A motorcade is an efficient, effective, and entertaining form of campaigning. Compared to a campaign rally, it requires less logistical preparation. If well-planned, it can reach a big number of voters. It can amplify a candidate’s public image. It creates an impression that a candidate has ample resources and strong machinery to conduct a winning election campaign. It is a fun activity for both candidates and curious voters. Organizing a motorcade is essential in Philippine elections.
Last week, Kabataan Partylist joined the team of Jolo Revilla (who is obviously campaigning for Senator Bong Revilla) in a motorcade rally that covered the central and eastern parts of the National Capital Region. Jolo has been a consistent supporter of our partylist. He campaigned for us in 2004. Last year he participated in the launching of our voter registration/education campaign at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
Jolo, or more popularly known today as the new Pepeng Agimat (sorry Jolo but for my generation, your lolo is our Pepeng Agimat), is still willing to endorse us in this year’s elections. Thanks Jolo!
The motorcade started in Greenhills, San Juan around 9:30am. Then we motored to Mandaluyong. We visited Barangay Addition Hills. We also made brief stopovers at Mandaluyong Public Market and Tiangge sa Barangka. We had our lunch at Barangay Burol near P. Gomez Elementary School. From Mandaluyong, we proceeded towards Pasig, Pateros, and finally, Taguig. The final leg of the activity was a community and tiangge tour in Lower Bicutan. The motorcade ended at 4pm.
Obviousy, motor vehicles are required in a motorcade. A pick-up is the ideal vehicle so that a candidate can wave to bystanders. (Usually, dyip ang ginagamit namin). The vehicles must be decorated with campaign posters. A loud sound system is needed to announce the arrival of the convoy and to broadcast the campaign jingle of the candidate. The marshall/traffic enforcer/ must be seated in the lead vehicle.
Volunteers wearing campaign shirts must join the motorcade. They assist the candidate during stopovers. They must have a portable sound system especially if they are inside markets and urban poor communities.
Candidates always distribute election materials during motorcades. What are the popular giveaways: candies, t-shirts, pamaypay, leaflets (usually we give flyers and brochures), calendar, pocket calendar, posters, stickers. Some candidates give small tarpaulins to tricycle drivers, apron for public market vendors, and ballers for young people.
Tips: Because of El Nino, candidates should always drink water during motorcades. Sunblock cream is important to protect our skin from harmful UV rays. Bring extra shirt, towels. Do not go to markets after lunch (walang tao).
Brace for heavy traffic after March 26 as candidates for local elective posts will start to organize motorcades in their territories.
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