Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo was surprised at the huge crowd of pink-clad supporters and volunteers who turned out to welcome her at the St. Joseph Cathedral in Bataan on Saturday, Feb. 12.

Speaking from the balcony of the cathedral, the lone female presidential candidate said her camp didn’t think the turnout would be as many even though they already talked with a lot of volunteers.

“Hindi ko inaasahan na ganito kayo kadami (I didn’t expect that you would be this many),” she told the crowd who chanted “Leni! Leni! Leni!” and cheered as she addressed them.

Despite the long battle ahead, Robredo added that she is emboldened by what her Bataan supporters showed her this morning.

“Ngayon, nakikita ko kayo nandito na kasama natin sa laban. Binibigyan nyo po ako ng lakas ng loob...hindi nyo lang po pinapalakas ang loob ko pero sinasabi ninyo sa amin ngayong umaga na ang laban na ito ay laban nyo rin (Now, I see you here together in this fight. You are giving me courage...you are not just giving me courage but you are also telling us this morning that this fight is your fight, too),” she said.

“Sana po hindi kayo magsawa ituloy ang laban. Nasa kamay ninyo po ang lahat ang kapangyarihan na pumili ng kung anong daan ang tatahakin ng ating bansa (I hope you won’t get tired to continue the fight. All the power is in your hands to choose what path our country will take),” Robredo added.

At the provincial capitol, the presidential candidate called this election campaign her “happiest” because of the trust given to her by the people.

Despite deciding belatedly, her volunteers are the ones who filled in the gaps.

Emphasizing the importance of this year’s elections, Robredo said it is not just about choosing the right candidate, but it is about choosing the kind of politics and governance voters like for the next six years.

The Vice President believes that despite the sacrifices, “the good will triumph.”

“Ang ating pinaglalaban ngayong eleksyon na talagang siguruhin iyong tao tumitiwala sa pamahalaan. Kasi kapag tulong-tulong iyong tao saka gobyerno, mas maraming natutulungan (What we are fighting for this elections is to make sure that the people will trust the government. Because if the people and government help each other, they can help more),” Robredo said.

She will bring the confidence given to her by the visit in Bataan in the next 86 days.

“Dala-dala po namin pagalis dito sa Bataan yung pinaramdam po ninyong pagmamahal hindi lang para sa amin kundi para sa ating bayan (We bring with us when we leave Bataan the love you made us feel not only for us, but for the country),” she said.

Robredo met with Bataan Gov. Albert Garcia and other local officials during her visit. She also had a meeting with Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos and members of the clergy, the Robredo People’s Council (RPC), and multisectoral groups.