~~
Note: This is the news that made the Philippines and our fellow Filipino compatriots euphoric, that finally Bong is officially participating in the upcoming elections this May 2022 and has the intention of running for President of our country.
~~
-Throwback to The Celebration chapter-
The place is alive with joy and happiness, unli kwentos, and chikas galor. After dinner, the children played, exchanging giggles, while the cousins enjoyed each other's company, and the adults talked about their businesses and adult-related topics [politics]
Mama Meldy: [making sure] Are you certain of your decision to make, Bongbong?
Bong: [decided] Yes, mom! This is something I am certain of. I am a person who believes in unified leadership and in making the Filipinos and this country great once more. [hopeful]
Mama Meldy: [smiled, holds Bong's hand] If that is your commitment and intention, I pledge my full support to you, my son, and our family as you work to reunite our country and restore greatness to the Filipino people. May our Lord guide you always Bong. [embraced her son]
Imee: [showing her ate support] Bonget, you have my support and I will always be with you.
Irene: We are always ready to help and support you in any way we can.
Bong: Thank you, Mom, Manang Imé, and Irene!
-End of Throwback-
Bongbong's POV
Ngayong araw, alam niyo naman na may importanteng desisyon tayong isinagawa at binigyan ng kasagutan, gaya nga ng sinasabi ko dati, gagamitin ko kung ano man oras na meron para makapag isip at plano ng maayos at sa awa at gabay ng Panginoon, kasama rin ang basbas ng aking pamilya, ng aking nga malapit na kaibigan at kasama sa pulitika ay ginawa na nating opisyal ang lahat.
Everyone is ready to go off to Bong's official announcement today. Irene will not be attending because she will be watching it via live telecast with Imee and their mother at their home in San Juan, while Greggy is with Yara to Bong's signing and has already left early in the morning.
Yara: [peaking] Is that mommy?
Greggy: Yes, hija! She said to kiss and hug you
Yara: Aww, I miss mom
Greggy: I miss your mom as well, but we'll see her later, be with Dad first, okay?
Yara: Alright Daddy. [held his dad as they got out of the car]
As they entered the building of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas headquarters they saw Bong, Liza, Sandro, Simon, and Anton in the lounge and ended up going to the office together where Bong's formal coalition with the party will be conducted. Yara walked into the office with her Tita Momma and cousins, first to Bongbong
Yara's POV
These three dudes are so angas to look at but I presume my daddy did forget that the bottled water he's holding was mine. I've been thirsty for a while, and my dad is walking extremely slow, if my mom had been present, he'd be walking fast to keep up with her.
"Ngayong umaga ay nanumpa ako sa Partido Federal ng Pilipinas kasama ng ibang mga opsiyal nito."
Greggy: Hija, [handed the bottle] here's your water.
Yara: Oh thank you, Daddy! I thought you forgot about this and swigged it. [giggling]
Greggy: No, I didn't get a chance to hand it to you asap because you walk so quickly, hija.
Yara: That's fine, Dad [smiling] thank you again, but I'm sure if Mommy's here, you'll be moving as fast as you can to avoid her rebuking you. [quietly giggling]
Greggy: [agreeing] That is undeniably true, bear.
Having followed Bong's signing of the PFP's alliance, the family went straight to their headquarters in Mandaluyong to officially inaugurate and bless it, and later that afternoon, he proclaimed his run for the presidency.
Liza: [gesturing] Come darling, sit with us.
Yara: Oh alright, [smiled] Tita Momma
Sandro: Here's your chair Yar. [provided Yara a chair]
Yara: Thank you Kuya San!
Simon: Are you comfortable Yar?
Yara: Yes, Kuya Si, thanks! When is Kuya Vinny coming home?
Sandro: Maybe in a month or two.
Liza: [uncertain] Not certain yet with the date, darling.
Yara: Oh maybe will see him na after we go back from the US
Simon: Most probably Yar.
~~
FERDINAND "BONGBONG" ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR'S
ANNOUNCEMENT/ SPEECH
Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon.
As I speak to you today, the Philippines faces one of the greatest tests in its history,
the global pandemic has raced to our country, destroying the lives of people, families, of entire communities and if we have learned anything in the time of COVID, it is that each of us, no matter our station needs the help of our fellow Filipinos. We must face the challenge as one, as one country, as one people. Together we must work towards a shared vision of our country through COVID and beyond COVID, to find a way through this crisis with a common goal, a vision to guide us and to lead us.
I know that it is this manner of UNIFYING LEADERSHIP that can lead us through this crisis, get our people safely back to work, for all of us to begin to live our lives
once again and that is why,
I am today announcing my intention to run for the
PRESIDENCY OF THE PHILIPPINES in the upcoming May 2022 elections.
I will bring that form of unifying leadership back to our country.
Hangad kong ibalik ang mapagkaisang paglilingkod na magbubuklod sa ating bansa, tayo'y magkaisa at sama sama tayong babangon mula sa hagupit ng pandemya, babangon mula sa paglulugmok ng ekonomiya.
Let us bring Filipinos back to one another in service of our country,
facing the crisis and the challenges of the future together.
Join me in this noblest of causes and we will succeed.
SAMA-SAMA TAYONG BABANGON MULI.
~~
Just after Bong's statement, he was immediately hugged by Sandro, Liza, Simon, Greggy, and Yara, as his peers and political friends shook hands and lauded him on his presidential run.
While Imelda, Imee, and Irene are focusing their attention on the live broadcasts on Bong's page, Imelda's two daughters chose to watch it with her rather than go to the declaration itself because that would be unsafe for their mother to convene because of the pandemic to this day, even with the vaccines they've received, they still can not let their mom come out because of her age and the family is very extra cautious with her and her general wellbeing. Suddenly, Yara receives a text message from her mom.
Irene thanked her daughter because she knew it was a big step for her to make an appearance in interact with other people, especially since there is a camera that will understandably be shown in the mainstream press, so Irene's feelings are mixed for her child but is delighted since she seems fine with what took place in her brother's public announcement, and even though Irene is not around for her daughter and is with her dad, She did manage to handle the situation and compose herself by slowly blending in with folks and socializing with them.
The family headed straight to their live viewing party with Bong's supporters, PFD officials, political friends, and a small lunch party prepared by Liza for her husband's friends and allies, and as a way of saying thanks to their loyalists for their warm support for Bong's candidacy in this presidential race.
Liza: Darling, what do you want to eat? Your Mommy Irene told me to look after you.
Yara: [smiled sweetly] Aaah, my mom talaga, but you shouldn't have to look after me Tita Momma but thank you, you're the sweetest. For lunch, I'm thinking maybe I'll have pasta or salad.
Liza: [making cute faces] Not a problem, darling, You are, after all, our and my favorite little girl kaya, but is that all? Come on, let's get some more for you since I know you'll enjoy them.
Bong: [teasing Yara] I can vouch for the fact that you are the most prized possession of all of us!
Yara: Tito Pops! [embraced him] Congratulations and best of luck, we love you dearly, and Mommy said they're watching you with Lola and Tita Mommy, and they're very proud of you!
Bong: Thank you, doll, for coming out of your shell to support me today. I genuinely appreciate it, sweetie. [kissed Yara's hand]
Yara: I/We would do everything in our own small or big ways to show our support to you Tito Pops, always!
Bong tightly cradled his favorite niece and Liza, when their children Sandro and Simon saw it, they ran up to them and hugged their mom and dad and cousin as well. Greggy simply looks at them with a big smile on his face, having known that they are very happy and proud and will just be around supporting Bong's candidacy and will always be behind him, providing the help and support that he needs in all his plans and intentions to the Filipino people and the great nation they deeply care and love, the Philippines.
"Ako po ay muling nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng nagparating ng kanilang suporta, mula sa iba't ibang bahagi ng ating bansa, pati na sa ating nga kaibigan na nasa ibayong dagat kasama na dyan ang mga naglalatag ng kanilang pagkaka-isa sa ating mga plano sa darating na halalan. Sa mga taga-suporta natin, MARAMING SALAMAT SA INYO. Simula po lamang ito, nakakataba ng puso ang mainit niyong pag-tanggap, kagaya ng aking sinabi sa aking talumpati, Join me in this noblest cause and together we will succeed. SAMA SAMA TAYONG BABANGON MULI"
~~