FILIPINO American community leader and philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis reiterated her urgent plea to the hundreds of Filipinos who attended the Pink Caravan rally to support the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem.
“Call your relatives, your neighbors. Let them know why they should think hard and vote for Leni Robredo,” she said. “And if ever they are offered any money by other candidates, kunin nila pero iboto ang konsensya.”
The rally in Bergenfield was the fourth major caravan staged by organizers to drum up support for the campaign.
It was attended by around 250 Filipino Americans in more than 100 cars from various cities of New Jersey and New York.
Among the guest speakers and attendees were Dr. Jocelyn Robredo-Austria, sister of the late Jesse Robredo, Bobby Young, Nida Gonzales-Chan, 1Sambayan’s Shirley Atienza, Jujo Conol, Edwin Josue, Tess dela Cruz, Jerry Sibal, Manny Caballero, Paul Verzosa, Eduardo dela Cruz, among others.
Sounds of Manila sang a few songs including the national anthems of the United States and the Philippines and the patriotic Filipino song Bayan Ko, which left a few participants including host Amira Allah teary-eyed.
After the motorcade that went around the main streets of the borough, participants returned to the Veterans Park for lunch, fellowship and line dancing. The organizers also announced plans for Angat Buhay Walk of Hope in Jersey City’s Lincoln Park scheduled for April 3.
“Ang People Power 30 years ago, sa EDSA lang. Ngayon, people power is all over the Philippines. Leni’s power is in the people,” Lewis said.
Organizers led by Hector Fonacier and Flora Villanueva from Bergenfield who are staunch Leni-Kiko supporters expressed their gratitude to the attendees who joined the rally despite the rainy weather, and to everyone who donated money and food for the breakfast and lunch of all the attendees.
“We are thankful to all our fellow organizers and to those who helped us make this event very successful,” said Fonacier in a post-caravan statement. n
