Ecijanos give Inday Sara a ‘rockstar welcome’
by Justine Rich Talusan

Ecijanos give Inday Sara a ‘rockstar welcome’
TALAVERA, Nueva Ecija — Thousands of Novo Ecijanos on Friday gave UniTeam vice presidential bet and Davao City mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio a “rockstar welcome” when she arrived for the continuation of her “Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride” campaign caravan in the province.
In this first class-town, Mayor Nerivi Santos-Martinez, her brother Liga ng Barangay president JR Santos, municipal administrator Nerito “Nery” Santos, members of Team Kaunlaran-councilors, and their supporters, all wore green t-shirts (Sara’s color) with the imprints “Sara All 2022 Ang Talavera” when they welcomed Mayor Sara after her convoy briefly stopped at the crossing of the Maharlika Highway in front of the Pinagpanaan barangay hall at 10:50 a.m. on Friday.
After stopping, Duterte-Carpio, who was riding atop an armored BMW van while talking to the people lining up on the streets through a loudspeaker, was seen reaching out to a portrait being given to her by Mayor Nerivi’s aide, Anna “Alou” Louise Wy.
Santos-Martinez said this portrait showing her with the Davao City mayor was their third encounter and it was taken during the victory party of the latter’s regional political party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) which was held at the Manila Peninsula after the 2019 elections.
After receiving the portrait, Mayor Inday Sara stepped out from the vehicle and gamely posed and took some “selfies” with Nerivi’s group and her supporters.
Also joining them were “Team Kaunlaran” members, who are local allies of Gov. Aurelio Umali. at the Unang Sigaw Partido ng Pagbabago (USSP). They were councilors Rai-Rai Villanueva, Baby Palilio, Nel Rayo, Lito Silva, Joel Del Rosario, SK President Ericka Arenas Mendoza, LnB vice president Bgy. Capt. Erwin Chioco and Samakaba president Rafael “Ape” Reyes.
“Thank you sa pag-tanggap at pag-welcome nyo sa amin dito, maraming salamat, Mabuhay ang Talavera, Mabuhay ang Pilipino,” said the Davao City mayor, before her convoy left.
For her first stop in Nueva Ecija, Mayor Sara and her entourage proceeded to Bgy. Sumacab Este, where she led the inauguration of the new MASADA (Marcos-Sara Duterte Alliance) regional headquarters in Cabanatuan City. Also present was senatorial bet, former Quezon City mayor and actor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista.
Upon her arrival, she was welcomed by Gov. Aurelio Umali, her wife, former congresswoman Cherry D. Umali, Vice Gov. Emmanuel Antonio M. Umali and their other members of the Umali-led USSP, which already forged a political alliance with the Sara-led HNP during the 2019 polls.
Also inaugurated by Mayor Sara was the new K.I.S.L.A.P. (Kay Inday Sara Lilipad Ang Pilipinas ng Nueva Ecija) provincial headquarters located in Bgy. Bantug Norte, Cabanatuan City.
Among those present during the unveiling were Cabanatuan City vice mayor Jay Vergara, his son Mikko Vergara, Gapan City mayor Emeng Pascual, and Science City of Munoz mayor Nestor Alvarez.
After Talavera, the UniTeam vice presidential bet then motored to San Jose City, where her group was welcomed by another Umali partymate — City Mayor Kokoy Salvador, his entire Team Kokoy slate, and several hundreds of residents who lined up the Maharlika Highway in Bgy. Malasin here.
Photo Courtesy by Municipality of Talavera Fb Page