BATANGAS CITY – "Intelligence is not enough. You need a heart to serve the people.”
 
Thus said Batangas governor Vilma Santos-Recto when asked by reporters how her showbiz career has helped her political career.

Santos-Recto, a multi-awarded actress who also served also served as mayor of Lipa, Batangas, said her showbiz career made her care more for the poor.
 
“Malaki ang advantage ng isang artista who will sincerely serve. Sa puso ng masa kasi, ang buhay namin ay nasa tao. During shootings ay nakahalo kami sa kanila kaya nararamdaman namin ang mga pangangailangan nila lalo na sa mga squatters,” Santos-Recto explained after her formal oath-taking with the Liberal Party Tuesday.

The Batangas governor said educational background and intelligence are not enough to become an effective public servant. “With my experience, working with the public is not easy and it’s a sacrifice lalo na sa aming mga taga showbiz industry kasi spoiled kami doon unlike sa politics,” she said.
 
Santos-Recto however said that serving the public gives her fulfillment.

The governor's husband, former NEDA chief Ralph Recto, said showbiz personalities such as Oprah Winfrey helped catapult Democratic candidate Barack Obama to the US presidency.
 
He said even former president Joseph Estrada capitalized on his showbiz background to win the 1998 presidential election by a landslide vote.
 
“Malaki ang naitutulong ng entertainment industry in helping polical parties and politicians to give a message to the people in articulating your program and what you stand for,” Recto added.
 
Actress Sharon Cuneta and TV host Kris Aquino were guest stars at the oath-taking ceremony, drawing thousands of cheering fans despite strong rains.
 
Cuneta is the wife of Sen. Francis Pangilinan while Aquino is the youngest sister of presidentiable Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino.
 
Liberal Party vice-presidential candidate Mar Roxas is married to TV host-journalist Korina Sanchez who has her own followings in the media industry.
 
Also included in the formal oathtaking ceremony were senatorial candidates Franklin Drilon, Rissa Hontiveros-Baraquel, Ruffy Biazon, TG Guingona, Neric Acosta, Sonia Rocco, Aloy Lim, wife of General Danilo Lim and Francis Pangilinan
 
Santos-Recto will be pitted by the Liberal Party for the governatorial post against former Batangas governor Armand Sanchez who took oath under Senator Manny Villar’s Nationalista Party last Saturday.