MANILA, Philippines – As people around her cried their hearts out to Juan Karlos’ rendition of Dilaw na Buwan, 68-year-old Nora Asistio bobbed her head to the slow beat at the pre-program of the miting de avance of presidential candidate Leni Robredo and running mate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan in Makati on Saturday, May 7.

She left Biñan, Laguna, at noon and arrived in Ayala Avenue around 1 pm. She really wanted to see Leni Robredo until the end, she said. 

Asistio, a “grandmother for Leni,” has gotten used to doing what the youth volunteers have been doing: She organized groups into sorties, distributed food for motorcycle riders for Robredo, and on Saturday, she joined the street rally in Makati. 

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The miting de avance on Saturday was Robredo and Pangilinan’s last hurrah before the campaign ban on Sunday, May 8, and the long awaited elections on Monday, May 9.

Asistio, a member of a generation who has seen the rise and fall of the Marcoses, has seen the surveys showing Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the poll frontrunner. She said she still saw hope, especially in the people who stood with her on Saturday. 

“I am proud of them. I am proud that they are moving together,” Asistio said. 

Asistio was an activist during Martial Law. When the Marcoses fled, she was among those who stormed Malacañang.

On Saturday, she stood not only to fight against the bid of the late dictator’s son to reclaim Malacañang, but she also wanted to see the fruition of Robredo’s vision for the country.  “Kinikilabutan ako (I get goosebumps),” she said, describing how she felt whenever she listened to the presidential candidate’s speeches.

The miting de avance on Saturday was the second Robredo campaign event she attended. She first trooped to Sta. Rosa in Laguna when it turned pink on April 29.

It was 4:30 pm and the program was expected to reach up to late night. Asistio said she would stay until the end.  “Binibigyan ako ng lakas ng ginagawa ko (I find strength in what I am doing),” Asistio said.

Apparently also drawing strength from her fellow “kakampinks” is 77-year-old Evelyn Nazareno, a Stage 4 cancer patient who insisted on being part of the miting de avance to support the Robredo-Kiko Pangilinan tandem.

Elmer Cordero – one of the “Piston 6” drivers who were  arrested and detained in June 2021, and later freed, when they held a protest against the government policy on traditional jeepneys – was also at the event.

Parents brought their children with them to be part of the last push for the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem, among them Pauline and Jay Ybasco of Pasig who was with their two-year-old daughter. Like many parents who support the tandem, the Ybascos said they were doing this for their child.

Celebrity ‘kakampinks’

Celebrity “kakampinks” also came in full force on the final campaign day to join their fellow supporters’ final push for the Leni-Kiko tandem, among them Vice Ganda who also endorsed Pangilinan, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Anne Curtis, Gary and Gab Valenciano, Ely Buendia, and many others.

A rescue team and organizers estimated the crowd at around 450,000 as of 6:30 pm, a number which swelled to more than 800,000 later that night.

“Kakampinks” in other areas held their own events on the final campaign day, including a watch party of the miting de avance ni Cebu, as well as a Mass for the tandem also in Cebu.

In Iloilo City, hundreds of Robredo-Pangilinan supporters joined a march for the tandem from Taft North to the Iloilo River Esplanade.

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– With reports from Mara Cepeda/Rappler.com