Vice presidential candidate Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan was overwhelmed with a rousing welcome by his supporters as he returned to his hometown of Quezon City on Sunday, February 13.
Pangilinan, who was met with a sea of pink, answered the people's cries of support with a vow to stand alongside hardworking Filipinos if he and presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo win in the upcoming polls.
In his speech, it was time to end the tragedy of Filipinos under administrations who leave those on the fringes of society or "laylayan" to fend for themselves.
"Uunahin natin ang mga nasa laylayan dahil habang sila'y naiiwan, hindi tayo magiging matibay na bansa (We will prioritize those who at the fringes of society because for as long as we leave them behind, we will never be a strong country)," he said.
The senator recalled that when he was a kid, he was accidentally left behind by his parents after a mass at Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City. After they realized that he was missing, Pangilinan said his parents returned to the church to find him playing.
"Minsan nagtatanong ako kung ano kaya ang nangyari sa akin kung hindi na ako binalikan. Marami sa ating mga kababayan ngayon na hindi binabalikan, nakakalimutan na, hindi ito tama (Sometimes I think what would have happened to me if they did not come back for me. A lot of our countrymen are forgotten and this is not right)," he said.
"Sila ang kailangan tulungan ng administrasyon, sila ang kinakailangang balikan at kupkupin (They are the ones the administration need to help and accept)," he added.
Running with the campaign battle cry "Hello, pagkain. Goodbye, gutom," Pangilinan said the country's farmers are among the sectors who have been neglected and thus need support from the government.
A farmer himself for 10 years now, he said he has experienced the hardships farmers go through in producing food for every Filipino and in battling calamities and lack of assistance from the government.
Citing the case of Ka Meg, a 67-year-old farmer he met in his Biyahe ni Kiko campaign journey, he said it is unacceptable that for many decades of tilling the land to bring food to every table, he remains poor and neglected.
Pangilinan said he and Robredo will not leave their campaign vows as mere promises but will work hard to bring better lives to the Filipinos.
"Kasama ang lider na matino at mahusay, ipanalo natin ito (Along with a proper and efficient leader, let's win this)," he said.
"Hindi 'sana all' pero 'dapat all' may masustansyang pagkain, may edukasyon, may hanapbuhay, may hustisya, may maayos na serbisyo, may oportunidad na umunlad sa buhay," Pangilinan said (It's not a wish but a must that everyone has nutritious food, education, livelihood, justice, service, and opportunity for a better life)," he added.
Supporters in pink and waving flags gathered in and out of the Quezon City Memorial Circle to show force and support for the tandem of Robredo and Pangilinan.
Several senatorial candidates of the Robredo-Pangilinan slate were also present: Teddy Baguilat, Chel Diokno, Richard Gordon, Sonny Matula, Risa Hontiveros, and Sonny Trillanes IV. Senator Leila de Lima was represented by her spokesperson.
Leaders of various sectoral organizations also read a manifesto of support for Robredo and Pangilinan.
Pangilinan, meanwhile, thanked volunteers and friends for organizing the event that turned Quezon City pink.