MARCH 20 marked the eve of the changing of seasons. Winter gave way to spring as activism and volunteerism saw a renaissance in the growing number of Filipinos now invested in the campaign of Leni Robredo for president and Kiko Pangilinan for vice president.
From the Peoples’ Rally and caravan that kicked off the campaign season for the Leni-Kiko Team in Leni’s hometown in Naga, we have seen the rising of peoples’ enthusiasm as the campaign moved from town to town and city to city in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
We have witnessed more and more people in attendance, with Leni-Kiko supporters from the grassroots sharing their time, talents, effort to show their vote of confidence for “Gobyernong Tapat,” and hope springs eternal for a “Kulay Rosas ang Bukas” and “Angat Buhay Lahat”— a testament to the people’s faith and trust in VP Leni Robredo and Senator Francis Pangalinan.
137,000 Filipinos went to Emerald Avenue in Ortigas Center, Pasig and the pink crowd just filled the adjacent streets for a dazzling display of how these people are so committed in making the change they want to see really happen in the corruption-plagued government in the Philippines.
Such astounding show of activism was noted by no less than Ariana Grande sharing video of massive Leni-Kiko Pasig Rally singing her hit song “Break Free”on social media.
Billboard even described it this way: “While showing their support, the group began to sing Ariana Grande’s 2014 hit, “Break Free,” and the high-energy moment was captured in a video that went viral on social media. Soon enough, the clip made its way to Grande herself, who shared the aerial view of the crowd to her Instagram Stories.”
The word “high energy” cannot even capture the spirit of the people — young and old — in Pasig, and in the other Leni-Kiko People’s Rallies before this event. One thing is for sure, it is such a powerful feeling of love for the country and hope for the future that make people in the event tear up, including more than 350,000 of us who were with them virtually as we witness the unfolding of this special celebration of people united by one common aspiration.
The attendees started filling up Emerald Avenue in the morning, enduring the sweltering heat, and no bathroom breaks as the crowd got bigger ahead of the day-long celebration of music, chanting, dancing, picnics, camaraderie, climaxed by the speech of Leni Robredo at night.
Let me share some of the insights and experiences of these people as shared on social media:
“I cannot imagine I will be signing the National Anthem with more than 100,000 people today.” – Jes Mirasol
“Ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo #PasigIsPink…” – Jun Robles Lana as he posted aerial shots of event
“Tuwing naiisip ko si VP Leni, sumasagi sa isipan ko ang dami at lawak ng mga posibilidad na mabago at mapaunlad ang Pilipinas”. – Miyake Izabel
“All it takes is a single voice. A single voice loud enough for other people to hear. A single voice that’ll encourage others to use theirs as well. A single voice that can spark a movement.” – Jessika
“Sobrang na-feel ko kung gaano siya ka-dedicated at ka-willing to serve the people. Kung narinig niyo yung speech niya, mas marami pa ang pag-endorse niya kay VP kaysa sa sarili niya” – Renz Saavedra
“EXTREMELY PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS HISTORIC EVENT!” – J.M. Dangane ,MD
“For a gov’t with a concrete pandemic response and economic recovery plan, push for a good int’l image, and most of all, uplift lives of Filipinos so they can fulfill their needs and even have extra to enjoy things that make them happy!” – BB
Kudos, VP @lenirobredo& Pasig Kakampinks, for an epic #PasigLaban! Together, we defied fake news and red-tagging. Together, we can do more and win. If we expand our reach and level-up our unity, NCR can become “National Capital for Robredo”. Yes we can #MakabayanForLeniKiko – Elmer Labog
“The best man for the job is a WOMAN Pink Movement Happening Today In Pasig…Responsible Universities and Educators Trust the Movement I haven’t felt this good in years even if I stood for 7-8 hours! Maraming salamat Team TRoPa for inspiring many of us to come out and support you all! You have brought out the best in Filipinos #IpanloNa10To #PASIGLaban” – Jade Therese
“With my wife attending the #PasigLaban . In 2016 both of us voted for Leni but since I came from Mindanao, I voted for D30. 3 months after the election, I realized I made a mistake. 2022 is different! Solid ka tropa.” – 3Poms
“Mom/dad always talked about the people power revolutions before as if they were dreams…went to #PasigLaban today. Now i understand”. -Jenju
Sa lakas na pinaramdam ng Pasig, damang dama na natin ang pag asa. Salamat, Pilipino! Ipapanalo natin ‘to! Yung pink rallies, may Lost and Found na booth. Yung unity rallies, may paannouncement ng mga nanakawan ng wallet at cellphones na nagmamakaawa na ibalik na. Rallies palang laki na ng pagkakaiba. – Wonderwoman
“Nagulat ako when I saw Nanay and Tatay! Ipapanalo po natin to! Ipapanalo po namin kayo! #LeniRobredo2022 #PasigLaban #PasigForLeniKiko #PasigisPink” – Ron Li
“I was a DDS and voted for Bongbong Marcos for vp in 2016. Today, I’m proud to say that I will never be a “mangmang” voter again. My character development slayed! Doon tayo sa TOTOO at TAPAT!!! My vote is for you mam @lenirobredo” – Kevin Villena
OMG WALA KAMING MASAKYAN NA GRAB SO ABANG ABANG KAMI NG JEEP TAPOS MAY TUMIGIL NA RANDOM KOTSE SAMIN KASI NAKITANG NAKA PINK KAMI TAPOS TINANONG KUNG PAPUNTA RAW KAMI ORTIGAS, ISABAY NA RAW KAMI SINCE PUNTA RIN SILA SA RALLY HUHUHUHU GRABEEE!!!! #PasigLaban #PasigIsPink” -Grey
“So nalaglag ng sister ko yung driver’s license and SSS ID nya during the #PasigLaban rally and true to the values espoused by the pink revolution, naisoli sa kanya after the event. Leni brings out the best in us at a time when the current establishment brings out the worst” – GisingPH
“My nieces was narrating what happen to them yesterday. She mentions dami daw namimigay ng food. Ubos n daw tubig nila, uhaw na uhaw na daw sila. Ginaya nya daw ginawa ng iba, she raised a placard with note asking for water. Dumarating daw ang tubig pasa pasahan from the people.” – Ana Trecia Bantigue
“Ang tagal ko nang ‘di kinikilabutan nang ganito sa nakikita ko. At ang kilabot na ito, hindi na dala ng takot. Kay tagal kong naghintay.” – Chiara Zambrano
“GOOSEBUMPS WHEN BEN AND BEN STARTED SINGING SABEL SINCE IT’S A SONG FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND LENI ROBREDO IS AN EPITOME OF AN ENPOWERED WOMAN!” – Chad
“Amazeball talga ang mga kakampink. Pag may nangangailangan ng medic, the crowd chant all together “MEDIC” to get attention. Graaabe! Concern for others, iba talaga ang pluwensya ng mabuting lider!” – Sumshine
“This picture (of Leni hugging children) speaks so much! May this be a reminder for us to vote very very wisely not just for us but for the future of our children. Our children deserves a good governance. They deserve a good future. Let’s win this battle for them.” – Anj
“Today, we pushed back against red-tagging and attempts at disunity, we showed up with a GIGANTIC mob w/ record-breaking (near regime-ousting) numbers, and demonstrated true unity based on our desire for better governance.” – Rey
Kayang kaya natin ‘to. Ipanalo natin ‘to! #PasigLaban “Someone said, “This is no longer a rally, this is history.” We are fighting not only for the present generation but also for the next ones that will carry this remarkable bravery to fight for what we deserve. What a night!” – Kiel
“Sana lang huwag matulad sa Edsa, that people felt it was the end. It was just the start. May mga kasama tayo na ganun ang isip, sinisi pa ang Edsa. Di nila naintindihan, Edsa was about us, people power. As Leni says, “we are the answer to each one’s prayer.”– Manny
“Yes, Leni Robredo’s middle class base showed up in this behemoth rally at #PasigLaban. The real challenge now is to translate this immense political energy be co-owned by the basic masses, which is morally yearning for genuine change . Abutin ang mga tunay na nasa laylayan.” – Hadji Balajadia
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989. She was a news anchor, TV host and radio commentator and public service host for ABS- CBN and DZMM. She is now working on her advocacies independently, serving the Filipino audience using different media platforms. You may contact her through email at [email protected], or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos. Also on Twitter, Instagram: Gel Santos Relos
