To Gangnam or not? LP, UNA differ on candidates dancing, singing during sorties

In a country where politicians become actors and actors become politicians, song and dance performances have become a staple at political rallies. The Liberal Party (LP)-led administration coalition, however, has decided to minimize song and dance numbers from their senatorial bets for the 2013 polls. The ruling party's candidates can rarely be seen performing on stage, save for a sortie in Davao del Norte last March when local officials asked them to dance the popular “Gangnam Style.” Candidates from the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), on the other hand, have been seen dancing in various political rallies. They performed the dance hits “Gangnam Style” and “Harlem Shake” in a sortie in Muntinlupa last March. Last Sunday, Vice President Jejomar Binay himself led UNA bets into dancing the “Cha-Cha Dabarkads” at a rally in Manila. Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III, LP spokesperson, said the ruling party made a “conscious effort” not to let its candidates become entertainers during sorties. “We want the people to remember the message, the platforms, during the rallies, not the candidates dancing or singing in front of the audience,” Tañada said in a phone interview on Wednesday. He added that the administration coalition wanted to stray from the “traditional” form of conducting sorties. “I believe that President [Benigno] Aquino III and our candidates already have the pulling power. Gusto talaga sila makita ng tao,” he said. 'In the name of fun' Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, UNA deputy campaign manager, said the coalition's senatorial bets only dance on stage during sorties “in the name of fun.” “Wala namang seryoso doon. Katuwaan lang naman at pakikisama rin,” Gatchalian said in a separate phone interview. He added that even though their candidates sometimes dance and sing at political rallies, they make sure that their message “do not get drowned” by the entertainment they provide to the crowd. “Personally, I would rather tell them to focus on the message. We will not voluntarily sing or dance during these rallies. Pero ang nangyayari, minsan iyong hosts, local officials o 'yung audience, nagrerequest talaga. Kapag ganoon, pinagbibigyan,” Gatchalian said. 'Humanizing' the candidate Campaign strategist Malou Tiquia agreed that performing song or dance numbers helps “humanize” candidates during sorties. “When you do these things, you become endearing to the audience. Maiisip nila, katulad din pala natin itong kandidatong ito,” Tiquia said in a phone interview. She added that LP's “seriousness” during campaign rallies may not help its candidates connect with voters. “Hindi nakakatulong iyong masyadong seryoso ang delivery. Hindi nagmumukhang endearing. Sa UNA, parang masaya, parang fiesta. Iyon ang pinag-uusapan ng tao,” she said. But voters, especially younger ones, may already link gimmickry during sorties with traditional politics, said Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform. He added that doing away with song and dance numbers from candidates can help the administration slate in “positioning” themselves as “reform-oriented” senatorial aspirants. “'Yung botante natin ngayon nagbabago na. Hindi na sila nadadaan sa ganitong sayawan o kantahan. Nagtatransition na itong mga botante natin, at siguro nababasa ng LP ito,” Casiple said. — BM, GMA News