Vice President Leni Robredo delivers her message to supporters via Facebook on October 21, 2021. Screengrab from Facebook / VP Leni Robredo
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo has reminded her supporters again that more than showing and putting on anything pink — the apparent color of her presidential campaign — it is more important to let people experience their advocacy by helping others.
Robredo issued this call on Tuesday as allies initiated a weekly activity they dubbed as “Kakampink Wednesdays” where supporters wear anything pink every Wednesday.
Robredo expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support she has been receiving, but she prodded her supporters to focus on other equally or more important actions.
“Bago ang lahat, gusto kong magpasalamat sa lahat ng nakiisa sa Caravan of Hope nitong nakaraang Sabado. Ramdam na ramdam ko ‘yung init ng suporta at pagmamahal mula sa ating mga kakampinks sa lahat ng sulok ng bansa,” she said in a statement.
(First of all, I would like to thank everyone who joined the Caravan of Hope this last Saturday. I really felt the warmth of your support and love from our allies from every corner of the country.)
“Bukas, Miyerkules na naman. Alam na natin ito. Gusto ko lang ipaalala: Ang pink, hindi lang dapat nakikita, kundi nadarama. Mas mahalaga sa pagsusuot ng pink tuwing Miyerkules: Tumulong sa kapwa,” she added.
(Tomorrow, it’s Wednesday again. We know the drill. But I just want to remind you: Pink should not only be seen but felt. It is more important to help others compared to just wearing pink every Wednesday.)
Robredo also motivated her supporters by saying that help does not have to be in the form of expensive things because a simple and sincere gesture goes a long way.
“‘Yung iba, nagpapalugaw, nagpapa-fishball, o nag-oorganisa ng mas malalaking inisyatiba. Okey ito. Pero hindi kailangang magastos o magarbo. Puwedeng bumili ng extrang supot ng tinapay at makipaghating-kapatid sa mga makakasalubong,” she stressed.
(There are some who would offer free rice porridge, street food, or organize large initiatives. That is fine. But we do not need to spend too much money on extravagant programs. You can buy another pack of bread and share it with people you would come across.)
“Puwedeng maglaan ng isang oras para mag-tutor ng mga bata sa inyong community. Puwedeng makinig at magbukas ng loob sa mga tao na madalas naisasantabi,” she added.
(You can also spend time tutoring children in your community. You can listen and open up to people who are often set aside.)
After announcing her presidential candidacy in the 2022 national elections, Robredo’s team saw a wave of support, marked by the pink color on photos on social media feeds and during people’s initiative-motorcades.
The Vice President claimed there was no conscious effort to shift to the color pink, from the color yellow used by her Liberal Party. Rather, it was an adherence to the color used by volunteer groups and other sectors urging her to run for president.
Robredo said that pink is the appropriate color for her advocacy since pink has been the color of progressive movements across the world.
READ: Social media tickled pink by Robredo’s decision
READ: ‘Dilawan’ no more? Robredo turns to pink — the color of protest, activism
This was not the first time Robredo issued reminders to her supporters. Last October 21, she called for a more gentle approach to discussing politics with people supporting different candidates amid a brewing social media war between rival camps.
READ: Robredo to supporters: Be calm, gentle and do good deeds
Robredo said that whatever input her supporters can offer would be of great help to her campaign because every single effort is important.
“Malaki ang mga hamon na kinakaharap ng bansa natin. Kaya ‘yung tinatrabaho nating pagbabago sa sistema at istrukturang panlipunan, kailangang sabayan ng pagkilos ng bawat isa. Walang maliit na ambag; lahat mahalaga,” Robredo said.
(There are big challenges faced by the country. That’s why the societal changes that we have been advocating and working for entail corresponding actions from each one. No help is too small; everything is important.)
“Kaya bukas, Miyerkules, at kahit anong araw: Sabay ng pagsusuot ng pink, pakainin ang nagugutom, at tumulong sa kapwa sa kahit na anong paraan. Maraming, maraming salamat. Inaasahan ko kayo,” she added.
(That’s why tomorrow, Wednesday, and any other day: along with wearing pink, feed the hungry, help your neighbor in whatever way you can. Thank you very much, and I am counting on you.)