Hugot lines and taray quotes of Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago

Published September 29, 2016 1:42pm

The feisty Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has passed away but she leaves behind not only a legacy of well-crafted legislation but also a humorous collection of "hugot lines" and "taray quotes."

The senator, who died at age 71 on Thursday after battling Stage 4 cancer, has become a social media darling as she often interspersed her speeches with funny lines.

She pokes fun at everything and anything, even her grave illness, which she coped with for years. Her Senate page had said "With her signature humor and bravery, she fought back, and her cancer has regressed. Even cancer cells are afraid of her!"

"She is a renowned celebrity. Like a rock star, she attracts crowds everywhere. She is the most sought-after guest speaker of university students. Sen. Santiago is a woman of destiny. She will be remembered in Philippine history as a genuine hero of her people," her Senate bio said.

"She has been called the incorruptible lady, the platinum lady, the tiger lady, the dragon lady, the iron lady of Asia, the queen of popularity polls, and the undisputed campus hero. But to her millions of fans, she is best known for the unique brand of charismatic leadership that media likes to call 'Miriam Magic,'" it added.

Santiago also has two bestselling books — "Stupid is Forever" and "Stupid is Forevermore," which are collections of her hugot lines. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas and Veronica Pulumbarit, GMA News

Tags: miriamdefensorsantiago, miriamsantiago