Vice President Leni Robredo (Screengrab from Facebook / Vice President Leni Robredo)
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday reminded her supporters to exercise restraint and be gentle in pushing her 2022 presidential bid.
“Tayong lahat ang nagdadala nito. Kailangan nating isalamin ang tunay na ibig sabihin ng pink habang suot natin ito. Gumawa ng mabuti, magpaabot ng tulong sa kapwa, maging mahinahon sa pagbabahagi ng ating mensahe,” she said in a video message on Thursday.
(We all carry this cause. We need to show the true meaning of the color pink as we wear it. Do good things, extend assistance to fellow Filipinos, and be gentle in imparting our message.)
“Tandaan: Madaling makipagtalo; mas radikal ang magmahal. Hanapin ang mga damdamin at sentimyentong nagbibigkis sa bawat Pilipino, at mula doon, bigyang-liwanag ang katotohanan. Iisa ang pangarap nating bukas, mas mapayapa at mas maginhawa, isang bukas kung saan hindi magkakalaban, kundi ipinaglalaban ng Pilipino ang isa’t isa,” she added.
(Remember: It is easy to argue, but it is more radical to love. Let us find the feelings and sentiments that would unite us as Filipinos, and from there, shed light on the truth: that we have a single aspiration for tomorrow, a peaceful and more comfortable tomorrow, where Filipinos are not enemies but people fighting for each other.)
‘Pink’
Robredo likewise discussed the reasons and message behind the color pink which symbolizes her candidacy.
“Pink ang kulay ng pag-asang nagising sa loob nating lahat. Nakita natin ang pagbaha ng pink sa mga social media feed natin, ng mga ribbon sa poste, ng mga litrato ng mga taong nagsuot ng pink para magpakita ng pakikiisa sa ipinaglalaban natin,” she said.
(Pink is the color of hope awakened us. We saw the flood of pink posts on social media feeds, on the ribbons tied to posts, on photos where people wear pink to show their support for the things we are fighting for.)
“Kaya maraming, maraming salamat sa pakikiisang ito. Mahaba pa ang lalakbayin natin. Kaya may panawagan ako sa inyo: Ipakita na ang pink, hindi lang basta kulay; uri siya ng pamumuhay. Hindi lang siya damit o ribbon; kulay siya ng pagkatao na bukas, nakikinig, nagmamahal,” she added.
(Thank you very much for being one with us. But we have a long way to go. That’s why I am calling out to you: show that pink is not just a color, but a way of life. It is not mere clothing or adornment, as it is a personality that is open, eager to listen, and loving.)
The Vice President’s supporters earlier drew flak for supposedly being divisive and trying to convince people to vote for her in ways that did not sit well with some candidates and their supporters.
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