THERE is no doubt that being in the entertainment industry has its advantages. A star’s popularity makes him or her a household name, and name recall is one of the ways of winning an election.
A lot of artists have successfully ventured into politics like former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, Leyte Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez, former Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. and his son, Sen. Bong Revilla, and former Rizal Vice Governor Jestoni Alarcon to name a few.
Next year’s elections is no different as a number of stars have filed their Certificate of Candidacy (COC) last Tuesday, October 13. Among them are:
• Edu Manzano, running for senator, independent candidate – Aside from serving as Vice Mayor of Makati City from 1998 to 2001, the actor/TV host also became the Optical Media Board Chairman (OMB) from 2004 to 2009.
• Ronnie Rickettes, running as representative of Muntinlupa, United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) – Action star Ronnie is also currently the OMB Chairman since 2009.
• Vandolph Quizon, for councilor in Paranaque – A newbie in politics, the son of the late Comedy King Dolphy and actress Alma Moreno said that he is ready to face this new step in his life.
• The former Viva Hot Babes member Andrea del Rosario, for vice mayor in Calatagan, Batangas.
• Actor and singer Lance Raymundo is running as councilor for San Juan City, along with former comedian Inday Garutay.
According to the Commission of Elections (COMELEC), the filing of COCs will be open until Friday, October 16, for those running in the 2016 elections, from President down to Local Government posts. We will see who else from showbiz will try to meet the deadline.
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Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of singer, actress and comedienne, Elizabeth Ramsey, who passed away last October 8 at the age of 83. Her daughter, Soul Diva Jaya, confirmed her mother’s death in a Facebook post.
“Mama Beth is now with our Lord…83 years has been full. Love and laughter, she has given not just our family but the whole nation. Thank you for your love and prayers and I rejoice because she passe[d] in her sleep. In peace. In God’s loving arms. Bye mama, until we meet again. I love you forever. Thank you Jesus,” Jaya wrote.
Born in December 3, 1931, Ramsey has been regarded as the Philippines’ Queen of Rock and Roll, and the Original Queen of Comedy, with her trademark Visayan accent and raspy voice. She entered show business after winning a singing contest in the noontime show Student Canteen in 1958.
Ramsey’s last appearance was on ABS-CBN’s hit celebrity competition, Your Face Sounds Familiar on May 10. The total performer that she was, she delighted the audience with her electric version of Tina Turner’s Proud Mary.
“Ang inaasahan ko ngayong gabi ay ang bayad ko,” she jokingly quipped that sent the audience into laughter. “Biruin mo mag-guest ka pa eh 83 ka na. Pag 83 ka na humihingal ka na eh.”
In August, Ramsey was reportedly hospitalized after suffering from a stroke.
