Local officials, however, were conspicuously absent. The Biskeg na Pangasinan (Strength of Pangasinan) headed by Sto. Tomas town Mayor Antonio Villar Jr. said there was no pressure from Malacañang for the local leaders to snub Poe’s motorcade through Manaoag town, Urdaneta City, the towns of Sta. Barbara and Calasiao, Dagupan City and the Virgen Milagrosa University campus in Poe’s hometown of San Carlos City.
Poe’s late father, Allan Fernando Poe, hailed from Barangay Caoayan Kiling in San Carlos City, where the KNP’s grand rally was held.
Villar said the local leaders are committed to the tandem of re-electionist Pangasinan Gov. Victor Agbayani and Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, which explained why they did not show up at Poe’s motorcade and rally.
The local leaders’ snub of the KNP campaign sortie was their way of telling KNP gubernatorial candidate Marietta Primicias-Goco that they are solidly behind the Agbayani-Lambino tandem.
The Biskeg na Pangasinan is composed of the governor, vice-governor, provincial board members, mayors and vice mayors of Pangasinan, regardless of their political affiliation.
The Biskeg na Pangasinan adopted an "all for one, one for all" slogan. As of press time, Villar said they have not yet officially declared support for any presidential candidate.
It was Biskeg na Pangasinan which gave Poe a rousing welcome last month during a luncheon meeting at Villar’s residence in Sto. Tomas.
One week after the luncheon for Poe, Pangasinan’s mayors were called to Malacañang by President Arroyo, who sought their support. Villar was not at the Malacañang meeting, but 30 other mayors from this province were.
Poe’s group began their campaign by attending Mass at the shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag.
The mass celebrant acknowledged the presence of the KNP candidates and advised them to put the poor at the center of their programs.
Hundreds of Pangasinenses eagerly awaited their movie idol outside the church to shake his hand, kiss him, or just to have a glimpse of the man known to his fans as "Da King."
Despite the absence of local political leaders during his campaign sortie, Poe was mobbed wherever he went. One fan even screamed "presidente na ‘yan, di na mapipigilan ‘yan (He’s already president, he’s unstoppable)."
During the KNP motorcade, people stood outside their homes and lined the streets to see Poe and the rest of the KNP ticket pass. Many waved their hands, shook hands with the candidates and shouted Poe’s nicknames "FPJ" and "Panday," after one of the most famous movie roles Poe ever played.
One mayor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Poe "is indeed phenomenal. How could we beat such popularity that, even if we request our leaders to campaign for President Arroyo, the barangay leaders themselves admit that they cannot dictate to the people, because they like (Poe)."
Another mayor said "Tapos na ang boksing (The boxing match is over). All they could do to defeat (Poe) is to disqualify him."
The crowd that greeted Poe tripled the one which greeted ousted President Joseph Estrada here in 1998, when Estrada ran for president and won by a landslide.
Fe Soriano of Balungao town said that she has been a fan of Poe since childhood. Rosing Quitdot, 68, of Imbalbalateng, Pozzorubio town, said she would vote for Poe because he portrays characters who are kind and good in his movies.
Alicia Fernandez, 48, of Barangay Pugaro, Manaoag said, "let’s try someone who has no bad record."
Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico Jr., president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) and a cousin of the President, said local leaders will support Mrs. Arroyo.
He said they have a good relationship with the mayors, especially the key power players in Pangasinan.
In Urdaneta City, the KNP motorcade was, at times, stalled by the massive press of people who had turned out to see Poe. Motorists in cars passing opposite the motorcade honked their horns for Poe, and many tricycle and bus drivers alit from their vehicles and rushed to shake Poe’s hand and get his autograph. — Eva Visperas, Cesar Ramirez