CEBU CITY—Former Tourism Secretary Ace Durano is keeping his hopes high in his uphill battle against incumbent Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Durano and his running mate, Cebu Vice Governor Hillario “Junjun” Davide III l, hosted a gathering for his allies and supporters in an event dubbed as “Multi-Sectoral Gathering For A Better Cebu” in Mandaue City on Wednesday, March 9.

In front of a sizable crowd at Bai Hotel, Durano disclosed that he is already thankful that he reached this far in the campaign, saying it did a lot of convincing from his family before he accepted the challenge to run for governor.

“A lot of people may ask why we are here as if we are already celebrating. But for me, it is very important to celebrate what we have already achieved. My journey started eight months ago. I started listening to the encouragements of sectoral groups. We have to hold our meetings secretly and now we are all together in this hotel,” Durano said.

“I did not expect that we will reach this point,” Durano added.

Odds are stacked against Durano as he is facing an opponent who has the support of most mayors in the province.

Yet, Durano remained optimistic of his chances and if the dream of Davide is to be believed, the former Cabinet member of the Arroyo administration is heading to occupy the highest government post in the province.

“I dreamed that he was already leading by 15,000 votes,” Davide said, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Durano thanked Davide for agreeing to partner with him.

Davide, a lawyer by profession, had actually decided that he would be retiring from politics at the end of his current term.

“I am very thankful to him (Davide) for postponing his retirement and be with me in this challenge,” Durano said.

Durano said his father, Danao City Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III was the first person who convinced him to run for governor.

Durano said his father may have saw his capabilities and that he may have not accepted the challenge without his prodding.

“He was the first to convince me and when he said he will shoulder all the expenses, I took his challenge seriously,” quipped Durano.

Durano likewise thanked the crowd for setting “political differences and preferences” as the event was attended by groups supporting different presidentiables.

Davide himself is supporting the presidential run of Vice President Leni Robredo.

Durano has yet to endorse a presidential candidate but his local party is supporting the Uniteam tandem of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte.

“It’s okay if we have groups here with different presidentiables beause we are not a political party. This is a movement,a movement for a better Cebu,” said Durano.

Durano is running under Partido Pilipino Pagbabago (PPP).

In PPP’s recent national convention, Durano disclosed that the party decided that it will not endorse any presidential candidate.

“The decision was that no presidentiable will be endorsed. No reason was given,” said Durano.

Durano said the party also decided that should President Duterte endorse a presidentiable, it will be the same candidate that the PPP will be supporting.