Presidential candidate Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. continues to expand his message of unity as more supporters welcomed him in Iloilo province during his second day visit to Western Visayas on Thursday.

Bongbong, together with his running-mate Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, visited Tamasak Arena in the Municipality of Barotac Nuevo where more than 10,000 supporters were wearing red and green T-shirts, all happy to see the UniTeam.

Everyone shouted “BBM” when the host asked the supporters who were they waiting for. Cheers seemed to be non-stop as everyone was excited to see the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer.

“Ang napangasawa ko ay Ilongga dahil nakumbinsi ako na ang Ilongga ay masyadong mapagmahal. Kaya po kahit ako ay pinanganak sa ibang lugar, ang puso ko ay nasa mga Ilonggo. ‘Yan ay isang halimbawa ng pagkakaisa na tayong lahat na magsasama- sama at magtutulungan. Ilalabas natin ang ugaling Pilipino na mapagmahal,” Bongbong said.

“Kita niyo naman may tao sa loob, may tao sa labas. Ilang libo tayo. Maraming maraming salamat sa inyong napakainit na pagsalubong,” he said.

Bongbong believed that all Filipinos are his allies whatever group and political color they might be supporting.

“Kung minsan may mga grupo na pinag-aaway away tayo, pinaghahati-hati ang mga Pilipino. Ako napakasimple lang ang aking pag-iisip d’yan, kung ikaw ay galing sa Pilipinas, ikaw ay Pilipino, kakampi kita,” he said.

“Kahit saan ka man galing, kahit kung anong kulay ng iyong politika, ‘di po importante ‘yan. Ang importante magtulungan tayo para tulungan ang bawat mamamayang Pilipino at pagandahin ang Pilipinas,” he added.

UniTeam senatorial candidates Sherwin Gatchalian, Jinggoy Estrada, Dante Marcoleta, as well as guest candidate Robin Padilla also joined in the event which started at 4 p.m. and ended around at 7 p.m.

Before his campaign rally, Bongbong led the opening of PFP headquarters in Jaro, Iloilo, where hundreds of supporters welcomed him.

“Nakikita natin na dumadami na. Parami tayo ng parami kaya kailangan na natin magtayo talaga ng headquarters para lahat ng gustong sumama at maging kasapi sa ating kilusan ng pagkakaisa ay makakapag-organize at magawa ng lahat para ang ating tagumpay ay hindi lang sa halalan kundi sa pagkakaisa ng sambayanang Pilipino ang ating makakamtan,” he said.

“Maraming salamat po sa suporta ninyo at huwag po natin titigilan na ipagpatuloy ang pagkalat ng mensahe ng ating adhikain, ng ating kilusan ng pagkakaisa,” he added.

PFP-Western Visayas chairman Jun Sagucio said compared to the previous 2016 elections, they are now reaching out down to the grassroots level to assure Bongbong of a win in the region.

“Dito sa Iloilo (City), he is leading with two percent. Entire region, seven percent. We are now really working hard going to A, B, C, D, E (classes),” he said.

Sagucio said Iloilo residents are now starting to see the UniTeam’s call for unity, seeing supporters coming as early as 8 a.m. just to see Bongbong.

Bongbong received overwhelming support not only from the public but also from local government officials.

After the opening, Bongbong then met with some Iloilo local government officials.

One governor, seven mayors, two vice mayors, a former vice mayor, and 1,500 barangay captains rallied behind Bongbong’s UniTeam.

Bongbong also held an assembly meeting at Iloilo Convention Center where different parallel groups and grassroots supporters have expressed their love for the UniTeam