More than four dozen celebrities joined the rally to mark the 57th birthday of presidential aspirant and Vice President Leni Robredo and her running-mate, Vice President Francis Pangilinan that was held Saturday, April 23 along Macapagal Avenue in Pasay.
Singers, bands, beauty queens, vloggers, movie and TV stars, plus a National Artist (Benedicto Cabrera) came together with various members of multi-sectoral groups to greet the vice president. Some only appeared on videos, like Donny Pangilinan, Liza Soberano, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.
Sharon Cuneta, wife of Senator Pangilinan, sang for the crowd and extolled VP Leni and her husband’s plans. She introduced Maricel Soriano, tagged as local showbiz’ Diamond Star, who delighted the crowd when she paraphrased her famous line in the movie “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin” and said, “Wag mo akong ma Teri, Teri. Gusto ko Leni, Leni, Leni.”
Couple Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid also got loud applause for their performances.
So did Jim Paredes and Boboy Garrovillo of Apo Hiking Society, who sang “Panalangin” and Nyoy Volante and Noel Cabangon, who performed “Kanlungan” and “Tuloy Pa Rin.” Janno Gibbs serenaded the birthday girl with “Ipagpatawad Mo.”
Father and son Gary and Gab Valenciano, who appeared together on the Leni-Kiko stage for the first time, received pure love from the Kakampinks.
Actress Angel Locsin, who shared the same birthday as the Vice President’s, said she’s passed her Darna amulet — the Filipino superhero she played on TV — to her presidential bet.
Internationally renowned actor John Arcilla gave an impassioned speech —the most stirring of the night — that asked the people to carefully choose their leaders.
“Kurap o tapat? Kurakot o lingkod? Umiiwas o humaharap? Sumusugod o umaatras? Masipag o tamad? Trapo o tropa? Bayan, pumili ka?” he told the crowd, which organizers estimated to be more than 400,000.
Arcilla mentioned he knew Senator Bongbong Marcos and his running-mate, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte and another presidential bet, Manila Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, but said knowing them was not enough a qualification to earn his vote.
“Pinili ko [si VP Leni] dahil sa kanyang mga nagawa, sa kanyang mga nagawa, at sa kanyang mga gagawin pa. Siya lang po ang nakita kong kandidato na pumupunta sa lahat ng mga malalayong lugar na hindi pa napupuntahan ng sinumang opisyal, at natutulunganniya ang mga kababayan nating mga mahihirap,” he said.
Meanwhile, after weeks of speculation, Vice Ganda made his choice known loud and clear at the Ipanalo Na10 To Birthday rally. Dressed in all pink, the “It’s Showtime” host sang and danced to Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” before he declared his rousing endorsement of VP Leni.
“Kapag si Leni Robredo ang ating ibinoto, tayong mga Pilipino ang mananalo!” he said.
