Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso speaking during his third state of the city address. (File photo from the Manila Public Information Office)
MANILA, Philippines — A day after pink-hued motorcades went around several cities and towns in support of Vice President Leni Robredo, it was Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso’s turn to “paint the town blue” in what his followers billed as the “Blue Wave Caravan” around Metro Manila.
The motorcade that drew about 1,000 motorcycles and some 100 cars was timed to coincide with the 47th birthday of the Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer and the 58th birthday of his running mate, Dr. Willie Ong.
But the blue caravan was of a smaller scale than the nationwide motorcade of Robredo volunteers, or the so-called “kakampinks,” who organized simultaneous events in about 25 provinces and cities on Saturday morning as a show of support.
Starting from Moriones Street in Tondo, Manila, the Domagoso-Ong motorcade traversed major thoroughfares in Manila, Quezon City and Caloocan, the three most populous cities in the National Capital Region.
Supporters of the Manila mayor rode or drove around residential areas as well as busy thoroughfares like Mel Lopez Boulevard, Padre Burgos Avenue, España Boulevard, Quezon Boulevard, Commonwealth Avenue, Litex Road, Araneta Avenue, 5th Avenue and Rizal Avenue.
The motorcade also passed by important landmarks in Domagoso’s life such as the former site of the Smokey Mountain landfill, where he collected trash in his youth, and the Manila City Hall, according to the organizers.
“Light rains did not dampen the mood of the participants who assembled in Plaza Moriones in Tondo as early as 6 a.m.,” a press release from the Domagoso camp said.
On Friday, Domagoso administered an oath to dozens of leaders and volunteers from sectoral and volunteer groups who pledged their support to his presidential campaign.
The groups included: Pilipinas God First: Samahang Agila para kay Kuya Isko; Pilipinas God First Movement: One Sulu for Isko; Pilipinas God First: United Bangsamoro Isko for President Movement; Barangay Isko and Barangay Isko Youth; Spread Salam Association; Scouts Royale Brotherhood (Oriental Mindoro); Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and Tau Gamma.
The mayor’s camp said Domagoso continued to attract new recruits with incumbent officials and candidates for gubernatorial, mayoral and local posts in Ifugao, Abra, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, and Eastern Samar signing up for Aksyon.