Large crowds gather in Manila, Danao City for ‘Switch a Candle’ prayer rally for Isko Moreno
Switch A Candle event at the Liwasang Bonifacio | May 3, 2022
MANILA, Philippines — With just six days to go before the elections, large crowds supporting Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso flocked to the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila and Danao City, Cebu Tuesday evening for the “Switch a Candle” prayer-rally to show their unwavering support for the Aksyon Demokratiko presidential candidate, and pray for his success as well as for a clean, honest and peaceful elections.
The simultaneous events drew more than 20,000 supporters in Liwasang Bonifacio in front of the Central Post Office in Manila while the crowd in Danao City event reached a peak of 80,000 with Moreno’s wife Dynee Domagoso, sons Patrick and Joaquin and only daughter Frances leading the concert-rally in Cebu.
Organizers, led by the Alagang Isko Movement (AIM) and the United Defenders for Democracy and Sovereignty (UDDS), said the Liwasang Bonifacio event showcased not only their full support for Mayor Isko, but also their firm faith that God will guide Filipinos in their choice for the next President on May 9.
“Sa pagtitipon na ito, humingi tayo ng gabay sa Banal na Espirito, anuman ang ating mithiin at adhikain, nawa’y nauukol sa banal na kalooban ng Maykapal. Makatulong sana tayo para mabuo ang isang layunin para sa ikabubuti ng bawat mamamayang Pilipino,” intoned Father Erwin Mendoza in the prayers.
Switch A Candle event at the Liwasang Bonifacio | May 3, 2022
“Panginoon, sa inyong patuloy mong pagtulong at saklolo, kami’y nagkakaroon ng lakas ng loob at pag-asa na ang aming mga pagsisikap ay gagantimpalaan mo ng tagumpay. Panginoon basbasan mo ang Pilipinas, basbasan mo ang Alagang Isko, lahat ng grupong sumusuporta sa ating susunod na pangulo, at sa lahat ng nagtataguyod ng pagkakaisa sa ating bansa,” Fr. Mendoza said.
For his part, Moreno thanked all the volunteer groups, organizations and all his supporters for their solid support in the face of numerous disinformation campaigns waged against him, hoping that the candle lighting event will serve to enlighten the whole nation in their choice of candidate who will lead them towards real change.
“Maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong pagpupursige na ialay natin sa ating mga kababayan na ang ilaw na inyong sisindihan ay maging liwanag sa kaisipan ng ating mga kababayan, na mahanap natin yung matagal na nating inaasam na kapanatagan sa pamumuhay,” Moreno said in a video message that was flashed in the screens of both events, and also posted in his Facebook page.
“Muli, samahan ninyo ako hanggang May 9, hindi tayo susuko, may awa ang Diyos. May awa ang Diyos. mapagtatagumpayan natin ang laban na ito. paulit-ulit nating ipapaalala sa ating mga kababayan na makamit sana natin ang peace of mind,” he said.
Iskoncert Rally at Danao City, Cebu with Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso’s wife Dynee, sons Patrick and Joaquin and daughter Frances | May 3, 2022
Moreno again rallied the people to finally put a stop to the decades-long conflict between the Marcoses and the Aquinos, and vote for a candidate who will give them peace of mind by addressing the real problems confronting Filipinos – unemployment, high cost of electricity and fuel, rising prices of basic commodities, inequality and injustice, among others.
“Samahan ninyo ako, tapusin na natin ang away ng pula at dilaw. Alam na natin ang mangyayari sa ating bansa sa hirap ng buhay na kinakaharap ng ating bansa at nang bawat tao. Sana itong liwanag na inyong ibibigay ay maging liwanang sa isipan, sa puso ng ating mga kababayan sa mundo, sa Mindanao, sa Visayas at Luzon. Karapatan nila na magkaroon ng kapanatagan sa pamumuhay,” Moreno said.
“Muli, ako’y taos puso na nagpapasalamat sa inyo sa lahat ng effort, gastos, puyat, pagod, sakrispiyo ninyo para maipanalo lamang natin ang laban na ito para sa mga kababayan natin na ordinaryong pamilyang Pilipino. Tuloy-tuloy tayo, walang susuko, may awa ang Diyos,” he said.
Iskoncert Rally at Danao City, Cebu with Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso’s wife Dynee, sons Patrick and Joaquin and daughter Frances | May 3, 2022
The mammoth crowd that flocked to the “Switch a Candle” event in Danao City serves as a preview to Wednesday’s “Isinggit Nato, Isko” grand concert rally in Cebu City where more than 100,000 Cebuano supporters of Mayor Isko are expected to attend to reaffirm their full support to the Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer.
The grand rally, which will take place along 3rd Avenue, in front of Robinsons Galleria, Cebu City at 4:30 p.m. was organized and initiated by local supporters of Mayor Isko with the direct participation of Deputy Speaker and Cebu 3rd District Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia.
Organizers said they are expecting the very large crowd based on Tuesday’s Danao City event, and previous highly-attended ISKOncert rallies in the province where tens of thousands of supporters packed the venues to see and hear their chosen candidate despite the absence of famous artists and celebrities.
Last April 8, 35,000 Cebuanos trooped to the Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City to show their support for Moreno. This was followed by followed by another free concert on April 9 at the Toledo City Sports Center parking lot that was attended by over 20,000 people.
The “silent majority” being touted by Moreno that was always present in his campaign sorties was again in full force last April 24 in Carcar City with about 65,000 people attending the “Grand ISKOncert-Rally.”
Iskoncert Rally at Danao City, Cebu with Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso’s wife Dynee, sons Patrick and Joaquin and daughter Frances | May 3, 2022
The three Cebu concert-rallies were organized by the group of Cong. “PJ” Garcia, who is a staunch supporter of Moreno. It can be recalled that Cong. PJ has affirmed his unwavering support Moreno’s presidential bid despite One Cebu’s endorsement of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son and namesake of the ousted Philippine dictator.
In fully supporting Moreno, Garcia said Moreno’s track record and brand of leadership best exemplify the ideals of “Dili sulti ang pabuhaton; buhat ang pasulti-on.”
“Hindi salita ang gumagawa, ang gawa ang magsasalita. Gawa ang nagsasalita para kay Isko Moreno. Kaya malaking karangalan para sa akin na ipinaglalaban siya sa Cebu,” Garcia said.
Cong. PJ has been instrumental in drumming up support for Mayor Isko during his previous visits in the province, where he personally accompanied Moreno during his visits in Barili, Dumanjug, Moalboal, Carcar City and Talisay City on November 5 and 6 during Team Isko’s “Listening Tour.”
He also accompanied Moreno as he visits Lapu-Lapu City, Naga City, Balamban and Carmen on December 5 and 6. On both occasions, Cong. PJ had directly endorsed Moreno as his presidential candidate.
Tonight’s grand concert rally will again feature Joaquin Domagoso and local Cebuano bands that include Range999, Kurt Fick, Oh! Caraga, Jerika Teodorico, Sound Megre, Just Freshie, Super Renan, Christine, Cookie$, Emping, Furio, MakII G, Kyle, Ruzz, RKTEQ, J-Blaque, and Spins by DJ Jhess, among others.
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