This is the sequel to our beloved Senator Miriam Santiago’s Stupid is Forever ( 3 stars ) as it was launched on her 70th birthday celebration on June 15. The title is still the same; it was only added with the word ” MORE” to imply that the beloved senator has another sack of jokes and epigraphs. But the color of the paperback is now reddish as one of the common colors of the attire she wears when she attends the senate meetings. As a rule, the contents of the books are more on her jokes , epigraphs, and speeches which had been earmarked for this sequel. In the end, I find it somehow redundantly entertaining but worth reading in disguise. Thus, I have been disappointed for the second time except for her short story , The Exorcism of the Ghost, an excerpt from her well-received then The Frabjous Days and other Short Stories.
In effect, if you are such an avid fan of the beloved senator like me , obsessed with her on a daily basis, wanting to know everything she does , it may be in politics or her personal life as though you are a cyberstalker , you are undoubtedly familiar with the contents from cover to cover. You have read all her witty jokes and political tirades, speeches , and her bio-data just through internet access. Definitely, you check her website . Here you can read all the statements she makes in the press since she became a senator. If you want other blown-by-blown details , you can visit the site of the Philippine Senate. There you can check the senator’s archives . To pick the newspapers commentators’ brains , just type Miriam Santiago and search it by clicking News on Google or Yahoo. All the information you want to keep track of is accessible on the internet. Tataaan! You are now undoubtedly a Miriam freak. ( laughs)
The pattern used in writing this book is the same as the opinion I teased out of her Stupid is Forever. First, before she delivers her speech on the stump, the senator, as a rule, will regale you with her witty jokes to break the ice. For sure, you will be knocked out off the aisle. Then, just all the kidding aside, you will listen to her inspiring and educating speeches although a little steeped in political issues. Finally, she will leave us some lines of quotes she must have selected herself. Her speeches I have read but still worth reading have something to do with life.
A DATE WITH DESTINY
Here I cottoned to William Arthur Ward’s quotes:
“The adventure of life is to learn. The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of like is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give.”
THE PARADIGM FOR HAPPY LIFE
Here I learned her philosophy:
“Life is a consequence of our moral choices.”
What sparked my interest is her preface and short story The Exorcism of a Ghost, a selected story in her autobiography The Frabjous Day. I have always wanted to read her autobiography as I was wondering how she is as good at writing a story as she is witty at her speeches. To my astonishment, our beloved Senator Santiago’s intellectual hubris, indeed, reflects in the above-mentioned short story. Now I understand. “ “Beam me up, Scotty, there’s no intelligent life here“ ( laughs )
Her preface:
The Moron
See the Happy Moron,
He doesn’t give a damn!
I wish I were a moron –
My God! Perhaps I am!
-Anonymous-
I also opined in my review of her Stupid is Forever that the book is intended for her hidden political agenda to run for presidential aspirations in 2016. This book – in my humble opinion- still completely resembles the former , hyping up her records of academic excellence and professional achievements; at the same time, with some of her pictures showing her aura of bold and moral character as well as her massive intellect in the legal fields.
The beloved senator has not been in the press for a few months as though she had faded into the night like Batman , nor has she been able to attend the senate sessions ( although she has the highest number of bills passed in the higher congress.) In fact, she was not able to attend the launching of this, her second book; rather , it was launched on the market on her 70th birthday. She must still be struggling with her stage- 4 lung cancer as she is dog-determined to recover, for she might plan to run in 2016.
Dear our Beloved Senator:
Whatever your plan in 2016 is , we, your fans, will always give you our all-out support. But for the sake of your health, we had rather you did not plan to do so; we had rather you took a rest, enjoyed in your 70’s spending time with your family and grandchildren or sitting in a rocking chair while crocheting as you once joked before when asked whether you would run or not in 1992. Politics, as you are aware of, is filthy. We may not know your personal intention why you want to become president, but what you have done for the Philippines is enough to awaken us, your disciples you have intellectually enlightened using your political idiosyncrasies beyond the hoi polloi ‘s understanding.
To look cool, it is about time you wrote your own literary piece as what you wanted to do when you were still young. Maybe when you make one, it could be bound to being a shortlist in any international literary awards as what you flaunted whenever you got into an international event. ^^
Get well soon, our beloved Senadora. We, your fans , miss you a whole lot.
Rating: 2/ 5 stars ( It is ok. )
A Book Bore in Timbuktu 
How could I get a copy of Stupid is Forever
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