The image on the silver screen and television was not enough to earn the electorate’s trust. No amount of advertisements, catchy jingles, dancing, social media following, or million-strong YouTube subscribers were able to convince the majority of voters that their names on the ballots deserved their most precious shade. 

As DAILY TRIBUNE’s Uncut columnist Alex Brosas wittily posted on Facebook: “SI SAM HINDI UMUBRA ANG PA-SPAM. SI BENNY HINDI UMABANTE. SI DAN, HINDI SINUNDAN. SI LUCKY MINALAS. SI ARA WALANG MINA SA POLITIKA.SI MARJORIE BARRETTO HINDI IBINOTO. SI DENNIS PADILLA TINABLA. SILA ANG MGA TALUNAN. WALANG LABIS, WALANG KULANG.”

Thus, I cannot help but wonder, with real actors and to those with showbiz connections not making the cut, is it safe to that the era of stars winning political posts has begun, and is this a taste of what is to come? With these stars’ political stars falling, can we dare say that now the electorate is maturing?

Midterm election casualties

Former legislator, boxing legend and Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquio failed to make a Senate comeback. Another epic failure was that of Titanic Action star, Budots King and re-electionist Senator Bong Revilla. This year also marked his first and most painful defeat in his senatorial bid after serving three terms. 

The ambitious lot composed of TV host Willie Revillame, broadcaster Ben Tulfo, singer Jimmy Bondoc and actor and Kris Aquino’s sperm donor that gave Joshua Aquino to the world, Philip Salvador, also did not earn the senatorial seat they all coveted.

Also part of team luhaan (in tears) are Luis Manzano who did not win the Batangueños. Actor and Cristine Reyes’ lover Marco Gumabao, who ran for Camarines Sur Fourth District representative, did not win. Santa Rosa Rep. and actor Dan Fernandez lost the gubernatorial race in Laguna. Actor Ejay Falcon also did not secure the vice gubernatorial seat in Oriental Mindoro.

In the city of Manila, award-winning actor Raymond Bagatsing and Rhian Ramos’ beloved Sam Verzosa kissed their political dreams goodbye. Now belonging to the league of extraordinary political wannabe has-beens are Victor Neri (Makati City), actor DJ Durano (Sogod, Cebu), Emilio Garcia (Bay, Laguna) and Rommel Padilla (Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija). Part of this league as well are actor and incumbent Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo, actress Angelika dela Cruz (Malabon) and comedian Anjo Yllana (Calamba, Laguna).