'Purely birthday bash with 5,000 day-care kids,' Emily says of 3-day rounds to Guimaras, Iloilo
Will there be a comeback for the Lopezes in the provinces of Guimaras, Iloilo and entry into city politics?
Such 'hounds' the 3-day celebration of former Guimaras Governor and Congresswoman Emily Relucio-Lopez as she visited and brought birthday treats to 5,000 schoolchildren.
All day-care pre-schoolers from the Iloilo towns of Pavia, Sta. Barbara, San Miguel, Leon, Alimodian, Leganes, Zarraga and New Lucena in the Second District, Guimaras towns of Jordan, Buenavista, Nueva Valencia, Sibunag and San Lorenzo, surprise addition came in the group of youngsters from the districts of Jaro and Lapaz in Iloilo City.
Talks then spread and became the day's topics in city's coffee shops as news got out of Emily's presence alongside her husband, former Iloilo Second District Congressman Albertito Lopez.
Reached by Bombo Radyo's Zona Libre anchorman Roger Gencianeo, the former lady solon clarified that it's all birthday fun and no politics for her and her family at this time.
And if she can have her way, it would actually be more than 5,000 day-care children as special guests for her special day.
And how about the city kids? Emily explained the inclusion is meant to highlight the expansion of the Lopez-brainchild, Taos Puso Foundation in Iloilo City. Again, the former lady solon stressed it is too early to talk about politics and her family are concentrating their efforts and sharing their resources to the poor.
"It is a family legacy. A Lopez legacy that we want to continue. We vowed before we left politics that whether in public office or not, the foundation is here to serve and sustain the projects and beautiful plans we have began," she added in a The News Today (TNT) interview.
The 3-day celebration began in Guimaras yesterday, continues in Pavia, San Miguel, Leon and Alimodian today with the afternoon schedule set in the city's Jaro and Lapaz districts. Tomorrow will see a visit to Leganes, Zarraga, New Lucena and Sta. Barbara.
Birthday treats also included school supplies sent by longtime Lopez friends, Senate President Manny Villar and wife, Congresswoman Cynthia. McDonalds also added toys to the delight of the schoolchildren.
"The poorest of the poor from our indigent families. That was my special request that was also granted. They are my special guests," Emily added.
Albertito and Emily have since been dubbed as the "power couple" even in their retirement from politics. The duo is instrumental in bringing to life the Taos Puso Foundation, credited for the sustained and sustainable livelihood projects in the Iloilo's Second District towns and throughout the Province of Guimaras.