Showing they are all behind her, the three daughters of Vice President Leni Robredo are up to the gargantuan task of campaigning for their mother— here and abroad.
Robredo’s daughters—Aika, Tricia, and Jillian—have been actively joining the Vice President in the campaign trail, but they know these political rallies aren’t enough.
Although Jillian already flew back to the United States to finish college, she’s still lending a hand to support her mother’s candidacy.
Jillian, the youngest sibling, led hundreds of Filipino migrants who held a ‘Walk for Democracy’ march from Bryant Park to the Philippine consulate in New York City last March 27.
Joining her was Kakie Pangilinan, the daughter of Robredo’s vice presidential running mate Sen. Kiko Pangilinan.
Members of 1Sambayan USA, Global Filipinos for Leni, Young Global Filipinos for Leni, Malaya, United Filipinos for Leni North America, and members of Filipino communities from nearby areas participated in the event.
In her short message, the young Robredo expressed her gratitude to the participants for supporting her mother’s presidential bid.
“Your support, encouragement, at yung pakikiisa ninyo sa pangarap natin para sa bayan (and your participation to our dream for the country), is one of the things that inspires all of us every day,” said Jillian, who is set to finish her double degree in Economics and Mathematics from New York University in May this year.
“Damang-dama namin ‘yung radikal na pagmamahal na nagpapatakbo sa People’s Campaign natin. Kaya maraming maraming salamat po sa lahat ng ginagawa ninyo (We really feel the radical love that runs our People’s Campaign. Thank you very much for everything you’ve done),” she added.
Jillian stressed that they need to double their efforts to reach more people, change the minds of the unconvinced, and get more voters on their side.
“Tiwala kaming maliliwanagan ang mga tao at papanig sila sa mga lider na handang ipaglaban ang kinabukasan nila, at ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay (We trust the people will be enlightened and they will side with leaders who are ready to fight for their future and their loved ones),” she said.
In the Philippines, Aika and Tricia have been leading house-to-house campaigns in Manila and the provinces.
READ: Robredo sisters urge Kakampinks: Avoid name-calling, calmly convert more people
Tricia, who is a doctor, even posted a photo of her shaking hands with a supporter of her mother’s rival, former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
She called on her mother’s supporters to be mindful of the way they interact with supporters of other presidential candidates.
“Hindi maco-convert lahat pero lumalapit pa rin para bumati, lalo na dahil nakikidaan lang tayo sa lugar nila. Nung lumapit ako kay Nanay (Not everyone can be converted but we still have to greet, especially because we’re just passing by their area. When I went near Nanay), she was pleasant & she even greeted back. Pahabol niya, ‘hindi tayo ang nag-aaway’ (She said, ‘we are not the ones fighting’),” she tweeted.
“Humbling reminder. I hope we all keep this in mind,” Tricia added.
Aika, the eldest, also has the same sentiments.
She had first-hand encounters wherein people would reject talking to them because they already have someone they want to vote for.
“Mahalaga pa rin ang usapang tao sa tao, one on one. Maraming bahay na ang kinatok namin na ibang kandidato ang sinusuportahan. Basta bukas makinig, subukan natin. Minsan, sasalubungin ka pa ng nakangiti (Talking one-on-one is still more important. We knocked on many houses whose owners would say that they’re already supporting another candidate. Just be open to listening, let’s try. Sometimes, they’ll welcome you with a smile),” Aika shared.