Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. PHOTO BY RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.NET
Who’s afraid of Miriam Defensor-Santiago?
Not the graduating class of 2015—or the netizens who picked her as their choice commencement speaker. They actually think that she rocks.
For engaging in tough talk and delivering the coolest pickup lines, Santiago was the runaway “dream graduation speaker” in the weeklong poll conducted by the Inquirer on social media.
“She’s the whole package—enlightens you of what’s ahead, cracks jokes to let your mind at ease after hearing the tough journey ahead of you and gives you the light to move toward the right direction,” netizen Mona Verdida said of the outspoken senator.
‘Smart is new sexy’
Verdida said she also believes Santiago “is an icon of the motto ‘smart is the new sexy.’”
She was described by netizen Rocky as “a woman whose words are simple and taken seriously.”
Marina SA agreed, saying, “She knows the law, she speaks the truth.”
Netizen Maybel Juanico said Santiago “has dignity and principles in life that nobody can break, fears no one because she knows what’s best—almost perfect.”
“She would be a great inspiration for all who are aspiring great success in life,” Juanico added.
One participant quipped that Santiago would be an alternate, if “my mom can’t make it.”
Other ‘dream’ choices
Those whose names also made it to the “dream” team are Pope Francis, Sen. Grace Poe, Rep. Leni Robredo, Philippine National Police Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, chief peace negotiator Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
Why, even resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima made it to the list. Netizen PDSabia said he chose Purisima because he heard he was good at giving out “advice.”
Global celebrities who were named by netizens are singer Beyoncé, actor Brad Pitt, actress Angelina Jolie and George Clooney’s wife, lawyer-activist Amal Alamuddin.
Other choices were media personalities Maria Ressa and Lourd de Veyra and best-selling book author and lay minister Bo Sanchez.
Alvin Fontanilla said Jolie “can inspire graduating students to pursue more dreams outside the four corners of classroom.”
Inquirer columnist Solita Monsod can give “practical career advice in relation to the country’s condition,” Viljun Rhena Torres said.
Netizen Shamsiya Manigpol thinks Ferrer, chair of the government peace panel, would make for a dream commencement speaker.
“I want her to explain how we can achieve peace,” Manigpol posted on Facebook. “She is intelligent, soft-spoken, a good person. She is not rude.”
Wisdom
She said Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles of the Office of Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process and Mohagher Iqbal, chief negotiator for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), also have wisdom to impart for the graduates.
Sereno can explain “the inequality in the justice system in Bong Revilla visiting his son even under penal law,” netizen Kit Amba said.
“Passionate health advocate @realpatchadams to blaze fire in young hearts about real meaning of being an MD,” netizen @kinderarts2014 said.
“Bill Nye. The science guy,” Julius Baguing said.
“I graduated last year but I would have loved to hear from (singer-songwriter) Pharrell Williams. Successful but humble,” @EloraPicson said.
Netizens Dovi Landicho Malabanan and Sab Sabban want Michael Buffer, American ring announcer for boxing who is famous for his roaring catchphrase, “Let’s get ready to rumble.” Reports from Ramon Royandoyan and Paul Vincent Balois
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