Words above the din - quotable quotes of 2009

12/24/2009 | 11:57 AM

“If you can't even raise one billion pesos, why even run?" - Senator and presidential aspirant MANUEL VILLAR, told to Reuters news agency, February 28.

"As a nation of servants, you don't flex your muscles at your master from whom you earn most of your bread and butter." – Hong Kong author and columnist TSIP CHAO, on March 27, saying how the Philippines should behave in its dispute with China over the Spratlys. After a Filipino firestorm, Chao apologized.

"I’d love to have more kids. I’m thinking about getting a Filipina mail-order bride at this point or a Russian." - American actor ALEC BALDWIN last May 12 expressing his desire to have more children during an interview with The Late Show with David Letterman.

“Wala akong malay na ang bawat yakap at halik ay scripted. Buong-buo kong binigay ang puso at ang kaluluwa ko sa isang lalaking gumagawa pala ng sariling pelikula. Ang tanga ko. Imbes na doktor, direktor pala…" - KATRINA HALILI last May 28 on Hayden Kho.

“Before you make any judgment, read my achievements first as an artist. Was I an idiot before I became a National Artist?" - CECILLE GUIDOTE ALVAREZ, in an August 8 interview with GMANews.TV, reacting to criticism that she did not deserve the National Artist for Theater title conferred on her by President Arroyo.

“Do you want your president to eat in McDonalds or some turo-turo? I think there’s more dignity in having your president, and her Cabinet members, and members of the Lower House to eat in a decent restaurant." – Rep. MIKEY ARROYO, in the second week of August, defending his mother, President Arroyo, who became US tabloid fodder for having a "lavish dinner" in New York with her entourage during Cory Aquino's wake.

“Hindi naman ganoon kadali. Walang ka-plano plano. Hahabulin ko ang dalawang taong pagkakampanya. Hindi pa nga nakakahinga sa trahedya ang mga kapatid ko... Hindi ba dapat ito ang panahon para gugulin ko sa pag-alala sa aking ina?" – Sen. NOYNOY AQUINO, last September 6, before deciding to run for president.

“I’m frank... I’ll tell you the way it is. I’ll tell Erap, 'I’m sorry, I don’t think you should be president. You botched it. Binigyan ka ng pinakamalaking regalo ng tao, anong ginawa mo? Nagwala ka doon sa Malacañang.'" – Senator and presidential aspirant RICHARD GORDON on GMANews.TV’s “Examine," October 22.

“Alam mo hanggang ngayon, iniisip ko pa kung ano yung pagkakamali ko eh. Sa aking ano, wala akong pagkakamali, at siguro may pinagkatiwalaan lang tayong tao na hindi dapat pagkatiwalaan." former president JOSEPH ESTRADA's reply to a student's question on GMA’s “Isang Tanong," November 17.

“Bata pa siya. Madami pa siyang gustong gawin sa buhay niya. May future pa siya. So, isipin niya kung magiging masaya ba siya kung makiki-join siya sa isang tao na may family. Magiging masaya ba siya kung makasira siya ng isang pamilya?" JINKEE PACQUIAO's November statement on Krista Ranillo, after the actress was romantically linked to her husband Manny Pacquiao.

AP photo

“After much soul-searching, I have decided to respond affirmatively to their call. To that end, I will file my (certificate of) candidacy for Congress in order to serve the hardworking people of my home province. I am not ready to step down completely from public service." – President GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO's November 30 statement on her decision to run as Pampanga representative.

AP photo

"I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves…I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart." – World's No. 1 golfer TIGER WOODS, on December 3, addressing allegations that he had extra-marital affairs.

“They should be taken out and shot. They should be buried with a backhoe." – Sen. MIRIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGO last December 7, referring to President Arroyo’s legal advisers who recommended martial law in Maguindanao.

- GMANews.TV