IN a homemade video played in a venue packed with her fellow Bicolanos, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts and Philippine Cinema’s legendary “Superstar” Nora Aunor shared a trait of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go that not many are aware of.
Clad in a simple black shirt and inside what seems to be her home office, Aunor reveals,
“May sikreto akong ishe-share sa inyo. Alam n’yo po ‘yang si Kuya Bong Go, naku! Masyado hong mahiyain. Totoo po yan.”
Go, also known as the father of the Malasakit Center Program and widely regarded by his peers and colleagues as one of the, if not the hardest working government officials, dedicated himself to personally attending to Filipinos’ needs.
“Ayaw n’yang ipagmalaki ang napakarami na n’yang nagawa para sa milyon milyong Pilipino. Trabaho lang nang trabaho yan,” Aunor further disclosed.
The Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops that aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. The Department of Health has reported that more or less 10 million Filipinos have already benefited from the program, which was institutionalized through RA 11463, principally authored and sponsored by Go.
The senator was in the province of Albay on June 6 for a series of engagements with different sectors needing support. Go’s main advocacy is to make government services more accessible, especially to the poorest Filipinos.
Opening her video message, Aunor encouraged her kababayans to show Go the Bikolanos’ brand of hospitality, saying
“Alam ko po na tulad po ng pag-aalaga ninyo sa akin ay hindi niyo po pababayaan ang ating pinakamamahal na Senador. Ipadama n’yo kung paano mag-malasakit ang mga Bikolano gaya na lamang ng pagmamalasakit niya sa ating lahat lalong lalo na ang mga kapos sa buhay.”
Aunor is a towering figure in Philippine cinema. Her career began with a win in a singing competition, but she rose to superstardom as an actress. Nicknamed “The Superstar,” Aunor holds the record for the most FAMAS Award nominations for Best Actress and is a Hall of Famer.
Through the years, the actress has witnessed Go’s work ethic, attesting that
“Ngayon lang ako nakakilala ng katulad ni Senator Bong Go. Walang pinipiling lugar, walang pinipiling oras at lalong walang pinipiling katayuan sa buhay. Lahat ng Pilipino para sa kanya ay mahalaga.”
According to Aunor, what makes Go’s initiatives genuine is his personal touch. “Isa siyang tunay na tao na kung mag-serbisyo (ay) personal, harapan. Hindi (para) sa TV o facebook lang. Hindi po pilit. At higit sa lahat, may malasakit.”
To end her message, the celebrated cinema and TV legend impassioned her fellow Bikolanos and other Filipinos to share their stories of ‘malasakit’ and ‘serbisyo’ on behalf of the humble senator so that more can benefit from these initiatives.
“Ako naman ang makikisuyo sa inyo o makikiusap, kung ok lang ba? Gawin natin ito para sa kanya. Tayo na mismo, tayo na po ang magkwento at magbalita sa iba kung gaano tayo kaswerte at kung gaano tayo kamahal ng nag-iisang Mr. Malasakit, ang ating si Senator Kuya Bong Go.”
Go is an advocate for the film industry and the rights of entertainment workers. He is a member of the MMFF Executive Committee.
Recognizing the exposure needed by Filipino filmmakers under the festival’s single annual event, he proposed the creation of the Metro Manila Summer Film Festival, providing a second yearly platform for showcasing quality Filipino movies and supporting the growth of the country’s film industry. He also continues to support MMFF’s efforts of promoting local films as it now celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
The senator also co-authored Republic Act 11996, also known as the “Eddie Garcia Law,” named after the late cinema legend. The law mandates fair work hours, proper wages, and other non-wage benefits. It also emphasizes workers’ inclusivity and fair treatment regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion.
Go, a Senate Committee on Public Information member, is also pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1183 or the “Media and Entertainment Workers Welfare Act” he filed earlier. This proposal aims to provide enhanced protection, security, and incentives for media workers in the country across all platforms.
