Poet Danton Remoto Runs for Congress
Since he filed his certificate of candidacy for Congressman of Quezon City’s Third District, Danton Remoto has never stopped running. And because the family of incumbent representative Matias Defensor has been in the district for twelve long years, Remoto had to muster his wit and persuasive powers to cobble together a team supported by a group of strange bedfellows. Gays and lesbians as well as the Christian groups, students and senior citizens, young professionals and matrons, as well as the urban poor and the upwardly mobile in his district have formed alliances to support his congressional bid.
Around two weeks ago, coming from the Ateneo de Manila Library, I ran into Danton Remoto, my former Creative Writing teacher in Ateneo, in front of the English Department building, and asked him how things were going in his run for congress. He said his campaign was doing great, and that he had been going to the depressed areas, and wasn't he looking dark for being out in the sun? I said it wasn't really noticeable, and if it was, his color looked great on him. He said that going to the poor areas was an experience -- falling into a manhole and bumping his forehead into a low roof. But it was all worth it he said because those who lived in these areas were very appreciative that he went out of his way to visit them. His chances? He's actually the frontrunner, he said. If this is indeed the case, then congress is one lucky institution. Just listen to this Inquirer podcast interview with him when he was still running for the senate, or read its transcript, and compare it with the other candidates' interviews and you'll know what I mean. He related to me that after the interview the press people who interviewed him actually couldn't help but clap. One reporter asked him who did his research, and he answered 'No one,' that his secret -- because he was a writer -- was that he read. And because he was a teacher he knew how to communicate his knowledge. I sure am voting for Danton, and hope that the rest of the residents of my district, the third district of Quezon City will vote for him. We need more bright and honest people like Danton Remoto in government.
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