“We must all learn to live together as brothers. Or, we will perish together as fools.”  -Martin Luther King Jr.

In the past two weeks, we had in separate Bulong Pulungan forums, a “beauty maker”- Dr. Vicky Belo and a seasoned peace “negotiator”- former activist and human rights advocate,  now Cabinet secretary Atty. Silvestre Bello lll.

Now, ladies first.   When we had Dr. Vicky Belo, MD of the well-known Belo Medical Group at the “Bulong Pulungan sa Sofitel” it was something like a “pajama party” or a “sleep over.”

The cosmetic surgeon who panders to beauty-seekers turned out to be completely open to any question we threw her way –including “ What did you have done on your face and body?” “Are you still in love with Hayden?” to “ Is it true a patient of his died on the operating table?” “You gave him a multi-million sports car? Did you return the one million watch he gave you when you broke up with him?”

The answer to the first was a detailed explanation on her make-overs including – a complete body liposuction and on the second question the answer was a tentative “No more….” And the third question got a firm “No, not true. The patient died months later of  something else.” And “yes” she gave him a sports car and “no”, she won’t return his gift of an expensive watch!

Vicky was as chatty and candid as college  girls can be at an all-girls sleepover, and she got our sympathy notwithstanding our initial mindset (based on the character Chua’s revelation that Vicky herself gave them the go-signal to make public the videos) that indeed, she caused the sex videos to be made public to exact revenge on Katrina and to ruin Hayden.

No she didn’t, Vicky stressed, and yes, she and her ex-lover did make videos of their intimate moments “for our own private enjoyment.” No crime in that, we agreed. What happens between two consenting adults in the privacy of their bedroom is no one’s concern, even if they video tape the “for adults only” events there. Now, uploading it on the internet, publishing the photos, etc. violates the law against obscenity and offends the sensibilities of people.

Who was the aggrieved party or parties? Initially it was Katrina by a landslide, but lately with revelations coming out that indeed, she knew she was being video taped (as all the other partners of Dr. Kho did too) who really cares?

I think we have all been titillated enough, and we hope that Vicky,  Hayden, Katrina, and the other “stars” of the video tapes  have realized their  “sins”, have moved on  and we can  leave the cases and counter-cases to the court. At this point it looks like the handsome (and loveable, concedes Vicky) Hayden will be the biggest loser of all. He is undergoing counseling but his future as a medical doctor does not look bright.

Vicky had the suave Adel Tamano, her legal counsel with her but she out-talked him. Later, he had to go to the DOJ for her, so he left her at our forum. Not to worry, Vicky wanted to get several things off her chest and she did!.

I do agree with Vicky that Katrina is out of line asking for the Belo clinics to be closed on the issue of the sex tapes. Try another issue.

Is Hayden a jerk? Appears to be a traumatized jerk. Get real, girl! Were the “taped” women abused? Unfortunately for  stop abuse against women advocates,  happily so, according to the evidence!.

* * *

Now, when Sec. Bello showed up the following week, it was a very special occasion also. His lady boss was on the way to Egypt, there was no cabinet meeting, and he was “free” of his functions as cabinet secretary. The last time he joined us, it was still Tita Cory who was president and he was undersecretary to Frank Drilon at the Justice department. He later became chief at the DOJ , also served during FVR’s time, “rested” from government service during Erap’s term to go back to his law practice. But he could not hide his light under the bushel and so was asked to serve again in government, this time with PGMA.

I remember “Bebot” as a hard-working but cheery soul who was always accessible to us underlings. He has remained the same amiable fellow and   has   honed his   negotiating skills with the various positions PGMA entrusted him with the peace process. He confessed that he felt more at home in the negotiating panel than in the purely administrative post he holds now, but a good and loyal soldier does what he is assigned to do!

“Bebot” still is in awe of his boss’ work ethic and energy. She can travel to different provinces in a day without getting stressed out while the cabinet members and other officials with her are already “out of breath” just trying to catch up with her.

“Each president I served had their strengths and weaknesses and their own working style,” was the only comment he allowed himself when asked to compare his three bosses: Cory, FVR and now GMA.

To "Bebot", a good cabinet secretary is discreet, prudent and does not reveal secrets.  When asked again who among the cabinet members were the most hardworking and closest to the Chief Executive, he demurred that, like society columnist Maurice A., his “lips were sealed.”

He did outline the priority infrastructure projects of PGMA which are completed and nearing completion, as she promised. Roads, airports, the railways, etc. which will be highlighted at her last SONA.  And this negotiator’s dream at this point in his career? To see peace at last in Mindanao!