LP bets hail supporters in thanksgiving party

MANILA, Philippines – Liberal Party (LP) candidates standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Vice President-elect Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo lauded their supporters in the administration’s thanksgiving party held Wednesday night.

Roxas and Robredo expressed gratitude to their supporters prior to the campaign season and post-election.

Robredo whose daughters Aika, Jillian, and Tricia are present in the celebration, thanked her supporters for joining her and Roxas’s campaign journey.

“Alam niyo po noong patapos na ‘yung kampanya, nag-uusap po kami ni Secretary Mar, sabi po namin siguro sawa na kayo sa amin, palagi niyo po kaming napapanood. Pero ngayong gabi po, matabang-mataba po ang aming puso na kahit po tapos na ang eleksyon, ‘yung pagmamahal niyo po sa amin buong-buo pa din,” Robredo said to cheers and applause from the crowd.

“Nakikita po namin ang mga expression ng inyong pagmamahal at suporta sa Facebook, sa Twitter, sa Instagram, maraming-maraming salamat po dahil iyan po ang nagpapalakas ng aming loob. Sa ngalan po ng aking pamilya, siyempre po pati ni Secretary Mar, gusto po naming paabutan kayo ng aming buong-pusong pasasalamat at hindi niyo po kami iniwan sa laban mula noon hanggang ngayon at sana, pati na po sa darating na panahon,” she added.

For his part, Roxas recognized his supporters who wore yellow shirts and gestured the “Laban” sign proudly.

“Itong dilaw, itong ‘Laban’ sign, hindi ko pag-aari, hindi kay Leni, hindi kay Noynoy. Ito ay pag-aari ninyong lahat, ng sambayanang Pilipino,” Roxas said in his speech.

“Kaya natutuwa ako na sini-celebrate ninyo ang pagsuot ng dilaw, at ang ‘Laban’ sign dahil ibig sabihin engaged kayo, may malasakit kayo sa ating bansa, sa ating mga kababayan, sa ating mga komunidad, sa ating kapwa. Hindi lang pansarili, hindi lang ako, pero sa lahat,” he added.

Meanwhile, LP chair President Benigno Aquino III also graced the event and thanked the supporters by serenading them. He joined Roxas and other members of his Cabinet in singing their favorite videoke songs,  “Can’t Smile Without You”, “Awitin Mo, Isasayaw Ko”, “September”, “Buttercup”, and “Always Something There To Remind Me,” among others. He also sang his father’s signature song, “The Impossible Dream.”

The LP’s thanksgiving celebration party was held at its headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City. A mass was held before the party.

Among the LP members and Cabinet officials who attended the Mass and event were Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Interior Secretary Mel Sarmiento, and former Justice secretary, now Senator-elect Leila de Lima. LP endorser Ramon Bautista was also present in the thanksgiving celebration.