Olongapo City, Zambales – Mayoralty candidate Doctor Arnold Vegafria held a thanksgiving rally ala Mardi Gras style at the Magsaysay Drive of this city on Friday, evening.
The renowned businessman and talent manager took to the streets the myriad of artists who performed to a huge crowd that filled two blocks of the entertainment district of Olongapo City.
With a two-stage setup, his supporters were given a glimpse of what’s to come once he is elected into office.
Geneva Cruz, Rojun Cruz, Teejay Marquez, CJ Opiaza, Dia Mate, Jasmine Omay, Timothy Tuppil, Michelle Arceo, Jae Acosta and Alexa Rosales highlighted the event on Friday night.
Vegafria said that this should be the sight for Magsaysay Drive, once renowned for its nightly entertainment.
“Our plan is to revive the tourism scene of Olongapo City, particularly Magsaysay Drive, which is known for being the entertainment center of the city,” he said.
“If I can do it now, I can certainly do it once elected into office. Yan po balak ko, buhayin ang sigla ng Olongapo gamit ang turismo,” he said.
The renowned businessman said that he has already talked to investors who are willing to put up an entertainment business here.
With thousands of connections to known investors, movers and shakers, Vegafria has been showcasing these people one after another during his campaign rallies here.
But despite his connections, Vegafria was not one of those endorsed by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), and yet the mayoralty candidate showed respect to the religious group’s decision.
“Buong kababaang-loob kong tinatanggap at iginagalang ang naging pasya ng Iglesia ni Cristo kahit ito po ay hindi pumapabor sa akin at hindi ako suportahan sa darating na halalan,” he said.
“Nauunawaan ko na ang bawat organisasyon ay may sariling proseso at batayan sa kanilang desisyon, at karapat-dapat lamang itong igalang.”
“Gayunpaman, ako ay nagpapasalamat pa rin sa pamunuan ng Iglesia ni Cristo sa pagbibigay ng pagkakataon na ako ay makasama sa mga pagpipiliang kandidato at marinig ang aking mga plano sa siyudad ng Olongapo,” he added.
He furthered, “Ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay kaisa natin sa ating mga layunin para sa pagbabago at progreso ng Olongapo. Ang aking hangarin na magsilbi ay hindi magbabago—mananatili akong bukas-palad sa pagtulong at paglingkod, anuman ang pananampalataya, paniniwala, o kulay ng pulitika.”
“Tuloy pa rin ang aking laban para sa bagong Olongapo. Sama-sama pa rin tayong aabante tungo sa isang lungsod na mas maayos, mas makatao, at mas maunlad na Siyudad.”