SHARON WAS RIGHT AFTER ALL
DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda, The Philippine Star, January 15, 2001

I like Kiko Pangilinan not because heís Sharon Cunetaís husband. And I like him more because he is.

In the beginning, when he was starting to figure in the consciousness of the Filipino people, wags maligned him mercilessly. They lamented that he was just going to use the Mega for his political career and he was not guwapo enough for the Mega who was wooed by some of the most gorgeous men in town. Today, he laughs at all these ñ having parried the blows and having withstood the verbal carnage. "Life is not complete if it is not shared with her," he declares. "The best thing about Francis is he treats me like an equal," Sharon enthuses. Must have been hell to pursue someone like Sharon who is larger than life. And seems like Francis went through the "fires of hell" with the right ammunition ñ love. The kind of love that conquers all. "She is a human being to me," Francis quips nonchalantly. "The amazing thing about my wife is she knows when sheís a megastar and when sheís my wife. You could also credit my parents-in-law for having raised her wonderfully."

Itís very difficult not to like Francis Pangilinan. Yes, he looks good with a pair of eyes that is playful and naughty. When he smiles, he conquers. Up close, you smell his intellectual gravitas. You enjoy talking to him because heís opinionated yet heís not arrogant. A couple of years ago, he (with his wife Sharon and KC) went to Harvard, John F. Kennedy School of Government to get his Masterës Degree in Public Administration.

He says that with the right policies it is possible to make our system of government work. He espouses public accountability and active citizenry. He believes we all can work hard to eradicate the culture of helplessness and apathy no matter how long it takes. His concept of governance is simple ñ public service premised around a genuine understanding of a public officialís duty to serve and the peopleís active participation in improving life and the world.

Francis Pangilinan is going to be a senator someday. But asked who he is first, a father or a politician, without flinching a second, he says heís a father first.

Itís amazing that the fifth child among nine children in the Pangilinan brood ñ a certified middle child ñ is secure and grounded. Instead of imposing self-destruction as many middle children will claim that they are neither here nor there, Kiko claims itís an advantage, "When youíre a middle child, you can deal with your Ates and Kuyas while at the same time youíre able to relate to your younger siblings." I think it is this ability to positivize the seemingly negative aspects of life that makes Kiko shine.

I also like his laughter. Itís full, raw and infectious. So that I understand when Sharon says that the best time they spend together is when theyíre inside their room ñ just talking, laughing, loving, living life to the fullest.

Francis is also honest. Asked what he would tell Gabby Concepcion if given a chance to meet him, he says he hasnít thought about it. A smart aleck would have pulled out a smart one liner. Kiko decides to tell you the truth. And he comes out charming.

Yes, they have plans to adopt KC. He confides it was his idea to have a pre-nuptial arrangement before their wedding. "What am I a lawyer for?" he asks. He says if Sharon were his client, he would have advised her to have "pre-nup." He says these with the calm and radiance of the most beautiful sunrise in Boracay.

And Kiko is courageous. The most important of all virtues, according to grand poetess Maya Angelou. She says it is courage that makes us perform the other virtues consistently. He feels President Estrada should resign and says only a miracle will convict him in the impeachment trial. He says Vice-President Macapagal will be an able successor, a better president. In these "interesting times," Kiko makes a political stand not because he has anything to gain from itñ but just like all the things heís done in the past, he believes in his present political beliefs.

Thereís no such thing as failure, he intimates, only delay. We were talking about his loss in his Congressional bid in the 3rd District of Quezon City in 1995. "If I made it, perhaps I would not have been a lawyer or I may not have married my wife."

"After two miscarriages of Sharon, werenít you afraid you wouldnít have children? "No. I always trusted God. I knew that Frankie was coming," he beams.

Francis Pangilinan is also a fighter. In UP, when he was Student Council President and a member of the Board of Regents, he voted for someone who was not his fraternity brother for the Presidency of the University of the Philippines. For this act, he was expelled from the frat.

To this day, he has not returned to the organization, even after some brods have suggested that he go back. Francis believes he did not commit any wrongdoing by following his conscience and the voice of the majority of the UP studentry.

Bob Woodward in one of his books wrote ñ that in politics and government ñ after everything is said and sifted ñ "Character is what matters most."

Francis Pangilinan has character and Sharon was right after all. Thatís why I like Francis more!