MANILA, Philippines — Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer Isko Moreno led Team Isko in barnstorming the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan and Kalinga in a 3-day sortie that shattered the mythical “Solid North” of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Team Isko’s sorties in the Cagayan Valley Region started Thursday in Nagtipunan, Quirino province where Moreno, his running mate Doc Willie Ong and senatorial bets Dr. Carl Balita, Samira Gutoc, Jopet Sison and guest candidate Bro. John Castriciones were warmly received by residents led by Mayor Nieverose Meneses, a member of the Bugkalot tribe.
During the town hall meeting, Moreno won the hearts of Nagtipunan residents, including local indigenous peoples, especially after he vowed to support the town’s tourism industry which was badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If these things can create jobs and opportunities, then it is line with our goals and aspirations, kami ni Doc Willie (Ong), na in the first two years, life and livelihood. And this will be supported as a matter of compromise and promise and commitment to the Quirino people especially dito sa area kung nasaan tayo,” said Moreno.
To show their appreciation for Team Isko’s visit, Moreno and his slate were treated to modern and native dances as well as video presentations of the town and the province’s many tourist attractions.
From Quirino, Team Isko proceeded to Cauayan, Isabela and later to Alicia town where Moreno and his team held a motorcade around the Alicia public market.
As in past campaign motorcades, Moreno was the center of applause and attention by the crowd who went out in the streets shouting “Isko! Isko! Isko!” while some were seen holding home-made placards that read “We love Isko Moreno.”
To reciprocate their love for the Manila mayor, Moreno would stand on the roof of the float-truck so all his adoring supporters could see him, sometimes dancing and at times flashing either the “God First” sign or the now popular “Two-Joints” sign.
Each motorcade was followed by a townhall meeting.
At the Philippine Normal University in Alicia town, more than 1,000 people gathered, most of whom were farmers from Santiago City and the municipalities of Echague, San Isidro, San Guillermo, Angadanan, San Mateo, Cabatuan, Naguillan and other local government units from Northern Isabela.
After the PNU townhall meeting, Team Isko embarked on another motorcade around San Mateo market followed by a courtesy visit at the Luna Muncipal Hall.
It was during the dinner at Hotel Sophia were Moreno and Team Isko met with Isabela Vice Gov. Bodjie Dy, Cauayan City Mayor Bernard Dy, and Echague Mayor Kiko Dy. More than a hundred rice millers and business leaders also met with Moreno and his slate.
In Santiago City Friday, Moreno led the ribbon-cutting of the new Aksyon Demokratiko headquarters before proceeding to Enrile, Cagayan for another town hall meeting attended by more than 1,000 sectoral representatives from Enrile, Kalinga, Sta Teresa, Isabela and neighboring municipalities.
Team Isko’s motorcade in the capital city of Tuguegarao was again a hit among the residents who came out in the streets to formally see and applaud Moreno who, despite the grueling campaign schedule, still appeared energetic in waving to the crowd and in shaking their hands.
Tuguegarao City Mayor Jeff Soriano showed his support for Moreno by organizing a town hall meeting in his city attended by more than 1,000 people.
In was in this capital city of Cagayan province that Moreno had a brief reunion with Rimmuel ‘Toytoy’ Bucaling, a liver transplant patient whose operation was made possible through his generosity four years ago.
Rimmuel who is now 5 years old, was born with Biliary Atresia, a blockage in the tubes (ducts) that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder. This congenital condition occurs when the bile ducts inside or outside the liver do not develop normally. It is not known why the biliary system fails to develop normally.
Only a liver transplant will ensure the survival of Rimuel. His mother, Amethyst, lost no time in collecting coins and even begging for money in a public market in order to raise money for the operation of her son which cost P2 million back then.
The 47-year-old presidential candidate was able to get in touch with Amethyst trough one Ma’am ‘Weng’ whose nephew also has the same condition when she narrated through a post on social media the condition of her son which immediately went viral.
Through Mayor Isko’s efforts, Amethyst and his son who was one year and six months old at that time, traveled to India in 2018 where the boy underwent a successful liver transplant.
Having a heart of gold, Rimuel is just one of the dozens of other children born with Biliary Atresia sent by Moreno abroad for the operation. About 20 more children born with the disease were sent by Mayor Isko to Taiwan for the needed liver transplant surgery and all were successful.
Upon arriving at the Mango Suites Hotel, Moreno immediately greeted Amethyst and Rimuel who were at the lobby. The child showed his respect to Mayor Isko by giving “mano” (placing Moreno’s hand on his forehead) with the mayor returning the gesture with a “high-five.”
“Ingat ka ha,” Moreno told Rimuel as he posed for photos with him and his mother before speaking to members of the media.
“Salamat sa Diyos maraming bata ang nabuhay at malalaki na ngayon, yung iba binatilyo na. Meron din hindi pinalad after the operation kasi after the successful operation meron pa yang mga ilang linggo na kailangan obserbahan,” Moreno said.
Saturday is the last leg of Team Isko’s Region 2 provincial sortie will bring them to Tabuk City in the province of Kalinga.