KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews / 18 July) – Like the T’boli tribe’s famed T’nalak fabric, South Cotabato residents should continue to dream bigger things for the province and weave them into even greater undertakings that would eventually benefit the entire country.
Senator Grace Poe stressed this point on Saturday as she rallied the province’s leaders and residents to unite and join the efforts to pursue the greater good for the country in the wake of the challenges that it has been facing.
“Like the T’nalak that was a combination of different colors, designs and styles that made up a beautifully-crafted piece.
And like the T’nalak that started from a dream, let us pursue changes to our country through united aspirations to make it better and more progressive,” she said in her keynote speech at the culmination of the province’s 49th foundation anniversary celebration and 16th T’nalak Festival.
The senator, who visited the province for the first time since topping the 2013 senatorial race, expressed gratitude to the province’s residents for supporting her bid.
Poe also landed in the top spot in South Cotabato among senatorial candidates in the 2013 polls.
She said the province has a special spot in the Poe family as her father, the late actor Fernando Jr., also won here when he ran for President in 2004.
Poe, who is currently leading in the presidential surveys for the 2016 elections, did not disclose her exact political plans but hinted she is very much capable to run the country if fate would intervene.
She said she had valuable learnings while growing up with her father and mother actress Susan Roces.
Poe acknowledged that the country’s next leader should have enough experience and capability but it is also important for them to have heart and integrity.
“Knowledge and intelligence are nothing if a leader’s intentions are not right,” she stressed.
For his part, Senator Francis Escudero urged residents and leaders not to forget the province’s rich and colorful history and culture.
“Moving forward, it’s very important that we should not forget our history and culture as they will define who we are and what we will become in the future,” he said.
He said the people should learn from history and make sure that the mistakes of the past will not be repeated again.
Aside from Senators Poe and Escudero, several other prominent personalities also joined the province’s festivities on Saturday.
Among the noted visitors are Las Pinas Rep. Mark Villar, Irene Marcos-Araneta and former An Waray partylist Rep. Florencio “Bem” Noel. (MindaNews)
