Unprecedented reception in Cainta
Sen. Marcos thanks Cainta people for a welcome that outdid
Ilocos Norte's best

Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. today thanked the people of Cainta, Rizal who gave him a rousing welcome that he said was even better than the best reception he got from the people of his own province of Ilocos Norte.

Led by Mayor Kit Nieto, a huge crowd gathered at the Cainta Municipal Hall to welcome the senator with a brass band playing in the background. As Marcos arrived, he was showered with confetti and mobbed by screaming supporters.

"Alam nyo po nakakatuwa talaga, halos hindi na ako makapagsalita sa tuwa dahil hindi ko po talaga akalanin na ganito ang salubong na ibibigay ninyong salubong sa akin," Marcos said, his voice breaking with emotion.

"Mapapahiya po ang mga salubong na ibinibigay sa akin sa Ilocos Norte. Sa Norte e sasabihin ko, luma kayo ng Cainta. Naluma yung mga Ilocano sa mga Tagalog," he added.

It could be recalled that on Monday, when Marcos visited the Rizal provincial capitol, the political kingpins of the province, led by the Ynares clan, declared their support for the senator's vice presidential bid.

Rizal Vice Gov. Frisco San Juan, Jr. even assured the senator that "Rizalenos will forever be a Marcos country.

Nieto for his part said the welcome they have to Marcos was unprecedented. "Marami na kaming tinanggap na bisita, pero ngayon lang ako napagod. ...dahil inaasam ko na iparamdam sa ating bisita na ang mga tao ng Cainta ay mga taong nagmamahal sa kanya," he said to the delight of the crowd.

Nieto said a lot has been said about the administration of the senator's father, but he has his own version.

"Nung panahong yun, ang tatay ko umuuwi ng alas 12 ng hatinggabi, pag umuwi siya ng ala una hinuhuli siya ng pulis. Kaya't tuwang-tuwa ang nanay ko dahil maaga siyang umuuwi," he said.

Nieto said the Marcos administration has left a lasting legacy through various infrastructure projects such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines and medical institutions like the Philippine Heart Center, Kidney Center and Lung Center, which were the initiatives of the senator's mother.

Specifically for the people of Cainta, Nieto said the Marcos administration built housing projects for the poor, specifically in the area of Karangalan Village. Because of this, Nieto said the people of Cainta are close to the Marcos family.

"Nakikita naman natin iyon e, hindi naman natin nadadaya ang tunay na nararamdaman ng mga tao. Kaya pag tayo'y nagtaya, nagtataya tayo. Tinatanggap natin lahat ng bisita, nagbibigay lang tayo ng diin sa mga taong inaakala nating kakampi at kasama natin habambuhay," Nieto said.

Reiterating his call for national unity, Marcos said that with the people's support he could be given a chance to realize his vision of a more progressive future for the entire Philippines.