Down the path my dad took
Though I am upfront in saying I detest anything that’s to do with politics, I’ve always known that subconsciously, I like the thrill that comes in immersing oneself in controversies, formalities, cover-ups and strategies.
Just this morning, I landed a new job. Again. As if I’m not busy enough. But who am I to complain? My dad primarily needs me to be as geographically close to him as possible for all the reasons one can imagine be it due to his health reasons or due to, yes, political reasons. Just like what law blockie Mia told me earlier when I was sulking in misery, in the end I’d soon realize that it’s far better to sacrifice for loved ones.
Mother knows best? Or father knows best? My case would have to say that both parents know best. Then again, since it’s my dad who is the only one I have left and who’s always been my workaholic "pusher" (wahehe) and sadist backer in terms of career, I really have nothing else that could refute the fact that I have always been in good hands every single time I follow his suggestions (that are more like commands, if you ask me). And he’s too damn smug about it every time I have no choice but to admit that, well, he’s right. Haha. But I love him despite of and in spite of.
Okay so about the new job. Starting Thursday, I will be the personal aid/executive assistant to Mrs. Janet Olivarez, the wife of Laguna Vice Governor Edwin Olivarez. Under their foundation, the Angat Laguna Foundation, I am in charge, as well, of the youth/media/women sector, with my dad as my colleague in media. My "new" Tita Janet, as she prefers to be called, told me that I will be accompanying her in her regular travels, both international and local, especially now that from surveys, Vice Gov has a big chance of winning the gubernatorial elections and that the campaign is already as intensive as ever so much so that she and dad landed an "agreement" that they’ll really make sure I won’t be getting married until I’m in my 30s. Eeeep. Haha. I was telling Van earlier that with these in my hands eating my time and energy, looks like I won’t be needing much protection anymore from the temptations of evil forces called "men". Good luck naman siguro kung magka-bf pa ako or at least kung may magka-interes na ligawan pa ako! Haha. Bitter. But that’s another story.
Maybe it really has always been in me. In terms of protesting and claiming that I hate politics, I definitely would lose what with my C.V. containing all the list of positions in the affiliations I’ve had as my very nemesis. I guess it’s really high time that I admit to myself that I like the spotlight. I like leadership. I like service, cheesy and "plastic" as it may sound. I like politics.
On the lighter side and, hehehe, gloomier side as well, I like political gossip - who’s dating who, whose controversy is scripted, who blew her top off while being covered by the media in her most awkward of moments (hehehe…my dad’s involved in one such story…quiet muna ako who’s the political figure involved), who needs good and bad propaganda. Trust me. The fourteen years I have been immersed in politics courtesy of my dad, it kinda was rubbed off into me so much so that I could say I’ve seen, heard and experienced almost everything.
Fourteen years. Year 1992 was the time when I first stepped in Laguna land. It was also the time my innocent mind was subjected to the "fun" indecencies real politics bring about. Dad was the legislative chief of staff of the congressman of the second district and was lead campaign manager when this congressman ran for governor. The next few years still saw my dad working in Congress for another congressman who, like the first one, ran for governor but failed to win. Two years ago, dad elevated himself to the upper congressional chamber as media consultant of Senator Mar Roxas. Politics, the internal kind, brought him back to Laguna this time under the mayors of two of the biggest cities in the province.
But of course, what with my dad’s intensive media and political clout, he once also had the chance of elevating himself to direct public service when he ran as the first district’s provincial board member in 1998. Unfortunately, he lost. How I still wish though that someday he’ll realize this dream of his. I am sure he will make a fine political leader with a few indecencies. Hehe.
I could go on all day trying to enumerate and narrate what the immediate members of my family have individually gone through in politics, be it external or internal. The thing is, how am I supposed to fail somebody who, until recently, I know as just my regular enemy…err…dad? Sure I know that Mr. Felicisimo "Momoy" B. Cardenas is big on the PR side. He’s currently the president and founding chairman of the Laguna Media Professionals Society (LAMPS) and he’s been, for the last 22 years, a Manila Bulletin correspondent. But it’s really politics that opened my eyes on just how "big" my dad is in Laguna so much so that the political figure I mentioned who blew her top off is always on a balancing act with him and vice-versa.
Could it be fate? It’s possible. When I mentioned earlier to Vice Gov that I was once a junior vice governor of Laguna under the Youth Development Affairs (YDA) of the governor’s office in the Provincial Capitol in Santa Cruz, he told me it’s a big coincidence because the head of the YDA office during my tenure, Avel, is now his youth coordinator for the Angat Laguna Foundation. And true enough, Kuya Avel still knows me and has never stopped in teasing me about my "affairs" during the Youth Week ‘98 and ‘99 celebration from the time I texted him earlier.
So Precious, this is your time to redeem yourself from the multitudes of excuses you made during your brief "now-you-see-me-now-you-don’t" stint with that cutie congressman from the second district. You’ve got no more excuse. The office of Vice Gov is just 15-30 minutes away from your house.
