This early, talks have already been circulating regarding OMB Chairman Edu Manzano’s running for the Senatorial seat in 2010. ABS-CBN.com had a talk with Chairman Edu just the other day at agad na itinanong sa kanya ng mainit na pinag-uusapan tungkol sa diumano’y pagtakbo niya. “Well, there have been invitations (to run), I’m just testing the waters,” sabi ni OMB Chairman Edu. If he decides to run, Chairman Edu says he has to give up all his shows dahil nga November pa lang ay magiging abala na ang mga kakandidato sa kanilang pagtakbo. So, does this mean he has to give up Pilipinas Game KNB?, the show he considers his baby? “Ahh, no. Pagkatapos ko, ang anak ko (Luis Manzano), then ang magiging anak niya. Dynasty nga kami riyan eh,” pabirong sagot nito.
Bukod sa kanyang balak na pagtakbo bilang Senador, masasabing Edu is a picture of a proud father lalo na ‘pag ang anak niyang si Luis ang pinag-uusapan. He recalled at the time when almost everyone got mad at him for not allowing Luis to participate in any showbiz events like commercials, parties and even TV appearances. Chairman Edu told ABS-CBN. Com, he knew, he made the right decision then. “Ang daming umaaway sa akin noon, tumitira. Bakit daw ‘di ko ipinapakita si Luis, bakit ko raw ipinagdadamot ang anak ko?” He explained further his reasons. “Nu’ng nagkausap kami noon ni Vi (Governor Vilma Santos), sinabi ko, ako na ang bahala sa pagpapa-aral kay Luis. Pero hindi muna siya pwedeng mag-artista hangga’t hindi pa niya natatapos ang pag-aaral niya. Nu’ng malapit na siyang mag-graduate, siyempre, deep inside, hinihintay ko rin ‘yung time when he’s going to finish para magawa na rin niya ang gusto niya.” Aminado rin si Edu na he knows that it’s also hard for Luis to be known as the son of Edu Manzano at Vilma Santos. “Kaya ang bata, he is trying hard to also prove himself, to do something for himself.”
On the other hand, ABS-CBN.com also learned that Chairman Edu is also busy with his advocacy campaign Ako Mismo, this non-political campaign talks about how to start life without depending so much from others. Na sa atin mismo dapat magsimula ang pagbabago. “Halimbawa, may taxi driver, sasabihin niya, hindi na ako mangongontrata, then we have civic leaders at may mga artista rin na mage-endorse.” ABS-CBN.Com was quick to ask if Gov. Vi is invited to be part of this campaign? Wala siya kasi baka isipin ng iba na politically motivated ito. Kahit walang ibig sabihin, alam niyo naman ang ibang tao, cynical.” Msgr. Soc Villegas, Charice Pempenco, Luis and some big names in the local industry and civic society are among those who take part in endorsing this advocacy campaign.
