Of all the moments that lit up the 2010 General Election campaign, it was San Juan pensioner Percy Villafana who grabbed the most headlines and attention, as his action remained firmly etched in the public’s mind.
The then 81-year-old became a local sensation in March 2010 when he blocked Prime Minister Patrick Manning from entering his yard, crossing his arms in front of his chest to form an X.
Manning, then political leader of the People’s National Movement, encountered the resident, who was displeased with his governance, during a walkabout in the community.
Manning later announced the May 24, 2010, election date in April. The election was called two years before it was constitutionally due.
During the walkabout, Manning—known for his charm and affable nature—was warmly received by residents. While some voiced concerns about social issues, others eagerly welcomed him into their homes, allowing him to kiss babies and show off their pets.
But the mood shifted sharply when Manning stepped toward Villafana’s gate. The elderly man stood like a sentry—arms crossed—and refused the prime minister entry.
Manning, trying to smooth things over with his trademark smile and turning his attention to other seemingly friendlier occupants who seemed more welcoming at Villafana’s house, was met with a startling interruption. Villafana placed his hands on Manning’s shoulders and shouted, “You not welcome here!”
The exchange prompted the former prime minister’s bodyguards to intervene and warn Villafana not to touch Manning. The former prime minister eventually entered the premises and spoke with the other occupants of Villafana’s home.
As the exchange made headline news, attention quickly shifted to Villafana, who explained that he was expressing his unhappiness as a form of protest against the way the country was being led by Manning. However, his actions quickly polarised the country, with some calling his behaviour “downright disrespectful.”
In a published interview, Villafana said his relatives and neighbours in San Juan were upset with him, particularly over his growing popularity among opposition circles.
He explained that some neighbours had begun shouting at him, and his relationships with certain relatives had become strained, with some openly criticising him and expressing their support for the PNM.
Following Villafana’s actions, Manning found himself the subject of picong in Parliament before it was dissolved. After being teased by then Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal about the ‘Do So’ sign, Manning dismissed any significance to the issue, alleging that the elderly man was a Canadian citizen who frequently visited T&T.
This in turn provoked public discontent. Some later accused Manning of using State resources to spy on citizens.
However, while many people in the country had found a new hero in Villafana, the elderly man stated that after his confrontation with the then prime minister, he feared for his life and was scared of the repercussions.
Villafana’s crossed arms soon became a symbol used by people on the campaign trail, sparking a viral trend dubbed “Do So.” His gesture was immortalised on T-shirts, with its influence reaching the music scene through calypsonian Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung’s songs like Patrick Manning Have To Go and She Drop the Percy on Me.
As Villafana quickly rose to fame, the momentum continued to build through appearances on the United National Congress/People’s Partnership platform.
Villafana moved from simple retiree to hero as the UNC/PP pushed the ‘Do the Percy’ campaign.
Mounting one of their platforms in Chaguanas, the pensioner told the frenzied crowd, “I felt that my presence here will give courage and impetus to people to go out and vote ... I ask everyone who is here today and is eligible to vote on the 24th of this month to vote, vote, vote! Go to the polling stations and vote UNC.” He then raised his hands high in the sign of the “Do So” cross.
He even dismissed the PNM’s advertising campaign using the “Do So” symbol and converting it into a handshake as a desperate act. “That is the sign of a desperate man, a man grasping at straws,” Villafana declared.
Meanwhile, a Facebook page dedicated to the campaign swiftly gained over 7,000 followers.
In the end, the People’s Partnership wrested power from the Patrick Manning-led PNM, taking home 29 seats to the PNM’s 12 seats.
Although the “Do So” page remains active, its last update was in 2011, and the follower count has since dropped to just over 5,000.
As for Villafana, his name remains on the updated list of voters from the Elections and Boundaries Commission as of April 2025.
