Actor Donny Pangilinan has declared his support for his uncle Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan's vice presidential bid.
In a lengthy Instagram post on Saturday, March 19, Donny shared some memories of him and lessons he learned from his uncle and concluded it with a declaration of support.
"It is with great pride and honor to call you my tito. You have my vote and of course my full support this coming May," the younger Pangilinan said.
The message of support also came ahead of the first round of the vice presidential debate organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Sunday, March 20.
Donny shared that he has always looked up to his uncle--literally and figuratively.
"Many know you officially as a senator, and a VP candidate - but personally, to me, you’re someone more than that...you’re a Ninong, an uncle, and a second dad to me and many of my cousins," the younger Pangilinan said.
Donny is the son of Anthony Pangilinan and Maricel Laxa.
The actor also revealed that the senator is his first employer. Donny worked as a farmer in the lawmaker's farm.
"Tito Kiko was my first ever employer too. One summer, I think I was around 13 or 14, Tito texted me and some of my cousins asking if we wanted to work as farmers in his farm so that we could experience a fraction of the hard work that farmers go through on a daily basis," Donny shared.
"He himself arranged everything to have all of us picked up, to stay over at his place for 4 days, be woken up really early and to learn from the farmers what it meant to work—exhausted, hungry and sweaty," he said.
The 24-year-old actor recalled that he and his cousins received their salary for four days "which was the minimum wage at that time."
"He wanted to teach us that with what we went through, this was the amount farmers usually get paid per day. We appreciated the farmers more and what they provide for our country. This is why I fully believe his heart for the farmers and the country - because I have personally seen this even from a very young age," Donny said.
"Away from the big crowds, the cameras, and the media, I have seen his heart for people. Someone who is so humble, efficient, hardworking, shows up, and of course has zero corruption," he added.
The senator recently told supporters during a campaign rally in Koronadal City last week that his nephew will soon join his campaign trail.
He also posted a photo of him and Donny on Facebook on Sunday morning, teasing supporters and netizens who have been anticipating the actor's appearance in the campaign activities.
The aspiring vice president is the running mate of presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo.
READ MORE: Donny Pangilinan to join uncle Kiko's campaign trail soon