Gloria and Erap: the ego and the id

Have there ever been political opponents quite as diametrically opposed as the last two presidents of the Philippines?

Convent girl v kanto boy.

Georgetown v tinseltown.

Petite v lumbering.

Palace maiden v naughty child

Hard work v no work

No-nonsense capitalist v sentimental socialist

Brains v “eraptions”

Water v Blue label

Mataray v charming

Harsh v forgiving

The ego v the id

These two figures have intersected at four junctures over the past 10 years:

May 1998, Estrada is elected president and Gloria vice president;

January 2001, Estrada leaves the palace by the back door and Gloria is sworn in at the EDSA shrine;

May 2001, Estrada is arrested and his supporters very nearly overthrow Gloria;

October 2007, Estrada is pardoned by Gloria.

There may be a fifth act but I’m not putting money on it. It seems that, for once, a curtain has come down.

Comments

[mlq3]

i don't think gma is known as a teetotaler at all! it's just that like her parents, who did their smoking and drinking in private, she doesn't tipple in public.

[torn]

Fair enough -- but I had to get in something about Erap's drinking. Perhaps in this, then, they are not as opposed as in other matters.

[DJB Rizalist]

Fifth Act: Erap supports chacha.