A HANDSHAKE with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, rehearsed to perfection at Malaca?ang’s Heroes’ Hall.
A photo with House Speaker Jose de Venecia at the podium that serves as his national perch.
A whisper into Senate President Franklin Drilon’s ear to underscore intimacy with a national hero.
But even before political flaks and public relations operatives can concoct such events with Manny Pacquiao — the Pacman’s PR force field has all been spent.
By Hizzoner, Lito Atienza — mayor of Manila, consummate politician and PR man all morphed into a single creature.
Give it to Atienza who started out as then Mayor Bagatsing’s media man to come out ahead in the game of PR one-upmanship.
Duh.
It is not exactly rocket science to know that Manny, exalted like a demigod by Filipinos, throws off an aura. So make the favorite son of General Santos City an adopted son of Manila.
Then elevate the motorcade with Manny into a political art. In the run-up for a national office someday, it won’t hurt to be part of Pacman’s entourage as he waves to Manilans all the way to the bank.
Manny himself ensures that Atienza enjoys first dibs at being flash-frozen into the sports pages and, by design, into countrywide prominence.
The Pacman is well aware that the road to Malaca?ang and other prominent places runs through Maynilad. Thus, before plunging into a manic mix of celebrations and controlled chaos in his new-found constellation, Manny injects himself with a healthy dose of adrenalin.
There is no better way to achieve that high than to ride with the mayor at the head of a motorcade.
We have a sneaking feeling that when Manny hits town from a foreign war with either a genuine protagonist or a certifiable patsy, the most impressive architectural landmark in his mind is the City Hall clock tower.
It is a landmark that ticks in Manny’s subconscious and reminds the boxing superstar it is time to replace anxiety with the adrenalin from the crowd’s cheers.
It is a cue for Mayor Atienza, who understands PR to the bone, to ride on Manny’s coattails as usual.
Duh!
You PR types don’t have to be rocket scientists to wait for the mayor to beat you to the punch again.
There is more Pacquiao to be tapped out there.
Bobby Pacquiao.
