Senator Grace Poe ,actor, Fernando Poe Jr., presidential candidate ,Manila North Cemetery , FPJ, Santa Lucia Elementary School , presidential campaign, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,
MANILA, May 9 (Mabuhay) – Senator Grace Poe went to the tomb of her late father, actor Fernando Poe Jr., before casting her vote in San Juan.
The presidential candidate stopped by the Manila North Cemetery to pay her respects to the elder Poe, more popularly known as FPJ, before heading to Santa Lucia Elementary School to vote.
At the cemetery, the senator said she makes it a point to visit her father’s tomb whenever there is an important occasion in her life.
After casting her vote, Poe admitted she was emotional at the conclusion of her presidential campaign.
“Talagang isang madamdamin itong araw na ito sapagkat natapos na rin ang ating dapat gawin para sa kampanya. Naging maayos ang aking pakikitungo sa abot ng aking makakaya dito sa eleksyon na ito. At para sa akin inaalay ko ito sa Diyos, sa aking ama at sa ating mga kababayan,” she said.
The senator said she is dedicating her presidential bid to her father because his popularity enabled voters to become familiar with her.
“Hindi naman ako makikilala ng ating mga kababayan kung hindi dahil sa kanya (FPJ) kaya nga hinahandog ko rin ito sa kanya,” she said.
The late actor ran for president in the 2004 elections but lost to then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. His camp alleged that he was cheated of victory in the presidential race.
Although she felt “a little nervous” on the eve of the elections, Poe said she is now at peace and happy because she has given the presidency her best shot.
“Ang pinakamahalaga nitong kampanya na ito, unang-una, nagpakita tayo kung… ano ‘yung ating mga plataporma para makatulong sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na ‘yung mahihirap, mga naaapi; pangalawa, na naging maayos ang ating pagpapatakbo ng ating sarili, hindi ko winala ang aking sarili at ang aking paninindigan sa kampanyang ito; at pangatlo, sa tingin ko ay nakita ko na kaya ko rin pala lahat ng mga hamon na ito,” she said.
With the next president expected to be known in the coming days, Poe urged the public and her fellow candidates to respect whatever the outcome of the elections will be.
“Sa ating mga kababayan, ang pinakamahalaga ay marinig at mabilang ang ating boses. Kung sino man ang inyong iboboto, ang pinakaimportante ay galangin natin ang kagustuhan ng nakararami, at para sa ibang mga kandidato rin ganoon din sana ang kanilang pananaw,” she said.
Nevertheless, the senator called on her supporters not to lose hope, just as they did when her candidacy faced challenges.
Addressing her fans, Poe said: “Huwag kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa. Malakas ang pag-asa natin. Masaya tayo at maraming salamat na sa lahat ng mga black ops na ginawa sa atin hindi kayo nawalan ng pag-asa, tumindig pa rin kayo para sa akin, salamat.”(MNS)