INQUIRER.net Eleksyon 2007

‘Gibo’ shot not for poll bid but b-day toast

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Jocelyn Uy

MANILA, Philippines—Three glasses of this and you’ll be light-headed enough to think you can run for president and win.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. turned 45 Sunday with VIP guests hailing him as a rising star and drinking a toast to his health with an alcoholic brew named after the birthday boy himself, the “Gibo shot.”

The Gibo shot, the Philippine Daily Inquirer learned from the bartender, is a concoction of peach, mango and lambanog (coconut wine).

Initially, it was mixed with gin, but Teodoro suggested the use of lambanog to give the drink a distinct taste.

Three servings of this—referring to the Gibo shot—could make one lightheaded, Teodoro warned during a brief banter with reporters.

When the clock struck midnight Sunday, hundreds of glasses filled with the beverage were raised for a toast.

Taking the lead, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita raised his goblet and praised Teodoro for his intelligence, his accomplishments in government and his vision for the country.

“Secretary Gilbert … to a rising star, Mabuhay (long live)!” Ermita said, concluding his prepared short speech.

This was followed by the clinking of glasses and cheers from about 500 guests, friends and relatives who gathered on Saturday night to the birthday countdown.

Held at the Blue Leaf Events Pavilion at the Fort in Taguig City, Teodoro’s carnival-themed birthday revelry could have been one big blowout to boost his presidential candidacy.

But the man of the hour made it clear that the grand party was not a political affair.

“Let us just celebrate tonight and take a break for tomorrow is another day … Let us hang loose and enjoy. That is my wish for the night,” said Teodoro, who earlier announced his bid for presidency in the 2010 elections.

Guests were greeted with necklaces fashioned from beads upon entry to the venue, which was decorated with red, yellow and blue draperies and glittering masks.

There was an open bar, finger foods and a bread buffet. Mime artists and stilt walkers entertained guests.

His wife, Tarlac Rep. Monica Teodoro, initially planned a surprise party, according to Nelson Victorino, Teodoro’s spokesperson.

But as the guest list ballooned to about 600 people, the congresswoman realized it was impossible to keep the event a secret, related Victorino.

Most of his guests were in politics—his fellow Cabinet members, his wife’s colleagues in Congress, Tarlac officials, several governors and vice governors.

Well-wishers included Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, Presidential Management Staff chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr., former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff and now Ambassador to Brunei Alexander Yano; AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado and Army chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had been invited to the event but due to a supposed conflict in schedule, she was not able to drop by, Victorino added.

Green party

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who has plans to run for vice president, was also there.

Earlier, the defense secretary said a Teodoro-Puno tandem was a strong combination and better for the country.

Although Teodoro insisted there was nothing political about the birthday bash, the occasion was a subtle pitch for his political color—green.

It was everywhere and in every hue: Teodoro wore a light-green polo shirt. A glittering blizzard of green and silver confetti fell on the crowds during the birthday countdown. Even the personalized Gibo shot had a delicious color of apple green.

And while members of the media were invited to the party, video and still cameras were not allowed inside the sprawling 5,000-square-meter pavilion, which could accommodate 900 people.

Teodoro happily accepted birthday cheers from Bukidnon Gov. Joe Zubiri, who asked guests not to believe the 1 percent rating Teodoro garnered from latest poll surveys.

He gamely took unsolicited advice from political impersonator, Willie Nepomuceno, who channeled former President Joseph Estrada: “Others [who are threatened by you] will start manufacturing dirty tactics and controversies about you … you must be prepared,” Nepomuceno intoned a la Erap.

Executive Secretary Ermita, in his toast, said Teodoro’s career in the government was sure to “soar like an eagle.”

“He, at this stage in his government career, has already done so much, and most assuredly he will continue to do so, soaring high like an eagle,” Ermita said.

“He is a man who has been blessed by the Almighty to serve with honor … with love for his family, with love for his country and our people,” he added.

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