Percy Villafana, the 81-year-old man who started the now symbolic "Do So" trend was overcome with emotion on Monday night. This after it was declared that the People's Partnership had seized the Government with a landslide victory of 29 to 12. Around midnight Villafana, of Real Street, San Juan, entered UNC headquarters, Rienzi Complex, Couva, where he was greeted with thunderous applause and his now famous crossed arms "X" sign. The pensioner shot into the limelight in March when he refused to allow outgoing Prime Minister Patrick Manning into his property.
Villafana, who appeared emotional, told supporters gathered: "You have made a difference." He said when he stopped Manning from entering his home he did not anticipate the wave of support received. Villafana admitted that he did not envision that he would have inspired such a change in T&T. "I thought that I could have made a difference and tonight (Monday) I am seeing it. You (the supporters) really made a difference," he said. Villafana urged the packed upper floor of the UNC headquarters not to act in haste.
"Be calm, be cool and the People's Party is going to provide you with what you need. It (this country) is going to have a good running Government and you make Trinidad and Tobago a proud country in the whole wide world," Villafana said. The crowd went wild as they cheered and displayed the "Do So" sign. Villafana was ushered off stage and taken to the Rienzi Complex carpark where another stage was set up to address the hundreds of supporters who descended at the headquarters.
The Couva Main Road was blanketed by a sea of yellow as supporters held a massive street party to celebrate People's Partnership victory. Stephen Cadiz, the newly-elected Chaguanas East MP, told the crowd: "It was wonderful victory for us. It is a wonderful victory for the party. Goodbye (Mustapha) Abdul-Hamid (the former PNM Chaguanas East MP)." Percy Villafana, right, shows the now symbolic "Do So" while being cheered on by Naparima MP Nizam Baksh.