President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was just the warm-up act.
After Arroyo left the stage, her campaign rally was promptly taken over by 10 cross-dressing impersonators, strutting around in tailored suits for the "Gloria Look-Alike Contest." Leaving no presidential detail unmimicked, they even added fake moles to their left cheeks.
Politics may be serious business, but in the Philippines gaining name recognition and attracting votes often is equated with entertaining the voters.
"We Filipinos like fun, we like fiestas," said taxi driver Manny Tiamson, 53.
But housewife Margarita Ruiz, 40, said she won't be swayed by all the hoopla when she goes to vote tomorrow.
"The important things to look at are the intentions of the candidate, what they can do for the country," she said.
Provocative dancers -- male and female -- join with singers, actors and other celebrities at rallies that are 95 percent glitz, right down to fireworks displays.
During one campaign rally, Arroyo joined the dancers on stage.
Imelda Nicholas, a campaigner for the president, admits that "in order to get media exposure, we have to think of gimmicks." She and other organizers said Arroyo look-alike contests were effective in getting media exposure and voter support in areas known to be pro-opposition.
Such entertainment also was an effective tool to reach out to the poor who have been alienated in the past by Arroyo, the daughter of a former president with a doctorate in economics, said Junie Del Mundo, managing director of EON, a public relations firm.
Action star Fernando Poe Jr., Arroyo's closest rival in the five-person presidential race, tosses candies stamped with "FPJ for president" to supporters who line roads when his motorcade passes.
His show-biz friends, including the popular comedian known as Dolphy, add to his campaign rallies, which many liken to television productions.
"The people will play the starring role," one poster promises of a Poe administration.
Raul Roco, running fourth in the race, is never seen without his trademark floral shirts. He has been quoted as saying flowers will be the symbol of hope.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson uses a rap tune popularized by a soft drink commercial for his television ad.
"A political candidate is no different from selling a product ... they have to brand themselves," Del Mundo said.
Each candidate has his or her own hand gestures to be copied: a thumbs-up for Arroyo, a clenched fist for Lacson and a single forefinger means `No. 1' for Poe.
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