DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – Campaign jingles filled the air here as supporters shouted the names of their preferred candidates at the top of their lungs.

The sleepy stretch of Arellano road, where the University of Pangasinan is located, was transformed into a battleground of supporters of presidential bets facing off at the last Comelec-sanctioned debate in Dagupan City on Sunday, April 24.

Banderitas and various campaign paraphernalia dressed the streets, creating a festive spirit. Lining up the road, each presidential camp set up different booths and activities just a few feet away from each other.

Duterte’s photobooth, face paint

Of all the supporters, the camp of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte came prepared. Organizers packed the streets of Dagupan lining up several activities for supporters and bystanders alike.

In one area, supporters had face-painting with blue and red strokes, the colors of Duterte’s camp. In another, supporters were allowed to take photos beside a life-sized Duterte standee.

They also distributed ballers to individuals who dropped by their booths. Despite hailing from the south, Duterte was warmly received by Pangasinenses. 

“Hindi naman [mahirap] humagilap ng support para kay Duterte. Voluntary paghakot ng supporters niya dito,“ Dexter Colondigan, a local from Dagupan, said. (It’s not difficult to get support for Duterte here in Luzon. All supporters who showed up here came voluntarily.)

According to Galahodin Gomogao, the on ground support for Dutete in Urbiztondo, Pangasinan started with a single sack. In the end, they gathered almost 150 organized Duterte supporters from that single town alone. 

“From maliit na sako, sinulat namin na ‘Duterte for president’ at nabuo na namin itong [support group]. Bakit kami susuko? Masarap ang tunay na pagbabago na kailangan natin,” he added. (From a small sack, where we wrote ‘Duterte for president’, we organized this support group. Why would be surrender? The change that we need is good.)

Campaigning for Duterte, celebrity Aiza Seguerra with her wife Liza Dino, also showed up in Dagupan City.

A few hundred meters away from the University of Pangasinan, around a hundred supporters of the tough-talking mayor of the south also organized a viewing party at Silverio’s restaurant.

Miriam mascot and lyres

On the other hand, supporters of the feisty senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago started their campaign and motorcade rally from Urdaneta City to Dagupan as early as 7 am.

Joining the team donning red shirts, a mascot of Santiago danced and entertained passers-by. Despite the absence of Santiago on the campaign trail for a time, her followers did not waiver in their support. 

“Hindi mahirap mag-gather ng support kasi meron kaming headquarters sa Quezon City. Bolontaryo kaming pumunta doon dahil alam namin siya ang kwalipikado sa pagka-pangulo,” Jemuel Dagul said. 

(It’s not difficult to gather support for the senator because we have our headquarters in Quezon City. We voluntarily went there because we believe she is the most qualified presidential bet.) 

The supporters also held a viewing party at Erros Restaurant, located a few meters away from the debate venue.

With drums and lyres, Santiago’s supporters made noise outside the campus to show their support for her. Santiago had skipped the previous presidential debate held in Cebu City.

Mini-concert for Roxas

The camp of Liberal party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II mustered the most number of supporters. 

Creating a sea of yellow, supporters gathered at several points in Dagupan City to show their support for the former interior secretary. 

“Sinusuportahan ko si Roxas kasi ipagpapatuloy niya ang sinimulan ni President Benigno Aquino III,”  Lolita Darol said. Darol is one of the thousands of beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang PIlipino program (4Ps). (I support Mar Roxas because he will continue the programs spearheaded by the Aquino administration.) 

“Naramdaman ko yung stress ng paghanap ng supporters. May mga team leader sa bawa’t chapter at nagkita-kita na lang kami dito,” Darol added. (I felt the stress in organizing support for Roxas. We appointed a team leader per chapter and we just met here.)

Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez also organized a viewing party at a vacant lot in front of the Region I public hospital. Simultaneously, supporters organized a mini concert at the Pantranco terminal, gathering a few hundreds. 

According to Darol, all the supporters who marched to Dagupan City are from Pangasinan. 

Binay and his Aeta supporters 

Onground support for Vice President Jejomar Binay primarily came from the Pangasinan chapter of fraternity Alpha Phi Omega (APO). 

They came in droves along Arellano road as early as 12 pm. Wearing their Binay signature hats and shirts, they cheered for their presidential bet as other supporters turned up the volume of the campaign jingles of other candidates. 

A notable supporter who joined the Binay camp was an Aeta from Angeles, Pampanga. Jojo David said he would vote for the Vice President because of his concern and compassion for the poor. 

“Tumutulong po siya sa mahirap katulad namin. Hindi kami binigyan ng pera para pumunta dito,” David said. (He helps the poor like us. We weren’t given money to come here.) 

They offered a ritual dance to support Binay. 

Poe in Calasiao 

Unlike the other supporters, Poe’s camp decided to hold their viewing party away from the noise and chaos in Dagupan. Instead, they held a viewing party in the nearby town of Calasiao. 

A few more supporters gathered in Dagupan to cheer her when she entered the debate venue. 

“Dalawa lang naman yang naglalaban eh – pro-change at pro-status quo. Sa status quo, si Binay at Roxas lang yan. Si Duterte at Poe ang pro-change pero si Poe ay sa legal na paraan. Hindi naman namin siya basta-basta pinili. Dumaan muna sa discernment at process,” Katipunan partylist chairperson Bong de Vera said. 

According to De Vera, the two partylist groups of Katipunan and Magdalo joined forces to support the woman presidential candidate.

Throughout the day, candidates’ supporters competed with each other in terms of number, gimmick, and buzz. – with reports from Sienna Meneses, Apple Jyn Idos, and Mary Ruth Macaraeg/Rappler.com