The hashtag #PampangaIsPink continues to trend on social media today after the Robredo-Pangilinan ticket recorded its largest rally turnout yet at the Robinsons Starmills grounds in Pampanga on Saturday.
Organizers estimated the crowd count at the Pampanga people’s rally, dubbed as Manalakaran, at 220,000 — beating the highly publicized Pasig City sortie that convened some 130,000 supporters on Emerald Avenue at the Ortigas business district.
READ: Ariana Grande shares clips of 137k-strong Pinoys singing ‘Break Free’ at Leni-Kiko Pasig rally
The Pampanga leg of the Leni-Kiko sorties saw a massive show of force by Pampanga-based volunteers, who reportedly gave away some 1,000 kilos of food such as sisig and hotdogs, and mounted the biggest stage yet at 64 feet wide. Giant lanterns and elaborate decorations adorned the venue as the event combined three local festivals: the Sisig Festival, the Sinukwan Festival, and the Giant Lantern Festival.
Free sisig station
— Win Enriquez (@Winforthewins) April 9, 2022
Samalamig station
Pampanga’s best freebies
Giant lanterns!!
CTTO
To name a few of what to see in Pampanga people’s rally! Grabe ang spirit of giving and festivity! Sa gobyernong tapat, mabubusog lahat!! #PampangaIsPink #KulayRosasAngBukas #LeniKikoAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/z2469ganPe
Pampanga giant lanterns💖#PampangaIsPink pic.twitter.com/5vQGVdmbyE
— DocHappy🎗 (@DocHappy95) April 10, 2022
Pampanga is the hometown and political bailiwick of former president and House speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who had publicly endorsed the Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte tandem. She had proclaimed a “landslide” for Marcos and Duterte in her home province a week before.
VP Leni staging her most-attended rally right at the bailiwick of GMA, Bongbong Marcos’ puppeteer, is her biggest flex and show of force yet. If you are still in doubt that we can win this, yes, WE WILL WIN THIS! #PampangaIsPink #PhilippinesIsPink pic.twitter.com/HYEeXRNWmM
— Emil Marañon III (@13thFool) April 9, 2022
The Pampanga rally also reportedly had the most number of celebrity appearances, including actress and singer Nadine Lustre, who performed for the first time at a Robredo event. Kakampinks even gifted her with a bottle of Mang Tomas onstage, a nod to the viral photo snapped of her purchasing the bottled sauce at a local store in Siargao months before.
President @hello_nadine
— Gerald Gloton (@chowderGloton) April 10, 2022
photographed by yours truly#PampangaIsPink pic.twitter.com/cAh9b0pAcM
CLEARER VIDEO OF PRESIDENT NADINE RECEIVING A BOTTLE OF MANG TOMAS 😭😭#PampangaIsPinkpic.twitter.com/CJJlh1IWSQ
— EJ (@earlyjaye) April 9, 2022
Yet one of the highlights of the Pampanga people’s rally was the emotional moment where the farmers of the town of San Nicolas had surprised vice presidential candidate Kiko Pangilinan onstage by raising his hands.
Pangilinan, whose platform is anchored on supporting the country’s farmers and fisherfolk, had long championed the San Nicolas farmers in his senatorial work.
A teary-eyed Pangilinan, touched by the gesture, embraced the farmers and called on Robredo to join the hand-raising at the center of the stage.
In previous weeks, Pangilinan had been excluded from sorties where politicians commanding votes in their provinces have been endorsing a Leni Robredo and Sara Duterte tandem.
We've seen local gov officials raise the hands of presidential candidates. We've even seen one official attempt to do this w/ the frontrunner but was refused, & humiliated. But how iconic for this to be done by our farmers in a Pink rally in the culinary capital. #PampangaIsPink pic.twitter.com/KWqFk3yOOJ
— Kristoffer Pasion (@indiohistorian) April 9, 2022
Kiko is emotional. After a series of local politicians not endorsing him, the endorsement from farmers made him tear up. For him, this is the most important endorsement. #PampangaIsPink
— Charles Ladia (@charleserize) April 9, 2022
The Pampanga rally is the largest and grandest sortie of the Robredo-Pangilinan ticket to date.
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