Ever since FPJ has announced that he is running for the Presidency of our fair republic, my mother has scarmbled to form a Raul Roco support group. Well, okay, so far the group only consists of her, me and my kuya (against his will), but we're gunning for Roco's presidency as the only way to salvage the remains of our country's carcass.

Despite being ridiculed by neighbors who are hoping to weld FPJ's butt firmly in Malaca�ang's presidential chair, we are steadfast in our mission. Personally, I laughed at the face of one particular annoying neighbor who told me in his ridiculous accent, "Dapat iboto mo si FPJ. Siya ang magaahon sa atin sa putik. Promise!" (You should vote for FPJ. He'll bring this country up from the mire. Promise!)

Let me clear up that I am not anti-FPJ. Let's face it, he has more of a chance to become the next president than our incumbent one, GMA. But still, I think that we not in a position to experiment. The battlecry of FPJ supporters that, "We tried the intelligent ones. Now let's try those who aren't that intelligent" isn't very logical. You don't patch a hole by drilling another hole. And frankly, we aren't in a position to "try" another type of candidate. We do that when our country is firmly on it's feet, not while tottering at the brink of an economic catastrophe. So for 2004, I'm going for Raul Roco.

But it occured to me, Raul Roco does not have the public sympathy. The common man does not view him as a viable president because he projects the image of a distant man who is too far intelligent to relate to the lower people. He may be a good man, but he has never even wielded a sword and killed Lizandro umpteenth times, for crying out loud! How could they possibly vote him as the president?

Well, GMA has taken great pains to make her image more "maka-masa". She discarded her lofty economist guise and adapted the form of a labandera, so that those who toil at the batsa and palu-palo could relate to her. And for her campaign, she commanded the two current Philippine's national anthems as her jingle. That's right, we'll soon be hearing modified versions of "Spaghetti Song" and "Otso-Otso" flying through the airwaves. What Filipino man wouldn't bump to the beat while hearing these songs?

I think that if Roco really wants to win this election, he should follow in GMA's footsteps and get the masses behind him. And I am volunteering myself to the creative team which will handle his campaign materials.

Hah!, you might be thinking. What could you possibly add to Roco's campaign, you ask?

Good question. Since I have been totally immersed to the "masa" lifestyle, I think I could contribute this knowledge to make Raul Roco's image more palatable to the common man. Like what?

Well, let's start with the basics. We need something which instantly brings Roco to a person's recall. Something similar to Gloria's Strong Republic and FPJ's panday sword. Hmmm, what object would capture the essence of who Raul Roco is...

I got it! FLOWERS!

You know? Roco always wears these Hawaiian shirts everywhere. My mom once shared a flight with him to the States, and she was amazed at the chutzpah of our then senator to wear such a flowery shirt. And when you watch the news or his interviews, he invariably wears a red, bulaklakin polo shirt. So you see, think flower, think Roco.

Okay, so now we have a focus to center our campaign on. Let's use that to base other aspects we need for a full-blown campaign.

You know what's hot nowadays with political candidates? Hand signals. Marcos had the Peace sign, Cory had the "L" sign, Ramos had the thumbs-up and Erap had his jabs and punches. Even Gloria has her own hand signal. And FPJ has his "touch the heart then make a one sign". So Roco needs to ride this wave and get his own hand signal. And basing on the concept of our campaign...

Remember the "chika!" sign of past years? You know, the one where you bunch together your fingers and then say "chika!" and then open your fingers? Doesn't the action remind you of the opening of flower petals? Yes it does! And it fits perfectly into the theme of our campaign. So that's going to be Roco's hand signal. The "chika!" sign.

Now let's go to our jingle. And of course, you should know by know what it's going to be. If Gloria would use "Spaghetti Song" and "Otso-Otso", Roco will use the newest novelty song from the Viva Hot Babes. Yes, our jingle will be, "Bulaklak". The one that goes, "Bubuka and Bulaklak, papasok ang reyna, sasayaw ng cha-cha, ang saya-saya!" But it will go something like this...

Clearly, there are endless thing which I could add to Roco's campaign, things like flowery t-shirt and floral scented candles as giveaways and so much more. But I think these are enough ideas to give Roco the jumpstart he needs to become one with the masses.

So Raul Roco, if you're reading this, I want you to know my vote goes to you. Use these ideas if you want to, and bring the Philippines to a brighter (and more flowery) tomorrow.