Aksyon Demokraitko standard bearer Isko Moreno and the rest of the party candidates remain in high spirits despite getting rained on during a campaign sortie in Sultan Kudarat. Photo from Isko Moreno Domagoso media bureau
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso was overwhelmed with emotions as a heavy downpour, along with his entreaties, did not dampen the outpouring of support from thousands of Cagayan de Oro residents who attended his grand rally in this Northern Mindanao city.
The Aksyon Demokratiko rally started typically enough with prayers and the playing of the national anthem. But then a light drizzle began to fall just when the program proper started, forcing Mayor Isko to plead to his supporters to just go home lest they get sick.
“Ituloy pa ba natin? Uwi na kayo, baka magkasakit kayo. Alam niyo mga taga Cagayan, gustong-gusto ko kayong makausap, pero baka magkasakit naman kayo. Gusto ko kayo talaga makaharap ngayong gabi, kaya lang, bigla namang umulan,” Moreno told cheering residents.
But instead of heeding his call, his supporters fell into a shouting frenzy of “Isko, Isko, Isko!” and the now famous “Two joints, two joints, two joints!” as they egged the charismatic presidential candidate to continue.
“Mga kababayan, maraming,maraming salamat. Kahit umuulan, damang-dama ko ang init ng inyong pagtanggap dito sa Mindanao. Sabay-sabay na tayong maulanan. Nabasa na rin kayo, mababasa na rin kami,” Moreno said as his running mate, Dr. Willie Ong, and senatorial candidates Carl Balita, Samira Gutoic, Jopet Sison, as well as guest candidate John Castriciones, went out of the protection of the stage canopy.
Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso is seen facing the Cagayan de Oro supporters who remain unperturbed despite the heavy downpour. Photo from Isko Moreno Domagoso campaign team
“Walang susuko, tuloy ang laban. Sisimplihin ko ang usapan ngayong gabi. Imbes na mahaba, paiikliin ko para makauwi na kayo, makapagbihis kayo,” the 47-year-old city mayor shouted in the din of the downpour that has begun falling in earnest.
Moreno reiterated his commitment to find ways to improve the lives and livelihood of Filipinos should he win in the upcoming elections.
If elected president, Moreno has vowed to pursue a “Life and Livelihood” economic policy that aims to address poverty, hunger, unemployment, inequality and social injustice through though the effective, efficient and prudent management of government resources under an open, transparent and inclusive administration, as spelled out under his 10-point Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda.
“Gusto niyo ba ng murang gasolina, murang koryente, mabilis na internet, siguradong koryente, murang bilihin, trabaho? Yon ang gagawin namin ni Doc Willie at ng mga kasama ko. Tao muna. Sasamahan ko kayo sa araw, sa tag-init, at ngayon, tag-ulan,” said Moreno.
“Bibigyan ko kayo ng simpleng gobyerno. Gobyernong tao ang una. Tao naman ang dapat mauna sa pamamhala – bahay, eskwelahan, ospital, trabaho, murang bilihin. Yang ang gobyernong kaya kong gawin mga kababayan. Mga kababayan, may awa ng Diyos, sa tulong ninyo, susuklian ko yang paghihirap niyo sa amin ngayon ng mabuting gobyerno,” Moreno explained.
Through it all, the ordinary people stuck with Mayor Isko. It seemed like no force of nature can stop them from showing their overflowing love and full support to their young presidential candidate. The heavier the rain fell, the more electric and ecstatic they became, drowning the noise of the cascading rain with their wild cheering of “Isko, Isko, Isko.”
The overwhelming and awe-inspiring show of support left the usually ebullient Mayor Isko at a lost for words to expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his mass of supporters.
Moreno said it was the first time in his 24 years of public service that he witnessed such love from the crowd, who never left their candidate despite heavy rains.
“I love you. Ngayon lang ako nakakita.. wala akong mahugot na salita sa sobrang pasalamat ko sa inyo at sakripisyo ninyo ngayong gabi. Mga kababayan, may awa ng Diyos, sa tulong ninyo, susuklian ko yang paghihirap niyo sa amin ngayon ng mabuting gobyerno,” he said.
Ang sarap niyong magmahal Mindanao. Grabe kayo! Mga kababayan, bilang panghuli, ito na lamang ang iuuwi niyo, ang taos-pusong pasasalamat ko. Hindi ko kayo kakalimutan. Bahagi na kayo ng kasaysayan. Maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong lahat!” Moreno said, his voice already hoarse with raw emotions, and his tears of joy and gratitude mixing with the rain streaming down his handsome face.
The grand rally capped a hectic day of campaigning for Moreno in Misamis Oriental. Prior to going to Cagayan de Oro City, Moreno and the rest of Team Isko embarked on a series of motorcades and town hall meetings at Gingoog City, and the towns of the towns of San Juan and Balete where thousands of Batangueňos mobbed their “future President.”
Prior to going to Cagayan de Oro City, Moreno and the rest of Team Isko embarked on a series of motorcades and town hall meetings at the towns of Medina, and Balingasag where thousands of Northern Mindanaoans mobbed their “future President.”
Along the way, Mayor Isko made courtesy calls to Gingoog City Mayor Erick Caňosa, Medina Mayor Donato Chan, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno and Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente “Bambi” Emano.
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