Volunteers from Quezon are so electrified on Leni Robredo's candidacy that they are literally painting the province pink. Will they succeed?
WHEN Vice President Leonor "Leni" Robredo finally declared on Oct. 7 she is running for president, Quezon for Leni (QFL) volunteers immediately rose to action in the campaign journey for her battle to the presidency.
Believing she is the most qualified to fill in the highest position of the nation to succeed President Rodrigo Duterte, they presented themselves to their fast growing membership of community volunteers for direction and accountability. They are:
Lucena city councilor Sunshine Abcede as chairperson, Lito Decepeda of Guinayangan as vice chairperson, Benjie Romero of Gumaca and Cheryl Manalo of Lucena city as secretary, Estela Yap and Rubi Bandilla as treasurers, Roberto Glodoveza of Atimonan as auditor and German Mercado of Candelaria as public relations officer.
QueLeni Tayo
At almost the same time, a parallel group called QueLeni Tayo (QLT) was initiated by former Quezon 2nd district congressman Irvin Alcala and with such sectoral support groups such as Lawyers for Leni, Doctors for Leni, Youth for Leni, Tropang Leni Chapters which all take directions from Team Leni Robredo (TLR).
Last Oct. 23, QLT linked arms with QFL in organizing a Charity Ride Pink Caravan for VP Leni that kicked off from Tiaong in the 2nd district to Tagkawayan in the 4th district coinciding with the nationwide proclamation rally for VP Leni’s run for the presidency.
Supervising the start of the caravan in Tiaong was Irvin Alcala, who was joined by Sampaloc vice mayor Kenneth Nantes who came with his own delegation of Robredo supporters from his town, former 2nd district Rep. Vicente ‘Kulit’ Alcala, his daughters Ayee, Vinnette and Vanna all clad in bright pink, Sariaya councilor Vince Alcala, Jay Lim of Tanggol Kalikasan, and a motley pack of motorbike riders who braved the heavy pouring rains on the road up to Tagkawayan town which borders Camarines Norte province.
Vladimir Agcaoili Nieto, advocate of local culture, heritage and history in Quezon province, joined the motorcade with his own family aboard their car.
“Not a single cent coming from Leni, ok na ok lang. Kami ang gumastos lahat para sa aming pakikiisa. Ang we will do more if kailangan. Naniniwala kaming si Leni ang dapat maging pangulo sa 2022,” he said in his Facebook post.
Joanne Veronica Bello, a Gr. 11 student in Special Program in Journalism of Quezon National High School in Lucena city, was seen flashing with her fingers the ‘L’ sign for ‘Laban’ (fight) as she rode aboard a van with Lim, and broadcasters Danny Ordonez and Irvin Quizon.
Ismael Santo Olaya organized his own core group online for Guinayangan for Leni, and gathered 3 busloads of supporters who came to the event center in Tagkawayan.
Lawyer Dennis Guerrero, also came to help in the Robredo campaign and for jailed Sen. Leila De Lima whom he believes deserves to be reelected. Irvin Alcala stressed that VP Leni is not the lesser evil among the presidential candidates but the right choice that must be fought with moral courage.
Pinkmob
On Oct. 27, designated as Pink Wednesday nationwide by Leni supporters, QLT held a spontaneous gathering they dubbed PinkMob at SM City-Lucena where they formed a long line of pink as they walked inside the mall, ascended the escalator toward the Event Center at the 4th flr. of the shopping mall where they discussed plans and programs.
Several Pink Caravans of Hope and Lugaw for Leni sprouted on Oct. 30 in Real, Infanta, Gen. Nakar and in Pagbilao, Guinayangan and Lucena city to show their support for Robredo.