TARLAC, Philippines ? (UPDATE) Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno Aquino III and his running mate Manuel Roxas II began their campaign with a mass at the Immaculate Conception Church in Concepcion, Tarlac, at 9:30 am.

In a brief remark after the mass, Aquino explained that he chose to kick off his bid for Malacañang in the place where he first plunged into politics - in 1976 when he made his first public speech with his late father, Senator Ninoy Aquino.

Hundreds filled the small church where Aquino and Roxas were accompanied by their TEAM Liberal senators. The streets were festooned with yellow ribbons and Aquino Roxas posters.

Aquino and Roxas were mobbed as they walked two blocks from the Church to the public market by a crowd of tricycle drivers, high school students and housewives with shrieks and cheers normally reserved for movie stars.

Aquino's close relatives with him were uncles: Hermie and Paul while Roxas was accompanied by his wife, Korina Sanchez.

A scene stealer was teen actor Coco Martin, reportedly sent by Kris Aquino, who entered the Church in the middle of the mass.