For decades, the Fernandos ruled Marikina City. Bayani Fernando was the city mayor for several terms and, when he became chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority (en route, or so he thought, to becoming the president of the country), his wife took over the Marikina City Hall. She didn’t exactly “succeed” her husband — at least, not in legal terms because government officials are elected in this country. The effect is the same though since powerful political clans can grab political positions in their respective fiefdoms through elections and retain power for decades — even for centuries — by making sure that family members are strategically elected after incumbents have served out the maximum number of terms.
Anyway, back in the days when Bayani Fernando was a really powerful guy who thought he could solve traffic problems in Metro Manila, a lot of infrastructures were painted pink. Pink bridges, pedestrian overpasses, pink urinals… I never really understood if it was in consonance with pink having a calming effect or whether it was just his favorite color.
Well, pink bridges are going out of style in Fernando’s hometown of Marikina.
What used to be a pink bridge is now bright yellow and green. Even the Marikina City website is yellow green.
Yep, the Fernandos are definitely out. For now.
