Pidi Barzaga for Congressman (found political ad for Filipino congressman provincial election; 2007)

Screencap from the campaign ad

Status: Found

Date found: 21 Apr 2024

Found by: Dann Garcia

Elpidio "Pidi" Frani Barzaga Jr. (March 25, 1950 – April 27, 2024) was a Filipino lawyer and politician. He was the representative of Cavite's 4th district in the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016 and from 2019 until his death in 2024. This district exclusively covers the city of Dasmariñas and was carved out from the 2nd district, which he represented from 2007 to 2010. In addition to his legislative roles, he served as the mayor of Dasmariñas (1998–2007, 2016–2019).

In 2007 Barzaga mounted a successful bid for Congress as a representative in the 2nd district of Cavite under the Kampi party which was then part of the ruling coalition (to be known later as Lakas–Kampi–CMD), defeating incumbent representative Gilbert Remulla. Coinciding with his campaign was an election ad aired in the Greater Manila Area, featuring pop rapper Andrew E.

Premise

The commercial begins with Barzaga himself and Andrew E alongside a group of dancers performing. Andrew is then shown rapping the campaign jingle extolling Barzaga's virtues and accomplishments as a public servant e.g. his qualifications as both a lawyer and a certified public accountant ("CPA NA, LAWYER PA!", transl. "NOT JUST A CPA BUT A LAWYER TOO!") as well as name-checking the constituent municipalities and cities making up the second congressional district of Cavite at the time: Tanza, Dasmariñas, Imus, Carmona, General Trias, Trece Martires and General Mariano Alvarez (GMA). while a group of performers are dancing and waving placards in the background and a montage of public works projects and crowds of supporters are shown.

The campaign jingle's lyrics are as follows:

Pidi Barzaga!
Dasmariñas, Imus, at tska Tanza
General Trias, at tska Carmona
Trese Martires, General Mariano Alvarez
Iisa ang sigaw at ang choice ay the best
Mabait, masipag at matalino
Isusulong ang mga magandang proyekto
Inirespekto at mahal siya ng tao
Pidi Barzaga para Kongreso!
Come on! (Vote, vote, vote)

The commercial ends with a voiceover saying "Pidi Barzaga para Congressman, CPA na, Lawyer pa!" along with the graphic "Atty. Pidi Barzaga Ang Ating Congressman 2nd District ng Cavite" and a depiction of Barzaga in a stereotypical superhero costume.

Availability

The ad was aired in the Greater Manila Area, during commercial breaks for Eat Bulaga, Wowowee, 24 Oras, TV Patrol World, Bandila and Saksi for the 2007 election season. It was also aired in Cavite province on Sky Cable's Community Channel. The commercial remained lost for 17 years until on April 21, 2024 when Dann Garcia uploaded a copy of the ad just six days before Barzaga's death.

Gallery

The campaign commercial.