Around 150 cars completed the motorcade led by different organizations and sectors on Saturday, October 9, to show their support for Vice President Leni Robredo who recently announced her 2022 presidential bid.
The motorcade, led by Lawyers for Leni, started at the University of the Philippines in Diliman and ended at the Quezon City Reception House in New Manila where the Office of the Vice President (OVP) is located.
Pink ribbons and balloons were tied on the cars’ side mirrors while some showed a poster of Robredo on the hood. There were even those who brought their pets with them.
Ram Ramos, who led the motorcade, said there were only initially 20 cars when they planned the motorcade. This ballooned to 150 cars that stretched five to seven kilometers from where Ramos was.
“Nakakagulat ang dami ng sumama. Isipin ninyo: nasa OVP na ang lead car (ako ‘yun) pero ang buntot ay nasa Camp Aguinaldo pa (It’s surprising that a lot joined. Think about it: the lead car is at the OVP but the end is in Camp Aguinaldo)! That’s a good 5 to 7km stretch of vehicles via Santolan-Granada-E Rodriguez Ave!,” he posted on Facebook.
Ramos said they also had a “surprise message” via phone patch from Robredo herself. Although only via speakerphone, the vice president thanked her supporters.
“Alam ko gaano kalakas ng makinarya at resources ng mga kalaban, pero (I know the strength of the machinery and resources of our competitors, but) knowing that you are with me 100 percent, 'yun po nagpapalakas ng aking loob at pinagkukunan ko ng aking (that’s what makes me strong and where I draw my) energy,” she said.
READ: Robredo's flex: 'I don't have blind supporters'
While she knows that a lot of people are afraid to speak or have started not to care anymore, the vice president urged her supporters to spread the word about their vision for the country.
“We know that the past five and a half years, the psyche of the people changed. Many are afraid, don’t want to get involved, want to remain quiet. But if you’re showing me this kind of decision this elections, it's not about me. This election is about all of us as one country,” Robredo added in Filipino.
Ramos said the motorcade was just the start of their campaign for the vice president.
“Sulit na naman ang pagod at puyat! Simula pa lamang ito! Uulit-ulitin lamang po natin ang sinabi ni maam: Gisingin ang natutulog pang lakas! Magtatagumpay tayo! (The fatigue and staying awake all night are all worth it! This is just the start! We will just repeat what maam said: Let us awaken our strength from dormancy! We will win!),” he added in the post with the hashtag #LabanLeni2022 followed by the strong arm emoji with three pink hearts.
The color pink seems to be the unofficial color of the opposition after Robredo’s supporters called on each other to wear pink or tie a pink ribbon in their gates on Thursday, Oct. 7, when the vice president announced her candidacy.
READ: VP Leni says 'pink is the people's choice'
The vice president replied to Ramos’ Facebook post.
“Maraming salamat (Thank you). Tunay na laban ng taumbayan (A true fight of the people),” she said with an emoticon of Philippine flag.
Aside from Lawyers for Leni, also at the motorcade are Bankers for Leni, Bikers for Leni, Riders for Leni, LGBTQIA+ for Leni, and IT-BPO for Leni, and many others.