Aspiring vice president Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan turned sentimental on Sunday, April 3, as he recalled the "lonely" road leading to his current bid to be elected as the country's next vice president.

Pangilinan revealed that there were times in the last five years where he wanted to give up amid criticisms and threats. But doing so, he said, would mean giving up on his children's future.

The senator stated this during the "Kwentuhan tayo with Kiko," where he led the launching of the children's story book about him, entitled "Luntiang Kinabukasan: Ang Kwento ni Kiko Pangilinan."

"There were times when I wanted to give up. The last five and half years, it was very lonely. We continue to remain outspoken and we continue to speak up despite insults, the bashing on social media, death threats," he said.

"And why did we do this? Because if we gave up, it was like I was giving up on KC, Frankie, and Miel, and Miguel and a better future for them. And no parent in his right mind would give up. That we will fight," he continued.

During the virtual launch, Pangilinan bared there were times he wanted to give up but he knew that giving up would mean giving up the future of his kids and all other Filipino youth. "We're doing this for them," he said. @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/oyxmUZYGlE

— Betheena Unite (@MB_unite) April 3, 2022

Pangilinan, who entertained questions during the virtual event from mostly children and parents, said that this fight—the vice presidential race for May 2022 polls— is for the Filipino children.

He further said that his role as a father and a long-time lawmaker is actually not world apart.

"Gaya rin ng nasabi sa libro (Like what the book says). We love our children. We will do everything and anything to be there for them. Sabi nga, may kasabihan, kahit nga lamok, di natin pinapayagan na madapuan ang ating mga sanggol, ang ating mga anak. Lalabanan natin 'yan. Poprotektahan natin sila. Gagawin natin lahat para sa kanila (Like what the saying says, we don't want our children to be touched even by mosquitoes. We will fight that. We will protect them. We will do anything for them)," the senator said.

"Yung pagiging ama at pagiging senador, isa lang 'yan. At yun din ang ginagawa natin dito sa laban na ito (Being a father and senator is just the same. And that is what we are doing in this fight)," he added.

"We're doing this because mahal natin ang ating mga anak, mahal natin ang ating bansa, alam natin na kailangan nating gawin ito para matiyak na pagdating ng panahon, mas maganda na ang ating bansa para sa ating mga anak (we love them, we love our country, we know that we need to do this to make sure that in the future, we will have a better country for our children). We're doing this for them," he went on.

The senator also said that he does not believe that a different set of standards is needed in being a father, politician, and husband.

“I may wear so many hats, whether as a father, as a son, as a husband, or as a senator, the values are all the same. Hindi pwedeng (It should not be) double standards. That’s why very important sa akin ang pamilya (That's why family is very important to me),” he added.

Pangilinan is the running mate of presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo.

With his bid, he is advocating for growth through agriculture and food security to end hunger in the country and provide better lives for those who belong to the farming and fishing industry.

The book, “Luntiang Kinabukasan: Ang Kwento ni Kiko Pangilinan (A Green Tomorrow: The Story of Kiko Pangilinan),” is authored by Eugene Evasco, translated by Yvette Fernandez, and illustrated by Ara Villena.