Team Rama thanks backers during fete

CEBU, Philippines - Almost three weeks after the elections, Team Rama party yesterday held its fiesta-themed thanksgiving and victory party dubbed the “Kinasing-kasing Pasalamat” inside the Rama Compound, in Barangay Basak-San Nicolas, highlighted by song, dance and food.

They may have not gotten majority of the seats at the City Council but the re-election of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and victory of his running mate outgoing Councilor Edgar Labella  was enough for them to celebrate and fill the compound with thousands of supporters and officials in a festive mood.

A Mass kicked off the celebration followed by the blessing of winning candidates Rama, Labella and councilor-elect James Cuenco.

Those in attendance included Basak-Pardo barangay captain Dave Tumulak, Team Rama south district congressional candidate Aristotle “Totol” Batuhan and councilorial candidates Tisha “Inday Tikay” Ylaya and Boobi Kintanar. Batuhan, Ylaya and Kintanar lost in the elections. 

Attendees were divided among three venues inside the compound, all with tents and buffet tables and within view of live entertainment at the mounted stage.

Rama performed along with the musicians. In his speech, he thanked his supporters for their overwhelming support for him and his party.

“Pasalamat ko sa akong mga supporters,akong paryente si Edu Rama,akong pamilya ug kaninyong tanan. Salamat sa katong tanang nibotar nako, Sa katong wala ni botar nako ug sa katong nagpaka-arun ingnon nga nibotar nako,” Rama said in jest.

He reiterated his denial on the allegations of electoral fraud by the opposing Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.

“Kinsa’y nag ingon namalit si Mike Rama ug boto, wala ko namalit, ayaw ko og pasanginli nga namalit, naa’y Ginoo nga nakahibaw sa tanan,” Rama said.

During Labella’s speech, he also thanked the people for electing him into office.

“Salamat kaayo. Tulo ka gabii wa mo’y tulog. Kahibaw ko wa lang mo mobotar ni Edgar Labella, nag-ampo pa gyud mo. Gituyo man to sa Ginoo ba para mahibaw-an ug asa kutob ang atong panagsuonay,” Labella said.

Instead of reacting to the pending electoral protest filed against him and Rama, he said he would rather choose silence than throw words against opponents who cannot accept defeat.

“Nindot na unta idiskurso pero dili na nya mo mobotar nako ug usab. Kahibaw ko ninyo daghan kaninyo ang nakatilaw sa pag biay-biay sa atong mga kaatbang. Kining akong mga silingan sa Mabolo, pwerteng biay-biay nila labi na gyud sa adlaw sa piniliay. Ang ilang barangay hall gilibotan ug kastilyo kay duna’y fireworks display inig gawas sa resulta sa election,apan ang Mabolo nibotar sa Team Rama,” he added.  (FREEMAN)