Bong’s campaign sortie in Bataan came after he came from a virtual tour of the Region 3 area in coordination with the administration’s K4 coalition.
Bong and his entourage arrived in Balanga Thursday night and he was warmly welcomed by local officials here, specifically Balanga City Mayor Albert S. Garcia (who will be running for Congressman) who even hosted a late dinner for him upon his arrival at the Crown Hotel in downtown Balanga, and municipal coordinator Charlie Pizarro (my brother-in-law, who is running for Mayor of Pilar town here).
However late it was when he arrived from a gruelling day of campaigning in nearby provinces, Bong was still very good–natured and obliged to much picture–taking, handshaking, waving and smiling among his followers from this side of the world. He was still in his best elements when he took not of the fact that the mayor of Balanga City is as young as he is. “Artistahin din pala ang mayor ninyo,” he said shaking hands and meeting Mayor Abet for the first time.
As always, he was the friendly, warm and humble superstar (although a little tanned) that we’ve always known him to be. When we sat down with him for the late dinner, Bong showed us scratches in his hands and arms. He said, “kanina I was literally bleeding while shaking the hands of all the people in Bulacan. Somebody couldn’t help herself and she scratched my hand with her fingernails. Blood was dripping but I had to ignore it because you just can’t say no to these people who want to shake hands with you,” he told us matter of factly.
When the matter of him topping all surveys among candidates for senators all over, Bong humbly said “we’re very happy about that. It’s just a matter of sustaining that excitement from among our voters. One thing I noticed is that the people are more concerned about sincerity among the candidates. And another thing is that they don’t like candidates who say negative things about other candidates. When somebody puts down somebody in his campaign speech, you can be sure that the ratings for that person will go down. People just don’t want bickerings anymore. I guess everybody just wants to work for the good of this country,” he said.
A little past midnight and after being briefed of another gruelling itinerary for the following day, Bong said his goodnights and retired for the night.
The following day, Friday, Bong was already having his breakfast at around 7 a.m. clad in light blue longsleeved shirt, complete with sun block lotion on his face. Probably bracing himself for the long hours of motorcade in at least five towns in Bataan, which was the order of the day, not only for him, but for all the other K4 senatoriables who will be joining him that morning.
Thirty minutes after that, the entourage was already en route to Mariveles, Bataan which was the kick-off point of the motorcade. At the grounds of the Export Processing Zone, we saw the other administration senatoriables who came that morning – Rodolfo Biazon, Orly Mercado, Lito Lapid, Robert Barbers, Doc Hussin.
A lightning rally was set up at the People’s Center in Mariveles. Bong Revilla, easily the one who elicits the most passionate reaction from the crowd, leads the pack. However, he comes second to the last speaker in K4 sorties, we were told, the last one being Lito Lapid. On the way down, we saw Bong’s lovely sister Andrea busily taking care of the distribution of campaign paraphernalia along the way to those people who were much-agog in seeing their idol kapitan.
We joined the motorcade again from Mariveles to Limay, Bataan and then to the town of Orion, where another “whistle stop” (that’s the term we heard them use to refer to the convergences where the candidates are asked to deliver their two-minute speeches, each) was held. Here, Dick Gordon and John Osmeña were able to catch up.
Bong’s speech was concise, witty, and concrete. Within two minutes, he was able to deliver his agenda (his platform of government being youth, intellectual property, local government), his credentials, his accomplishments (even in the field of movie making), and the sincerity of his heart. No wonder Bong manages to maintain that lead in those surveys. He was good at it.
From Orion, the group passed through Pilar town, where Charlie, who was riding with us in the car, got his share of enthusiastic responses from his would-be constituents, before converging in another whistle stop at the Louis Restaurant in Balanga City proper. The place was already teeming with people, we could hardly get inside the venue, when we got there.
After that, lunch was served at the Joyous Fishpond Resort where all the political leaders and local officials, led by Cong. Tet Garcia (who is running for Governor this time) along with his sons Mayor Abet and Joet Garcia (running for Mayor of Balanga) and Charlie Pizarro.
Bong’s gruelling Bataan schedule concluded after that lunch. His party immediately proceeded to Dinalupihan town (also of Bataan) to meet up with President Arroyo and start yet another leg of his campaign trail. Friday also took Bong to Olongapo City.
We didn’t go with Bong anymore to the last two stops but being left behind with his supporters in Bataan made us realize just how strong Bong’s foothold is in this election. As sure as the sun will shine again tomorrow, Bong is going to win this election hands down.
Ladies and gentlemen, Senator Bong Revilla.