Robredo’s volunteer movement, the Pink Wave, defies typical campaigning

‘It motivates you to get up.’ It’s not just about you anymore. It concerns everyone, particularly future generations. I have the impression that I am contributing to something larger than myself.’

Pink baked goods, artwork, musicians writing songs for free, actors breaking into song on the streets, hikers brandishing tarpaulins on mountain peaks, supporters walking and waiting for hours in the sun, and volunteers daring to speak face-to-face to voters who have their hearts set on a candidate who differs from their own

These are some images from presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo’s campaign with running partner Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. Students are undeterred by school deadlines, workers are using vacation days to canvass neighborhoods, and farmers are marching throughout the nation in an attempt to persuade Filipinos to elect the duo as their next leaders.

All of this for a third- and fourth-place finisher in pre-election polls.

Some claim it’s a level of volunteering never seen before in Philippine elections. According to volunteers, it no longer appears to be a campaign, but rather a movement.

“This election is very unusual and, in some ways, unprecedented, since it is the first time we have seen an increasing number of private persons or citizens directly participate in campaigns.” “We haven’t seen anything like this in previous elections,” stated lawyer Emil Maraon in a Rappler Ask Your Election Lawyer segment.

Although the large crowds at Robredo’s rallies are encouraging, supporters have been cautioned by Robredo’s daughters that large crowds do not ensure victory. Despite the pink-clad gargantuan throngs, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the pre-election poll favourite, maintains a commanding lead over Robredo.

Marcos maintained a 56 percent voter choice for president in the most recent Pulse Asia poll in April, which was unchanged from the March poll. Meanwhile, Robredo’s support remained relatively stable in April, at 23% compared to 24% in March.

Despite the one-point loss, the Robredo campaign is confident in the ground shift. Robredo’s approval rating increased by 9 points from February to 24 percent. The figures “remain optimistic,” according to her spokeswoman, Barry Gutierrez.

The “kakampinks” (a pun on “kakampi” or ally and “pink”) refuse to give up hope. The requests to cover more land have only become louder in the last weeks of the campaign.

Works Cited:

Abad, Michelle. The Pink Wave: Robredo’s volunteer movement defies traditional campaigns. 04 May 2022. https://www.rappler.com/.../leni-robredo-volunteer.../. 04 May 2022.