Lunes, Mayo 6, 2013

Mother Lily’s children out of wedlock FUNFARE By Ricky Lo (The Philippine Star) |


Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde with Pres. Noynoy ‘P-Noy’ Aquino…
Unless somebody surfaces at the last minute and waves a “birth certificate” claiming that he or she is,ehem, “one of them,” as of press time yesterday (6:30 p.m.), Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde has publicly recognized 15 “children” out of wedlock (as in mga anak sa labas) in addition to her and (Father) Remy Monteverde’s five legitimate children (Winnie, Roselle, Meme, Dondon and Goldwyn).
No, Mother Lily didn’t give birth to her other children; she very simply claims them as her own.
You guessed it: All 15 are running in the May 13 elections and they swear by Mother Lily’s legendary “Magic Touch” — you know, that her anointed ones believe in their hearts that they are assured of victory. Mother Lily’s “regal” batting average is beyond reproach.
As I was saying, it was Mother Lily who recognized the power of the movie press in spreading the platform of candidates because, as you must have known by now, movie stories are read by people from both the AB and CD crowds, even by those in far-flung places. Mother Lily first did it in 1992 for then presidential candidate Fidel V. Ramos for whom she hosted a movie presscon and a victory dinner for President-Elect FVR. Other candidates followed suit, all of whom Mother Lily has embraced as her children.
During the campaign season, the children seek out their adoptive mother for help, as children of any color, any race and any belief usually do in times of need. Mother knows best.
She could win hands down if ever she run for a public office but Mother Lily would rather stay in the background, acting as the wind beneath her children’s wings, basking in their victory and without expecting anything in return. It’s a mother’s unconditional love.
Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
What makes Mother Lily an effective endorser, with the highest credibility quotient among showbiz endorsers (bar none!), doing so without being paid (unlike star endorsers who earn millions by simply raising the hand of a candidate…easy does it, see?) and, in fact, spending her own money by hosting movie presscons for them, gratis et amore?.
And what are her criteria in taking a candidate under her wings?
“I only support senatoriables who I believe can help the country. I endorse only those whose values and principles are remarkable. Some of them have approached me, some are truly good friends. I like to help that’s why I am doing this,” said Mother Lily who calls every one of her (political/adoptive) children “anak.”
Here are Mother Lily’s mga anak sa labas (at random, since she plays no favorites):
  • Pres. Noynoy “P-Noy” Aquino who touched Mother Lily’s heart when he visited her at home after she was diagnosed with an early-stage lung cancer.
  • Sen. Loren Legarda (consistent topnotcher in surveys): An original anak way back when, who remembers Mother Lily even in off-campaign seasons.
  • Former Sen. Dick Gordon: He’s Mother Lily and her daughter Roselle’s partner in Red Cross projects.
  • Grace Poe: Mother Lily has known her since she was a child because Grace’s parents did movies for Regal.
  • Bam Aquino: “A goal-oriented person who lets his work speak for itself.”
  • Risa Hontiveros: Whose initials are stamped on the widely-debated RH Bill that she helped pass.
  • Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte: Whose family is the Monteverdes’ long-time friends.
  • Sen. Chiz Escudero: As far as Mother Lily is concerned, he can’t go wrong.
  • Former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar: The “wonder woman” who has initiated innovative projects with Water Lily (made into bags, baskets, etc.).
  • Nancy Binay: Said to be the silent political strategist of her father, Vice Pres. Jojo Binay.
  • Sen. Antonio Trillanes: Mother Lily would love to film his colorful life story.
  • Former Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile: “I believe he can put food on every Filipino family’s table.”
  • Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano: “I will never forget when he brought me a bouquet of get-well-soon flowers.”
  • Sen. Koko Pimentel: At yesterday’s presscon, he served fresh buko, as if to say, “Drink coco, think Koko!”
  • Sen. Gringo Honasan: Like Father Remy, a proud native of Sorsogon (where Father Remy’s dad was known as Copra King).