Text by ELLEN TORDESILLAS
Photos by MARIO IGNACIO
LIPA CITY.—Batangueños gave Liberal Party presidential candidate Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and his running mate, Manuel “Mar” Roxas Jr., a rapturous welcome here over the weekend.
Gov. Vilma Santos and her husband Ralph Recto, who is running for senator in the LP slate, received and hosted Aquino and Roxas, who were in the province for rallies here and in Batangas City.
“Twenty-five days na lang, tayo ay magkaroon na ng pagbabago. Twenty-five days na lang at tapos na ang ating kahirapan (Twenty-five more days to change and to an end to our hardship),” said former Senator Franklin Drilon, amplifying the LP campaign slogan, “Kung walang kurap, walang mahirap (No corruption, no poverty).”
But Santos tempered the exaggerated promises of other candidates about a no-corruption regime under Aquino. She said said in Tagalog, “It doesn’t mean that if Noynoy and Mar win, the next day everything will be okay. We will do it one at a time.”
Roxas, who gave up his presidential plans for Aquino, said they could feel “the force” that will bring about change on May 10. He praised the people for choosing them even as their opponents are identified with either power or money.
Aquino engaged the crowd by narrating his parents’ legacy of honor and service to the country. Apparently in answer to the allegations of his opponents belittling his intelligence, he said he was consistently in the top 10 during his elementary grades until 1972 when martial law was declared.
He also shared his programs for education and health.
He said under his administration, Filipinos could begin to dream.
Jokingly he said, “Kung kakalimutan nyo akong botohin, mumultuhin kayo ng Nanay ko (My mother will haunt you if you forget to vote for me).”
In Lipa, a crowd of about 7,000 filled the plaza in front of the San Sebastian Cathedral. There were more people at the Batangas City coliseum. From Lipa to Batangas City, there were people who lined up the streets past 9 p.m. waiting to get a glimpse of Aquino.
Many looked for Kris, the TV star sister of Aquino, who was absent in this sortie.