There seems to be a good chance that the Philippines might just go for pink in 2022. It just so happens that pink in the world today is not just any other lively color or the color for feminism, but also one associated with political activism or change.
Filipinos are known to love colors, and its politicians have taken that as a cue in their campaigns. In the late 1980s to the early 2000´s, the color yellow represented political change in the Philippines. Before that, red was the strongest political color. There was also a time when green was the most popular political color.
Today, pink, which is also the color of love, is experiencing an all-time high in the Philippine political arena. Pink is definitely the ”in” or ”most promising” color in the political spectrum of today. It is good that presidential candidate Leni Robredo has been identified with this color since October 2021 when she announced her candidacy.
Leni´s candidacy for president first gained support from the middle classes, academicians, and artists. I was one of those who silently worried that her campaign might end up being elitist. Thankfully, her simple lifestyle, the way she carries herself as a part of the crowds she addresses, and her own charisma have worked well such that in the past three months, she and her ”pink alternative” has been gaining an unprecedented momentum in reaching out to the masses and the younger population. Her political rallies are said to have inspired generosity, volunteerism, and camaraderie among the participants who do not receive dole-outs or monetary payments to participate, but rather a chance to share their spirit of hope for better changes and for a more inclusive economic growth in the Philippines.
I am writing this piece now because Leni´s words and actions have inspired me, too, to support more vocally her pink movement, even from afar. She has campaigned hard, as much as she has already tried hard to set good examples in fighting corruption and promoting the rights of women and the weaker groups in the Philippines. She is not one of the old rich or the new rich, and she is just like most Filipinos and many people in the world today who get just remuneration from their honest and hard work. I also like it that she is not part of some political dynasties who resort to traditional political tactics of guns, goons, gold, and/or fake news to gain momentum.
Leni has convinced many, including me, in the past months that she would be the best president the Philippines could have in these challenging times, since she puts so much emphasis on promoting some more good governance and putting an end to a culture of violence that had taken the lives of many civilians in the past years. The Philippines would enjoy again free press, if she would be elected president. This, combined with her knowledge of law and experience as vice president for the past six years, would help the country put up a better fight in defending the territorial rights of the Philippines.
With Leni as president and her pink and more inclusive leadership style that respects the rule of law, I can see improved international relations with the world outside, especially Europe, that has shied away from the country in recent years. In the post-COVID-19 pandemic world, the Philippines would need all the available trading money, foreign funds, and foreign aid it could get from other parts of the world, if it would want to create a society where economic growth would not just be more earth-friendly and sustainable, but also more inclusive.
Voting for Leni and pink politics is the best thing that Filipinos who want a better future for themselves, their children, and the Philippines, could do on the 9th of May 2022. Godspeed, Leni! Mabuhay, pink!
