‘Manalakaran’ hits record-breaking 220,000 crowd
‘Manalakaran’, the Pampanga Grand Rally of Team Leni-Kiko last April 9, broke existing rally crowd records, as the attendees swelled up to 220,000 towards the end of the event.
Pink-clad and adorned rally participants braved the sweltering summer heat and stood under the sun for hours as they waited at Robinsons Starmills for the arrival of Team Leni-Kiko, who made the rounds in key areas of Pampanga prior to the grand rally.
Earlier in the day, supporters showed up at the Angeles City People’s Rally. A majority of them also went to the succeeding Manalakaran Grand Rally in San Fernando City.
Prior to the grand event, Team Leni-Kiko were at The Infinity in Pulung Maragul, for the Angeles City People’s Rally. An estimated 3,000 people were in attendance. Musical performances by Angeleños in between the speeches of the Tropang Angat senatorial candidates, and a shower of pink confetti highlighted the mini rally.
Also in Pampanga, Robredo met with business leaders of the province’s medium-sized and large companies led by Rene Romero of the Romac Group at the Residencia Romero in the City of San Fernando. The business group declared their support for Robredo and her running mate, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, making it the first time for a group of businessmen in Pampanga to make their choice public.
VP Leni Robredo was overwhelmed by the turnout, considering her loss here in 2016.
“Hindi ko man lang panaginip o pangarap na tatayo ako dito sa entablado na ganito kadami ang tao,” she said. “Pinaparamdam niyo sa amin, na hindi niyo lang ako mahal, pero talagang napakalaki ng pagmamahal niyo sa taumbayan.”
In response, the audience chanted “Babawi kami!”
Despite the loss back then, Robredo has been a frequent visitor to the province, helping in different ways such as bringing the Vaccine Express to San Fernando twice during the pandemic, and helping out with medical assistance of P10.5 million.
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) also sent PPEs, antigen tests, and medical supplies to 47 different medical institutions all across the province.
From livelihood programs for farmers in Floridablanca and Lubao, to setting up community learning hubs in Magalang and Guagua, to giving tablets to students in Mabalacat and Angeles, to helping out of school youth in Mexico, the OVP has helped the province in so many ways.
“Ang obligasyon namin: dapat kami maging lingkod-bayan sa kahit anong kulay. Ngayon, marami sa inyo naka-pink pero pag ako naging Pangulo, magiging Pangulo hindi lang ng mga naka-pink pero magiging Pangulo ako ng lahat na kulay,” she said.
Meanwhile, City of San Fernando City Mayor Edwin Santiago raised the hands of both Robredo and Pangilinan at the grand rally.
“Nagkaisa po ang mga Fernandino, Kapampangan at Pilipino. Ang mga Kapampangan ay naniniwala sa pagbabago, pagbabago bunga ng gobyernong tapat, pagbabago para sa ating mga anak at sa susunod na henerasyon,” he said.
Santiago recalled that he was one of those who were convincing Robredo to run for President sometime in March 2021. “Ang sabi ko po sa kaniya, mag-file lang siya ng candidacy maraming tatayo at tataya para sa kaniya,” he said, adding:
“Ngayong araw na ito ay patunay na kapag tumindig ka, may titindig sa tabi mo. Ang unang tumindig, ang pinili niyang maging bise, ang ating kababayan, Senador Kiko Pangilinan.”
One major emotional highlight for Vice Presidential candidate Kiko Pangilinan during the grand rally was the surprise appearance on the campaign stage of the group of farmers from San Nicolas, San Simon, who wanted to show support to Pangilinan and VP Leni by raising their hands.
The Tropang Angat senatorial line-up present during the rally were former Ifugao Governor Teddy Baguilat, Sen. Leila De Lima (represented by Atty. Dino De Leon), Atty. Chel Diokno, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Atty. Alex Lacson, Atty. Sonny Matula, former senator Antonio ‘Sonny’ Trillanes, and Philippine Red Cross Chair Richard Gordon. Also included in the slate are Jejomar Binay, Sen. Francis Escudero, Sen. Joel Villanueva and Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Performers in the Manalakaran Grand Rally were Itchyworms, Nadine Lustre
Gab Valenciano, Jona, The Company, Bukas Palad Music Ministry, K Brosas, Kokoy de Santos, Pepe Herrera, Kokoy De Santos, Elijah Canlas, Mayonnaise, Rivermaya, Sam Concepcion and Megastar Sharon Cuneta.
Meanwhile, program hosts included Jolina Magdangal,Alex Calleja, Nikki Valdez, Ogie Diaz, Mela Habijan, Miles Ocampo and Mama Loi.
At 220,000 strong, the Manalakaran Grand Rally in Pampanga surpassed the Pasig City leg of the Leni-Kiko campaign attendance of 137,000.
