Colors and loyalty

Bencyrus Ellorin .

WHOEVER changed the stage color from red to violet during the opening of the Malasakit Center at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center was a genius. It displeased Bong Go and the higher up.

Hala kamo!

My sources said the seat of power is closely watching Cagayan de Oro politics for three reasons: (1) solid performance of Mayor Oscar Moreno which they think needs to be supported, (2) … and (3) …. I will keep you guessing about the second and the third.

I am an unabashed dilawan. But friends from the Pasig River and Davao have rekindled their hi’s and hello’s to me. And almost always with the message: Bai, suportahan si og si… Messages like this is so alamna.

Last Sunday, I was invited to guest the inaugural broadcast of the weekly radio program of the Liga ng mga Barangay.

It was interesting that former Lapasan barangay kapitan Omar Labuntog who made a name for himself as DJ then of 99.9 RK is now back as anchor of the Liga radio program over at Magnum 99.9. Tip?

Maybe in the next episode, Kap Omar should enlighten the public why he has turned his back from the orange camp.

Kagawad Alam Lim made quite a revelation when he talked of his closeness to the first family. But this one is more interesting. He shared that SAP Bong Go was surprised to see people with placards bearing his name at the Pelaez Sports Center this Oct. 12. Go, had asked Alam to ride with him to the Pelaez Sports Center after the opening of the Malasakit Center to discuss something before boarding the chopper that was parked there.

Alam did not divulge what they talked about in that Innova except Bong Go’s being genuinely surprised, taken aback. But like any politician, when prodded to speak to the crowd, Go obliged. See, people can be creative to project that the Palace is supportive of them.

While local pols are hotly dividing the people, national candidates view opposing local politicians supporting them as a “happy problem.” For them, my loyalty to you does not necessarily mean I am loyal to you only. For them, it is just a matter of perspective.

Perspective is indeed powerful. It supports building up of impressions. The Oct. 12 coup of the violets could have been perfect had they not replaced the red stage at the NMMC Malasakit Center. Colors are powerful symbols and could truly reflect one’s loyalty or the lack of it.

(The author is a former journalist with experience in managing and editing online news portals here and abroad. He is now a public relations consultant and political campaigner. One of the social media groups he co-administered was a finalist in Globe’s Tatt award in 2012.)