Kiram and Alunan: When Two Passionate Patriots Meet

by Jose Rizal M. Reyes / November 18, 2015

One is a passionate patriot championing national defense, national territory and national sovereignty. The other is a most ardent advocate of the Philippine claim on Sabah. When they meet — both of them running for senator in 2016 to bring their patriotic advocacy to a higher level — should we expect an ethereal spark to illuminate the surrounding and an unearthly electricity to charge the atmosphere?

Former DILG secretary Raffy Alunan posted this picture in his Facebook wall. Said he: “With Princess Jacel Kiram and a young teleserye performer from Star at SM Aura. Sabah belongs to the Sultanate of Sulu. It is contested territory between the Philippines and Malaysia. “

Princess Jacel Kiram and former DILG secretary Rafael M. Alunan III met today somewhere in Bonifacio Global City. I don’t know if the meeting was by chance or by design. It appears that the two senatorial candidates share a lot of common supporters and well-wishers. Thus their paths are bound to cross at one time or another.

Raffy Alunan and Princess Jacel take lunch together, along with common friends. The lovely and gracious lady between them is someone simply known as “Jo”. I am just wondering why my Facebook friends Iñaki Jose and Dionisio O. Santos Jr. cannot be seen in this photograph. I am also wondering what my other FB friends would say about this incident or development — especially Evelyn Sapalicio Cruz, Anne de Bruce, Al Hasan, Belle Enriquez, Gene Cariño, Ana Lea Bestid Emilio, Nick Sotelo, Barty Espino IV, Elmer Espinosa Salaño, Richard Villegas, Leon Guerrero, Ricardo Maulion, Elpidio Que, Marlene Damolo Howe, Zandro Valerio, Bill Gabunia Debuque, Manuel C. Diaz, Deo Fradejas, Maconn Feliciano, Glenn P. Perfas, Ronald Concepcion Claro, Rene Abad, Jose Neri Mallo Garampiel, Sam Rodriguez Galope, Rapa Nui Kanarvacanan Madagasikara, Jennifer De Vera Espino, Deogracias Gonzaga, Geri Lamb, Larry Silva, Richard Macaraeg, JeNn MiranDa, Leo Madrid Almazan, Bambi Lorica, Celia Lamkin, Wilfredo Olayao, Wilfredo Sanchez Paradero, RJ Glori, Penpen Bugtong Takipsilim, Ceri Naz, Alberto Patasin Abogado Jr., Rogelio Bantiles, Merlin Aldous Salem Espinoza, Adolph Vincent Vigor, and the Esber brothers Emmanuel and Paul.

I asked a friend who was with them how the chemistry went. And he replied: “Very good chemistry and a lot of mutual respect and cooperation formed.”

Unlike the other pictures in this brief essay, all posted today by Raffy Alunan on his Facebook wall, this photo appears to have been taken during another occasion. Mr. Alunan’s own caption read: “With Princess Jacel Kiram, a candidate for Senator from Sulu. She’s got the smarts and the guts and the winning smile.”

Aside from common friends and supporters, Mr. Alunan and Princess Kiram share something else in common — both are passionate defenders of our national territory and sovereignty. Mr. Alunan has been championing the cause for a strong and smart national defense, especially with regards to the West Philippine Sea problem. Princess Kiram is a leading advocate for the assertion of Philippine sovereignty over Sabah, a role she inherited from her late father, Jamalul Kiram III, the 33rd sultan of Sulu who together with his royal brothers miraculously revived in 2013 the dormant and dying Philippine claim on Sabah.

Although they belong to different political parties, the two senatorial candidates Princess Kiram and Raffy Alunan seem able to get along well with each other and also with other people.

So let us pose again the question that naturally arises, but this time let us couch it in more practical terms: When two passionate patriots and ardent advocates meet, can we expect creative sparks to fly? Will there be some form of mutual support and beneficial cooperation, especially on the matter of their common aspiration to win a Senate seat? Abangan ang susunod na kabanata!