Filipinos in Japan who are behind Vice President Leni Robredo's presidential campaign painted the left eyes of their traditional daruma dolls black, hoping that she would win in 2022.
The daruma doll symbolizes perseverance and good luck for the Japanese. The group Team Leni Roberedo Japan sent the Vice President and running mate Sen. Kiko Pangilinan one doll each. Once the goal is achieved, tradition dictates that the left eye of the doll also be painted black.
On Saturday, scores of Robredo supporters held pocket rallies in the capital, Tokyo, in observance of social distancing rules in Japan. Support for the vice president runs across the country, up to Okinawa in the south.
In the last presidential elections in 2016, there were roughly 39,000 registered overseas in Japan, of which nearly 15,000 or 38% participated on election day.
In the Philippines, Robredo supporters wear pink on Wednesdays and hold motorcades on weekend, when allowed by quarantine restrictions. One of her chief rivals, former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., has adopted his family's signature color, red.
President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, has adopted green as she mulls over a possible run for national office. She has until Nov. 15 to file her candidacy via substitution.
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