MANILA – Presidential candidate Leni Robredo attended a holy mass on Tuesday to thank her supporters and remind them of bigger fights ahead.

Robredo is still trailing rival Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., currently the frontrunner in the presidential race based on partial and unofficial tally.

In a speech after the holy mass held at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, Robredo said she does not consider this as a defeat because her campaign achieved a lot of things.

“Dai ko siya pigkonsidera na kadaguan dahil kadakul kitang na-achieve ngunyan election na ini,” the vice president said.

(Hindi ko siya kino-consider na pagkatalo dahil marami tayong na-achieve ngayong election na ito.)

“Igwang mas dakulang laban.”

(Mayroong mas malaking laban.)

The vice president said what's important is that a lot of Filipinos are now awake and ready to demand for better governance.

Robredo also thanked her supporters, calling them her source of strength especially in the coming days.

“Mati ming maray ang saindong pagpadangat at suporta. ‘Yan ang nagtatao sa muya ng kakusugan ng boot sa mga susunod na aldaw,” Robredo said.

(Ramdam na ramdam namin ang inyong pagmamahal at suporta. Yan ang nagbibigay sa amin ng lakas ng loob para sa mga susunod na araw.)

Meanwhile, in his homily, Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona reminded Robredo's supporters that while it is okay to feel sad about the results of the elections, one must now give in to despair.

"'Wag tayong mahiyang aminin — mabigat ang hirap tanggapin para bagang mayroong tinik sa ating puso. Nalulumbay kita, nanghihina kita. Iba sa 'tin marahil ay galit, galit na galit. May kanya-kanya tayong mabibigbat na dinadama, mga iniisip. 'Di tayo makapaniwala. Salamat na lang may isang babaeng bigla-bigla na lang nagsalita at sinabi 'wag kayong mangamba," the archbishop said, referring to Robredo's earlier message to her supporters to remain calm amid reports of Marcos's lead.

The prelate also highlighted the spirit of volunteerism, which became one of the key factors in Robredo's campaign rallies.

"Totoo pala na ang mga Pilipino kusang loob na magbigay ng kanilang panahon, kanilang ari-arian, kanilang mga bagay, kanilang puso para maglingkod sa ngalan ng katotohanan, sa ngalan ng katarungan," Tria Tirona said.

"Totoo pala na kaya nating pasanin ang ano mang kabigatan sa buhay, pansamantalang iwanan ang ating pamilya at trabaho para magkaisa tayo at ipakita natin na tayo ay isang bayan na may mithiing magpalaganap ng totoo ay makatarungan."