MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – For Mar Roxas, former Philippine Interior Secretary, the quest to become president is a long and winding road (mahaba at liku-likong daan). 

It took a long time for President Aquino to anoint him as his preferred successor, despite being the ever-loyal Noytard (NoyNoy loyalist). Roxas’ standing in national polls remains significantly behind frontrunner Senator Grace Poe.

And now, a new threat to his presidential quest has emerged (or re-emerged): the tough-talking, popular Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who has all but confirmed that he is running for president in the 2016 elections.

“The die is cast,” Duterte announced yesterday. (To say the die is cast is to suggest that a process is past the point of return. In the metaphorical phrase, die refers to a numbered cube used in gaming and cast means thrown. The phrase is attributed to Julius Caesar.)

Duterte’s announcement has reportedly resulted in more gray hair for Roxas. He had to go to his  hairdresser for a quick fix.

For now, the (hair) dye is dry for Roxas.