Unforgettable election campaign experiences

WITH the onset of election fever, I can not but fondly recollect some of my own unforgettable election experiences. They happened years ago when I took to the campaign trail either for myself or my party’s candidates.

I first took office in 1986 as one of the many Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of President Corazon C. Aquino.

Post 1986, I first got involved in the election campaign of the late Lulu Teodoro. She was running for Congress in the former joint congressional district of Las Piñas-Muntinlupa. She was President Cory’s candidate. As a show of support, I personally joined Ms. Teodoro in most of her sorties.

One day, we campaigned inside the premises of a big factory on the South Super Highway. The welcome was warm. A senior officer of the company accompanied Ms. Teodoro at the factory assembly line. Before we left the premises, the officer handed Ms. Teodoro a sealed envelope containing a “modest token of the company’s support.” Ms. Teodoro thanked the officer and we proceeded to the next campaign stop.

Twenty minutes later, a less senior officer came running after us. He was very profuse in his apologies. He retrieved the previous envelope and handed Ms. Teodoro another one.

As we found out later, the previous envelope contained a check payable to the rival candidate!!

*** The following year, it was my turn to run. I sought election as mayor of Muntinlupa. As was customary, the preferred mode of campaigning in our town was house-to-house.

One day, we were campaigning along the railroad tracks in Sucat, the northernmost barangay of Muntinlupa. I was accompanied by all the party candidates from vice mayor to the councilors.

I was much younger then and I could easily work both sides of the railroad tracks. I did not mind the scorching afternoon sun as I tried to pump as many hands as I could. It was heartwarming and re-assuring to hear from the constituents their words of support.

Then, an old man whom I approached told me: “I am sorry I can not vote for you.”

Having recovered from the shock, I asked him: “Why, Lolo? Do you not approve of the way I ran Muntinlupa?”

“You are OK, Mayor,” he said. “But you see, this is already Taguig!”

*** Kris Aquino, who was just starting her career in show biz, made a surprise visit during one of our small evening plaza meetings. She sang a couple songs to the delight of the crowd and then delivered her spiel: “Ang sabi ng Mommy ko, iboto ninyo si Toting. Basta si Toting, Magaling!”

My gut feel, prior to that point in the campaign, was that the local election would be closely contested. After Kris’ appearance, I felt that I began to surge ahead.

But the big moment came when President Cory, herself, showed up during our “miting de avance.” She told a crowd of thousands gathered at the Alabang jeepney terminal: “Kung pipili ako ng 5 pinakamahusay kong OIC, makakaseguro kayo na isa doon si Toting.”

With the vaunted “Cory magic,” it was all over but the shouting.

***

Once, President Fidel V. Ramos visited Muntinlupa City Hall to proclaim his official candidates for the 1995 local elections. Over coffee and his trademark unlighted cigar FVR gave his anointed candidates precious tips on how to campaign. “I call this 4K,” FVR started. “First K. Kawayan. Wave at the people. By waving you immediately establish contact with them even from afar.

“Second K. Kamayan. Up close, shake their hands. Your hand shake must be firm. While shaking hands, don’t forget the eye contact.

“Third K. Kumustahan. While shaking hands, ask a general question about the family. Everybody appreciates being asked about his/ her loved ones.

“And don’t forget the last K. Kodakan. Filipinos are very fond of picture-taking.”

“4K is a sure-fire formula,” FVR said with a wink and a ‘thumbs up’.

***

Those were exciting times indeed.

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