Former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano thanked the thousands of people who turned up for a concert rally in Taguig organized by his supporters on Labor Day Sunday, and emphasized the importance of their individual sense of identity a week before the nation troops to the polls on May 9.
“May 1 po ngayon, Labor Day, dapat nagpapahinga, pero ilang libo po tayong nagsama-sama dito para ipakita tayo’y nagkakaisa,” Cayetano said.
He reminded his supporters to always remember who they were, explaining that an ideal government should be led by people who have a clear sense of identity.
“Ako po si Alan Peter Schramm Cayetano, a servant of Christ, directed to serve our government and our people. At God-willing po, isang naglingkod ng tapat sa Taguig at Pateros at sa buong Pilipinas,” Cayetano said.
“Pero kapag tayo po tinanong, sino tayo bilang mga Pilipino, hindi po tayo makasagot tungkol sa identity natin. Bakit po sa Pilipino, maganda po na humble tayo, pero wala po tayong identity,” he added.
Replicate Taguig’s success all over the country
Cayetano recalled how Taguig evolved from a sleepy, relatively unknown corner of Metro Manila into one of the most progressive cities in the country, saying part of Taguig’s rise to prominence was its ability to take care of the most basic needs of its citizens in terms of health, education, and social services.
Connecting it to the concept of identity, Cayetano encouraged his supporters to take Taguig’s template of success to all corners of the country.
“Yung identity natin bilang anak ng Diyos, ang identity natin bilang Taguigeño, and identity natin bilang Pilipino ay ating [ipaglalaban] kasi ang kayang gawin sa Taguig ay kayang gawin sa Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao,” he said.
For her part, Rep. Lani Cayetano, who is the frontrunner in the mayoralty race in Taguig, assured the crowd that former Speaker Cayetano will deliver in the Senate.
“Naniniwala po ako sa Senado, maraming mga makabuluhan na batas ang maipapasa ng ating Senador Alan Peter Cayetano,” she said.
Tens of thousands of people flocked to the Arca South developments in Taguig on Labor Day Sunday for a concert rally in support of the former House Speaker and his wife.
Show of force
The event was a political show of force for the Cayetanos, with no less than President Rodrigo Duterte attending the concert rally in support of his running mate in the 2016 elections.
The President’s appearance at the Labor Day concert rally for the Cayetanos is one of the rare times he has attended a political rally in support of an independent senatorial candidate.
Also present at the Taguig concert rally were Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, former presidential spokesperson and senatorial candidate Harry Roque, and former Senator JV Ejercito, who like Cayetano is aiming for a Senate comeback in this year’s elections.
Senator Joel Villanueva, who is running for reelection in the 2022 polls, as well as Senator Francis Tolentino also spoke in separate video messages during the concert rally.
Senator Go in his pre-recorded speech thanked former Speaker Cayetano and Rep. Lani Cayetano for supporting President Duterte throughout his tenure.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyo sa suporta na binigay niyo kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte,” Senator Go said.
Aside from the Cayetanos, the entire Team Lani Cayetano local slate as well as the nominees for Lungsod Aasenso (LUNAS) and You Against Corruption and Poverty (YACAP) partylist groups were present at the concert rally.
Meanwhile, Michelle Gumabao of Mothers for Change (MOCHA) partylist also expressed support for former Speaker Cayetano, as well as Rep. Lani Cayetano’s TLC local slate.
Night of music
Filipino reggae band Tropical Depression sang their hit 90s rock anthem Kapayapaan, and were eventually joined by Rep. Lani Cayetano, who sang along to the song to introduce former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano onstage.
Actress Shaina Magdayao also appeared during the concert rally in support of the Cayetanos and the Team Lani Cayetano local slate.
The night was capped off with performances from Nina, Paolo Santos, and Jimmy Bondoc. ####
