Supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential run have been heartbroken by her apparent loss to Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr in Monday’s election, but many of them are redirecting their energy to support a pro-Leni couple that’s been targeted by pro-Marcos trolls.
The couple went viral earlier in the campaign season for bringing a sign to a rally that read “We will get married with Leni as president”. The couple subsequently became a target of ridicule by pro-Marcos supporters after it became clear that the son of the country’s most infamous dictator, Ferdinand Marcos Sr, would likely emerge victorious.
It started when a pro-Marcos fan page posted side-by-side photos of the couple on election day alongside another Marcos-supporting couple who also claimed that they would get married if Marcos wins the election.
“Wonder whose wedding will push through? We’ll find out,” the page posted beside a laughing emoji.
Followers ridiculed the couple and asked them to break up.
“Looks like one couple will go their separate ways,” one commenter said.
“You guys are going to break up,” another said.
“So is the other couple breaking up? Hahaha,” one poster commented after Marcos was in the lead.
The couple’s fellow Leni-supporters have decided not to let the bullies win the day and are rallying around the husband and wife to-be by offering their services to make their wedding dreams come true.
“Please help me find this couple. I WILL MAKE THE BRIDE’S WEDDING DRESS FOR FREE,” designer Gladi Echavarre posted on Facebook with a photo of the two at the Pasig City rally that took place in March.
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“This lovely couple has been bashed and became the poor subject of ridicule. Let’s turn our loss & grief into something beautiful to our fellow kakampink,” the designer added, referring to the label that supporters of the vice president use to describe themselves, a portmanteau of kakampi (ally) and pink, Robredo’s campaign color.
The post was met with an outpouring of support from other wedding suppliers, who have offered to pitch in for other services such as flowers, bridesmaid dresses, venue, photography, and music.
Designer to the stars Vania Romoff volunteered to dress the bride’s mother or the flower girls:
Meanwhile, popular singer-songwriter Johnoy Danao pitched in as the couple’s wedding singer:
Famed jewelry designer Christopher Munar also said he would provide the bride’s earrings.
Stylist and host Loi Villarama also offered to be the couple’s wedding host:
Hair and makeup artist Roldan Sevilla offered his services:
Jumbo Cruz of FlipMusic, who scored Leni Robredo’s commercial, offered his musical services for the couple’s wedding video.
The bride, Ariean Cristobal, expressed her immense gratitude to her fellow kakampinks for coming together to comfort her and her fiancé.
“Kakampinks, I don’t know how to thank you all. With your love and support we have already won. A huge hug for everyone. The fight continues!”
Meanwhile, one commenter floated the idea of inviting Robredo to be the couple’s godmother or witness.
“I hope VP Leni hears about this. She might end up becoming a godmother too.”
