Miriam launches 2nd ‘Stupid’ book
“I don’t think I will succumb to lung cancer. Tongue cancer maybe.”
And so jokes the acerbic Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago who, while suffering from cancer, managed to come out with another book of jokes, quotes and anecdotes after her “Stupid Is Forever” became a best seller.
Santiago launched the sequel, “Stupid Is Forevermore,” on Monday, her 70th birthday.
“I was pleasantly surprised with the strong public support for ‘Stupid Is Forever,’ so I decided to publish a second book,” she said in a statement.
Santiago’s first book sold more than 350,000 copies. Her new book is 140 pages and is produced by ABS-CBN Publishing and distributed by National Book Store.
“We should not underestimate the power of humor, especially among Filipinos, and most especially in politics. When the debates turn ugly or the legalese is too highfalutin, humor is a way for us all to see eye to eye,” Santiago said.
“Like ‘Stupid Is Forever,’ … ‘Stupid Is Forevermore’ highlights Santiago’s sharp wit and sometimes dark humor. The longest chapter in the second book, ‘Overheard at the Senate,’ is culled from her privilege speeches and press conference transcripts,” said the senator’s statement.
Santiago has a piece of advice to the public: Be wary of politicians who tend to resort to jokes in evading serious questions.
Humor has limits
“Humor has its limits. Those who overly use it show that they should not be taken seriously as public servants,” she said.
The senator is on medical leave due to her Stage 4 lung cancer. But even with her ailment, she has filed more bills and resolutions compared with some of her colleagues in the Senate.
Santiago also continues to go about her duties, having recently presided over hearings on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and six treaties for Senate concurrence.
She recently released her committee report on the BBL, saying that some provisions of the bill have constitutional infirmities.
Excerpts from her new book:
— “Tanong: Anong kalalabasan kapag pinagsama mo ang baboy at ang pulitiko?
Sagot: Imposible ’yun. Kahit ang baboy, may mga bagay na hindi kayang tiisin.”
— “There is no substitute for a reputation. It is like virginity; once lost, it can never be recovered.”
— “Hindi naman kailangan 24 kaming senador. Why do we need to be 24? It’s a question I ask myself very often. We can work with twelve. We can work with six.
(Reporter: But you will not be able to ratify treaties because you need 16 senators).
“Then we can jail eight.”
— “Kapag wala nang maisagot sa exam, ilagay ninyo ‘Red Horse’ dahil ito ang tama. Pero kung gusto niyo mas sigurado, isulat ninyo, ‘Magmahal,’ dahil kailanman, hindi mali ang magmahal.”–Christine O. Avendaño
