Thursday last week, I visited Barangay Capayuran in Pigcawayan town to join the village people in celebating the Feast of the Nuestra Senora dela Salvacion.
Joining Pigcawayan Vice Mayor Herminio Roquero, who is running for mayor again this year, and Barangay Chairman Jandino Roquereo, in the Roquero home, I was pleasantly surprised when I was met by the 91-year-old Rita Valenzuela Roquero, Jandino’s grandmother, who loudly announced to all her relatives “Here is our beloved Governor.”
Then, she held my hand and introduced me to all of her relatives, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren urging all of them to shout: “Mabuhay si Manny Pinol!”
Of course, her children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and relatives all obeyed her command and shouted “Mabuhay!” as we moved from one group to another.
Who among us will disobey our grandmother, anyway?
That day, Lola Rita, sprite and sharp at her age, taught me another lesson in politics and that is in getting the support of huge families you go to the patriarch or the matriarch of the clan and more often than not you will get the support of the family.
But of course you have to please the grandfathers and the grandmothers because at their age, they could also be grumpy if they do not like you.
On Thursday, in front of her relatives, I appointed Lola Rita as one of my campaign managers in the town of Pigcawayan, a town where I have never lost an election since I joined politics.
I am now currently scouting for some more grandmothers like Lola Rita to handle my campaign in other towns as well.
What Lola wants, Lola gets, remember?
More Stories
Trump Presidency Boon To Philippine Agriculture
Mindanao Fruit Fest Scheduled Sept. 2025
DA, MinDA, LGU! MinDA Targets Tribal Areas For Highland Rice Farming