BACOLOD CITY — Reports said when there was an announcement that Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay would run for President, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago laughed and laughed. And laughed.

She did not make a comment because she also once said, she might try the Presidency, too. But that prolonged laughter was more than a comment.

Don’t underestimate Binay. He succeeded in politics through people underestimating him.

People easily forget. When Binay first ran for Makati Mayor after the term of Nemesio Yabut, people underestimated him.

People laughed at him for being short. A Napoleonic height, he called it, and with a face, his critics said, “only a mother can love.”

Matter of fact, the joke then was his name Jejomar came from the shortened combination of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. And the story goes, when people came to see the newly born child, they made the sign of the cross and exclaimed, “Susmariosep.”

So, the mother said, let us name him Jejomar for Jesus, Joseph, and Mary. And in every campaign, people loved him for the talent to even make fun of himself.

I hope I can vote for him yet for President because I have some other names in mind. But, for Heaven’s sake, don’t underestimate Binay.

* * *

Another Napoleonic shorty, Carlos P. Romulo became a great man.

His true mark was his own making fun of his being short. He had two anecdotes I remember. One was when Douglas McArthur landed in Leyte, Romulo landed with him and was seen in the picture wading the shore with McArthur.

When international news reports reached the U.S., one editor wired his correspondent back, “Check to be sure Carlos Romulo did not drown.”

But I like this other one. When Romulo spoke in Texas where people are reputedly tall, a woman exclaimed, “Oh, the General is small!” Romulo, so the story goes as also told by him, turned to the woman and said, “Madame, sorry. But you have not seen his privates yet.”

* * *

The other day, an old friend Cris Torres called up. He said he has an Australian friend who told him that in the U.S. there is a coffee shop with a sign, “Not admitted dogs and Pinoys. They do not know how to read.”

There was that big sign of “No Smoking,” Cris’ friend said. But the Pinoys don’t follow it. Same here, Cris said.

Cris Torres said he has a coffee shop with a sign, “No Smoking” even citing the city ordinance that prohibits it. But people ignore it.

People don’t go to coffee shops where people smoke even if there is a sign. After coming in or before making an order they leave.

The city should enforce it, he said. Who will enforce, the police? That’s a big joke. Who will enforce? Not Leonardia nor Zamora.

* * *

Cris said he went to complain to his former lawyer, now City Administrator and concurrently City Legal Officer.

The naughty Allan, on hearing the word smoking, got the urge and pulled out his pack and lighted one stick in the presence of Cris.

I can recall many interesting anecdotes about smoking and smokers. One of them is a businessman viewing a big multi-million-peso building.

He was smoking and his friend asked him how many packs he smoked a day, his age now and when did he start smoking. His friend said if he saved his money he could have put up that building.

“I own that building,” he said.

I cannot stand one smoking near me. I am allergic to smoke. But, how do you stop a smoker? Positive approach.

* * *

I recall an inveterate smoker, the late Assemblyman Joe Varela. In the Assembly many were smoking, including him. One Assemblyman stood up and told Speaker Nicanor Yñiguez of the sign of “No Smoking” in the session hall.

Yñiguez stopped the proceedings, looked around, and said, “I do not see anybody smoking.” Those smoking put out their cigarets and when they smoked, they did it outside.*

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