“There’s nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.”

That's the famous line from the movie “Pearl Harbor” that fittingly explained why opposition senatorial aspirant Chel Diokno turned to volunteers to boost his campaign for the 2022 polls.

Kheena Thrisia Ligas, the head volunteer in Cebu for Chel, has spent her days lately arranging a meet-up with Diokno and her fellow volunteers during the aspiring candidate's recent visit to Cebu City.

She got more than she can imagine.

In a Facebook post, Ligas shared her experience with Diokno, whom she described as very “hands-on”, aside from being simple and very warm to the people.

“What actually shocked me the most was that they were really hands-on with the volunteers. In the campaigns I've closely observed, I have never met someone THIS connected with volunteers,” she wrote, emphasis hers.

In particular, Ligas was surprised when she saw Diokno walking without any security.

“Alam naman natin na (We know) the usual is candidates really have VERY tight security with them. They don't really spend the ENTIRE day with close-ins pero (but) this is the first time na Atty. Chel and Kuya Abe (his son) asked anyone from Cebu if they're willing to be close-ins ba,” she said.

“He was very simple lang, and sobrang warm ng approach niya sa mga nagpapapicture sa kanya (He was very simple and had a warm approach to those who asked for a photo with him),” the volunteer added.

She was also surprised when Diokno opted to stay outside a café, instead of looking for a fancy place, while doing his scheduled interview.

Ligas said she and other volunteers were also able to ride Diokno’s car when they went to a place where he was scheduled to play badminton with his other supporters.

“We were also able to ride in his car with Atty. himself!!! AAAAAHHH! We were internally screaming because me??? my friends??? inside Atty. Chel's car? National candidates don't even do this to their supporters/volunteers,” she said.

After that, Diokno treated her and the other volunteers to a hearty dinner that included Cebu specialties such as lechon and tuslob buwa.

Diokno, a human rights lawyer, is a member of the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino. He is officially under the ticket of presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo.

With not enough resources and few political allies, the opposition ticket heavily banks on the work of volunteers under what Robredo called “people’s campaign".

Ligas called on the electorate to vote for Diokno in the 2022 elections, saying “Let’s not put a good candidate to waste.”

“Atty. Diokno has a good track record and can also contribute a lot in the Senate,” she said.