“HOPE of the country.”
This was how supporters of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who joined the unity caravan in Bacolod City Sunday, November 21, 2021, described him as a presidential candidate.
For them, he is the right choice as the next president.
Aurora Blanca, chairperson of Silent Majority BBM 2022, said the unity caravan was held because they want to show that they have one cause and that is to show that Negros Occidental is also supportive of Marcos’ bid for the presidency.
Admitting that they lack finances, Blanca said they are volunteers who even spend their own money for the production of BBM (Bongbong Marcos) stickers, t-shirts and masks, among others.
“We are not backed by any politician but we do this because of advocacy since we believe that he (Marcos) could boost our economy,” she said.
Blanca added that although many negative things had been hurled against Marcos, they saw his positive side.
For Edmar Traje, operations head of the group and in-charge of the caravan, they want the next president to be someone who has a good track record and that’s Marcos.
Traje said Marcos’ parents, former President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. and former first lady Imelda Marcos, have implemented a lot of improvements for the country before, adding that the prices of basic commodities, when they were still in power, were cheaper.
“With that, we can see who really has a heart for the people,” he said, adding that the caravan shows the force of the solid silent majority.
Clad in red, with green ribbons around their arms, participants of the BBM Unity Caravan assembled in three stations -- near the Bago City College, Manville Royale Subdivision in Bacolod City, and at Ayala North Point in Talisay City.
They then converged at the Reclamation Area in Bacolod City where there was drum beating with some participants dancing while holding flaglets.
Others were waving the Philippine flag while some participants were wearing character costumes and masks.
Among those who participated in the caravan were the vendors from the city’s Libertad, Burgos and Central Markets, who also expressed support for Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte-Carpio for vice president.
Ernesto Moyani, president of the Libertad Burgos and Central Public Markets Vendors Association, told SunStar they believe that Marcos “has the heart” and will prioritize livelihood programs, aid for the vendors and education for their children.
If Marcos wins, Josefina Santa Ana, a retired private firm employee, said that hopefully all the privatized government-owned corporations will be returned.
Arnel Suela, a food delivery rider who also joined in the caravan, said they chose Marcos as they aspire for the Philippines to be brought back to its old glory.
As of writing, the organizers said they have yet to finalize the number of the caravan participants, including those from other localities in Bago City, Murcia and Talisay City.
They projected it to be at least 3,000 individuals on board about 2,000 vehicles.