NAGA CITY—Bicolanos proved they can also give aspiring president Leni Robredo a massive show of force here in her hometown where she wrapped up her provincial campaign Friday night, May 6.
A mammoth crowd, which the local incident management team estimated as over 300,000 at the height of the event, welcomed Robredo back to her hometown, where she also staged her proclamation rally in February.
It was like a send-off gathering for Robredo and her slate for the May 9 elections.
The grand rally was also presented as the local miting de avance of Robredo, running mate Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, and their senatorial slate.
Her hometown was the last stop of her provincial campaign saga before staging her final miting de avance in Makati City Saturday, May 7.
It was not just the Bicolanos that showed might in supporting Robredo and her slate, celebrities like megastar Sharon Cuneta and actor Piolo Pascual came to take stand.
"On May 9 we will bring back decency to the presidency. We will vote for Ma'am Leni Robredo. Leni at Kiko lamang tayo sa May 9 (It will only be Leni and Kiko on May 9)," Cuneta, the wife of Pangilinan rallied the Bicolanos.
Pascual, who earlier expressed endorsement for Robredo, showed up for the first time in the vice president's campaign trail.
"Sa unang pagkakataon, gusto kong manindigan para sa totoo at honest na gobyerno. Ang tamang presidente ng Pilipinas Leni Robredo (For the first time, I want to stand for the truth and honest government. The right president is Leni Robredo)," the actor said.
He also serenaded the crowd after publicly declaring her support to Robredo's candidacy.
In Legazpi, Robredo became a unifying force as local government officials and candidates for local posts from different parties came in full force to endorse Robredo and Pangilinan during the grand rally there.
The opposition tandem also received the endorsement of sectoral representatives from the province.
With only three days to go before election day, Robredo said she is not anxious because she knows she gave it all. She also rallied her supporters to not be anxious and just keep the faith.
"Magtiwala lang, magtiwala lang kasi hindi lang ako ang nagsipag, sila din. Hindi lang naman ako ang ginawa ang lahat pero sila din (Keep the faith, keep the faith because I was not the only one who worked hard, they also did. I was not the only one who did everything, they also did)," Robredo said in an ambush interview, following the grand rally in Sorsogon City.
"Hindi ako kinakabahan, kasi ginawa ko naman ang lahat, ako na yata ang pinakamasipag (I am not anxious, because I did everything, I think I am the most diligent)," she added.