Wine on the table, mayor on the label

CEBU CITY, Philippines—At dinner to celebrate this city’s 74th Charter Day, there was something about the red wine that could have spoiled many appetites—the face of Mayor Michael Rama on the bottle.

Rama, criticized for lavish spending for the weeklong Charter Day celebration, said he found nothing wrong with serving wine that featured his face during the P1.4-million February 24 dinner at the posh Casino Español Restaurant on Ranudo Street.

Rama, in a phone interview, said the bottles of wine served during the February 24 dinner were actually part of his campaign gimmick in the May elections last year.

“Some are asking for wine so I let it out. I mean, why should we buy when I still have some?” Rama said.

The “Michael Rama” bottles of wine were served during the testimonial dinner hosted by the city to celebrate its 74th Charter Day anniversary and recognize individuals who made outstanding contributions to the city’s growth and development.

The mayor’s face appeared on labels of Don Barroso Vino de Mesa wine, along with his campaign slogan “Together, we make things happen.”

Above his picture was the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) acronym with the Cebu City Hall façade in the background. BOPK is Rama’s political party.

The bottles drew sharp stares from about 100 guests when these were laid on the table for the eight-course dinner inside a function room of Casino Español.

“What is this? Is he campaigning already?” one guest asked.

Rama, however, said he didn’t see what the fuss is. “The city didn’t spend for that,” said the mayor. “That was from me.”