Risa Hontiveros, Win Gatchalian thankful for WinRi fans' positive attention to Senate work

Senate President Win Gatchalian and Senator Risa Hontiveros are both grateful for the positive attention that their work in the Senate has been getting, thanks to fans who have been pairing them together online.

On Monday, Hontiveros posted a photo of them together from the Senate opening of the second regular session of the 20th Congress. They were both flashing finger hearts.

Fans, who dubbed the pair as "WinRi," were quick to make them viral on X (formerly Twitter).

"Maraming salamat muli at muli pa sa mga Winners sa napaka-positive na attention na ibinibigay nila, hindi lamang kay SP, hindi lamang sa akin, kundi sa 'ming lahat na mga senador ,'yung trabaho naming sa Senado," Hontiveros told GMA News Online when she arrived at the Batasang Pambasa for the State of the Nation Address.

"It's a much needed positive thought and feeling na nagmumula sa kanila and sobra ko ring na-appreciate 'yung paghanap nila ng mga materyales tungkol sa mga nakaraang taong mga trabaho na namin at pagbibigay nila ng dagdag na pansin dun," she added.

"Winners" was the fandom name chosen by those who pair the two senators.

Gatchalian also echoed her message of gratitude to the fans.

"Nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga Winners, 'yung dad n'yo nagpapasalamat," he told GMA News Online. "Natutuwa ako at refreshing siya dahil nga ang politics very toxic eh, so etong mga ganito ay nakakatuwa and of course the support and pagmamahal appreciate namin 'yun."

SONA 2026 is the penultimate State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos on Jr.

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