If you ever happen to pass by Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City, you will see just across Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) a long, mural-filled wall dedicated to presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate, Senator Kiko Pangilinan.
A project of the group Artists for Leni, fine arts students from different universities and colleges painted the murals to showcase the different reasons why Filipinos should carry the Vice President to victory in May 2022.
In front of the wall are large letter standees spelling out the names “Leni” in pink and “Kiko” in green.
Robredo herself attended the official unveiling of the mural, as well as the inauguration of the volunteer center beside it.
In a Facebook post, Robredo commended the bayanihan spirit of the volunteer artists, who she described as one with her in spreading the “message of hope".
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa oras, panahon, at talento ng mga artists na nakikiisa sa atin. Patunay po ito na pagmamahal ang magpapanalo sa atin sa laban nating ito (We thank the time, effort, and talent shown by the artists who are one with us. This is proof that love will help us win this fight),” she said.
READ: LOOK: A 60-foot portrait of VP Leni Robredo is being made in Quezon City
In a video posted on the official Facebook page of the Vice President, one of the volunteers called the lady official a “symbol of hope”.
In this context, another volunteer described the upcoming 2022 elections as “a life-and-death situation".
“Kailangan may gawin kami this time. Mare-realize ng mga tao na, life and death situation ‘yung pagboto mo kasi, depende sa leader mo, ‘yung mga situation like this-pandemic, kung paano ina-address (We need to do something this time. People will realize that their vote is a life-and-death situation because it depends on your leader, situations like this—pandemic—how they will address it),” the volunteer said.
Yet another volunteer said of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response, "With what little she (Robredo) had, she was able to do as much.“
Perhaps the most popular mural is the artists' version of the artwork done by Robert Alejandro for Robredo.
The artwork showed a group of faceless people riding a pink jeepney. Another artwork showed medical frontliners, which are front and center of the Vice President’s COVID-19 response program. The words “kakampink mo kami (we’re your allies)” can be seen.
Kakampink is a combination of the words “kakampi (ally)” and pink.
Another artwork showed Robredo in a blue blouse while flexing her muscles. The word “laban (fight)” is spelled with pink letters and adorned with pink roses.
READ: Robredo supporters get creative with ‘Kakampink challenge' responses
The murals also featured Pangilinan and people from different walks of life—some in wheelchairs—with the words “Rosas ang kulay ng bukas (Pink is the color of tomorrow).”
Then, of course, there is an image of Robredo in her trademark pink blouse, with the words “lalaban tayo (we will fight)”--lifted straight from her declaration speech--splashed above.
An image of the Philippine map was also included in the mural with the words “isang bayan (one nation),” “isang laban (one fight),” “isang pagkakataon (one chance),” and “gawin ang tama (do what’s right)” written its side.
Another wall showed the images of Robredo and Pangilinan surrounded with pink flowers. Between them are the words, “Ang nagmamahal kailangan ipaglaban ang minamahal (Those who love need to fight for those whom they love).”