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| A quite relaxed Tatay Digong speaks to the people of Marinduque 'from the heart'. |
So it was no less than the President of the Philippines who came to be one with the people of this island-province to grace the double birthday celebration of Cong. Lord Allan Velasco and his lovely wife, Wen.
Duterte was accompanied by Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go. No one knew if it's certain these two VIP's would come for it was already past six in the evening.
The program held at Marinduque State College (MSC) that police estimated to have swelled to about 8,000 started at 2:00 pm. By that time the president's popular daughter, Mayor Inday Sara Duterte was on stage with the birthday celebrators flanked by retired Justice Presby Velasco, Jr. and guests Secretary Francis Tolentino, Senator JV Ejercito, Cong. Dong Mangudadatu.
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| Cong. Lord Allan Velasco, Davao CIty Mayor Inday Sara Duterte. Behind them: Retired Justice Presby Velasco Jr., Sec. Francis Tolentino, Madam Wen Velasco, Sen. JV Ejercito, |
It's Sara's second time in Marinduque she said, the first one was when she visited Bellarocca Resort Island during it's popularity years ago. It's her wish, she said for Marinduque to take care of its 'garbo ng Marinduque' stressing garbo is a word in Bisaya meaning 'pride'. 'Pride of Marinduque', she said referring to the Marinduque congressman celebrating his birthday.
Sara also talked about her regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HnP) and was elated to open its doors for the forming of an alliance with the local party Kapatirang Marinduqueno, chaired by Velasco. This is in the same manner that her party has formed an alliance for change with many national, regional and provincial alliances. 'Together we share the same beliefs, trust and vision". she said.
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| Sec. Francis Tolentino |
Presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino reminisced his days as Tagaytay mayor when he became a close friend of Justice Velasco, then a Court Administrator and came to know the latter well. 'Marinduque is in good hands and could also become the next Tagaytay', said Tolentino.
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| The girl group, 4th Impact |
4th Impact, a girl group that rose to popularity when they competed in the television show X Factor UK then rendered two songs to the delight of the crowd, "one of the best audiences we have ever encountered, pinaninindigan po kami ng balahibo", announced one of them. The audience clamored for more, that they had to ask the birthday celebrant if they could sing another song knowing 'we are under time pressure because of our panauhing pandangal'. The group then shared their X-Factor audition piece.
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| Homegrown talent Angel Penaflor |
After 4th Impact was the turn of homegrown talent Angel Penaflor to wow the crowd with her singing prowess. Exuding great confidence, she spoke in her native dialect, no puntong Maynila, the girl coming from Matuyatuya, Torrijos. The proud audience went wild.
By 6:00 pm the show had to be cut short after performances from other guest talents. A podium with presidential seal was put in place on the left side of the stage. Technical people and the soldiers were in a hurry to keep things in order.
It was already dark, but a chopper hovered above the MSC event venue, decreased power and landed on the ground. It was 6:18 pm on my watch. The crowd cheered, they knew who were in that chopper. "Welcome President Rodrigo Roa Duterte" was projected on screen.
The rest is history.
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| Photo credit: Marinduque News |
It was really like giving a first-hand report to the people of Marinduque on what had transpired since he was here during his presidential campaign.
Part of the MSC ground to be used at that time for the purpose was decorated with red, white and blue colors, but less than a day before his arrival came the news: presidential candidate Duterte would not be allowed the use of MSC ground at all cost for his Marinduque campaign. The municipality of Gasan then welcomed candidate Digong with open arms.
And the rest was simply just history.
But now on this occasion today that materialized without any hitch, these pictures are enough to paint a thousand words.
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| Part of the historic mammoth crowd |
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| Tatay Digong raises arm of Cong. Velasco and Justice 'Governor' Presby Velasco |
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| Angel Penaflor coaches the President in singing "IKAW" which he changed at times with "Kayo" |
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| LAV dancers with the Mobsters |
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| That's LAV singing and dancing |
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| Tatay Digong led the singing of Happy Birthday then went on to sing "Ikaw" for the people of Marinduque. What more could you ask? |
Photos courtesy of John Mendoza, CTTO
