BULACAN – Presidential and Vice-Presidential aspirants Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan joined priests, religious, seminarians, members of church organizations, church volunteers, Catholic teachers, and members of the charitable institutions of the Diocese of Malolos at the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Guiguinto for the praying of the rosary for a clean and honest elections on Saturday.
The prayer of the Holy Rosary were led by VP Robredo, a representative of the victims of extrajudicial killings, Mo. Angelica Alincomot, SDS, a seminarian, and the rector of the seminary.
“Quoting Padre Pio, we believe that ‘the Rosary is the weapon for these times’,” says Fr. Nap Baltazar, Parish Priest of Santa Rita de Cascia in Angat, Bulacan and event coordinator.
Senator Pangilinan and the children from Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres Orphanage led the prayers for the 2022 National and Local Elections, and for the election of leaders who are committed to social justice and protection of the youth, respectively.
The event, dedicated to praying for the election of national and local leaders who are known for their moral integrity, God-loving and pro-life conscience, competent and principled leadership, compassion for the poor and marginalized, and commitment to social justice, ended with the blessing of the congregation, and messages from the presidential and vice presidential aspirants thanking the members of religious and lay communities.
From Guiguinto town, Leni-Kiko proceeded to City of Malolos wherein unofficial crowd-supporter attendees reached to 45K people as Bulakenyos welcomed the Leni-Kiko tandem not only clad in pink but also with products and mementos reminiscent of their respective towns – kneeling Carabao paper mâché embellished in pink from Pulilan, a giant pink crab from Hagonoy, pink minasa (cassava cookies) from Bustos, and a lot more.
Select Bulacan towns have also prepared festival dances including Obando’s famous Sta. Clara Pinong-Pino dance, Guiguinto’s Halamanan festival dance and the waltzes and colors from the mother of all fiestas, Singkaban.
“Our identities are rooted in our heritage and we believe there is no better way to show our support and love to VP Leni than to present our unique characteristics as Filipinos,” said Robredo People’s Council Bulacan convenor Ma. Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita.
The people’s rally kicks off in the City of San Jose del Monte, the province’s most densely populated town, and ends at the New Malolos City Hall compound where supporters from all over Bulacan converge for a program and lasted until 7:00PM.
Sta. Rita said that the rally is the culminating activity of the local walks for Leni-Kiko in the 21 towns and 3 municipalities in Bulacan.
Some 21 organized youth groups have likewise come to the event bearing witty banners in support of Robredo and Pangilinan.
“Narito kaming puwersa ng kabataan para ipakita na kayang sundan ng bagong henerasyon ang kagitingan ng ating mga bayani tulad nina Marcelo at Gregorio del Pilar, Mariano Ponce, Trinidad Tecson, Heneral Isidoro Torres, mga kababaihan ng Malolos at iba pa. Narito kami upang maging bahagi ng pagpapanday ng aming mga kinabukasan,” said Jason Anchores, the province’s convenor of Youth for Leni-Kiko.
VP Robredo’s campaign rallies and sorties in the province have seemed to be a concert on tour as support from various artists, bands and singers pour out for the presidential aspirant as the Pink Tour came to the historic land of Bulacan.
Aside from these timeless and uniquely Bulacan-flavored performances, the Bulakenyos were entertained by local performers like the Robredocs Bulacan, a group of Leni-loving doctors who moved us with their heartfelt performance that remind us how VP Leni has been a huge support to the medical community during the pandemic.
“These are busy doctors, everyone in the practice, pero isinisingit namin yung time para ma-enjoy din ng crowd at ma-inspire with the song, na lalong mag-hype ang kanilang love for Leni, Kiko, and the tropas.” Doc Coy from Robredocs Bulacan stated.
Celebrity guests such as Chloe Redondo, Lunarlights, Frenchie Dy, Nikki Valdez, Johnoy Danao, Gab Valenciano, Kuh Ledesma, and Truefaith declared their support for VP Leni Robredo and serenaded the Bulakenyos!
Before the program, Robredo, Pangilinan with Senator Joel Villanueva made a courtesy call to Governor Daniel Fernando at the Bulacan provincial capitol and went to the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium where they met some 2,500 members of Lingkod Lingap sa Nayon (LLN) and mother leaders from all towns of Bulacan as guest speakers during its quarterly assembly.
The conference coincides with this year’s International Women’s Month celebration sub-themed, “Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran,” which aims to recognize women’s valuable role in obtaining inclusive and sustainable development.
Known as an advocate of women empowerment, VP Leni graced the event with a message that served as an inspiration to the women leaders who attended.
It was fitting as the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) encourages Filipino women to celebrate themselves this year by exercising their choices, making their voices heard, and taking the narrative by raising priority issues that matter to them and calling for concrete actions.
Heeding the call to prevent the gains on gender equality and empowerment from sliding back because of COVID-19 pandemic, the LLN members and mother leaders cheered and showed the presidential aspirant their support for her agenda, which includes the “Kalayaan sa COVID-19 Plan.”