Grace Poe supporters at Plaza Miranda. PHOTO BY EDWIN BACASMAS
After a grueling, eventful 90 days, Sen. Grace Poe ended her campaign where it began—in the historic Plaza Miranda, fronting the Quiapo church, which holds personal significance for her.
Poe, who takes pride in leading a “clean campaign,” remained optimistic of her chances in tomorrow’s elections despite placing second in the most recent surveys.
According to Poe, she chose to hold her miting de avance in Plaza Miranda because of its special meaning for her.
“Many told me that we might not all fit in the place. But it’s symbolic for me. This is not just a simple miting de avance. This is for our message that what we are doing is for the people and in accordance with the will of God,” she said Friday.
It was in Plaza Miranda where she launched her 2013 senatorial bid. She topped the race then with a record 20 million votes.
Poe is also a regular visitor of Quiapo church, where she goes to give thanks and to pray for strength.
And most recently, she was on the road near Quiapo church when news broke that the Supreme Court had overturned her disqualification cases, paving the way for her unhampered run for the presidency.
The miting de avance started on an upbeat note, with Poe’s signature song, “Bagong Umaga,” performed by a children’s choir and dancers in native costumes.
Poe’s family also came to support her in Plaza Miranda, including her mother Susan Roces, husband Neil Llamanzares, daughter Hanna and half sister Lovi Poe.
Llamanzares, who had been targeted by Poe’s critics for being a dual citizen, told reporters that he felt energetic and confident.
He said he believes they are going to make it.
Llamanzares had renounced his American citizenship last month before a Filipino official and before the US embassy.
Sen. Francis Escudero came with his wife, actress Heart Evangelista.
Actress Nora Aunor joined the gathering and made a pitch for Poe while criticizing her opponents Mar Roxas and Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Aunor said Poe would be a president who would keep her promise and truly help the poor.
“We won’t let her lose,” she told the crowd.
She also narrated her experience with Binay, who she asked for help for fans who needed jobs.
She said Binay spoke with her but did not look her in the eye. He was also walking while speaking with her, and before she knew it, they were already his office.
She also said Roxas tried to have her son Ian de Leon jailed when he got into an altercation with a taxi driver, without knowing the whole story.
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