Playing with Fire
Ang pikon, talo
By Gonzalo Duque
A VIEW to a tale. That’s what we saw last week at the Dagupan Police Station featuring an angry Mayor Benjie Lim creating sympathy for a former Barangay Nueva captain named Tano, not tanod, who is being blamed for many things.
The sight of Mayor Lim – surrounded by his hacks – attracted attention when people noticed the presence of broadcaster Freddie Fajardo of Aksyon Radyo.
Reports say the mayor displayed vivid anger, calling Freddie in full hearing of everyone “laos ka.” Later he took a dig at this columnist, calling us “bulok.” Haha, that’s what we get for not rooting for him. (And why should we, aber?)
The mayor has a penchant for insulting people not within the range of his personal friends. Because of that habit, many are avoiding him because of his foul mouth.
Remember one evening we were being friendly at his mis-Fortune restaurant? Without any provocation, he blurted at us, “sino ka ba? “
Bruskon talaga.
You must have heard about his unprintable description of his woman- opponent. A sense of decency forbids us from repeating the words here.
For her part, Belen took the reports in a cool, professional manner.
One’s speech, our psychologists say, is the mirror of upbringing.
On the other hand, Dagupenos are impressed with Belen.
Cool under fire. Agto ompapatol. She is earning a lot of respect and endearment.
As to Freddie, who happens to be our partner in Kabeleyan Channel, allow us to say that since he filled the slot vacated by the so – called “idol,” (sic) the station dramatically rose in audience ratings.
Of course, credit goes to the entire staff by Ging Cardinoza when Aksyong skyrocketed lately from No. 7 to No. 2, a hairline away to No. 1 .
Allow us again to say this: Freddie is very professional in his work. He is able to maintain objectivity even in face of a mayor’s fury. To BSL’s description of him as a biased reporter, Freddie graciously invited the mayor to appear in his program. But he imperiously declined, describing him as laos and us as “bulok.”
Look who is talking!
* * * *
Our broadcasting work is earning legions of listeners.
Ha??? Oh, yes, we have our share of “contras,” of course, what do you expect? In our last edition, two cellphone numbers texted us 40 and 50 times respectively intimidating and insulting us.
No problem. It’s part of the territory.
We are energized by opposition, you know.
We are reminded by Senator Miriam Santiago who eats threats and atomic bombs for breakfast.
It may interest you that problems, controversies and debates are our cup of tea.
We are thrilled by clashes, confrontation and fights. Andi met itay physical a?
Pag walang laban we get bored. La-laos tayo. Mabubulok?
Never because we are always steaming, sizzling and boiling hot.
Yung mga gustong makipagtunggali, bring it on. Type natin. Pero, walang pikon ha?
* * * *
We received this overseas call at press time.
“Boss Gonz, ano ang topic mo sa column mo this week? We could hardly wait!”
Didn’t know marami tayong fans. Ermin knows that our subscribers have already ballooned to 125,000 and counting including the digital. That’s community journalism for you…. Ahem... Yung mga nasa kabila, don’t take this over seriously. Overseas (US) poll surveys show a Belen- Michael lead by 70-30. You’re right. They are Punch readers. Some biased readers think they can ignore the Punch, which enjoys a million readership including the digital and website.
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