanting.

If you are on the opposite side of the political fence and you saw the big crowd that accompanied the Fernandez-Fernandez team, you can feel scared.

Then, came night time, Brian Lim and Vlad Mata for mayor and vice mayor respectively, together with their line up, some known but mostly unknown personalities, finally showed up at the Comelec office sans fanfare.

Their line-up is composed of re-electionist Nick Aquino, Karlos Reyna, Tony Bautista, Ricardo Avelino, Charise Perez, Redford Erfe-Mejia, Dymphna  Sta. Maria-Ferrer, Manuel Yao Jr., Ma. Victoria  Antonio, and  Victor Ramos.

What took them so long to file, asked a friend. Someone answered, “Siguro sikato ya may feng-shui nen Coun. Nick.”

“Kinalag  to ni sirin iray numero?” a naughty observer commented.

The team was just quiet, I almost felt bored.

Lim’s  kurbata boys  were not around, supporters who accompanied them had faces that our local painters could hardly paint, his info officer who used to text mediamen to cover his boss’ affairs didn’t bother to text and could not even name the composition of their line-up a few minutes before the team filed their COCs.

Does this mean that the team was organized at the last minute? Insambot just for the  sake of having a complete slate?

Observers believe so.

Pati may managbitbit na plake  labat nen sakey ya agano nin okasyon, ni nagmaliw met lan kandidata da, observed a media friend.

Siopa may walad  sampot, amay walad  pegley, amay walad kawigi? That was a question coming no less from mediamen who took pictures of the Lim-Mata team as they do not know who these aspirants are.

The Fernandez-Fernandez team is considered a powerhouse team while no less than Mayor Benjamin Lim, father of Brian, who was seated beside me at the Comelec office, said in an interview that theirs is a “trying hard team”.

Well, I just wish both tickets the best. I hope Dagupan voters will choose only the worthy bets.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/business-log/)

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