Robredo, team attract record crowds in Pasig, Bacolod, other cities

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda

PASIG CITY/BACOLOD CITY – Presidential candidate Vice President Maria Leonor Leni Robredo and her team have attracted record crowds in Pasig City, Cavite, Bacolod City, Sagay City, and other cities in Negros Occidental at their proclamation rallies during the past weeks, defying surveys a and bolstering the hopes of leaders and supporters of winning the presidential election on May 9, 2022.

The team’s latest rally on Sunday, March 19, at the Emerald Avenue in Pasig City had tens of thousands of supporters gathered in what they described as the biggest show of force yet for Robredo, runningmate Francis Pangilinan and senatorial candidates that include reelectionist Sens. Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros and detained Senator Leila de Lima.

Various official and unofficial estimates placed Sunday’s crowd at the Pasig rally at 80,000 to as high as 130,000, according to an ABS-CBN News report.

Robredo, in a Facebook message later, thanked the thousands “who braved the heat, stood for hours, shouted, chanted, and sang with us yesterday.”

The rally also featured several artists, including Ben&Ben, Ebe Dancel, Rivermaya, Noel Cabangon, Jolina Magdangal, and Itchyworms who changed the lyrics to their hit song “Akin Ka Na Lang” to “Leni Ka Na Lang.”

Megastar Sharon Cuneta, wife of Sen. Pangilinan, led the artists who joined the Leni-Kiko rallies in  Bacolod and other areas.

Reports from the ground and various media stated that the Paglaum Stadium event in Bacolod was attended by record 75,000 supporters, the biggest yet crowd in the campaign for Robredo.

Earlier, Robredo and her team also attracted massive support in proclamation rallies in General Trias City, Cavite with 47,000 supporters. The rally trended in social media because of allegations by Rep. Crispin Remulla that communists and members of their fronts joined the rally and that many supporters were allegedly paid to attend the event.

Also at the Bacolod event were Negros Occidental leaders led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Maranon III and Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. who had earlier expressed their support for Robredo.

Actress-singer Sharon Cuneta was joined by actors and directors Joel Torre and Ronnie Lazaro, actor and television host Edu Manzano, actresses Agot Isidro and Nikki Valdez, and comedian Ogie Diaz and showed their support along with singers Kyla and Kuh Ledesma, Gab Valenciano, local bands Rivermaya and Mayonnaise who performed before the crowd.

Robredo and Pangilinan were also joined by their “Tropang Angat” senatorial slate namely former Ifugao Congressman Teddy Baguilat, reelectionist Senators Richard Dick Gordon and Risa Hontiveros, lawyer Alex Lacson and Sonny Matula.

Senator Leila Delima sent a video message while former senator Antonio Trillanes was represented by former Magdalo Party-list Rep. Garry Alejano.

Former congressman Neri Colmenares, who is also running for senator, also spoke during the pre-program activity. He is supporting the candidacy of Robredo.

Prior to the grand rally in Bacolod City, Robredo kicked off her provincewide sortie in San Carlos City where she was joined by Lacson and Bishop Gerardo Alminaza.

Robredo and Pangilinan then proceeded to St. Joseph Parish Church in Sagay City for a meeting with church officials there before attending the rally at the city’s government center.

During the rally joined by about 20,000 supporters, Robredo was publicly endorsed by Marañon, Escalante and Second District Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva.

Robredo also visited some localities in the south including Kabankalan City, Binalbagan, Himamaylan City, Hinigaran and La Carlota City.*

“It’s a campaign like no other. Negrenses show us how they love unconditionally,” Robredo and Pangilinan said as they thanked the Negros folk for their massive show of support.

Aside from wearing pink shirts and ribbons, supporters also brought with them lanterns as they considered Robredo as the “star of hope.”