April 19, 2004
gma's campaign materials
the "kalsada natin" signboard comes in two types. one appears as a billboard, similar to those that are placed beside government projects (like the construction of a road or a bridge). this type of signboard has a half-body shot of gma, her hand frozen forever in a presidential wave. the other signboard is much smaller, and are placed 500 meters away from one another on the highway shoulder. this signboard is similar to those that are placed beside pnp checkpoints on national highways. due to the signboard's size, only gma's name can fit it, sparing us her presidential face.
it is intriguing that these signboards appeared only quite recently. as recently as the start of the election campaign, perhaps? looking at it from gma's point of view, though, one can see that these signboards are really perfect campaign materials. here are two reasons why:
one, it forces gma's name down our throats. the fact that we should take care of our roads (and not our pets or walls or trees) provides an excellent venue in which gma's name can be proclaimed. how long is the national highway? answer that and you'll see the extent of gma's publicity.
two, the signboards already have a disguise. "Kalsada natin, alagaan natin." that's the disguise. it excuses gma from politicking. she is, after all, just concerned about the welfare of our roads. how motherly of her. those of us who know better, however, can see how flimsy an excuse this can be.
it is also important to note that the picture plastered on the large billboards (the half-body shot with the wave) is also the same picture that appears in her "real" campaign posters. if i recall correctly, this is the same picture used in endorsing gma as president and noli de castro as vice-president. tsk, tsk. if they were any wiser (or if they were wise at all), they would not have recycled pictures. after all, we really do know better.
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