Three biggest colleges light up buildings in pink in a show of support for Leni Robredo's bid for presidency
Adamson University. Source from Adamson University is seen lit up in pink (Facebook Page)
Three of the Philippines’ biggest Catholic universities have endorsed Vice President Leonor “Leni” Robredo after she announced she would run for the presidency in next year’s polls.
Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University and the Dominicans’ University of Santo Tomas lit up their school buildings in pink as a show of support for the vice president.
Robredo is a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte and has spoken out frequently against several of his policies, especially his deadly war on drugs.
Many of the students said they were Robredo supporters and had been waiting and hoping she would run for president.
They said they were fed up with the way the present administration was handling the pandemic and the country in general and so were very happy their respective universities were supporting Robredo.
They also said lighting up their buildings in pink was a good gesture as many Robredo supporters say pink symbolizes hope.
Finally, we have a candidate to challenge Duterte’s cronies. I hope this support will translate into votes for the vice president
“We are very happy to see our alma mater and school beaming with pink. This means we are on the right path. Our school taught us values and good leadership. I think it is time they too show where they stand,” University of Santo Tomas graduate James Carlo Tizon told UCA News.
“Finally, we have a candidate to challenge Duterte’s cronies. I hope this support will translate into votes for the vice president. Let us register and vote for her if we want change and we believe in the principles she is fighting for.”
Right after her declaration, Robredo’s supporters flooded social media with pictures in pink frames or messages written in the color. Others put up pink ribbons outside their homes.
“Pink is the new symbol of protest and activism. It is also a symbol of hope, a new beginning, especially now that another woman will run for the presidency. I pray she will bring healing to our land,” Rodredo supporter and Manila parishioner Camille Degracia told UCA News.
“This is like the time of Cory Aquino. When people who opposed the Marcos family tied yellow ribbons in and outside their houses. It’s the same feeling,” Quezon City resident Gil Valdez said.
Robredo’s path to the presidency does not look easy, according to observers.
A recent survey conducted by pollster Pulse Asia had Robredo trailing behind Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, and four other potential presidential candidates.
However, she has doubled her support in Manila and the central Visayas region since July, according to the survey.
Supporters may be heartened by the fact that Robredo, an almost political unknown in 2016, came from nowhere to claim the vice presidency that year.
Share your comments
SPECIAL EBOOKS
