IT WAS A DAY OF JOY, A DAY OF DREAMS

In the many years that I have been involved in politics, I always made sure that when I spoke to people, they truly understood the message that I conveyed to them.

During my speeches, I would keenly observe the reaction of the people in the audience and watch for indicators which would show whether they liked what they were hearing.

Yesterday, inside the jampacked Kennedy Town Hall of the Bayanihan Center in Hongkong where overseas workers gather during the days when they are off from work, I saw faces filled with joy.

While I was talking about securing the future of the OFWs by offering a program which I call the Cotabato Overseas Workers Investments Program, there was a twinkle in the eyes of the people in the hall.

In fact, I saw several workers who shed tears.

Perhaps, the reaction of the province’s Hongkong workers could best be summed up by the post of Kabacan’s Mhar Giron, who even brought a musical band to welcome me yesterday.

In her post Mhar Giron said:

“The forum on agro-industrial investment was presented truly perfect for all OFWs in North Cotabato. Thank you very much our Gov. Manny Pinol for that program for the OFW. This is the very first time that someone, a political leader, would think of giving a chance for the OFW to be a partner of our government from North Cotabato to produce more jobs for the people of North Cotabato and at the same time for an investment for all OFW that may lead to us in staying back in our province for good with our families.This new program would really a very big help for us…”

After about three hours, the crowd broke into a bedlam as everybody jostled to have their pictures taken with me.

Amidst the hilarious chaos, I felt happiness deep inside me.

It is not everyday that people would listen to you for a couple of hours and immediately share your dream.

Yesterday, as they gathered around me for the photos that they wanted to be taken as souvenir, I truly felt their love.

I believe that the Cotabato overseas workers who were there yesterday really believed that I could make their dreams come true.

I will do my best. I will do everything. I will not fail them.