July 30, 2009 – The REGISTER & VOTE (RV) Campaign Bus visited Cagayan de Oro with RV Movers Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros, Atty. Alex Lacson, and Congressman Teddy Casiño. The RV bus, which symbolizes the Register and Vote (RV) Campaign, aims to empower up to nine million first-time Filipino voters through voter registration, as their first step to political empowerment and public participation, also to inspire Filipinos from different sectors and geographic locations to move for positive change through online and offline cooperation, knowledge sharing and information exchange, capacity-building, and public information and advocacy.

The first stop of the day was at PJoe's Diner at Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Mall where the MOA signing between Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, RV Team, and COMELEC took place at 10:30 AM. I didn't get to witness this event cause I was still dead asleep on my bed, but 3 of our fellow CDOBloggers officers were able to make it there - pinks0da, Dingexx, and Magman who were so star stricken to see and sit with Senator Kiko Pangilinan himself who was way taller and much more handsome than showed on TV. They were so stunned that they didn't even notice nor were they enticed of the food served right in front of them.

Next stop was at Pryce Plaza Hotel for a meeting/press conference/forum with Sen. Kiko and the Department of Agrarian Reform-X (DAR). It was also participated by different non-government organizations (NGOs) from Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and other provinces of Region 10. This is where I and some more of the CDOBloggers came in – Mike Abonitalla, Venus, Bang, BBJane, May Ann, and Magnus. This is also where we got our official Media pass. We then had a very quick lunch – most of us didn’t get to finish our lunch because our food came in late and we were so excited when Ms. Irene said it was time for our picture taking with the Senator. We then rushed out the hallway before the Senator came out and prepped ourselves there. As Sen. Kiko was approaching us, Ms. Irene and Ms. Julie then pointed at us and introduced us as the bloggers of Cagayan de Oro and we smiled with pride while Sen. Kiko himself shook hands with my fellow bloggers. We then had a group photo, taken byBon Aserios, with the Senator.

Before leaving Pryce Plaza, we were given the chance to take photos of the RV Bus and also got the chance to ride on the bus as the team headed to MUST (Mindanao University of Science and Technology) for an afternoon forum with the students. We were welcomed by the MUST tribal dancers as the bus was entering the vicinity. As the Senator was about the speak, the heavy rain came pouring down, but it never stopped the students to listen and show interest on Sen. Kiko’s advocacy speech, encouraging the students to be part of the 9 million expected first time voters this coming 2010. I, for one, will be part of it. Yep, it’ll be my first time then – don’t ask why. LOL.

We, Magman and I, were then toured by Pinks0da and Dingexx around their alma mater. After the quick tour, the RV Team headed for COC (Cagayan de Oro College) for another talk. We didn’t go with them this time cause we wanted to rest and gather up strength for the concert. We took a quick snack at KFC Limketkai and headed to Pinks0da’s place for a quick rest.

6:00 PM came; we rush down to Xavier University Gym, since it was time for the Rock the Vote Concert featuring HALE, SPONGECOLA, LUKE MEJARES and other surprise guests. As the Cagayan de Oro local bands played, Ms. Irene asked us to go in front and squat at the front row portion of the floor so others would follow. As we were sitting there, we could feel everyone staring at us wondering what we were doing. The emcee’s then announced the dance floor was for everyone, people from the balcony went rushing down to sit with us and we all enjoyed the CDO local rock bands: Upstart, Tabularaza, Twin Chicken, and K9 among others. Tj Ortiz and Sandy David also shook the crowd with their acoustic music where the audiences sang their hearts out – each of the artists also was inviting and encouraging everyone in the gym to register and vote on the upcoming election, to make a difference, to not just complain about the current leaders – but to find a way to change by registering and voting for a better leader.

We then paused to welcome the special guests – the RV Movers Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros, Atty. Alex Lacson, and Congressman Teddy Casiño and Xavier University’s very own Fr. Jet Villarin.

Fr. Jet led the prayer for former President Cory Aquino’s health before the Unity Statement took place. We were given glow sticks before they arrived and we weren’t informed we were going to use it for that portion, so instead of using the glow sticks, we used our cellphones to light up the gym as sign of Unity of the Filipino people in the call for REAL CHANGE. That we deserve better. Our families deserves better.

After each of the RV Movers came up to talk and encouraged everyone to register and vote. The rocking of the gym continued – this time Luke Mejares, Spongecola, and Hale did the job. We would like to thank Ms. Irene Aseriosfor giving CDOBloggers the opportunity to join this event with special privileges, if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have seen/touched/photographed these very special icons of the country up-close and personal. Thru this event, I will get registered – together with my fellow unregistered cdobloggers who lost hope in our election system and the government – this is for our future and our families’ future. Let’s all register and vote this coming 2010