Miriam launches book of jokes, says 'millions of stupid Filipinos' inspired her

 

If you are a fan of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago's jokes, punchlines, and witty one-liners, her new humor book “Stupid is Forever” will be a treasure trove.

 

The book, launched at National Bookstore at Trinoma on Wednesday, is a collection of the senator's witticisms. Santiago stated that it took her two months to write.

 

"I came up with this collection of jokes because sometimes we are being too serious about the issues facing our country today. I think if we laughed more, and took ourselves less seriously, the public debate would be much better," she said in an impromptu press conference at the end of the launch.

 

In between jokes, the slim volume is packed with illustrations by some of the Philippine komiks scene's hottest names, which include Manix Abrera, Rommel Estanislao, Rob Cham, Josel Nicholas, and Elbert Or.

 

The launch itself was packed with many of her fans, who raised a cheer usually reserved for rockstars when she walked onto the stage.

 

"I would like to thank the millions of stupid Filipinos for inspiring the book," said Santiago. 

 

Turning serious, she shared a story from her childhood about having to walk two miles every time she wanted to borrow a book from a library in her hometown. Her library card, she said, was in her mother's name because she was under age at the time.

 

Packed house

 

After the launch, much of which was spent posing with groups of fans on stage, Santiago entertained questions from members of the media, requesting that she not be asked "serious questions." She was not expecting the size of the crowd that showed up at the launch.

 

"I just want to say that I did not expect na ganito karaming tao ang darating sa ganitong oras, dahil weekday ngayon eh. Miyerkules pa man din, pero sa palagay ko sobrang sa isang libo ang dumating ngayon.

 

"This shows any one of the following things: one, there is a dearth of humor and people appreciate humor; two, they want politics to lighten up; or three, they just want pictures to post on Facebook or anywhere else on social media, which is the best way of communicating these days.

 

"Nakakatuwa dahil nagpapatunay sa sinasabi ko na sa halip na mag-lecture o mag-orate sa taumbayan, kung minsan mas madali pa kung idaan na lang natin sa pabiro, dahil diyan nagkakaintindihan tayo. Tayong mga Pilipino, we have our own sense of humor, we have our own way of cracking jokes.

 

"Kung minsan, kung masyadong seryoso ang tao at akala niya siya lang ang nakakaalam ng lahat ng bagay na kailangang malaman sa debate, mas mabuti pa kung hindi niya masyado pinapataas ang sarili niya, kundi nagpapakumbaba siya doon sa madla para magkaintindihan tayo lahat sa sarili nating kultura."

 

Popes and weddings

 

The senator was asked about some upcoming events, such as the visit of Pope Francis and the wedding of Senator Chiz Escudero and actress Heart Evangelista. 

 

What would she tell the pope if she had a chance to meet him?

 

"Hi, sexy," Miriam said with a laugh, while noting that she observed a trend of progressive thinking from Pope Francis, and she doesn't think he will take offense.

 

READ: Ninang Miriam's marriage advice to Chiz and Heart

She also reiterated that she will not be available to attend the Heart-Chiz wedding because of her poor health, but shared her marriage advice for the couple.

 

Next book?

 

Already, Santiago hinted that there could be a next book.

 

"This one was 'Stupid is Forever.' Maybe the next one will be about morons. There’s a difference, you know."

 

And some final advice to the unwise, in the context of “Stupid is Forever,” was dispensed.

 

"...Keep on reading. There are studies about the gains of reading from print and reading from e-books, and it appears that the gains from reading are all to be gained from print instead of e-books. I don’t know if that’s correct or if there’s just some propaganda war going on, but all people should always be encouraged to read." — JST, GMA News