Lovi Poe on half-sister Grace: She’s worth emulating

Actress Lovi Poe received the manifesto of support for her half-sister, presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe, presented by members of Aksyon Demokratiko and allied parties during a simple ceremony held at Club Filipino in San Juan City Thursday. MAILA AGER/INQUIRER PHOTO

An inspiration “worth emulating” was how actress Lovi Poe described her half-sister, presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe, when she faced a gathering of local officials at the historic Club Filipino in San Juan City on Thursday.

It was Lovi who received a manifesto of support for the senator’s presidential bid from Aksyon Demokratiko and its allied parties.
READ: Raul Roco’s Aksyon Demokratiko endorses Poe

“Unang-una po pasensya na po hindi po talaga ako sanay sa industriyang ito pero gustong-gusto ko pong magpasalamat sa inyong lahat dahil sigurado po ako na thankful po si Ate Grace sa pagsuporta nyo sa kanya (First of all, I would like to ask for forgiveness because I am not used to this industry but I would really like to thank all of you because I’m sure that my sister Grace is very thankful for your support),” the actress said when she received the manifesto.

“I’m happy that everyone here chose my sister to be our president. Unang-una sa lahat dahil alam ko bilang kapatid nya, isa talaga syang inspirasyon sa akin at sigurado ako na inspirasyon din sya sa maraming tao (First of all because I know that as her sister, she is indeed an inspiration for me and for others as well.).”

“And I also believe that my sister is worth emulating kaya maraming-marami salamat po (so thank you so much) for choosing my sister to be our president,” Lovi added.

Poe is in Bacolod and Palawan provinces campaigning with her team.

It was Ilocos Sur Representative Ronald Singson, who first spoke on behalf of the senator while waiting for the actress, who happens to be his ex-girlfriend.

Singson, in his short speech, relayed Poe’s gratitude for the endorsement she received from Aksyon Demokratiko and its allied parties.

“Gusto ko lang ipaabot sa inyo ang malaking pasasalamat ni Senator Grace Poe. Tumawag po (siya) sa akin kanina na nagpapaabot ng pasasalamat sa inyo dahil katulad po ng sinabi ng ating presidente ngayon dito sa Aksyon Demokratiko, these are very challenging times,” he said.

(I would like to relay Senator Grace Poe’s gratitude. She phoned me a while ago extending her gratitude because as our Aksyon Demokratiko president said), these are very challenging times.)

Singson was referring to Aksyon President Robbie Pierre Roco.

“Kung napapansin nyo, ang nangyayari po ngayon ay pabagu-bago ang survey. Minsan number one, minsan number 2 so parang agawan po ng position,” he said.

(If you notice, the survey changes every now and then. Sometimes, [Poe] is in first place, while sometimes, she’s in the second place so the positions are switching)

“Ngayon, ang ginawa po ninyo ngayon ay napakahalaga na po sa kandidatura ni Senator Grace Poe dahil yung mga iba, parating nagsasabi na wait and see muna tayo, tingnan natin kung sino ang lalamang. Ganun usually ang sagot or position ng mga iba.”

(Your endorsement of Senator Grace Poe is crucial as others are in a ‘wait and see’ position and they are awaiting who would take the top spot. That is usually the answer or position of others.)

“Pero sabi nga ng ating president (But as our president said), this is the time that we should take action and help shape the future of our country kung gusto natin ng maayos na gobyerno… suportahan natin  yung tingin nating magpapaganda ng ating gobyerno (if we want an effective government, let us support the candidate who we think will improve our government),” the congressman added.

Tarlac City Mayor Ace Manalang, who is now running for governor, assured that the entire province— including Tarlac City and its 17 towns, will carry Poe’s candidacy.

“Pitong buwan, hindi po ako tumanggap ng bisita sa pagkapangulo dahil hinihintay ko po ang pagdating ni President Grace Poe (For seven months, I haven’t accepted any other presidential candidate because I was waiting for President Grace Poe),” Manalang said.

“Hindi po ako nag-entertain ng kandidatong vice president kahit mga kaibigan ko tumatawag. Hindi po ako tumatanggap ng mga imbistasyon hangga’t hindi ako sigurado kung sino ang aking susuportahan.”

(I didn’t entertain a candidate who is the vice president although my friends were calling me. I didn’t accept invitations until I was certain whom I will support.)

He said he also asked his mayor and vice mayoralty bets not to entertain any presidential aspirant until they have decided on whom to support this coming May national elections.

“Yan ang gusto kong i-share sa mga pulitiko, sa lahat ng mga leaders, sa lahat ng mga nagmamalasakit kay President Grace Poe kung gusto natin syang manalo (That is what I would like to share to our fellow politicians and leaders and to all those who care for President Grace Poe if we want her to win),” Manalang said.

“Tingnan natin kung sino yung talagang nagmamalasakit at nagmamahal sa kanya, ibig sabihin, mahal din ang ating bansa (Let us see who really care for and love her which means those who also love our country),” he added. RAM