Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gives her farewell address to the nation on June 23, 2010. (But she didn't exactly become Citizen Gloria after her stint as president.)
6. She's got an impenetrable mental bubble. In other words, GMA had perfected the art of deadma. Whether it's a coup attempt, an earthquake interrupting her speech, her Le Cirque meal being scrutinized, her son making a mess out of an interview televised on national TV, her husband accused of having a mistress, her family being labeled as corrupt, GMA seems tough enough to brush off every sensitive issue by saying nothing. At other times, she looks (to the public, at least) like she could care less. According to a MayoClinic.com article, "Denial is an unconscious coping mechanism that gives you time to adjust to distressing situations." The article further explains: "Being in denial for a short period can be a healthy coping mechanism, providing time to adjust to a painful or stressful issue. But denial has a dark side. Being in denial can prevent you from effectively dealing with issues that require action." In GMA's case, we do remember her owning up to and saying sorry for the Hello, Garci mess.
7. She's not a typical never-say-die nanay. Each time her eldest son, Congressman Mikey Arroyo, who now represents security guards and tricycle drivers, says things that infuriates the public, GMA does not come running to the rescue. We don't know what goes on between her and her first-born when it's just the two of them together--but it's obvious that she's got more chutzpah than he does.
Professor Winnie Monsod does the math on Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's 72 foreign trips.
8. She's an Aries. GMA's birthdate is April 5, which makes her an Aries. According to Astrology Online, Arians are often "enthusiastic, confident, dynamic, and quick-witted." On the other hand, they can also be "selfish, quick-tempered, and impatient."
9. She's good with numbers. Economics is GMA's forte, which means she is good with numbers. People who are good at numbers are usually formidable strategists who can, well, pretty much dictate how things are run. This would explain GMA's carefully calculated maneuvers in her career as a politician such as implementing the hugely popular holiday economics. We have to admit, many of us loved that move and conveniently forgot other inconveniences because of it.
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's last state of the nation address in 2009.
10. She's a Fire Pig. Born in 1947, GMA is a Fire Boar or a Fire Pig. A Tuvy.com article contains this description of a Fire Pig: "This Pig is a Big Time Operator who makes things happen through his clever wit and well-rounded talents. They never rest on their laurels because they have an insatiable thirst for power. They know that once they sit still, someone will pass them by."
Art by Warren Espejo.
