In remembrance: Some memorable zingers from the late Miriam Defensor-Santiago
As we mark the 76th birthday of the late Miriam Defensor-Santiago today, let us look back at a few of her iconic soundbites.
Known as the "Iron Lady of Asia," the iconic Defensor-Santiago has made many a mark in her over two decade-long political career, even receiving the Ramon Magsaysay Award for government service.
After she died on September 29, 2016 due to complications from cancer, her one-of-a-kind zingers now form part of her enduring, though complicated, legacy.
Here are just a few.
Her love advice to UP Manila students
Santiago was invited to talk to a gathering at the University of the Philippines Manila on February 13, 2013. Being just a day short of Valentine’s Day, she took the occasion to deliver some pick-up lines much to the amusement of the crowd.
“Ang taong nagmamahal ng tunay ay parang matalinong estudyante na kumukuha ng exam. Hindi siya tumitingin sa iba, kahit nahihirapan na.”
“An earthworm has five hearts. And an octopus has two hearts. Kapag may kilala kang nagmamahal ng dalawa o higit pang tao, tanungin mo siya kung anong klaseng hayop siya.”
“Kapag ikaw ay nagmahal pero sasaktan mo rin naman, dapat maghamon ka na lang ng suntukan.”
Her insults against corrupt politicians
During the height of the multi-billion pork barrel scam in September 2013, Santiago railed against corrupt politicians in a speech at the National Student Conference on Hotel and Restaurant Management.
“Anong tawag kapag nagtapon ka ng basura sa dagat? Sagot, pollution. Ano naman ang tawag kapag tinapon mo sa dagat ang mga politikong korakot? Sagot, solution.”
“Kapag nagsinungaling ka sa congressman o sendaor, kakasuhan ka na ng perjury, may jail term ka pa. Pero kapag ang congressman o senador ang nagsinungaling saiyo, ginagawa lang nila ang trabaho nila magkakaroon pa sila ng bagong term.”
“How to tell if a politician is telling the truth...whenever he is crossing his arms, he might be telling the truth. Whenever he is stroking his chin, he might be telling the truth. Whenever he looks at you straight in the eyes he might be telling the truth. But, when he opens his mouth, he is lying.”
Presidential election debate 2016
When asked how she will handle the presidency when she was already struggling at the time to maintain her strength from cancer, she answered "Nag-aantay ako mamatay, eh hindi ako pinatay ng guardian angel ko eh."
More quips on the campaign trail
In a 2016 speech at the University of Perpetual Help System in Biñan, Laguna, she again dropped a couple of her trademark lines.
“Tanong, kung ang opposite ng pro ay con, ano naman ang opposite ng progress? Sagot, anong opposite ng progress? Sagot,Congress.”
“Tanong, lahat ba ng fairytale nagsisimula sa ‘once upon a time’? Sagot, Hindi. Ang iba ay nagsimula sa ‘kung iboto niyo ako…’”