Jabasphere joins Team Mandaue’s “Caravan for Unity and Teamwork”

By Flor Z. Perolina (from The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines – Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes yesterday claimed victory after thousands of supporters joined him in a caravan around the city.

More than 6,000 people and more than 2,000 vehicles took part in the convoy called “Caravan for Unity and Teamwork,” which was organized by “Team Mandaue” of re-electionist Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and the Liberal Party.

Supporters wore yellow shirts and braved the heat of the sun to show their support for Cortes, his slate, and the Liberal Party candidates in the sixth district.

“Klaro na nga ang Mandauehanon naa nay decision karong umaabot nga Mayo, Paabot na lang ta og election,” Cortes said.

Cortes yesterday said there is nothing to be ashamed of in seeking re-election because for the past three years his administration has been doing well.

“Natagam na ang mga Mandauehanon for having mixed legislators, abi tingali nila nga check and balance ang nahitabo, apan nagsige na lang sila og check, way balance,” Cortes said.

City Councilor Jefferson Ceniza, himself a reelectionist who joined the caravan said he was overwhelmed by the support the people showed especially in barangay Opao, which is the bailiwick of former Mandae City Mayor Thadeo Ouano who is seeking a seat at the provincial board under the One Cebu Party of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

“Nanggawas dyud sa kadalanan ang mga tawo and it was unexpected tungod sad siguro to nga nipadayag na og suporta si Ma’m Joy nato,” Ceniza said.

Ceniza was referring to barangay Opao captain Joy Ouano who recently announced her support for “Team Mandaue.”

Edmund Sanchez who is also seeking a PB seat under “Team Mandaue” also said that he too was happy about the support shown to them by the residents of barangay Opao.

“Pasalamat ta sa taga Opao nga usa ka Ouano country nga midawat with open arms sa Team Mandaue,” Sanchez said.

City Councilor Beethoven Andaya, another reelectionist, also expressed his joy for the support shown by barangay Opao residents.

“Grabe ang suporta sa katawhan bisan og way kasakyan, mokuyog dyud bahala ug maggukod wa manumbaling sa kagutom ang ila nga makakuyog daw,” Andaya said.

Ernie Manatad, over-all organizer of the event, said two days before the caravan was set, 5,000 were already registered. This excluded walk-in individuals who brought their vehicles.

Shows the head of the caravan arrived at Tipolo while the tail made a right turn at Tipolo Road. Later the head of the caravan proceeded to Barangay Mantuyong through the highway. See more pictures at http://cebuphotoblog.com

According to Manatad, the head and the tail of the caravan met at Tipolo at about 10 a.m., adding that while the tail made a right turn at Tipolo Road the head arrived and proceeded to barangay Mantuyong taking the highway.

The caravan started at past 8 a.m. from the reclamation area then proceeded to Barangay Looc, then to University of Cebu, A.C. Cortes Avenue, then to Burgos St., Centro, Ibabao-Estancia, Highway,  Tipolo, Hernan Cortes, Subangdaku, Back to Tipolo, Reclamation Area, Makro, back to Hernan Cortes, A.S. Fortuna, P. Remedio St. Cabancalan, Maguikay, Tingub, Pagsabungan, Canduman, Tawason, Cubacub, Casili, Consolacion, Jagobiao, Labogon, Paknaan, Umapad, Opao, and finally City Hall where a rally was held.

Many people along the caravan route cheered as the flat-bed vehicle that carried Cortes passed by.

Caravan participants took their lunch to the Cortes rest house in barangay Cubacub but since the rest house was not big enough to accommodate everybody, some participants stopped along the roadside to have lunch, most of them eating the food they prepared themselves.

One woman had fainted and was immediately attended to by ERUF and ACERT personnel.

The mayor once got off his vehicle to direct traffic.

Cortes and his team spent a few minutes at barangay Jogobiao to talk to a crowd at the Eversely grounds. The meeting was organized by barangay Jagobiao captain Ma. Editha Montessa.

“I am inspired by your presence and I hope you will support me all throughout, the same support you gave to my father, Mayor Boy Cortes,” Cortes told the residents. (FREEMAN NEWS)

More pictures at CebuPhotoBlog.com