Thread by @maracepeda

We’re here at Macapagal Ave in Pasay City for presidential bet VP Leni Robredo’s grand bday rally. Her supporters are starting to flock in from across Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Heat is intense, but they came prepared with their umbrellas, mats, food,water @rapplerdotcom

As “Kakampinks” gather in Macapagal Avenue, other Robredo supportere are doing house-to-house efforts across different cities and towns to convince more voters to pick Robredo on election day. 📷 Leni People’s Campaign #PHVote

Crowd is only getting thicker here in Pasay. Dominant color is still pink, but we’re seeing Robredo supporters also wearing other colors. This is consistent with the messaging shift of the Robredo campaign team, that under her presidency, all colors are welcome. #PHVote

Spotted backstage: Popular influencer Mimiyuuuh and Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan. #PHVote

Before the program starts, several artists are working together onstag to complete this mural for Robredo’s birthday rally. #PHVote

Crowd gets all fired up as pre-program begins. Mimiyuuh, Habijan, Kerwin King, Rei Germar now hosting. #PHVote

Singer-songwriter now serenading the crowd in Pasay. “Sobrang init pero bilib ako sa energy nyo. Sa gobyernong tapat, angat buhay lahat!” says Danao. #PHVote

Comedian-producer Michael Angelo from GMA now entertaining the crowd with his jokes. #PHVote

“Papunta pa lang tayo sa exciting part.” All roads lead to Macapagal Avenue in Pasay for Robredo supporters today. They came with their most colorful props and wittiest slogans to celebrate Robredo’s 57th birthday. #PHVote 📷 Team Leni Robredo

Nica del Rosario, Jeli Mateo, and Justine Peña perform the “Kay Leni Tayo” jingle for the crowd standing farther from the main stage in Macapagal Ave. #PHVote

Crowd is so thick here, we’re already having trouble tweeting. But the Rappler team will do our best to give you updates from Robredo’s birthday rally. #PHVote

It feels like a music festival here. Energy of the “Kakampinks” is palpable, even if they are enduring the sweltering heat. As popular bands Moonstar 88 and Gracenote take the stage, Robredo supporters sing along to their hits. #PHVote

For those asking, Rappler will air our livestream from Robredo’s grand rally when the main program begins at 5 pm. #PHVote

1Sambayan senatorial candidate Monsour del Rosario now addressing the “Kakampinks.” He declared support for Robredo after Partido Reporma dropped Sen Ping Lacson in favor of her. #PHVote

LOOK: Aerial shots of the crowd along Macapagal Ave, Pasay for Robredo’s birthday rally as of 2:30 pm. 📷 Jimmy Dasal/Team Kiko #PHVote

Imago just finished performing. “Kakampinks” here swayed their hands in the air as the band performed their hit songs “Taralets” and “Sundo.” #PHVote

First Tropang Angat senatorial bet to take the stage: former Ifugao representative Teddy Baguilat Jr. He is running on a pro-indigenous peoples and pro-environment platform. #PHVote

As the video of detained reelectionist senator Leila de Lima is played here, crowd chants “Hustisya!” De Lima is the most prominent political detainee under the Duterte regime, imprisoned for what she has described as trumped-up drug charges against her. #PHVote

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno stays as one of the crowd favorites of “Kakampinks.” His CHELdren give him rockstar treatment as he takes the stage. #PHVote

Reelectionist senator Richard Gordon takes the stage, with the crowd chanting “Ipasok si Dick!” Gordon had made himself Pres Rodrigo Duterte’s enemy after he led the Senate blue ribbon panel committee’s investigation on the Pharmally scandal. #PHVote

Juan Karlos now performing his hit song “Buwan” for the Robredo supporters here. #PHVote

Another “Kakampink” crowd favorite, reelectionist senator Risa Hontiveros, takes the stage. Among the core members of Robredo’s Senate slate, only Hontiveros is able to breach the “Magic 12” in surveys. She’s running on a pro-health and pro-women’s rights platform #PHVote

Ang Kapatiran’s Alex Lacson, another senatorial candidate under Robredo’s slate, now takes the stage. He hits the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos for the massive corruption during his 21-year rule. #PHVote

Lacson hits Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who earlier called for Robredo to withdraw: Manigas ka, Mayor Isko! Lalaban kami! #PHVote

Labor leader Sonny Matula, who is hoping to win a Senate seat on his pro-workers’ platform, is now speaking onstage. #PHVote

Ex-rebel soldier Sonny Trillanes, who’s hoping for a Senate comeback, debunks lie being spread online that the Robredo campaign has allegedly worked with communist rebels. This isn’t true and Robredo herself debunked this claim this morning. #PHVote

“Kakampinks” in Pasay are turning into a frenzy now as the program flow nears the arrival of Robredo, woman of the hour. Their energy is relentless, with the crowd here jumping to the beat of the opening number. They wave their flags, posters, and other props in the air. #PHVote

In this Robredo rally, her supporters’ house-to-house efforts are being highlighted in the program. Not surprising, as this is the ace of her recent momentum on the campaign, a good counterattack to the intense disinformation Robredo has been facing these past years. #PHVote

Bianca Gonzales, a known Robredo supporter, joins a rally as host for the first time on the campaign trail. Robredo has said in the past that she is a fan of Gonzales, too. #PHVOte

Celebrities Jolina Magdangal and Nikki Valdez now hosting the program, greet one Robredo supporter who climbed a tree along Macapagal Ave to get a better view of the main stage. #PHVote

A video of reelectionist senator Joel Villanueva wishing Robredo a happy birthday is played here at the rally. #PHVote

A series of Robredo ads are being played for the second time in the row here. We are told this is due to a technical problem as the tech/sound booth temporarily lost power. Despite the program interruption, “Kakampinks” wait for the program to resume. They are staying for Robredo

Even without hosts telling them to do it, “Kakampinks” light up their phones and light sticks as a music video of “Rosas” is played onstage. #PHVote

Finally have signal again. Emotional moment here in Pasay as ordinary folk representing diff sectors, like commuters, farmers, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, speak of their dreams and why they think Robredo can help bring about reforms to make these happen. #PHVote

Actor John Arcilla making an impassioned speech as he makes his pitch for Robredo: Hindi natin sinasanta si Leni Robredo; sinisinta natin siya… Hindi natin siya sinasamba; sinasamahan natin siya dahil sinasamahan nya tayo. #PHVote

Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez and Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza now hosting a Robredo rally for the first time. They are joined by Ogie Diaz and Mama Loi, among the regular hosts in Robredo rallies. #PHVote

Actress Angel Locsin takes the stage: Si Darna? Alam nyo pi, sinurrender ko na po ang bato kay Maam Leni #PHVote

Locsin: Alam nyo ho, simple lang naman ho kasi: Kung ayaw natin na naghihirap tayong lahat, king ayaw nating ng korapsyon, bakit tayo boboto ng tao na may bahid ng korapsyon? #PHVote

Locsin: Kung gusto nyo ng pagbabago, tigilan natin ang pagboto sa mga political dynasties… Sila lang ang magpapakasasa, pero tayo ang kawawa. #PHVote

Jona joins Kababaihan for Leni onstage for a performance paying tribute to women everywhere. #PHVote

Andrea Brillantes attends a Robredo rally for the 1st time and explains why she’s choosing her: Naniniwala ako na tayong Pilipino, we deserve accountability at alam kong mabibigay nya sa atin yun… Deserve natin yung pinuno na aalagaaan tayo. We deserve Leni Robredo, di ba?

A video message of Liza Soberano plays here as she greets Robredo a happy birthday: I am with you, VP Leni… See you soon! #PHVote

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla are endorsing Robredo for president, like they did when she ran for VP in 2016. Videos of the two vouching for Robredo now being played along Macapagal Ave. #PHVote

Jim and Saab Magalano-Bacarro’s Cheats performs for the crowd with the latter’s brother Arkin. Elmo Magalona also hits the stage. They perform the song of their late father, Francis Magalona. #PHVote

Local organizers of the Pasay City rally say some 412,000 “Kakampinks” are joining Robredo’s grand birthday rally tonight. #PHVote

Robredo, the woman of the hour, finally steps onstage, to the delight of the 412,000 “Kakampinks” in Pasay. Tonight, she wears a gray blouse with a pink flower brooch and a pink face mask. She is welcomed onstage by her running mate Pangilinan. #PHVote

Another emotional moment here as pictures of Robredo and her late husband, ex-Naga mayor and DILG chief Jesse Robredo, are flashed onscreen while Ogie Alcasid sings “Nandito Ako.” Robredo turns to the screen to view the pictures with her beloved Jesse. #PHVote

Janno Gibbs asks Robredo to join him in the middle of the stage as he serenades her and the crowd with the song “Binibini.” #PHVote

Julia Barretto also explains why she’s for Leni: Thank you so much for being the type of leader who is untiring, hindi titigil hanggang maipagmalaki natin na tayo ay Pilipino… Hindi uurong sa kahit anumang hamon. #PHVote

Gab Pangilinan, Nica del Rosario, Bukaspalad Ministry, and Ateneo Chamber Singers lead the crowd here in singing “Rosas,” now one of the anthems of the Robredo campaign. #PHVote

Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano now hyping up the crowd as he performs in a political rally for the first time, and it’s for the Leni-Kiko tandem. #PHVote

The street party vibe just keeps getting stronger here at Robredo’s birthday rally. Gary V is joined by his son Gab Valenciano and they bust out their dance moves for the “Kakampinks,” who sway and clap their hands together. #PHVote

The fun isn’t over for the “Kakampinks.” Onstage now is the Asia’s Songbird herself, Regine Velasquez, belting out her hit song “Pangako.” #PHVote

Velasquez apologizes to “Kakampinks” for showing up at a Robredo rally only now: Pasensya na it took me a while kasi meron pa akong may mga ayusin muna bago ko kayo makasama #PHVote

Velasquez and Alcasid makes the hearts of Robredo supporters flutter as they sing “Hanggang” together. #PHVote

Megastar Sharon Cuneta takes the stage, sings “Kahit Maputi na Ang Buhok Ko.” Cuneta’s presence onstage usually means the speech of her husband Pangilinan would follow soon. #PHVote

Cuneta: This is an epic battle. This is the biggest battle of this generation. On May 9, make your vote make history… Lahat ng ikinasasama ng loob ninyo na gusto nyo nang magbago, yan ang ipaglalaban natin. #PHVote

Time check: It’s past 10 pm, but crowd continues to stay for the speeches of the Leni-Kiko tandem. Pangilinan begins his speech by greeting Robredo a happy birthday and wishing that they both win on May 9. #PHVote

Pangilinan: Handa ba kayong tumulong? Tutulungan ba nating itindig ang mga pangarap ni VP Leni para sa ating lahat? #PHVote

Pangilinan: 14 days to go. Kaya pa ba nating isulong ang ating kampanya? Isulong na natin! Sana all maabot natin, house to house! #PHVote

Pangilinan: Kinakailangan natin mababa ang presyo ng pagkain. Paano? Suportahan ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda. #PHVote

The surprises aren’t over yet. Cuneta calls the Diamond Star Maricel Soriano, who earlier endorsed Robredo for president. #PHVote

Soriano: Wag nyo kong ma-Teri-Teri! Dapat Leni, Leni, Leni #PHVote

Yes, the rumors are true. Vice Ganda is for Leni Robredo. The Unkabogable Star came here with an unkabogable performance, complete with a pink coat with a long train bearing Leni Robredo’s name. #PHVote

Vice Ganda: Ang regalo ko sa sambayang Pilipino ay ang boto ko para kay Leni Robredo. Sa gabing ito, opisyal kong ineendorso ang susunod na pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas, Leni Robredo!

And the crowd goes wild!

The crowd then chants “Kiko!” in what appears to be their appeal to Vice Ganda to also endorse Pangilinan tonight. #PHVote

“Kakampinks” are not stopping. Now they’re chanting “Isama si Kiko!” But Vice Ganda continues with their speech backing Robredo. #PHVote

Vice Ganda leads the singing of “Happy Birthday” for Robredo. She reaches out to Angel Locsin so the latter can join, since Locsin is also celebrating her birthday today.

Vice Ganda also asks Pangilinan to join them in the middle of the stage. #PHVote

At 10:30 pm, Robredo is finally called to deliver her speech. Crowd is staying for her, a sign that they truly want to hear her speak. Many of them have been waiting as early 10-11 am here. #PHVote

Robredo: Mula po nung nagdesisyon akong kumandidato, talaga pong sinisipagan namin. Wala po tayong sinasayang na oras. Lahat ng kayang puntahan, pinupuntahan po namin

Robredo: Mula po nung nagdesisyon akong kumandidato, talaga pong sinisipagan namin. Wala po tayong sinasayang na oras. Lahat ng kayang puntahan, pinupuntahan po namin

Robredo: Alam nyo na tinawag na kong lugaw, lutang, bobo. Pero nakita nyo na ba akong naapektuhan nito? Sa palagay nyo ba, yung mga paninirang to, nakaapekto sa aking trabaho?

Robredo: Ngayong gabi, sabi natin hindi lang ito pagtitipon ng mga pink. Sabi natin pumunta dito kahit anong kulay ang suot

Robredo: Ang hinihiling ko: habaan ang inyong pasensya. Ang eleksyong ito hindi lang simpleng away ng mga kandidato. Ang eleksyong to pagdedesisyunan natin kung ano ang magiging kinabukasan ng bansa natin

Robredo: Kaya po ang pakiusap ko sa inyo, 14 days na lang ang natitira para tayo ay magkampanya… Dahil laban po natin ito para sa ating mga kababayan, kailangang buksan natin ang ating mga puso.

Robredo: Wag po tayong maging mapanghusga… Pero wag tayong mapagod sa paglaban sa fake news. Yun ang pagkukulang ko rin nitong past 6 years.

Robredo: Kailangan pag fake news, sinasabi agad natin na kasinungalingan yan. Yung kasinungalingan, palitan natin ng katotohanan yan

Robredo rallies her supporters to continue doing house to house campaigning: Ito yung pinakaepektibo na babasag sa kasinungalingan, yung puso sa puso, tao sa tao

Robredo: Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na nakikita natin na ang Pilipino, nagtutulungan.

Robredo: Maraming nagaakusa na marami kayo rito dahil sa mga artista… Hindi yun totoo. Nararamdaman nyo sa inyong mga puso yung saya. Ang pakiramdam nyo: Mabait pala ang mga Pilipino, nagmamahalan pala ang mga Pilipino

Robredo: May pag-asa pa ang Pilipino. At yun po ang dahilan kung bakit tayo nagsasama-sama ngayong gabi

Robredo: Sobrang natatouch ako pag dinedepensahan nyo ako. Pero ang pinapakiusap ko lang… yung ayaw nating ginagawa nila sa atin, wag na nating gawin sa kanila

Robredo: Walang pag-asa na umangat ang buhay ng lahat pag ang gobyerno natin, hindi magiging matapat

Robredo: Meron po tayong 14 days pa… Ang sabi sa atin wala naman tayong pag-asang manalo. Naniniwala ba kayo na wala tayong pag-asang manalo?

Crowd replies: Hindi!

Robredo: Ang kapangyarihan pong tunay, wala sa kamay naming mga pulitiko, kundi sa kamay ng ordinaryong Pilipino

Robredo: Kaya ba nating wasakin yung luma at bulok na klase ng pulitika na patuloy nagdudulot ng pagkahirap ng bawat isa sa atin?.. Nasa kapangyarihan nating lahat ang pagdala sa kababayan natin sa liwanag na inaasam natin

Robredo asks crowd to also support Pangilinan and her Tropang Angat Senate slate #PHVote

Signal is much better now, so will be tweeting videos I couldn’t post earlier. Here’s Johnoy Danao singing “Sa gobyernong tapat, angat buhay lahat” as the crowd sings along with him. #PHVote

WATCH: The crowd sings along as Moonstar88 performs their song “Migraine.” #PHVote

WATCH: Singer-songwriter Ebe Dancel sings “Bawat Daan.” Its lyric “Nag-iisang tiyak, sa isang libong duda” has been used by Robredo supporters to describe the lone female presidential candidate. #PHVote

WATCH: Noel Cabangon and Nyoy Volante sing “Kanlungan” as the “Kakampink” crowd sing along with them. #PHVote

WATCH: Robredo turns behind her back to view pictures of her with late husband Jesse Robredo being played onscreen as Ogie Alcasid sings “Nandito Ako.” #PHVote

WATCH: Drone shots of the 412,000-strong crowd that showed up for Robredo’s grand rally along Macapagal Avenue in Pasay, a sweet birthday gift for the presidential candidate. 🎥 Robredo People’s Council