A journey through Leni Robredo’s campaign
The title of this coffee table book is “Tayo ang Liwanag” or “We are the Light: Journeying through our People’s Campaign.” It is by Leni Robredo on the story of her storied presidential campaign.
In many ways, it was more than just a campaign. In many ways it reminded me of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
In her Foreword, Leni wrote: “Some of you believed early on that a presidential run was inevitable. Bruised by my experience as vice president, I was reluctant to embrace it. I was also realistic about how low our chances could be, given my poor standing in surveys.”
Like the EDSA Revolution, this was not a typical campaign because many of those who participated joined not just because of an ambitious desire to win. In this way, it was more of a crusade that one joined out of a sense of mission and a desire to change the world.
Leni continued in her narrative: “You proved me wrong. I watched as more and more of you rose to the challenge. Your faith turned things around. This campaign was never just mine, it was always ours. We were in a race against time and we soared. You did things you never thought you would. You knocked on doors and hearts. You walked through communities, yours and beyond, to speak to people about the leadership you believe in. You fed the hungry, helped the distraught get up on their feet, shared your blessings and your grace. You chose to be kinder, more patient and understanding. You chose to be more loving – even, especially in the most difficult times. You spoke truth to power and collectively stood for the country you believed in. Tumaya ka sa kapwa mo Pilipino.”
This documented journey of the campaign is 388 pages of mostly colorful and candid photographs capturing the different phases of the campaign in six parts: The Clamor, Decision Time, Gearing Up. The fourth part, The Fight of our Lives, is the longest part, which is a daily pictorial and narrative of the actual campaign from Feb. 8 when the campaign period kicked off to May 9, 2022, election day.
The campaign begins in Lupi, Camarines Sur at the Angat Buhay village, home to about over a hundred families affected by the series of typhoons in 2020. Leni says this village was
