Iwa Moto, Senator Panfilo Lacson’s daughter-in-law, speaks before the crowd at the Lacson-Sotto tandem’s miting de avance in Cavite on Friday, May 6, 2022. Photo from Lacson-Sotto media bureau
CARMONA, Cavite — In what could be considered as the most performance- and celebrity-packed rally of the Lacson-Sotto tandem, famous supporters made a final push to gain votes for the two senators, with some taking a dig at other candidates who resort to dancing to woo voters.
During the tandem’s five-hour miting the avance here on Friday, celebrities took turns in either performing or citing reasons why voters should choose presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson and vice presidential bet Senate President Vicente Sotto III.
Sotto’s brother, Vic, graced the latter part of the program and gained the most cheers from the crowd. He reiterated his support for the Senate president and Lacson.
The event was hosted by Pauleen Luna—Vic’s wife—as well as “Eat Bulaga” host Allan K and Ciara Sotto, the Senate president’s daughter.
Following several musical performances, the crowd erupted into cheers as “Eat Bulaga” comedians Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola were introduced to the stage, where they performed two songs.
Both were also at the Lacson-Sotto tandem’s kick-off proclamation rally in Imus, Cavite last February.
“Ito yung huling gabi, ito yung huling rally, mag-isip tayo. Alagaan natin yung mga boto natin [This is the last night, this is the last rally, let’s think. Let’s protect our votes],” Manalo said in between songs.
“Wag tayong magpadala sa social media [Don’t be swayed with what you see on social media],” he added.
Actor Kier Legaspi likewise expressed support for the tandem, saying voters should base their choice on competence, intelligence and track record.
“Ngayong eleksyon ‘wag na ‘wag po tayong magkakamali [This election, let us not make mistakes],” he said.
“Yung mga nagra-rap na ‘yan, yung pagra-rap na ‘yan, yung mga sayaw sayaw na yan, lahat yan walang kwenta. Walang kwenta na yan ang magiging basehan natin para pumili ng kandidato na iboboto natin [Those rapping, those dancing, it senseless. It’s senseless to make it the basis of our choice of candidate to vote for],” he added.
Kakai Bautista, introduced as the “Dental Diva,” was also among artists who hyped up the crowd during the miting de avance.
She declared her support for Sotto, citing his and family’s “sincere” nature, which she said is “very rare” to find in the showbiz industry.
“Nung nagsisimula pa lang ako sa pagiging artista, ang pamilya po ni Tito Sen ay isa sa mga naging pinakamabait sa akin. Very rare sa aming mga artista na makakita ng sincere at totoong nagmamalasakit [When I started in the industry, Tito Sen’s family was among the kindest to me. It’s very rare among us actors to find someone sincere and genuinely caring],” she said.
“Ang hahanapin po natin na iluluklok sa posisyon ay yung mga totoong taong mabait kahit walang kamera [What we should look for in a candidate to elect is if they’re really kind even without a camera],” she added.
Lacson’s daughter-in-law, Iwa Moto, meanwhile told voters why the senator, a former top cop, is not the most jovial of people.
“Hindi siya malambing, don’t get me wrong, nakakatakot siya. Strikto siya. Pero alam niyo kung bakit kasi ang sabi niya sa amin? ‘Bakit ako magiging palatawa, at bakit ako sasayaw e ang hirap ng problema ng bansa?’ [He’s not tender, don’t get me wrong, he’s scary. He’s strict. But you know what he said to us? ‘Why would I be prone to laughing? And why would I dance when the country is facing tough problems]” Moto said.
“Pag ba nag-Budots siya dito, mawawala ang COVID? Pag sumayaw ba siya dito ng Paro Paro G, mawawala ang COVID? [If he dances to Budots and Paro Paro G, will COVID-19 disappear?]” she added.
Lacson and Sotto have done away with dancing or singing to woo voters, preferring to conduct town hall meetings instead.
The Lacson-Sotto tandem are set to visit Rizal, Laguna, Batangas and Cavite in a caravan on May 7, the last day of the campaign before Filipinos cast their votes on May 9.
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