When you reach the end, you can't help but think of the beginning.

OCT 9, 2021: Just two days after VP declared, her Chief of Staff Boyet gathered a small group of friends via Zoom to map out the campaign.

He admitted that VP didn't have the machinery, nor resources.

The meeting had about 148 attendees. Mostly close friends and seniors from Ateneo HS and College.

We brainstormed about how to maximize our limited resources, our own small networks, our talents, our skills.

It was a small, closed group, and it was aptly called "Lalaban Tayo."

There was a defiant mood during that day. Cautious and guarded, but defiant.

Everyone knew what VP was up against, and time was limited, at just over 212 days.

We ended the meeting hoping we could build on that small group and continue working together to establish a campaign.

What happened next was unexpected.

We were supposed to meet weekly or so, but that didn't push through.

Group after group formed to support VP Leni. All organic.

Doctors for Leni, Lawyers for Leni, Teachers for Leni. Youth for Leni, Robredo People's Council(s). And more.

And yes, while we all went our separate ways, we'd keep coming back to the group to connect our networks.

Need collats? Creatives for Leni.
Need legal advice? Lawyers for Leni.
Need medical missions? Doctors for Leni.
Need video ads? Film Workers for Leni.

Tulong-tulong.

Those with printing presses offered free or discounted tarp services.

Those with unused commercial spaces offered local campaign HQs.

Everyone pitched in.

These otherwise costly things, all offered for free. For VP Leni. Without asking for or expecting anything in return.

VP was right. Kapag tumindig tayo, may titindig na katabi mo.

How else can we explain this movement that she has inspired?

From almost nothing, to almost 1 Million(!) in the Makati Miting de Avance.

From Oct 7 to May 9, this campaign has come so far.

So now, as we reach the end, I hope we all remember how we defied all odds during this movement.

The road repairs, the mural makeovers, the tearing of tarps, the fake news, the spurious surveys.

Not one of those things stopped this People's Movement. Not this time.

At the end, you look back at the beginning. But you also look at the journey.

And what a journey this has been for all of us who have chosen to stand on the right side of HERstory.

Like I said, I will miss this. I will miss everyone's selflessness: from VP to the last.

Addendum: If anything, my point was that it was YOU, the people, who spoke up, stood up, and carried the cudgels for VP Leni.

This is in no way written to take credit or anything.

This is is just one of a million stories about our own experiences of this beautiful movement.