Star power is without a doubt one of the fastest ways for politicians to be well-known or to get the attention of Filipino voters.
This is done by including celebrities in various campaigns. While many remain clueless on the fate of the nation, getting local celebrities to endorse certain candidates has attracted a lot of spectators in the political circus.
One of the hottest celebrities that has won the hearts of many Filipinos is the AlDub or MaiDen showbiz love team comprised of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza (previously known by her kalyeserye character, Yaya Dub). The Eat Bulaga Kalyeserye love team which started by accident last July 16, 2015 and reached the peak of its popularity at the ‘Tamang Panahon Concert’ on October 24, 2015, has become so well-known that one can’t avoid seeing faces of the duo on almost every corner of the country via various forms of advertisements or product endorsements.
The AlDub- Maiden love team has propelled the ratings of Eat Bulaga to even greater heights and has been ‘utilized’ by various brands. It is only a matter of time before politicians grab hold of the love team for their own gains. The good news is the love team will not be openly endorsing any politician as stated by the Eat Bulaga host and Philippine Senator re-electionist Tito Sotto (Vicente Sotto III).
“I am setting the example so that politicians will know we mean it. And we do not want our Dabarkads (gang) to be politicized,” said Sotto in an Inquirer interview last September 9, 2015. Sotto added that the popular AlDub – MaiDen on-screen love team has received many “big offers” from politicians who approached them separately to join their campaigns.
Last year, a rumor resurfaced that Mar Roxas’ camp offered a hefty sum of money for an endorsement. Sotto then shared that he ‘knew’ about the ‘pulse of public’ and that they would be disappointed with the EB Love Team if they got involved in politics. He said it is better for Aldub to ‘stay neutral’ and ‘be friends with everyone.’
Sotto’s statement on the political neutrality of AlDub – MaiDen seemed good on paper, but it slowly lost its credibility and consistency. Let’s take a look back at the height of AlDub’s popularity with the Tamang Panahon concert at the Philippine Arena.
