Robredo, supporters light up darkness in Caloocan rally for Earth Hour


Presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo and her supporters took part in the global climate change awareness campaign by joining this year’s observance of Earth Hour during the huge concert rally held Saturday night, March 26, in Caloocan City.

Vice President Leni Robredo interacts with supporters during the “Rock and Rosas” concert rally in Caloocan City on Saturday, March 26. (VPLR Media Bureau)

Soon after Robredo delivered her speech at the “Camanava Rock & Rosas” concert rally, the 21,000-strong crowd of kakampinks lit up the open field of Notre Dame of Greater Manila and St. Mary’s Academy as the stage lights were dimmed in observance of Earth Hour.

The Vice President stressed the importance of supporting Earth Hour, a yearly worldwide campaign that encourages everyone to turn off non-essential lights as a way to save energy and help the environment.

“Kailangan po tayong makiisa kasi napakahalaga niyang adbokasiya na kailangan nating ginagawa (We have to take part in it because it’s a very important advocacy that we should do),” Robredo told her supporters.

The rally concert venue glowed with the lights from the mobile phones held up by the huge sea of kakampinks at the event.

The aspiring president had to shorten her speech for the observance of Earth Hour.

Afterward, numerous bands and artists such as Ben&Ben, The Juans, Jason Dy, The Company, Gracenote, Kuh Ledesma, Frenchie Dy, and Prettier than Pink, among others, performed for the jam-packed crowd.

READ: From People’s Campaign, supporters rock in Caloocan concert for Robredo

‘Piston 6’ driver

Jeepney driver Elmer Cordero, 72, met the Vice President before she appeared on stage at the Caloocan concert rally.

Cordero, who was was detained in June 2020 for protesting against the government ban on jeepney operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is now supporting Robredo‘s presidential bid.

“Siya ang tunay na presidente, tapat, hindi sinungaling, hindi korupt (She is the true president, she’s honest, not a liar, not corrupt),” he said.

Jeepney driver Elmer Cordero meets Vice President Leni Robredo before she takes the stage at the concert rally. (VPLR Media Bureau)

“Lagi naman kami para kay Leni (We are always for Leni),” Cordero stressed.

He walked with Robredo going to the stage and stood beside it to listen to her message before the crowd.

A family affair

For 58-year-old Babes Encinares and her relatives, joining the Leni-Kiko rally was a family affair.

“Naniniwala ako sa kredibilidad, sa sincerity ni VP Leni. Wala nang ibang choice. Siya lang ang karapat-dapat (I believe in the credibility, sincerity of VP Leni. We have no other choice. She is the one deserving),” Encinares said.

The Encinares family, even their neighbors, went to the concert rally, wearing pink shirts printed with “Leni”.

Encinares said they braved the midday heat just to show their support for Robredo and “be part of history.”

“Grabe ang energy ng mga tao, ng mga kabataan. Kinikilabutan ako (The energy of the people, of the youth, is so high. It gives me goosebumps),” she said.