This May 9, we uphold our right to vote as we choose the next leaders of our country through the 2022 national elections.
We all have our choices, but we are surrounded by different mediums that might influence our bets, especially for the position of president and vice president.
One of these mediums is the influence of our favorite local celebrities, with some recently gracing campaign rallies to persuade people to vote for the people who they believe are the rightful people to become the next leaders of the nation.
Check out your favorite celebrities who appeared to support their presidential and vice-presidential bets ahead of the upcoming May elections.
TONI GONZAGA
Kapamilya star Toni Gonzaga got everyone talking when she hosted the proclamation rally of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) presidential bet Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and Lakas-CMD vice presidential bet Sara Duterte-Carpio at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
Last February 10, Marcos took to Instagram to thank Gonzaga for providing her hosting duties during his rally.
“Isang makasaysayang gabi na hindi namin malilimutan ni Mayor Inday Sara kapiling ang aming mga tagasuporta, pamilya, kaibigan at mga nanindigan para sa ating samahan ng pagkakaisa – gaya mo Toni,” the former senator wrote.
Gonzaga had faced mixed reactions from netizens after showing her support for Marcos. However, this was not the first time as her controversial YouTube vlog with Marcos, posted last September 2021, also faced criticism, wherein she asked him about the “greatest lessons” he has learned from his father, the late dictator and former president Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.
KARLA ESTRADA
Karla Estrada also appeared in the proclamation rally for the Marcos-Duterte tandem. Representing her “Tingog” partylist, she performed for the Philippine Arena crowd.
CHERRY PIE PICACHE
From her hometown in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Vice President Leni Robredo kicked off her presidential campaign alongside vice presidential candidate Senator Kiko Pangilinan and her senatorial bets with a proclamation rally.
The event was filled with Robredo’s supporters, including celebrities like Cherry Pie Picache. The veteran actress made an emotional speech among the crowd.
Picache recounted her experience during the event on Instagram last February 10, writing: “Patuloy ang pag-asa at dalangin na magigising, mamumulat, at mababago ang isip at puso sa kung anong tama, nararapat at dapat na piliin at suportahan!”
NIKKI VALDEZ
Last Tuesday, February 16, Nikki Valdez recalled her experience during the Quezon City campaign rally of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan.
In the post, the actress, who was also present in the Robredo-Pangilinan proclamation rally, said she joined the group “KYUSI 4 LENI” and read two poems onstage from the publication 100 Pink Poems Para Kay Leni.
“The past 3 days have been nothing but amazing after seeing the outpour of love from everyone for the arts and our country,” she said.
IWA MOTO
Iwa Moto hosted the proclamation rally of presidential bet Senator Ping Lacson and vice presidential bet Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III in Imus, Cavite.
The actress-model, who is the wife of Lacson’s son Pampi, posted a video of herself at the event on Instagram last February 8.
VIC SOTTO
Making a surprise appearance in support of his brother, Eat Bulaga host Vic Sotto spoke to the Imus crowd, saying in jest: “Ako ay di magtatalumpati ngayong gabi, dahil kung ako magtalumpati eh baka ako ang maging presidente,”
Lacson, on Instagram, posted about Vic’s support, writing: “Mga Dabarkads, hindi lang isa kundi dalawang Sotto ang kasama natin kagabi. Nakakataba ng puso ang suporta at mainit na pagtanggap sa #LacsonSotto tandem. Isa ito sa highlight ng aking public service career. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat!”
FREDDIE AGUILAR
“Anak” singer Freddie Aguilar sang an original piece, titled “Dugo at Pawis,” which was inspired by presidential bet Senator Manny Pacquiao. He performed the song in the latter’s proclamation rally in General Santos City.
Aguilar, who once ran for Senator in the 2019 elections, posted about his experience on Facebook last February 8.
JINKEE & DIONISIA PACQUIAO
Manny’s wife Jinkee Pacquiao and mother Dionisia Pacquiao also spoke before the General Santos City crowd.
SHARON CUNETA
On Tuesday, February 22, Sharon Cuneta joined her husband, vice presidential bet Kiko Pangilinan, in a Tarlac campaign for himself and Vice President Leni Robredo. This marked the first time the Megastar joined the senator in any of his public events after the campaign period for national election candidates kicked off earlier in the month.
Cuneta and Pangilinan, who have been married for 25 years, were welcomed by the Tarlac crowd as they waved and smiled at the Gerona Public Market.
On Instagram, the singer-actress thanked Tarlac and posted a photo of herself and Kiko happily waving to their supporters.
“Dacal a salamat Tarlac!” she wrote.
