Erap still a star at 79

The star power of former President and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has not diminished as seen in the turnout of guests during his 79th birthday bash at the Emar Suites along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City. The penthouse of the 28-story condo building owned by Erap — and whose name is a combination of the first letters of his parents’ names Don Emilio and Doña Mary Ejercito — looked like the venue for a “miting de avance” with the presence of friends from politics.

Among the early well wishers was Erap’s preferred and anointed presidential candidate, Sen. Grace Poe whom he praised as someone with “brains and talent.” She reportedly dropped by the Manila City Hall earlier for lunch. The other well wishers were vice presidential frontrunner Sen. Bongbong Marcos, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Sherwin Gatchalian who are both running for the Senate; businessmen, some members of the diplomatic corps and former Erap Cabinet members.

The audience was also entertained by several song numbers from young showbiz stars but one of the highlights was an audio-visual presentation that showed Manila “before and after” Erap as proof of his accomplishments during his first term as mayor.

In fact, Erap celebrated his birthday last Tuesday by leading the inauguration of the newly reopened Mehan Garden public park in Arroceros, which had been previously neglected. And contrary to earlier rumors claiming that several public markets had been sold to private developers, Estrada initiated the rehabilitation and modernization of several public markets with help from the private sector. The former stall owners in the old market will have slots in the new one with stall rental rates remaining the same for the next two years. And if ever there will be an increase, it will be minimal at five to 10 percent at the most, the mayor promised.

Photos by Ramon Joseph J. Ruiz