It was the first time in 39 years, Aquino said that she and her brother, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III stepped foot in this city.

"First time in 39 years, unang beses [first time]. Kahit Ilocos Sur hindi pa namin napupuntahan so first time pareho kami ni Noy na umapak sa Ilocos Norte [We haven?t even gone yet to Ilocos Sur. This is the first time that Noy and I set foot in Ilocos Norte]," she told reporters when they arrived here Thursday noon to campaign for the senator, who is running for president in May.

"So siyempre, hindi ako nakatulog kagabi dahil kinakabahan ako but so far naman pinuntahan din namin yung tinatawag na solid North, yung Isabel, Cagayan and so far, maganda naman ang reception [So of course, I wasn?t able to sleep last night because I was nervous but so far, the places where we went to, the so called solid North ? in Isabel, Cagayan ? so far, the reception has been great]," she said.

Ms Aquino, the youngest daughter of the late senator Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino Jr., and president Corazon Aquino, said she was expecting that the airport would be empty but surprised to see a number of supporters cheering for her and her brother.

"Nagulat ako [I was surprised] because I was expecting that this airport would be empty but I'm very grateful na andito yung mga tao but siyempre pag labas natin [that the people were here but of course when we went out] it?s a whole different story altogther," she said.

"On the way here, naka dalawang rosary ako dahil sinabi ko 'mom, please give us strength na sana wala akong masabi na ikagalit ng mga Ilocano kay Noy at sa akin at sana maging maayos ang lahat sa pagpunta namin dito [I said two rosaries because I said, ?mom, please give us strength that I won?t say anything that might cause the Ilocanos to be angry towards Noy and me and I pray that our trip here will be fine]," she added.

Ms Aquino said she saw former First Lady Imelda Marcos in church last Sunday and she took it as a sign to proceed with the campaign here.

Ms Aquino and husband and professional basketball player James Yap accompanied Senator Aquino and his running mate Senator Manuel ?Mar? Roxas here.

Senator Aquino and Yap were in yellow polo shirts, the senator?s campaign color, while Kris was wearing black polo shirt and jeans.

Supporters also in yellow shirts chanted the senator's name when he arrived at the airport.

Some of female supporters could not hide their admiration when they finally saw in person both Kris and her husband.

"Ang tangkad mo. Ang pogi mo sa personal [You?re so tall. You?re so handsome in person]!" a female fan exclaimed when she saw Yap.