Opinion: Joyful Leni Caravan on a Joyful Day in New Jersey | On My Watch By Manuel Caballero

On My Watch

By Manuel Caballero

Joyful Leni Caravan on a Joyful Day in New Jersey

As the Christian world lighted the pink candle of Joy of Advent on Dec. 12, Filipino Americans in New Jersey, many wearing pink, gathered and held a joyful caravan of more than 100 cars in support of VP Leni Robredo in a section of Jersey City most inhabited by Filipinos.

"I see hope in Leni," said one of the participants who told this writer she was originally from Zamboanga City.

Dr. Tricia Robredo: "This fight is larger than my family's. This is our fight, the fight of Filipinos

everywhere,"

I'm one of the few men in the less than 10-person organizing committee dominated by women, led by Nida Gonzales-Chan , Jujo Conol and Angelita Pena . Kudos to this group for the successful Caravan.

Let me share some of the 'Pink Caravan for Leni" highlights:

1. The motorcade was preceeded by a group picture taking by the multi-awarded Fil Am photo journalist Reena Rose Sibayan , chief photographer of Jersey Journal and owner of Reena Rose Photography. Reena is member of the Caravan's Media and Public Relations Committee. She covered the motorcade from start to end, together with videographers Lambert Parong and Felimon Taino. We will post separately photos and videos once they become available.

Dr. Tricia Robredo

2. Dr. Tricia Robredo, one of three daughters of VP Leni, graced the occasion together with her aunt from NJ who is sister of her late Daddy Jesse Robredo. Doc Tricia proved to be a good extemporaneous speaker. Both in her talk and interview with Fil Am journalists Don Tagala of ABS-CBN and Momar G. Visaya of Asian Journal, the possibly first-daughter emphasized the importance of the 2022 elections in the PH. She also said her mother's fight is the fight of every Filipino in and outside of the Philippines. Thanks to Roger and Jo Bimeda Santos for giving a ride to Doc Tricia to and from NJ.

3. Loida Nicolas Lewis , Jersey City Councilman Rolando Lavarro Jr. . and Hudson County 

Commissioner Bill O'Dea spoke during the post Caravan program in the park emceed ably by Amira Allahh .

4. Tear-jerker songs during the two programs were: A) Bayan Ko; Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas, and C) Di Nyo Ba Naririnig (sang by Broadway star Lora N. Olaes).

5. Thank you Fernando Mendez and Laura Garcia for the free and nice Leni posters.

Dr. Tricia Robredo with On My Watch columnist Manuel Caballero

As my FB friend Eduardo Dela Cruz , the now confirmed "Lugaw ni Leni King of NJ," always says in his posts, "history na ito" (the Pink Caravan For Leni in NJ).

 

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After concluding this column, I saw on TV news the horrific and tragic effects of tornadoes in Kentucky and Illinois the other night. At least, 34 were reported killed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the suffering survivors and their families.