'Parang awa niyo na po': Candidate gets elected as Bulacan councilor after viral jingle
They say desperate times call for desperate measures, but this candidate in Bulacan got a little too determined to win the race to become councilor in his hometown.
Nong Nong Bautista has already lost in the elections twice, which is why, on his third try for the 2025 midterm elections, he decided to change things up a bit with his campaign.
Instead of serious and catchy slogans, Bautista decided to go for something unexpected: "Parang awa niyo na po..."
"Hayaan niyo po akong makapaglingkod at mapakita sa inyo ang isang tapat, tunay, at buong pusong paglilingkod," he wrote in the caption of his flyer.
"Baon ang sipag, dedikasyon, at makabagong ideya para sa ating bayan. Hangad ko po kayo ay mapaglingkuran na may dangal at katapatan na ang pangunahing layunin ay ang mabuting pamamahala," he added.
But that's not all, as he decided to go full throttle by making a jingle with the same message to the tune of the "Merry Go Round" song from Squid Game Season 2.
"Parang awa niyo na, pangatlong laban ko na. Subukan niyo naman ako, si Nong Nong Bautista. Sige na please naman, sa balota markahan. Number three si Nong Nong Bautista ang tandaan," the jingle said.
"Parang awa nyo na po! Pangatlo ko na to!" the caption of the song read.
Many couldn't help but be amused at Bautista's unconventional approach, which stood out in a sea of polished political advertisements.
"Iboto niyo na 'to, jusko kawawa naman, baka maging pang-apat na sa susunod," one user commented.
Another remarked, "'Yung jingle ng iba puro promise at pagyayabang ang naman, ito nagpapakumbaba na. Iboto niyo naman siya, in fairness consistent."
It turned out that the third time's the charm as his campaign jingle worked well in his favor, as he eventually became the most voted candidate for councilor in the municipality of San Ildefonso, Bulacan with 55,657 votes.
"Binoto ko po siya, dahil naawa kami sa jingle niya," one citizen told News5.
"Naaliw ako dun sa jingle niya," another said.
After his victory, Bautista decided to make another version of his jingle, which goes, "Salamat sa inyong lahat, salamat sa inyong lahat. Asahan niyong si Nong Nong Bautista'y magtatapat. 'Di ka bibiguin, bayan mamahalin. Sabay sabay paunlarin ang bayan natin. Maraming salamat, sa inyong tiwala. 'Di ka magmamakaawa sa serbisyo niya. Si Nong Nong Bautista ay makakasama, kay Nong Nong makakaasa."
@ellarxsdmd BHIE MAY BAGONG JINGLE SI KONSI NONGNONG! GAHAHAHAHAHA 😭✨🥹 DI NA UMABOT SA PANGAPAT NA LABAN!!! 🫡
♬ original sound - Ella Roxas 👩🏽⚕️
In a more formal statement, Bautista expressed his gratitude to his supporters as he noted how the journey had not been easy.
"Hindi naging madali ang laban, ngunit dahil sa inyo, naging posible ang lahat. Sa bawat ngiting aking nakita, sa bawat palakpak at hikayat, ramdam ko ang pagmamahal niyo—pagmamahal na handang makiisa para sa mas maunlad na kinabukasan," he said.
"Ngayon ay panibagong yugto ang ating haharapin. Hindi ninyo po kailangan magmakaawa sa serbisyong tapat at totoo. Ako lang po ang may karapantang magmakaawa sa inyo. Buong puso ko pong iniaalay ang aking serbisyo sa inyo," he added.
The 2025 midterm elections took place on May 12.
