LUCENA CITY, Philippines ? When administration presidential bet Gilbert ?Gibo? Teodoro went to market here on Sunday, he was hoping to improve his survey rating and find the exotic fish with the scandalous name.

?Do you have ?tampal? fish?? he asked vendors at the Lucena public market, raising eyebrows and eliciting laughter.

When told that the fish was not available that day, the former defense secretary said and not without humor: ?I will return some other day; hopefully, I can find one.?

When his wife, the attractive Tarlac Rep. Nikki Prieto-Teodoro, who accompanied him in the market sortie, asked what sort of fish he was looking for, the presidential aspirant told her: ?I can?t tell you in public [because] it?s censored.?

Elusive fish

Nevertheless, Teodoro whispered the name of the elusive fish to his wife and the two had a good laugh.

The Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats standard-bearer later told the Inquirer that the fish he was looking for was called ?tampal p..i,? a local species shaped like a human palm.

?I once tasted it in Manila but it was not fresh. I hear it?s fresh here in Quezon,? he said.

Despite his failure to find the fish, Teodoro seemed please as he gained new supporters among the vendors and market-goers, shaking their smelly hands and greeting them ?Merry Christmas.?

?We were completely surprised. Gibo (Tedoro?s nickname) is so different in person. He looks so presidential but he can easily relate to us,? said Bella Lagrosas, president of the Local Market Vendors Association.

She asked Teodoro if the wet market building could be expanded into a three-story structure if he becomes the next president.

?If the building foundation would allow it, we will make it. I promise you that,? he told Lagrosas.

Teodoro and his wife were accompanied by Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, his son, Assistant Environment Secretary David Suarez, Lucena Mayor Ramon Talaga Jr. and his wife Ruby.

Administration vice presidential candidate Edu Manzano also came with the Teodoro to the market sortie but the popular actor and TV host headed for the market?s dry goods section.

He was seen exchanging high fives and gamely posing for pictures with admirers.

After the market visit, Teodoro and Manzano met with local officials from the Lakas-Kampi-CMD at the Mug Café covered auditorium in a shopping mall here.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile?although a member of Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) and a long-time ally of the party?s standard-bearer, former President Joseph Estrada?also graced the event and virtually endorsed Teodoro?s candidacy.

Enrile said only Teodoro and Estrada were capable of leading the country as president.

?If Erap (Estrada) is not my party mate, I will be with Gibo,? the veteran politician said.