LP's miting de avance turns festive as candidates dance to Lady Gaga

(Updated 9:22 p.m.) There's still three days left before the elections, but the mood at the Liberal Party's miting de avance in Quezon City was already so festive that their candidates were quickly prompted to dance to Lady Gaga's monster hit, "Bad Romance." Celebrity Pokwang managed to get LP standard bearer Noynoy Aquino, vice presidential bet Mar Roxas, and some senatorial bets to shake their hips, clap their hands, and move their feet to the upbeat song before the crowd of thousands who showed up at the party's miting de avance at the Quezon Memorial Circle. Even Quezon City mayor Sonny Belmonte and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim danced with the comedienne, whom Noynoy's sister Kris introduced to the audience after LP senatorial candidate Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel suddenly fell down in the middle of her speech due to a torn ligament. Aquino, clad in a yellow shirt just like many of those present at the event, profusely thanked his supporters and party-mates—particularly his running mate Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II—for helping him throughout the presidential campaign. "Mga kasama, nandito na po tayo sa huling yugto ng ating kampanya. Napakalaki na ng lamang po natin. Patunay po ito na ang taong bayan ang aking tunay na lakas. Patunay rin po na ang makatotohanang mensahe ang siyang mangingibabaw (We are now at the last phase of the campaign. We're now enjoying a huge lead. This is proof that the people are my real strength. This is also proof that the truthful message will triumph in the end)," said Aquino, who is enjoying a 22-point lead over his closest rival according to the latest Social Weather Stations survey. In late 2009, Roxas had given up his plan to run for president to give way to Aquino, who was strongly urged by several groups to seek the presidency after the death of his mother, the late former President Corazon Aquino, in August last year. "Hindi maipagkakaila na sa matibay na samahan naming dalawa, naabot natin ang ating kasalukuyang kinalalagyan (It cannot be denied that because of our strong partnership, we were able to reach where we are now)," Aquino said.
"Ang pinapasan ay gumaan dahil sa tunay naming samahan—samahang di lamang pang-billboard, pang-poster o pang-baller (The burden is lighter because of our genuine partnership—a partnership that is not limited to billboards, posters, or ballers)," added Aquino in an apparent dig at the notion of an Aquino-Jejomar Binay tandem, which is being pushed by some quarters. Aside from Kris, Aquino's sisters Balsy Cruz, Pinky Abellada, and Viel Dee were also present at the event, but chose to stay in their seats at the front row. The event was co-hosted by actress Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, the Aquinos' cousin. Among the other stars who showed up onstage were musicians Ogie Alcasid and Noel Cabangon, who led the delighted crowd in singing upbeat LP campaign songs. Filipino music icons Apo Hiking society—composed of Jim Paredes, Danny Javier and Boboy Garrovillo—reunited for what they said was the last time to sing some of their classics, including "Panalangin." The crowd, who loudly cheered Aquino and other LP bets as the night progressed, scrambled for the LP shirts that candidates and volunteers tossed to them from the stage. Foam in the shape of doves and the L-shaped “Laban" sign would flutter in the air once in a while over the sea of yellow shirts, balloons and posters. Aquino will proceed to his home province Tarlac on Saturday to campaign for the last time before taking a break on Sunday, one day before the elections.—JV, GMANews.TV