The Blaze of Hope that Lit the Nation
— Z.G.
The Philippine elections have been under the global radar long before I can begin to backtrack. While I can only speak for the 2022 national and local elections, many have seemed to forget what life was like 36 years past a dictator’s rulership and this shows in the unofficial and partial results of votes.
In the past 6 months, if you have ever been to People’s Campaigns for Leni and Kiko held in different parts of the nation, you would also attest that it’s one big safe space where fellow Filipinos celebrate through singing and dancing just like one big street party. Volunteerism has spearheaded the campaign which drew thousands and thousands of civilians together in standing up for a transparent, people-focused government.
Friday, 6 days after the finale of the campaign season, the Presidential candidate who is an advocate of good governance, and outgoing Vice President of the current administration, Leni Robredo along with her running-mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan, held a thanksgiving in Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. No different from the previous gatherings, the thanksgiving was held on the campus and once again united kakampinks. Though emotions were still high, many felt this wasn’t the end of the pink movement.
During Senator Kiko Pangilinan’s speech, with all smiles, he thanked those part of their senatorial slate, the Jesuits of Ateneo De Manila, and of course the volunteers. He reassured the crowd that the night was to celebrate all sacrifices, enthusiasm, and courage. He compared the challenges brought about by the loss of the campaign to the main character of a movie who needed to be beaten before being able to rise up stronger. With that, he mentioned that the true fight has only just begun. “Let us transform our grief into revolutionary courage”, he said. And ended with, “Panalo tayo dahil mayroon tayong pagmamahal. Pagmamahal sa isa’t-isa, sa kapwa, sa Inang Bayan, kinabukasan. Love conquers all. Magtatagumpay din tayo. Magtatagumpay din ang pagmamahal.”
Right thereafter, campaign manager Senator Bam Aquino gives all thanks to the volunteers who truly are the driving factor of the movement. He proceeds to introduce Vice President Leni Robredo as the shining light that guides us in the darkness, our liwanag sa dilim.
VP Leni, who is known for being motherly, asked if there were still people crying. She then reminds kakampinks to be happy despite not garnering the majority of votes. She proceeds to validate everyone’s feelings which makes the volunteers feel seen and appreciated.
With all smiles, she acknowledges all efforts made during the season and reminds everyone for whatever happens during the next chapter, we should be safe, and think of each other’s welfare. She emphasizes on her statement, “Hindi pwede na tayo pa ang maging dahilan ng pagkawatakwatak ng ating bansa.”
She humbles into acceptance as she reminds the crowd of the result of this year’s elections but acknowledges that one of the strongest enemies we have is the widespread of disinformation, media sanitation, and historical revisionism. Though the machinery of lies may have won this time, VP Leni reminds us that we, the people, have the power to change this. “Kailangan natin maging isang kilusang mag tatanggol ng katotohanan. Kailangan nating imulat ang nakakausap kung papaano pinapalaganap ang kasinungalingan, kung bakit ito pinapaniwalaan, at kung sino ang nasa likod nito.”
She proceeds to announce the Angat Buhay NGO launching on July 1st, 2022 right after her term as Vice President. As per her order, volunteers are tasked to help anyone, especially those less fortunate, in order to radiate further radical love. This anticipates the biggest volunteer network the Philippines will ever have.
A new chapter awaits the Filipino people and VP Leni reiterates “Ang namulat ay hindi na muling pipikit.”
To end, she says “Tara na, ituloy na natin ang laban para sa Pilipinas na ating mga pangarap.”
Though days ahead are uncertain, Robredo and Pangilinan’s campaign train of radical love started the blaze of hope that lit the nation.
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