The loud and repeated cheers of the crowd at the Alyansa campaign sortie in Antipolo City reminded President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. of the 2022 presidential campaign.
President Marcos Jr. during the campaign sortie at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal on April 4 (photo by Nel Andrade/Manila Bulletin)
The loud cheers and repeated “BBM, BBM, BBM” chants by the huge crowd during the "Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas" senatorial campaign rally at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on April 4 became a reminiscing moment for the President.
As President Marcos Jr. emerged on the stage following the introduction of the female emcee and the beating of the drums, the crowd shouted “B-B-M, B-B-M, B-B-M!” several times, prompting the President to repeatedly thanked the audience for the warm welcome he received.
“Maraming, maraming salamat po. Magandang gabi po Rizal, magandang gabi Antipolo! (Many, many thanks. Good evening Rizal, good evening Antipolo), the President responded to the cheers of the crowd and waited for the shouting of the popular acronym of his name, which stands for Bongbong Marcos, to tone down.
The President said the loud repeated cheers and shouting of his acronym reminded him of the 2022 presidential sortie where the crowd was very jubilant.
“Akala ko pagkatapos ng halalaan noong 2022 ay hindi na natin maririnig ang sigaw na “B-B-M” pero dito sa Antipolo, dito sa Rizal, hindi n’yo po nakakalimutan. Maraming salamat po. (I thought that after the 2022 election, we will not anymore hear the shouting of “B-B-M”, but here in Antipolo, here in Rizal, you still remember it. Thank you so much.)
Rizal Governor Nina Ricci Ynares, City Mayor Jun Ynares and other provincial government officials and local chief executives were seen clapping their hands in response to the president's remarks.
“Paalala ko lang po sa inyo, hindi po ako kandidato. Hindi ako tumatakbong senador. Ito po ang ating mga senatorial candidates (May I remind you, I am not a candidate. I am not running as a senatorial candidate), the President uttered.
(Screengrab from Radio TV Malacanang's live feed of the Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas campaign sortie in Antipolo City)
At the Antipolo sortie, the first campaign rally in April and the third in Region 4-A, the President introduced the 11 candidates that comprise the Alyansa team.
In 2022, Marcos Jr. enjoyed more than 760,000 votes against former Vice President Leni Robredo in the total votes cast in Rizal Province.
The President highlighted the major accomplishments of the 11 senatorial bets under the Alyansa slate, underscoring the candidates' expertise in their field either as a former local government unit head, member of the Senate and House of Representatives or a national government secretary.
Present at the sortie in Antipolo were former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos; Makati Mayor Abby Binay; Senators Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid; former senator Ping Lacson and former Senate President Tito Sotto; Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar.
Former senator Manny Pacquiao was absent.
(Photo by Nel Andrade/Manila Bulletin)