These neighbors in Bulacan took their opposing political views to a whole different level

Nobody can deny that the recently concluded 2022 election was polarizing, but these two neighbors took their opposing views to another level.

"Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho" checked up on Mark Joseph Sta. Cruz and Mario Dela Cruz, neighbors and cousins who previously went viral for the state of their houses in Marilao, Bulacan — one was decorated in all pink, while the other red and green.

According to the report, Mario is a supporter of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan, while Joseph is a supporter of presumptive president Bongbong Marcos and presumptive vice president Sara Duterte.

Apparently, their feud began in March this year, when Mario hung up a Leni-Kiko tarpaulin in front of his house.

"Nung nagdeklara na tatakbo siya bilang pangulo, naisip na namin na maglagay ng tarpaulin dito sa bahay para suportahan siya sa kanyang pagtakbo," Mario said.

Not wanting to be one-upped, Joseph went out of his way to borrow money from his uncle just to have funds for tarpaulins of his own.

This was only the beginning of their heated competition. Later, Joseph decided to decorate his house with red and green LED strip lights.

Naturally, Mario bought pink LED lights for himself as well.

Their feud crossed over to social media. The two were vocal about their support for their candidates, leading to some debates.

"'Pag 'yung nakakapag-post siya ng fake news kung baga, hindi ko matiis na hindi ko sagutin o kaya itama," Mario said.

Joseph said that he started hiding his Facebook posts from his cousin.

"Comment siya ng comment nang 'di sang-ayon sa kandidato ko," he said.

But is it friendship over for Joseph and Mario?

Apparently, despite their online and offline wars, their relationship is holding strong!

In fact, Joseph even offered help when Mario's tarpaulin was jostled by strong winds.

"Baka maaksidente at bumagsak so sinabi ko sa kanya na ayusin namin 'yung tarpaulin niya," Joseph said.

He added that they even share food. "Binigyan ako ni Kuya Mario noong sinamahan ko siya na magbigay ng tarpaulin ng kandidato niya."

Finally, election day rolled around.

Mario said that up to the last minute, he was talking to Joseph about politics.

"Sabi ko, Seph, sigurado ka na ba, baka magbago pa ang isip mo," he said.

However, Joseph had already made up his mind.

In the partial, unofficial results, it was Marcos and Sara who took the lead.

And despite their warring emotions brought about by the results, and even after their months-long competition, Mario and Joseph are apparently unwilling to let the election get in the way of their friendship.

"Sana yung pagkakaibigan natin hindi mawawala," Joseph told Mario.

To which Mario replied, "Sana sa susunod na eleksyon magkakampi na tayo."

They both agreed on one thing, summarized by Joseph: "Manalo man po o matalo, magrespetuhan po tayo sa isa't isa." —JCB, GMA News