NACIONALISTA Party standard bearer Sen. Manny Villar and his running mate Sen. Loren Legarda chose national hero Jose Rizal’s birthplace of Calamba for their proclamation rally site.

Coincidentally, President Macapagal-Arroyo was also in town for her “Education for All” legacy campaign. Either party however were unaware of each other’s Calamba sortie.

In a speech, Villar recalled his humble  beginnings up to the time he became a successful businessman.

This was the reason why he wanted to share his blessings with the poor. “Nung gumanda ang aking kapalaran, ninais kong suklian ang tadhana sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong sa mga kapus-palad at manilbihan sa nangangailangan. Natanto ko,  na iyon ang aking misyon sa buhay kung kaya’t ako ay nabiyayaan,” he said.