Before a massive crowd estimated at 35,000 people, presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo asked her supporters to increase their number, confident of the positive outcome of the support she has been getting in all of her campaign rallies.
“Hikayatin pa natin ang mga kakilala natin. Welcome po ang lahat dito. Sabihin natin sa kanila, ‘masaya dito!’ Puno ng pag-asa dito (Let us encourage those we know. Everyone is welcome here. Let us tell them, ‘it’s fun here!’ It is full of hope here),” she told the crowd during the Leni-Kiko rally at the Cesar C. Climaco Freedom Park in Zamboanga City on Thursday night, March 17.
With only 53 days left before the May 9 elections, the lone female presidential candidate went philosophical as she called on Zamboangueños to bring more people onto their “boats” and sail toward victory.
“Ipasara man ang mga daan, itigil man ang mga biyahe ng sasakyan, baklasin man ang ating mga tarp, pinturahan at i-vandalize man ang mga mural, sa harap ng kasinungalingan, umaraw man o umulan, walang kaya pumigil sa nagkakaisang lakas ng taong bayan (Even if they close the roads, even if they stop the public transport, even if they take down our tarps, paint and vandalize the murals, in the face of lies, rain or shine, no one can stop the united strength of the people),” Robredo said.
The Zamboanga City Task Force said the estimated crowd was at 35,000.
In her Cavite rally that drew 47,000 people, Gov. Jonvic Remulla reportedly closed roads leading to the venue while in Negros Occidental, rented buses that were supposed to take supporters to the venue were canceled at the last minute.
All over the country, particularly in Isabela and Las Piñas, Robredo and running mate Sen. Kiko Pangilinan’s murals were defaced and their tarpaulins taken down by authorities.
But the Vice President said this has never stopped kakampinks, a combination of the words “kakampi (ally)” and pink, in pushing for her candidacy.
“Tayo (Us), we show up, dahil alam natin ang nakataya sa laban na ito (because we know what’s at stake in this fight),” Robredo added.
She assured them that unity, compassion, and hope will bring them to victory as these are the same things that will allow them to fight back against repression and stand strong despite the misgivings.
“Meron ba sa inyong kinakabahan? Meron ba sa inyong natataranta? Alam kong hindi kayo iyon (Are you nervous? Are you panicking? I know that’s not you),” Robredo said, as the crowd shouted “no!”
Thousands of her supporters also chanted, “Hindi kami bayad (We are not paid)!”
“Alam ko ‘yun. Madalas, abonado pa kayo (I know that. Usually, you even spent your own money),” the Vice President answered back.
Before Robredo took the stage to give another impassioned speech, rain poured as Pangilinan and their senatorial slate delivered their messages.
That didn’t stop supporters as they braved the downpour and danced along to Gab Valenciano’s energetic moves.
Senatorial candidate and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno asked them, “Kayo ba ay bayad (Were you paid)?”
It was a shade to Cavite Rep. Boying Remulla who alleged that Robredo’s Cavite supporters were paid P500 each to attend the rally last March 4.
Even former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr. had something to say: “Hindi ako artista, hindi ako action star...Magpasa ng batas ang trabaho ng senador (I am not an actor, I am not an action star...the job of a senator is to pass laws).”
When it was Robredo’s turn to take the stage, the rain stopped and a cultural dance was performed to showcase Zamboanga’s rich culture. Dancers holding pink flags reminiscent of colorful vintas, which is a testament to Zamboanga’s Layag Festival, revealed Robredo who was caught on camera having a little dance.
Roberto "Ka Dodoy" Ballon, the 2021 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, handed over a pink paddle printed with "Bagong Pag-asa (New Hope).”
While she was speaking to the crowd, a huge butterfly flew overhead that caused her to pause and say, “Nagpaparamdam parati ang asawa ko (My husband usually makes his presence known) in the form of a butterfly kaya ibig sabihin kasama natin parati siya (so it means he is always with us).”
Former Interior secretary Jesse Robredo was a recipient of the 2008 Mayor Cesar Climaco Award.
Climaco, to whom the park where the rally was held was named after, was the uncle of Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco, who earlier endorsed Robredo’s presidential bid.
He was a vocal critic of the Martial Law regime and was assassinated in 1984.
Like many of their past rallies, the Leni-Kiko sortie in Zamboanga was star-studded as Hidilyn Diaz, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, welcomed kakampinks to Zamboanga. Her parents were reportedly part of the crowd.
Singers Yeng Constantino, Erik Santos, and Moira Dela Torre took the stage to perform some of their hits. The three also sang Constantino’s hit song “Hawak Kamay” with the crowd singing along them.
Jolina Magdangal, Nikki Valdez, and Rica Peralejo, who all made names in the 1990s, were the event hosts.