POE SAYS CAMPAIGN HAS PROVEN HER RESILIENCE

With eight days to go before the May elections, Sen. Grace Poe said the campaign has revealed a character strength that people did not know about until she joined the presidential race: her resilience.

Poe, who had to overcome legal battles lodged by allies of her political opponents, said she has managed to come this far because she draws inspiration from the love of Filipinos she has met on the campaign trail.

"Natutunan ko na mas malakas pala talaga ang loob ko, mas may tapang rin at kahit na nabubugbog, kaya ko pala talaga bumangon. At sa tingin ko hindi lang dahil sa aking sarili, kung hindi dahil sa mga nais kong gawin para sa ating mga kababayan," Poe said when asked by reporters what she has learned about herself during the campaign.

"'Yon talaga ang layunin ko kung bakit ako tumakbo--ialay ang aking sarili. Baka sakaling isang alternatibo na magkaroon ng tunay na pagbabago at makatarungang pagbabago," she said.

Poe was in Marikina Sunday morning to share her platform of government with factory workers in Barangay J. dela Peña over breakfast. She was also in the city Saturday night for the Marikina Riverbanks Fireworks Display, where she received the endorsement of long-time Marikina mayor Bayani Fernando.

Fernando, who used to chair the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), offered to help Poe's administration in solving Metro Manila's horrendous traffic problem. The former mayor is now running for Congress.

"Nung siya 'yung MMDA chairman, kahit paano may disiplina 'yung ating mga motorista at organisado. Kung ano man 'yung mga suhestiyon, kung meron tayong isang adviser katulad niya, malaking bagay," Poe said of Fernando's offer.

Singer Ogie Alcasid, who recently resigned from the People Power Commission, also joined Poe at the April 30 sortie where he announced his support for Poe's presidential bid.

Asked if she believes she has done everything to win the presidential elections, Poe said even up to this point, there is no knowing who would be the country's next Chief Executive.

"Sa tingin ko wala ka namang magagawa para makasiguro ka, gagawin mo lang 'yung makakaya mo. Nalibot ko ang maraming lugar sa Pilipinas at nakita ko talaga ang hinanaing ng ating mga kababayan na sana hindi naman matapos lamang dito sa kampanya, na ito ang ating pagkakataon na makatulong sa mas malawak na paraan," she said.

The senator reiterated her commitment to address hunger, provide free education from kinder to college, and give free meals to public daycare and elementary school students.

"Talagang 'yung problema sa kagutuman, 'yung problema sa kakulangan ng edukasyon, 'yung problema sa kaligtasan--lahat 'yan nais ko sanang malagyan ng solusyon," she said.