Starstruck supporters greet Team Rama

STARSTRUCK employees in the Cebu City election office crowded around as celebrities Eddie Gutierrez and his actor children accompanied their mother Annabelle Rama inside to file her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) as congresswoman of the north district.

When the visitors got of the airconditioned bus, spectators screamed.

Employees rushed to have their photos taken with the Manila-based celebrities.

Richard Gutierrez brought with him a camera and took photos of the event.

The commotion was expected, part of a showbiz offensive to support Annabelle and her cousin reelectionist Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Earlier at 8 a.m., Team Rama candidates filled the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral with a sea of green and yellow-shirted supporters to hear Mass.

“Never before have I remembered having such a huge crowd during the filing of COCs,” said an ellated Mayor Rama.

In his homily, Msgr. Boy Alesna reminded Team Rama candidates the real purpose of seeking election is public service.

He said authority is entrusted to politicians in order for them to serve and not to rule over their constituents.

A drum and bugle crops later played to a cheering crowd as Team Rama candidates walked arm in arm to the Comelec office.

Mayor Rama said having a successful filing of their COC was already a good start for the campaign.’

“But we will still continue on a running scale and put our feet on the ground,” he said.

They drew a lively crowd reaction with the presence of Annabelle’s celebrity children Tonton, Ramon Christopher, Ruffa, Richard, Raymond and Elvis.

The celebrity manager, as promised, also brought three of her talents – Era and Michelle Madrigal and Arce Muñoz.

Four higantes designed to look like Mayor Rama, his vice mayoral candidate Edgar Labella and congressional candidates Annabelle Rama (north district) and Aristotle Batuhan (south district) also followed the 200-meter trek to the Comelec office.

Two Team Rama candidates – Basak Pardo barangay captain Dave Tumulak and radio personality Tisha Ylaya – filed their COCs separately about noon due to other commitments.

Lawyer Aristotle Batuhan of Cebu City’s north district continued to challenge his opponent third term councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa to a debate.

“A debate would be a lot of pretensions. Whatever he (Batuhan) says will be empty words because all through the years he has not been here” said Abellanosa./Chief of ReportersDoris C. Bongcac with reports from Correspondent Edison de los Angeles