Susan for Goma

Back in 2003, people from the movie industry staged a rally against the E-Vat bill (which was passed anyway) in front of the Senate, led by the late FPJ and Richard "Goma" Gomez. While cooling off at the coffee shop of the nearby Philippine Plaza Hotel, FPJ told Richard, "If you ever run for Senator, I will support you."

As everybody knows, there was an election in 2004, a year after that anti-E-Vat rally, in which FPJ ran for President. We know what happened to him. Richard did not. (He did run under the party-list MAD — as in Mamayan Ayaw sa Droga — in the 2001 elections. He won, all right, but was disqualified for whatever reason.)

Now, Goma is running for Senator as an independent candidate. I take my hat off (and I’m giving him my vote) for his determination to win against odds (no party machinery, etc.). He may be sharp-tongued, but so what? What counts is his being service/work-oriented.

Anyway, Monday night Goma had dinner with FPJ’s widow Susan Roces somewhere in Greenhills and it was there where Susan formally endorsed Goma’s candidacy, in the process fulfilling FPJ’s 2003 promise to Goma.

Besides Goma, Susan is also endorsing the candidacy of Chiz Escudero (for senator), Jojo Binay (running for reelection for Mayor of Makati) and Toby Tiangco (running for reelection for mayor of Navotas).

"Tita Susan’s endorsement means so much to me," said Goma. "As you know, I don’t have that much money to spend in the campaign. I can’t even afford to place TV ads as often as I want to. You cannot quantify Tita Susan’s endorsement in terms of pesos. It’s worth millions."

Robin Padilla is also endorsing Goma in the TV commercial. In his provincial sorties, Goma attracts huge crowds, more so because with him is his lovely wife Lucy Torres beside him and bosom buddies John Estrada, Wendell Ramos and Joey Marquez (a veteran on the campaign trail).

Goma’s campaign jacket was designed by Randy Ortiz.

* * *

Chito’s ‘Mission: Samar’ not impossible

If you build, they will come.

That’s what Chito Roño, a true-blue Waray, is doing — that is, rebuilding schoolhouses in his native Samar. Chito is from Calbayog City (Western Samar).

A few days ago, Chito launched his project called School Works Society ("one roof, one chair, one book at a time") in a concert at the Metrobar (West Ave., Quezon City) and friends and supporters did come in full force.

Performers at the concert were Pops Fernandez, Iya Villania, Vhong Navarro, Pooh (himself a Waray), Chokoleit, Jay-R, Rivermaya and Kris Lawrence, all gratis et amore.

Among the sponsors for the event were Ben Chan and Human, Nike Timing & Vision, Rene Barbier Wines, Excite, Inc., PMX Sound Systems, and Metro Bar.

Present at the event were movie mogul Mother Lily Monteverde, tv stars Diether Ocampo and Archie Alemania of Wazzup, Wazzup (with wife Mickey Ferriols), noted screenwriter Mel del Rosario, director Lino Cayetano, award-winning designer Carlo Tanseco, exporter extraordinaire Al Caronan, agent/lawyer Chunchi Soler, writers Alex Cortez and Celina Cristobal and photographer Nap Jamir.

A searingly touching audio-visual presentation opened the evening’s simple ceremonies. Based on photographs by Neil Daza and edited by Larger Than Life, Inc., it told the moving story of the fate of thousands of schoolchildren in the poorest part of the country, in Biri, Northern Samar.

"As bad as the schoolhouses are," said Island School Works Society Chairman Chito Roño, "they are the only place for a decent education — and a chance for a better life."

"The children must struggle to get to school, often walking as far as six kilometers, traveling by foot or by banca, over trails and mangrove swamps. The Island School Works Society wants to make these schools inspiring places for education."

There are 12 elementary schools on the island of Biri, which lies off the southernmost tip of Sorsogon, and is the first island of the Visayas.

Many schools are in disrepair, the majority have long ago lost their roofs. Windows, doors, toilets, playgrounds, libraries are non-existent. Books are few and far between and the children must make their own chairs or sit on the dirt floors to do their lessons.

"Every day, the school children and the teachers fight a valiant battle to get an education. The Island School Works Society just wants to bring back hope to their lives," said Mr. Roño. "How can these children believe when we teach them love for country?"

He called on those willing and able to help, to please call 817-2940, Mobile 0921-401-1480 or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]. "We need roofing and building materials, water closets, chairs and desks urgently before the start of the school season," Roño said.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected])