Supporters of the BBM-Sara Uniteam on Sunday, Nov. 21, showed their strength by staging what they called as the ‘caravan for peace, unity and progress’ in major cities and provinces all over the country.
The simultaneous BBM-Sara Uniteam parade was initiated by supporters of both Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and Vice Presidential bet Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio, which started as early as 8 a.m. in more than 30 cities and 15 provinces in Mindanao, Bicol Region, Calabarzon, Abra, Northern Luzon, and Metro Manila.
The series of caravans, which was graced by Marcos and Duterte-Carpio in Davao del Norte, was the first since they separately announced their candidacy for next year’s national election.
Both aspirants led their supporters in a massive show of force in Carmen and Tagum City with the numbers swelling to more than 10,000 participants which turned the streets into a sea of red and green.
The tandem, for the first time, addressed their supporters together and thanked them “for their support in our effort to rise again.”
“We will rise again,” Marcos told the crowd.
“Let us protect our candidates, let us protect our President, and let us protect BBM,” the Davao City Mayor told their supporters while also calling for unity.
Marcos and Duterte-Carpio also led in the oath-taking of new officials and candidates of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) which was later followed by the blessing and opening of the PFP headquarters in Tagum City.
“I’m really overwhelmed, just seeing the posts and live videos on social media by our supporters. I don’t know how to thank them for the effort they are showing,” Marcos added.
Droves of supporters also joined the caravan in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, further fortifying the “Solid North” which traditionally has supported the Marcos family.
Isabela Province residents also poured into the streets, while around 15,000 Marcos supporters led by Abra Rep. JB Bernos and other local officials trooped to the streets in Abra.
Supporters from Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, and Bataan held their respective “unity ride” to show their support for the BBM-Sara Uniteam.
Thousands also joined the caravans held in Bicol Region, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon and Laguna.
In Metro Manila, throngs of BBM-Sara Uniteam supporters from Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Manila, and Quezon City, held their own parades, while a group of bikers organized a clean-up drive in Manila Bay along the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
“Unity Riders” from the Visayas and Mindanao also held a parade in Bacolod, Aklan, and Cagayan de Oro City, where around 10,000 individuals registered.
Some of the invitations posted on social media as early as Saturday also showed that the supporters were not paid and were advised to follow minimum health and safety protocols.
Marcos thanked the organizers for “voluntarily organizing the simultaneous events and for their sacrifices in coming up with a successful unity ride.”
The BBM-Sara Uniteam believes that the country needs a “unifying leadership” as the Filipino people try to move on from the pandemic.