Women behind politicians

Then: May 15, 1985 — 26 years ago

There she was dancing to All Night Long with the Stargazer lights playing on her hair. She saw me and waved without missing a beat, smiling a naughty smile. This was another face of Giji Garcia Asistio, the woman behind Mayor Macario “Boy” Asistio of Caloocan.

Earlier in the afternoon, I caught her holding a meeting with barangay zone members, planning the details of their annual Santacruzan sa Caloocan on May 17. At the meeting which was also attended by fiscals and police officers of the Caloocan officialdom, she was every inch the first lady, shepherding a favorite project to completion. Her good friend Lilian Laing, the project coordinator, would ask young actresses who would be reinas. Earlier, Lilian was telling me how amazed she was with the politicization of Giji Asistio.

“I just marvel at her growth as a person and as a concerned citizen doing all these,” Lilian added.

Later, when Giji had a breather from all the questions and answers and all the political innuendoes of most political meetings, she told me that she was just assisting her husband in some of his projects.

“The big help is my sister-in-law Aurora Henson who knows all about Caloocan politics. I’m just in the process of warming up to help. The Santacruzan is my yearly promise to the people and since I will be inviting movie stars, it is a big annual attraction that people look forward to,” she said.

Giji then informed us that she had talked and confirmed the participation of such stars as the Montenegro sisters, Jobelle Salvador, Janice de Belen, Rachelle Ann Wolfe, Herbert Bautista, Tommy Abuel, Edu Manzano, Loretta Marquez and Snooky Serna. She was on her way to talk to Pops Fernandez and Nora Aunor to get their okay.

She had come a long way from the 15-year-old we met at a beauty parlor many years before when she was just starting out in showbiz. She got a lot of notice as the newcomer with the beautiful face and voice. Her mother used to chaperon her to all movie affairs. Now in full bloom as first lady, wife to the Caloocan mayor and mother of a 10-year-old, she answered our query as to whether she would ever consider going back to entertainment even for charity projects. Using her big eyes to stress her point, she said, “My husband will not allow it.”

In the evening, she was getting dolled up in an Oskar Peralta dress and Fanny Serrano make-up. Showbiz was still there, even through her make-up. She was discussing the merits of Fanny’s perm-a-lash and perm-a-brow, which were guaranteed to make you wake up in the morning with your eyebrows intact. All women talked, breaking into laughter most of the time.

Pinky de Leon had to set aside some of her personal projects to help in the campaign

We managed to pursue the subject of politics when I asked the chances of her husband in the next elections. Good, she stressed, people would remember the good work he had done and that of his father before him. Spoken like a politician’s wife. Would she campaign? Would she sing in the rallies? She laughed saying that’s the privilege of being Mrs. Asistio.

There’s an element in showbiz and politics that mixes very well. We saw it in Joseph Estrada, Ramon Revilla Sr. and the tandem of Pinky de Leon and Bobby Aguirre.

Bobby was a power to reckon with in Parañaque politics. Pinky, as the woman behind Bobby, was his partner in business and politics. The last time we had a chat with Pinky, she was all set to go to the US to attend to some properties they have acquired there. And inevitably with the political season already being felt in the air, Pinky would once again be in the forefront in the campaign for Bobby.

But it would be a bigger challenge for Bobby, what with the family business being in the news with Banco Filipino in receivership. As Pinky stressed to us, “I admire my father-in-law in his fight for what is right.”

The problem with our political environment is the fact that it can never deviate from the personal level. One cannot be detached from it. As wife of a politician, Pinky had to set aside some of her personal projects to help in the campaign. But perhaps that would make a happy union. When you would get involved with a man you’d get involved in his ambitions as well.

The women in the lives of our political leaders could be the mirror of their deepest secrets. The wives usually are the image of their early years, their early ambitions. While the second women in their lives, a seeming prerequisite of the public life, are usually more sophisticated and accomplished. Their roles in their men’s successes are also something to think about.

NOW: July 31, 2011 — 26 years after

During her time, Giji did some worthwhile projects for Caloocan. But the relationship faltered and the former Mayor has a new family. Giji handled the separation very well. The last time I saw her was in L.A. in one of the shows of The Hitmakers. She is still lovely and so vibrant. She has remarried and been obviously doing very well as Mrs. Kocher.

The political ambitions of Bobby Aguirre did not progress. Bobby and Pinky de Leon are no longer a couple. The last time Pinky was in the news was when her eldest son was released from prison after being sentenced for rape with Hubert Webb. He was in prison for 15 years. It was one of the happiest times for Pinky as a mother when he was released. Pinky is now married to an American and living in the US.