MANILA, Philippines — Some of the country’s top celebrities, artists, musicians and influencers showed up and further sparked the festive mood of the the ” Araw Na10 ‘To” grand rally in Pasay City of Vice President Leni Robredo, who also marked her 57th birth anniversary, on Saturday.
The celebrities performed, wooed the crowd, estimated at over 400,000 and officially endorsed the presidential and vice presidential bid, respectively, of Robredo and her running mate, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
Vice for Leni
“It’s Showtime” host and box-office star Vice Ganda openly declared her support for Robredo.
“Yun po ang regalo ko sa kanya ngayong gabing ito. Pero ang regalo ko sa sambayanang Pilipino ay ang boto ko kay Leni Robredo,” Vice Ganda, Jose Mari Viceral in real life, told the mammoth crowd.
“Sa gabing ito, opisyal kong ine-endorso ang susunod na pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas, Leni Robredo,” Viceral added while raising Robredo’s hand.
“Megastar”, ‘Diamond Star”, other stars for Leni
Likewise in attendance were Pangilinan’s wife, “Megastar” Sharon Cuneta, Jolina Magdangal, Nikki Valdez, Cherry Pie Picache, “Diamond Star” Maricel Soriano, Angel Locsin, “Mr. Pure Energy” Gary Valenciano, his son Gab, Janno Gibbs, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez, Ben & Ben, Apo Hiking Society and Jonalyn Viray, among others.
The star-studded cast prompted several Twitter users to remark that Robredo’s rally was reminiscent of Sunday noontime shows.
Jonalyn Viray sang a cover of Ben&Ben’s Sabel to praise women who have taken a stand against oppressive politics, and who have supported Robredo.
Social media influencer Mimiyuuh, along with beauty queens Kylie Versoza and 2021 Miss Universe top 5 finalist Beatrice Luigi Gomez likewise joined the festivities along with the Imago, Gracenote, Cheats and Rivermaya bands.
One people for a better nation
Another highlight of the over-12 hour rally was when movie and theater actor John Arcilla, who was critically acclaimed for his portrayal of Philippine war General Antonio Luna, made an intense speech to relay why he picked Robredo for president.
According to Arcilla, people who gathered at the Pasay rally of the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem should not be labeled as anything — not yellows, pinks, or even communists as they only want change in how the country is governed.
“Hindi tayo mga Yellowtards. Hindi tayo mga Pinklawan. Hindi tayo mga bayaran! At lalong-lalong hindi tayo mga komunista! Lahat ng kulay ay nandito. Asul, Dilaw, Pula, Berde, Rosas at Kayumanggi! Tayo ang sambayanang Pilipino. Mahal natin ang ating bayan, iniibig natin ang ating bandila at may takot tayo sa Diyos,” Arcilla said.
“Bukod sa kaarawan ni Leni Robredo, bakit tayo nandito? Hindi natin sinasamba si Leni Robredo. Hindi po namin sinasamba si Leni Robredo. Siya po ay aming sinasamahan sapagkat sinasamahan niya ang sambayanang Pilipino,” he added.
Critics welcome
Arcilla even stressed that a government with Robredo at the helm would allow criticisms, as she understands that criticizing government workers and their output is a form of love of the country.
“Hindi po siya natatakot na punahin. Nais po niyang tawagan natin ang kanyang atensyon sapagkat alam niya na ang pag-puna ay pagmamahal sa bayan. Ang pag-puna, ay ating tungkulin bilang nagbabayad ng buwis. Ang pagpuna sa gobyerno ay hindi pagrerebelde o hindi pagrereklamo,” he said.
“Ang pagpuna sa gobyerno ay pagmamahal at bahagi ng ating karapatan bilang mamamayang Pilipino. At alam na alam po ‘yun ni Leni Robredo. Kaya’t iyon po ang simula ng isang malusog na relasyon ng gobyerno at ng mamamayan,” he added.
Emotions were also evident when Picache led the the delivery of messages from sector representatives, with some participants of the rally tearing up after Filipinos from different walks of life relayed why they are supporting Robredo.