BEARING its consistent message of unity for the whole country, the BBM-Sara UniTeam recently “succeeded in uniting South and North Caloocan,” with supporters attending the ticket’s campaign rally or standing along the roadsides to wait for their caravan to pass by.
To show the city’s support for the UniTeam, Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan and his son, Congressman Dale “Along,” organized a caravan and rally, where Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and his running-mate Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte spoke about their vision for the country.
The people of Caloocan affirmed the Malapitans’ commitment of support for the UniTeam, with the Marcos camp estimating that more than a million residents went out of their homes to show their support.
Many had cellular phones ready to take photos or videos as the caravan came in sight, later posting these on social media.
Marcos and the Malapitans led the caravan going around South Caloocan, taking off in front of the Toyota showroom along Balintawak at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
The caravan went around Gen. Malvar, Tirad Pass, Gen. Tirona, West Service Road (North Diversion Road), Malolos Avenue, Zapote, Gen. Tinio, Edsa, Monumento, Samson Road, Sangandaan, A. Mabini, 10TH Avenue, and 8th Avenue in South Caloocan before Marcos and the team took a break for lunch in front of the main city hall.
After lunch, the caravan headed towards the Caloocan Sports Complex in North Caloocan to regroup for another round, this time in North Caloocan and with Sara Duterte joining the caravan.
Some of the UniTeam’s senatorial bets like former defense chief Gibo Teodoro and guest Robin Padilla joined the afternoon caravan.
The caravan went around Caloocan at snail’s pace, as the cars could only move slowly through thousands of people on the streets.
In North Caloocan, the caravan traversed Malapitan Rd. (Saranay), Congressional Rd., Vicas, Camarin Rd., Almar, Camarin Rd., Zapote, Durian St., Sampaloc St., Kiko, Ilang-Ilang St., Capt. Somano Rd, Barugo Rd., Phase 1 Bagong Silang, Langit Rd., Tala Hospital, SVF Ave., St. Joseph Barracks Rd., and Mallaria Rd.
Before the caravan arrive at the rally venue, almost a hundred thousand supporters were already patiently waiting, while thousands more continued to troop without let-up to the place.
A cashier at a nearby mall said hordes of people were already lining up for entry hours before the venue, a fenced vacant property where a subdivision is set to rise, was opened.
“Many lined up to enter Villa Alessandra since early morning. They said they wanted to make sure they can sit near the stage or near where they can see BBM as he goes up the stage,” one of the marshalls said.
The capacity of the venue is big, as it was meant for a subdivision. The marshall estimated that more than 200,000 can fit in, but because of the pandemic, there were restrictions on the numbers allowed inside.
Image credits: BBM-Sara UniTeam Campaign