While many Filipinos have yet to ‘move on’ from the results of the May 9 elections, these two neighbors who previously went viral on social media for their opposing political views admitted they remained friends despite their ‘feud’.
Days before the poll, the photo of the houses of Mark Joseph Sta. Cruz and Mario Dela Cruz in Marilao, Bulacan made the rounds on social media due to their respective political alignment.
Apparently, it all started in March when Mario, a kakampink, hung a Robredo-Pangilinan tarpaulin on their façade. Not to be outdone, Mark Joseph, who supported BBM-Sara, likewise purchased a tarpaulin of the UniTeam candidates.
Then Mario decided to adorn his house with pink LED lights to further up the competition. Naturally, Mark Joseph did the similar thing to his house with red and green lights.
Netizens who saw the photo of the ‘feuding houses’ were both amused and saddened by how polarizing the country’s politics have become, especially form these next-door neighbors.
“Ang Magkapitbahay dati nagbibigayan ng ulam ngayon di ko na alam,” such was the caption of the viral picture.
Unknown to many, Mark Joseph and Mario are not only neighbors but also blood relatives, being cousins.
In an interview with Jessica Soho after the election, the two admitted they had arguments on social media mainly because of their opposing political views.
“‘Pag ‘yung nakakapag-post siya ng fake news kung baga, hindi ko matiis na hindi ko sagutin o kaya itama,” said Mario.
For his part, Mark Joseph said he ended up hiding his post from his cousin because “comment siya nang comment ng ‘di sang-ayon sa kandidato ko.”
Despite this, however, the two remain friends and even helped each other in installing the tarpaulins.
“Binigyan ako ni Kuya Mario noong sinamahan ko siya na magbigay ng tarpaulin ng kandidato niya,” said Mark Joseph.
Now that the election is over and it’s clear whose candidates are winning, the cousins both agreed to respect each other’s decision.
They maintained their friendship remains strong and hope that next election would see them campaigning for the same candidate.
After all, blood is thicker than water.
Watch the report by Jessica Soho on YouTube: