A wish list for 2026: Showbiz, power and the people who shape the nation
For the Philippine movie industry to recover and get back on its feet that has been the wish of anyone who cares about local films.
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Daily TribuneFor the Philippine movie industry to recover and get back on its feet that has been the wish of anyone who cares about local films.
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JULIUS Babao.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OFjulius babao/ig
VILMA Santos
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF vilma santos/ig
HEART Evangelista.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF Heart evangelista/ig
Since I started writing 500 years ago — people think I’m that old, anyway — it has been my tradition to write New Year’s wishes for the incoming year. My wishes have always revolved around show business. This year, however, my list straddles both showbiz and politics, especially since some personalities implicated in the flood control program scandal also happen to be entertainers. So here are my wishes for 2026.
For the Philippine movie industry to recover and get back on its feet. That has been the wish of anyone who cares about local films for the past two or even three decades. At this point, we can only hope it survives — keeping whatever little life it has left and not conking out completely.
For AI, or artificial intelligence, to be used only for good intentions. Unfortunately, it has become the go-to tool for scammers. AI is also supposed to make life easier, yet it seems to be turning young people into lazy bones. It is horrifying to see students submit reports generated entirely by AI. I dread the day when “creativity” becomes an archaic word, a skill completely forgotten.
For Julius Babao to finally learn how to conduct thorough research on his subjects — the downtrodden people he interviews in his vlogs. It is such a pity that he gets millions of views, yet feeds his followers inaccurate information about his interviewees. And please, stop the exploitation. I still cringe at how his online show treated the late Coritha during the singer’s final days. As for his interview with the Discaya couple, that was a happy accident. This also prompts me to wish for him to be more introspective in future interviews — for him to learn how to detect red flags.
For Vilma Santos’ stature in showbiz not to collapse completely because of the controversy hounding her at the moment. This is the one where she supposedly said they were being criticized because they were “up there” and the rest were “down there.” Clearly, she did not say that. An old interview, pertaining to a different topic, was re-edited to ruin her reputation. With her archrival Nora Aunor gone, Vilma is now the longest-reigning movie queen. She has accomplished so much in entertainment, and it would be a shame for her career to end in scandal.
For DTI Secretary Cristina Roque to wake up from her dream — or return from her blast-from-the-past time travel and realize that this is already 2026. P500 for noche buena? Of course, one can have a P500 noche buena — but perhaps watered-down macaroni soup, cheap bread from the neighborhood panaderia, suman and maybe a low-end brand of corned beef. But to say ham, spaghetti, macaroni and fruit salad can all fit into P500 suggests she hasn’t stepped into a supermarket in a very long time. And to think she is the DTI secretary — the very person who should know commodity prices.
For Heart Evangelista to return to her simpler ways, back when she was still the Sweetheart of Philippine Entertainment. Fierce is not her look; it makes her seem unreachable. Whatever happens to her husband, Chiz Escudero, my wish is for her happiness, another crack at show business, and for her to continue her charitable work.
For Richard Gomez to finally learn how to control his temper. He went through a lot in his childhood and was bullied both for his mother’s image and for his skin color. But this must be clarified: his mother, Stella Suarez, never did pornographic movies. Whatever sexy scenes she did were merely simulated. Given the success life handed him, perhaps it’s time he learned patience. Whatever his reasons for committing a violent act at the SEA Games in Thailand, he will never be able to justify it in the public eye. He built his name the hard way and succeeded tenfold.
For Atty. Rowena Guanzon to choose her battles carefully. I like her ferocity. Her rants are necessary because Filipinos are often timid even in the face of abuse. What she can still work on is her pettiness. If she runs for the Senate in 2028, would I vote for her? Why not? I may not be on the same political page as Guanzon, but the Senate needs her noise.
For Jinggoy Estrada to realize that three is not always a charm — and that strike three means you’re out. Another indictment would mark his third stint in detention.
For Grace Poe to clear her name. The public never expected her to be linked to corruption scandals. I hope she finds her way out of this mess, if only for the sake of her parents, Susan Roces and Fernando Poe Jr.
For Lito Lapid’s voice to finally be heard in the Senate. Of course, no one is stopping him from speaking. Knock, knock — is anyone there?
For Robin Padilla to finally realize that the Senate is not for him.
For Allan Peter Cayetano, I wish this on behalf of the people of Taguig City. The supposed P10,000 aid promise appears to have been misconstrued, yet he continues to be bashed for it. I also wish that one day he finally learns introspection. Didn’t he say the Philippines had become an embarrassment abroad because the Senate’s flood control investigation turned into a circus? Of all people, he said that?
For Arjo Atayde not to have entered politics — though that ship has sailed. His name has been dragged through the mud due to accusations linking him to the flood control program scandal. Had he stayed in showbiz, he would have preserved his reputation as a serious actor. Judgment, of course, should be reserved until after any conviction.
For the Bilyonaryo channel to continue its thorough investigations into political matters. It has become one of the strongest sources of political news today. GMA News and Public Affairs should take note.
For ABS-CBN to finally find a home it can call its own. Despite everything, it remains the most important television network in the country. It would be tragic to see it disappear. Knowing its resilience, I trust the day will come when it rises again — perhaps not on analog TV, but certainly in content creation.
Finally, for Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto to continue his good work. He is a blessing not just to Pasig but to the entire country. His calling out of media figures over the Discaya interviews helped open the floodgates to the still-ongoing investigations into the flood control program scandal.
