A ‘Grace’-ful day

Wednesday, Sept. 16, started just like any other day, except that that day she had decided to make the much-awaited announcement of her presidential bid in 2016.

“I hardly slept several nights before that,” Sen. Grace Poe recalled to Funfare. “We were vetting our platform months ago but of course at that time, we were just preparing in the event that I decide to actually run for higher office.” 

Together with her team, according to Grace, they went through the 20 points that she presented at the Bahay ng Alumni at UP Diliman last Wednesday, cross-checking each of them with specific details to support their programs.

Grace said, “After years of speaking before crowds, which actually started in 2005 after my Dad passed away, when I joined forums and street rallies, I admit I was most nervous making my announcement in front of thousands in the event itself, and with many more watching it being covered live by television. The programs I presented are meant to help our countrymen, and we want to make sure that if given the chance, we will be able to achieve them.”

That “Grace-ful” day, she said that she hardly ate at all.

“Believe it or not,” added Grace, “all I had was a slice of apple, two cups of coffee and water. No wonder I felt light-headed right before I delivered my speech.”

Prayer helped.

“I prayed to God to give me the compassion to understand what our countrymen need,” continued Grace. “I prayed to God to give me the wisdom to know what we can do to address those needs, the courage to say what should be said and the ability to fulfill it.”

From UP Diliman, Grace proceeded to Pio’s Kitchen (at the corner of Scout Fuentebella and Scout Reyes Sts., Quezon City) for dinner with friends. The next day, Thursday, Sept. 17, Grace with her mom Susan Roces showed up at Club Filipino to proclaim Sen. Chiz Escudero as her running-mate.

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