Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero asked for a Philippines Party (Partido Pilipinas).
That’s what they got—more or less.
The Club Filipino’s Kalayaan Hall in San Juan City looked like the venue for a big birthday bash on Thursday, complete with catchy sounds, colorful balloons and posters.
Even before the event started at 10 a.m., the mood was festive as the song “Dear Future Husband” by Meghan Trainor blared from the speakers.
People streamed in and out of the hall with few security guards watching over the venue.
Lovi Poe, Heart Evangelista
When actors Lovi Poe and Rocco Nacino arrived, people did not find it difficult to approach them and take pictures with them.
“I just want her to know I’m here to support her,” Lovi Poe said, referring to her half-sister Grace Poe, the presidential candidate.
The actress also thanked all those who she said defended her sister from what appeared to be personal attacks.
“To all those who believe in Ate (big sister), and all those who defend my Ate, thank you, really. We are the ones thanking people,” she said, adding that her sister was a “very strong woman.”
“I pray for the best and I hope everyone sees what is really in your heart,” she said, addressing her sister.
Of Escudero and his wife, Heart Evangelista, the actress said: “I’m just here beside them. They are good people. They’re one of my favorite couples. I pray for the best.”
THE MAN BEHIND GRACE An elated Sen. Francis Escudero joins Sen. Grace Poe onstage on Thursday at Club Filipino, where she named him her running mate in the 2016 elections. Poe announced her presidential bid a day earlier at Ang Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman, Quezon City. The anticipated team-up drew a strong mix of show biz and political personalities. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
Campaign colors
Around 9:30 a.m., many of the guests produced big hotdog-shaped, blue and red balloons marked “Grace-Chiz 2016.”
Blue and red are the campaign colors of Poe and Escudero.
Forty-seven-year-old Raquel Manares of Barangay Concepcion in Malabon City said she was given two balloons.
“Aren’t they cute? I’m keeping them,” Manares, who said she was also at Ang Bahay ng Alumni on the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City, where Poe declared her presidential candidacy on Wednesday night.
Blue and red posters that bore the words “Grace-Chiz 2016” were also taped to many parts of the walls of Kalayaan Hall.
The colors matched the colors of the shirts worn by many of Poe’s and Escudero’s supporters in the venue.
The party mood continued as Poe and Escudero spoke on the stage.
They were interrupted several times by cheers from the crowd.
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