On Wednesday, Leni Robredo, former Vice President and chair of the Angat Buhay NGO, reminisced about the start of her and Kiko Pangilinan’s campaign for the highest political positions, which occurred exactly one year ago through a proclamation rally.
Robredo shared a picture taken in Naga City, her hometown, during the opening day of the official campaign for the 2022 national elections on February 8th, 2022. In the photo, Robredo is seen waving pink flags while surrounded by a throng of supporters.
“One year ago today. Honor of a lifetime,” she wrote on social media with a heart emoji.
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Previously, Robredo shared the photo on her Facebook page on February 9th, 2022. At the time, she expressed gratitude to the supporters of “Tropang Angat” and called on Filipinos to take a stand for their country.
“‘Ipanalo na natin ito!’ Damang-dama ng buong Tropang Angat ang pagmamahal at suporta ninyo! Sa lahat ng nakiisa sa campaign kick off at grand rally natin kahapon, maraming salamat po!” she wrote.
‘Kakampinks’ joined in commemorating the anniversary.
What could have been. 🌸 pic.twitter.com/hPWxRyApVJ
— raffy magno (@raffymagno) February 8, 2023
Kahit anong hirap na napagdaanan ko sa sarili kong kampanya at natalo bilang Vice Mayor pero isang bagay lang ang di ko pinagsisihan, si LENI ROBREDO ang Presidente ko!#KulayRosasAngBukas #LeniRobredo
2022 pic.twitter.com/lb2IhdxIPs— Marben (@marbencordero) February 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/sevricus/status/1623298513055662080?s=20&t=A1TRjLTjFNR0uM46MComig
Celebrities also remember the campaign season.
“God bless you po,” said Ogie Alcasid.
“‘Di na muling pipikit,” TV host Jolina Magdangal commented.
Meanwhile, actors Agot Isidro and Rica Peralejo dropped heart emojis.
HONOR OF A LIFETIME….
For the first time in my more than 30yrs out of the country, i've registered, i've voted, for Leni-kiko2022 and Tropang Angat. And i am PROUD of it. #NoRegrets💓💓💓 https://t.co/NRMWR8uX6z— Audburn🩷💛#NoToPoliticalDynasty (@56audrey57) February 8, 2023
no atty. leni, it was my honor seeing your plans and advocacies be put on the limelight, only for the potential to be put into waste.
i will forever stand by the fact that i made the right choice. https://t.co/U9lJsODMUR
— jelai • on hiatus (@jelaimnida) February 8, 2023
You were more than the whole sky. You were more than just a short time. 🥺🎶
We’re never gonna meet what could’ve been, would’ve been, what should’ve been you. 🎶🤧 https://t.co/29ESg5UpXT
— Sev |🌷 (@NiniManoban7) February 8, 2023
At the start of their election campaign, Robredo pledged to bring the same style of leadership that she and her late husband, former Interior secretary Jesse Robredo, were recognized for in Naga, to the country.
“Susuotan natin ng tsinelas ang gobyerno at patatawirin sa mga pilapil papunta sa iyo. Sa ating pamamahala, laylayan ang magiging bagong sentro,” she previously said to her supporters.
Famous personalities and celebrities such as Nikki Valdez, Cherry Pie Picache, Pinky Amador, Rita Avila, Gab Valenciano, and Red Ollero were present at the proclamation rally.
The hashtag “#KulayRosasAngBukas” also gained popularity on the one-year anniversary of Robredo and Pangilinan’s campaign launch rally.
This was one of Robredo’s campaign slogans symbolizing her commitment to bringing a brighter future to the nation under her leadership. Pink was chosen as the campaign color, as it had become associated with political protest in 2020.
Last October, Robredo’s supporters used social media to show their support by posting in pink, marking the anniversary of her formal announcement of her candidacy for the presidency.
In the 2022 elections, Robredo received the second-highest number of votes for the presidency. Her campaign was characterized by strong community involvement and was powered by volunteers from a diverse range of backgrounds. Despite her efforts, she was defeated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and her running mate Kiko Pangilinan lost to Vice President Sara Duterte.