Remember in 2022 when former vice president Leni Robredo’s supporters painted the town pink, so to speak? Those murals are back, only this time it’s for the Senate comeback bids of Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan.
Independent senatorial candidate Bam Aquino joins the mural painting at Brgy. Krus na Ligas in Quezon City on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Photo from Bam Aquino media bureau)
Community artists and supporters volunteered on Saturday, Feb. 15, for what they dubbed as the “National Mural Day” to jumpstart the mural painting activities in various parts of the country to show support for the candidacies of Aquino and Pangilinan, the only two senator formally endorsed by Robredo.
The two candidates took part in the mural painting activities in Brgy. Krus na Ligas, Quezon City, while similar activities have also begun in Lingayen, Pangasinan, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Batangas, and other areas.
In thanking their supporters, Aquino underscored the importance of these activities for their campaign.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa mga volunteer na nagsimula ng National Mural Day para kay Senator Kiko at sa akin (We thank the volunteers who started the National Mural Day for me and Senator Kiko),” the former senator said.
“Mahalaga po talaga siya kasi kami naman po, wala naman kaming bilyon at wala kami sa administrasyon. Ang meron tayo, mga volunteer at mga kababayan natin na nagnanais na makakita ng lingkod bayan na handang maglingkod at tututok talaga sa mga problema ng bayan (It’s really important because we don’t have billions [of pesos] to spend and we are not with the administration. What we have are volunteers and the people who want to see public servants ready to serve and focus on the real problems of the country),” he added.
Community artist John Benedict Medalla, for his part, said the mural painting activities are a great way for artists to express their support.
Aquino and Pangilinan themselves took part in the activities as they were seen painting some murals themselves.
The murals were common sights during the 2022 campaign since Robredo’s supporters lend their artistry, talents, and resources to paint privately-owned fences and walls for her and Pangilinan, her vice presidential runningmate then.
In her speech during Aquino’s and Pangilinan’s proclamation rally at the Dasmariñas City Arena in Cavite on Feb. 11, the former vice president thanked her supporters once more when she recalled the murals they painted during the campaign period.
“Talagang hinihintuan ko pa rin at pinipicturan ko kasi alam mo na labor of love talaga iyon para sa bayan (I still stop to take a pictures because I know they are a labor of love for the country),” she said.
Aquino and Pangilinan are both in a tight race to the Magic 12. The recent Pulse Asia survey results showed them in 15th to 18 and 15th to 16th, respectively, but Aquino said they are hopeful these numbers will pick up this campaign season.
