Vice President Leni Robredo’s supporters or kakampinks are still on a high on Saturday, Feb. 26, as the topic #IloiloIsPink is still the number one trending topic on social media site Twitter the morning after Robredo’s grand rally at the Iloilo Sports Complex that drew an estimated crowd of 40,000.
Also trending are #HalaBiraLeniKiko, #CebuIsPink, and “Ely Buendia.” The last is a testament to Buendia’s iconic power as the former frontman of 1990s hit band Eraserheads. Buendia performed his hits during Robredo’s grand rally on Friday night, Feb. 25.
“Ely Buendia giving sage advice. My gahd, tindig balahibo (goosebump) moment his performance! Lavaaaaarrrnnn (fight)!” tweeted E (@MadamHiddles). Along with the tweet is a video of Buendia singing “Pare Ko.”
“A sea of pink on #EDSA36 People Power Anniversary is all we need today,” actress Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) said.
“15 seconds of our FIRST FAMILY fangirling to Ely Buendia!!,” added Juan (@juanderpet_) as he posted a video of Robredo with daughters Aika, Tricia, and Jillian singing and dancing along with Buendia’s songs.
“#HalaBiraLeniKiko #ILOILOisPink So humbling to see this massive crowd—including the crowds from all over Iloilo earlier today—as people come together to state their support for #KulayRosasAngBukas #AngatBuhayLahat Lalaban tayo!! #EDSA36,” Pia Magalona (@piamagalona) said in a post with emoticons of pink heart and flower.
Iloilo’s people’s rally for Robredo coincided with the 36th anniversary of the People Power Revolution, and in her speech, she shared with supporters her memories of how millions of people toppled the 20-year Marcos dictatorship.
“Naaalala ko pa noong 1986: Ang pagtindig at pagkakaisa ng taumbayan para wakasan ang pang-aabuso ng diktadurya (I remember in 1986: The stance and unity of the people ended the abuses of the dictatorship),” Robredo said.
Iloilo proved that it remains to be Robredo’s bailiwick, making history after over 40,000 Ilonggos filled the Iloilo Sports Complex and mustered its biggest political rally to date.
Senator Frank Drilon, an Ilonggo ally and one of the Liberal Party leaders, said in jest that the huge crowd only showed that Ilonggos can match the Bicolanos’ love for Robredo, who hails from her hometown of Naga City.
The Vice President said that Ilonggos always choose the right public servants for their province. “Isinasabuhay nila ang gobyernong tapat. Kaya naman sa Iloilo, umaangat ang buhay ng lahat (They live up to an honest government. That’s why in Iloilo, everyone’s lives are improving).
Buendia, who is one of Robredo’s most influential supporters, was not the only celebrity that the Robredo camp brought to a known bailiwick of the Liberal Party.
Also with them were Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan, JK Labajo, Bituin Escalante, Red Ollero, Edu Manzano, Cherry Pie Picache, Rica Peralejo, Lara Quigaman-Alcaraz, Ogie Diaz, Gabby Padilla, Vic Anastacio, Gaia Poly, Pipay, Mama Loi, Dyosa, and Rivermaya.
Robredo received massive support from the province in 2016, and is expected to win there again this 2022 polls because of the endorsements of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr.
Campaign official said the Iloilo grand rally is the biggest gathering of crowd for Robredo, running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan, and their senatorial slate.
Treñas and Drilon, who hailed from Iloilo and was there on Friday night despite a foot injury, said it was the biggest political rally they’ve seen in their lives.