'And off they go': 2010 presidential race officially on

The official campaign period for national candidates kicks off today, with presidential candidates each launching their candidacies at various points in the country.

At the "cradle of heroes"

The Nacionalista Party (NP), led by its standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar and running mate Sen. Loren Legarda, is set to stage a “mammoth" rally in Calamba, Laguna, the birthplace of national hero Jose Rizal.

"The cradle of heroes is always the best springboard for change,” said NP in a statement. “We would like to unveil our vision for the nation in the birthplace of the man who told us and showed us how to love it.”

Calling the sortie its “90-day Journey to a Better Philippines,” Villar, Legarda, and the NP senatorial candidates will hold a motorcade from Biñan to Calamba, with stopovers at public markets.

"Back home"

Villar's closest rival Liberal Party Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, on the other hand, chose to kick-start his campaign in his home province of Tarlac with running mate Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas and the LP senatorial candidates. They held a parade from the Aquino Museum going to the municipalities of Bamban, Capas, and Tarlac City.

Spotted with Roxas was his wife broadcaster Korina Sanchez. Aquino's girlfriend, Valenzuela City councilor Shalani Soledad was a 'no show.'

"High, beautiful and lucky"

Administration bet Gilbert Teodoro and vice-presidential candidate Edu Manzano will hold their proclamation rally at the Ynares Complex in Antipolo City, Rizal at 4:00 p.m. today. The two will be joined by Lakas-Kampi-CMD senatorial candidates – broadcaster Rey Langit, Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico, lawyer Raul Lambino, outgoing Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III and re-electionists Lito Lapid and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

"We chose Antipolo City as the formal proclamation rally site because it's higher ground, beautiful and lucky,” said Lakas-Kampi-CMD deputy secretary-general Ray Roquero.

Lakas party's “political patron” President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will not be gracing the event. But according to Roquero, the president remains “very supportive of Gibo [Teodoro's nickname] and checks on the campaign every now and then.”

"Pro-poor"

Former President Joseph Estrada held his proclamation rally at Plaza Miranda, yesterday afternoon, during which he also declared former Manila mayor and Environment Secretary Joselito “Lito” Atienza as the mayoralty candidate of his Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) party.

As he was born in Tondo, Manila, Estrada chose to stage his "pro-masses" campaign at Plaza Miranda, where he could be close to the urban poor that fueled his 1998 presidential victory.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Estrada's son Senate President pro-tempore Jinggoy Estrada led the PMP senatorial slate onstage.

Aboard 'Optimus Prime'

Living up to their tandem's "Transformers" slogan, Presidential candidate Sen Richard Gordon and his running mate former Metro Manila Development Authority Chair Bayani Fernando will launch a motorcade onboard an Isuzu prime mover designed to look like fictional robot character Optimus Prime.

The 10-wheeler truck will ferry the duo from Marikina City, where Fernando served as mayor, to Imus, Cavite for their proclamation rally.

Giant flag for 'New Philippines'

Evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva, like his previous campaign sorties, will hold a rally at the Rizal Park with running mate former Securities and Exchange Commission chair Perfecto Yasay and Bangon Pilipinas Party (BPP) senatoriables – Dr. Zafrullah Alonto, lawyers Reynaldo Princesa and Ramoncito Ocampo, broadcast journalist Katherine “Kata” Inocencio, Count Habib Adz Nikabulin, broadcast journalist Alex Tinsay and educator Dr. Israel Virgines.

To signify his call for a "New Philippines," Villanueva will unfurl what he calls the "biggest Philippine flag" during his proclamation rally this afternoon.

The flag, which measures 180 by 92 meters and weighs 3.8 tons, reportedly costs around P10 million. It was sewn by businesswoman and staunch BPP supporter Grace Galindez Gupana.

"We are starting here in the country’s ‘Kilometer Zero’ as a sign of hope for a New Philippines. This year is the year of God’s favor for the Philippines,” BPP national campaign manager Lyndon Caña said.

Independent candidate Nicanor “Nicky” Perlas will start his campaign with a "bike run" in Cebu City on Friday.

The official campaign period for local candidates will commence on March 26 and end on May 8, two days before the polls.

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