They say Baguio is the perfect place to unwind. Mar Roxas, who just accepted defeat in the presidential race, and his family believe so too.
One more year before he officially becomes a senior citizen, Roxas celebrated his 59th birthday with his wife Korina, son Paolo, close relatives, friends and some of his campaign staff camping in Baguio on Friday.
READ: LOOK: What Roxas did after conceding to Duterte
But while Roxas was in the northern part of the country, about a thousand of his supporters gathered in a food market at the Araneta complex in Cubao, Quezon City to celebrate Roxas鈥� birthday.
In a video taken by his staff, a laidback Roxas, in a gray shirt and blue shorts, greeted and thanked his support base dubbed 鈥淭he Silent Majority鈥� and his well-wishers.
鈥淢alapit na tayong maging senior citizen pero kita niyo naman, camping pa rin. At tsaka tuwang-tuwa po ako kasama ang pamilya at nandito kami sa Baguio,鈥� he said.
(Soon, I鈥檒l be a senior citizen, but as you can see, I鈥檓 still camping. And I鈥檓 very happy with my family while we鈥檙e here in Baguio.)
Roxas, a Wharton-bred investment-banker-turned-politician, said he regrets that he could not join his supporters for his birthday but promised to celebrate it with them with cake and ice cream.
鈥淗indi kami maka-join sa inyo. Nandito kami, nagpapalamig ng kaunti鈥� Marami sa inyo pinakita sa inyong site yung cake and one of these days ay kakain tayong lahat ng cake at ice cream,鈥� a smiling Roxas said.
(We can鈥檛 join you now. We鈥檙e here cooling down a bit鈥any of you have shown in your sites a cake, and soon we鈥檒l celebrate with cake and ice cream.)
鈥淢arami po ang ating damdamin pero parating nangingibabaw ang pasasalamat sa inyong lahat na nagtiwala at nagbigay ng suporta at talaga namang nagmahal sa akin at sa ating bansa. Maraming, maraming salamat. Mabuhay po kayo!鈥�
(We are full of emotions, but above all, we are thankful for your trust and support and to you who truly loved me and our country. Thank you very, very much.)
Roxas鈥� birthday fell in the week that proved to be the most challenging for the Liberal Party standard-bearer, his family, friends, campaign staff, and supporters.
On Tuesday, Roxas conceded defeat to presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte, who led the race with more than 6 million votes ahead of the administration candidate. CDG
READ: Roxas concedes defeat: I wish you success, Mayor Duterte