Heritage Month: Robredo celebrates victory — of local artists, craftsmen

MANILA, Philippines —  Outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo warmed the hearts of netizens yesterday, May 12, as she went on Facebook Live to showcase thousands and thousands of art pieces and gift packages from her supporters called "kakampinks." The video truly showcased the creativity of Filipinos.

The gift packages ranged from small art installations to fashion creations, mostly in color pink, the known color of the presidentiable. 

There were handcrafted crowns of unique craftsmanship, as well as art memorabilias that exude various art expressions from different regions in the country. 

"I decided na i-live ito to show the [Filipinos'] creativity and to thank them," the presidential candidate said.

A lamp made of bamboo and coconut husk (left); drinking bottles with Leni's pink emblems.

VP Leni Robredo via Facebook, screenshots

The gift packages ranged from small art installations to fashion creations, mostly in color pink, the known color of the presidentiable. 

VP Leni Robredo via Facebook, screenshots

One cannot help but notice that Robredo was truly appreciative of the gifts she received, even remembering the names of the givers and what venues she received them from. Leni also mentioned that it was an effort to clean her office to prepare for her exit as vice president and transitions.

She even gave a shoutout to her daughters, saying, "Sorry mga anak. Late ako makaka-uwi, overtime kami today para malinis na dito."

Leni is planning to "share" the gifts with volunteers, while some are to be stored "pang-museum," which is yet to be built "once nakaipon na ng pondo."

She also said that other art pieces may be for auction, saying, "Pinag-iisipan pa lang po dahil 'yung iba ay artwork, baka pang-auction."

Among the noteworthy gifts is a pink crown with lights and studs from Cavite.

VP Leni Robredo via Facebook, screenshots

Leni specially thanked singers Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez for giving her two pink art figurines with floral accents, created by artist Jeff Albea.

"Maraming salamat, Ogie and Regine. Maraming salamat Jeff. Magkakambal ito, magkaiba lang ang figurines," she said.

Statues from Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez created by artist Jeff Albea.

VP Leni Robredo via Facebook, screenshots

She also got a gift from the couple's son, Nate Alcasid, which was a pink Instax camera.

She also showed a wood art created by an award-winning artist from Paete, Laguna who remained unnamed, with art interpretation depicting how it's like working on rice fields.

Some gifts were made of rattan, bamboo, wood and other Filipino indigenous materials.

VP Leni Robredo via Facebook, screenshots

There's also an artpiece called "Pink Scarecrow" created by artist Cesar Ian Gador from Bayawan City in Negros. Another opus is purple floral art shaped like an egg called "Egg of Hope" by artist Maria Pureza Escanio from Lucena City. 

VP Leni Robredo via Facebook, screenshots

Robredo also got a pink boat paddle painted with her face from the boatmen of Pagsanjan in Laguna (right).

VP Leni Robredo via Facebook, screenshots

Another is an artwork by Tropang Minalin from Pampanga.

She ended the session at 3 p.m., saying, "May meeting ako."

Leni promises to go live on Facebook again, "Antay na lang po tayo ng announcement when."

RELATED: 'Abstraction': Filipino artists explore new art trend of integrating viewers into canvases