Thread by @maracepeda

Presidential candidate VP Leni Robredo and running mate Sen Kiko Pangilinan are ending the grueling 90-day campaign period here in Makati. A behemoth crowd is expected to join tonight’s miting de avance. Some “Kakampinks” even camped out here last night @rapplerdotcom #PHVote

Makati Ave cor Ayala Ave is a crucial site that has witnessed key moments in PH history when Filipinos took a stand vs an oppressive regime. In 1983, Makati workers walked out of their offices to protest the assassination of Martial Law dissenter, senator Ninoy Aquino.

That started the Makati “yellow confetti” rallies against the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos Sr, whose son is now leading the 2022 presidential race. Yellow was the color of resistance then. Now it’s pink, representing Robredo’s promise to lead a clean and honest govt #PHVote

Yellow confetti also rained down over the country’s premiere business district when democracy icon Corazon Aquino, Ninoy’s wife and the woman who succeeded the dictator, died in 2009 and her funeral procession march passed through here. #PHVote

The stage is located beside the Peninsula Manila, which was occupied in 2007 by rebel soldiers of Magdal led by Sonny Trillanes, who attempted a coup vs the corruption-marred presidency of Gloria Arroyo. The coup attempt ended when a govt tank rammed into the hotel lobhy

Years later, the Liberal Party of the Aquinos and the Magdalo are among those leading the opposition vs President Rodrigo Duterte. Opposition leader Robredo chairs LP, but she chose to run as an independent to be seen as a more unifying figure in this elections.

It’s crucial for Robredo to hold a show of force in NCR, where over 7.3 M votes are up for grabs. She lost here to Marcos Jr in the 2016 VP race, and he still leads in this region, according to pre-election polls. His MDA will be in Parañaque. It will be a battle of optics today.

It’s starting to get packed here. Heat is almost unbearable, but “Kakampinks” are enduring it just to save their spots. They have their own baon, but they’re sharing food and drinks with other people, too. This is a common sight by now in Robredo rallies. #PHVote

WATCH: Pauline and Jay Ybasco of Pasig are here in Makati together with their 2 yo Belle. They believe Robredo’s promise of “gobyernong tapat” and her strength as a mother will help secure the future of their daughter. #PHVote

LOOK: It’s only 12:50 pm but Ayala Ave is already getting filled to the brim. Some “Kakampinks” even camped out here last night just to secure their spots near the stage. 📷 Leni People’s Campaign

WATCH: Drag queen Dominota Nashubo, real name Dominique Salcedo, came here in full drag attire. He is backing Robredo for her “resibo” of effective programs, her clear platform, and her heart for service. #PHVote

Robredo’s miting de avance will once again be star-studded, with appearances from some of the biggest names in the Philippine entertainment industry like ex-Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Sharon Cuneta. Lineup here: facebook.com/10004417337251…

WATCH: “Kakampinks” along Ayala Ave cor Makati Ave now getting hyped up as music starts blaring from the speakers, signifying the program for Robredo’s miting de avance is starting soon. #PHVote

WATCH: It’s starting to feel like a street party here in Ayala Avenue as “Kakampinks” wave their pink flags and other props while singing along to BTS’ hit song “Butter.” #PHVote

Signal for both Globe and Smart starting to get weaker by the minute here, so I’m having trouble tweeting photos and videos. But we’ll keep you posted about what we’re seeing at the Leni-Kiko tandem’s MDA as long as signal permits.

Look who’s here at the Leni-Kiko tandem’s rally: Tatay Elmer Cordero, part of the “Piston 6” jeepney drivers who were arrested during the pandemic. He’s happily dancing to the music while waiting for the program to start. #PHVote

Pre-program for the Leni-Kiko tandem has started. The Company now serenading the crowd. #PHVote

1Sambayan senatorial bets Monsour del Rosario, Elmer Labog, and Neri Colmenares take the stage one by one, reiterate they are for the Leni-Kiko tandem on May 9. Colmenares is clearly a “Kakampink” crowd favorite as they chant their name. #PHVote

“Kakampink” musician Juan Karlos now performing his song “Buwan” as the crowd sings along. #PHVote

Main program begins with a blessing from Fr. Flavie Villanaueva and Bishop Dan Balais #PHVote

Jolina Magdangal and Erik Santos lead prayer for the Leni-Kiko tandem’s miting de avance. Magdangal gets emotional, holds back tears as she asks the crowd to tell each other, “Wag kang matakot!” #PHVote

Yeng Constantino and One Voice choir lead the singing of the national anthem “Lupang Hinirang” #PHVote

“Kakampinks” now dancing and jumping in place as Mr Pure Energy himself, Gary Valenciano, performs onstage #PHVote

Crowd here now turning into a frenzy as Gary V and son Gab Valenciano lead the song and chant number to the tune of the now-viral “Ang president, bise presidente” chant. Gab Valenciano had been been mocked for this, but the chant has turned into a rallying cry for “Kakampinks”

Cast of “Ang Huling El Bimbo” and G-Force now performing onstage, to the delight of the Leni-Kiko supporters here in Makati. #PHVote

Hosts Robi Domingo and Bianca Gonzales now hyping up the crowd. “Pilipinas, papunta na talaga tayo sa exciting part!” says Gonzales, causing an uproar from the crowd. #PHVote

“Kakampink” celebrity Kim Chiu takes the stage, urges the crowd to vote for Robredo and Pangilinan. #PHVote

Local rescue team says “Kakampink” crowd at the Leni-Kiko tandem’s miting de avance is at 300,000 as of 5 pm. #PHVote

First batch of Tropang Angat senatorial bets deliver their campaign speeches for the last time: Teddy Baguilat Jr, Chel Diokno, and Leila de Lima, who is represented here by her chief-of-staff Fhilip Sawali. De Lima is the most prominent political detainee under Duterte

Reelectionist senator Richard Gordon settles for a video message on the last day of the campaign. He hasn’t been physically attending rallies ever since he was heard berating a staff member backstage in one rally several days ago. #PHVote

Reelectionist senator Risa Hontiveros is obviously a crowd favorite. Major pre-election surveys indicate she’s the only bet from the Leni-Kiko slate to breach the Magic 12. #PHVote

JUST IN: Local organizers say as of 6:30 pm, crowd at the Leni-Kiko tandem’s rally is at 450,000, making it the largest crowd to gather for them in this entire campaign. The number may still further increase tonight, as Robredo and Pangilinan are yet to take the stage. #PHVote

Senatorial candidates Alex Lacson, Sonny Matula, and Sonny Trillanes also deliver their final speeches on the campaign trail. Trillanes says Leni-Kiko’s victory rests on converting the undecided, asks “Kakampinks” to talk to the undecided ones to help the tandem win. #PHVote

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray makes a surprise appearance here at the Leni-Kiko tandem’s miting de avance. She says Robredo “is a one generation type of [leader], bearer of hope and change.” #PHVote

The celebrity surprises are only starting here at the Leni-Kiko MDA. Anne Curtis now singing “Hawak Kamay” in a duet with Yeng Constantino. The crowd loves them, singing along to the popular song. #PHVote

Curtis endorses Robredo and Pangilinan for 2022: Sana po sa Lunes, we all pray for a peaceful and safe elections. And most importantly, I hope we can all pray for healing… Sa Lunes, sa May 9, ipanalo natin to! #PHVote

Actress Angel Locsin, whom her fans call the real-life Darna for her charity works, now hyping up up the “Kakampinks,” thanks them for everything they’ve done from Leni-Kiko. “I’m so proud of you guys!” #PHVote

Locsin calls onstage Iza Calzado and Jane de Leon, the Darna of this generation. It’s De Leon’s first time to appear in a Leni-Kiko rally. #PHVote

More celebrities and social media influencers now onstage, lending their star power to help boost the chances at victory of Robredo and Pangilinan. With right fists raised, they lead the crowd in leading their panata for 2022, to keep fighting for the Philippines until the end

Megastar Sharon Cuneta now singing her classic song “Bituing Walang Ningning.” The crowd sings along, waving their hands and flags in the air. #PHVote

Cuneta: Anuman ang resulta sa May 9, we already made history, because you came here tonight! Maraming salamat po. This has been the most tiring, the most inspiring… the happiest and the most painful campaign.

Cuneta: This is truly the biggest fight of this generation… You’re here not just for Maam Leni, Kiko, your senators; you’re here for your country

Senator Kiko Pangilinan, candidate for VP, takes the stage for the last time. He had been taking many sacrifices in this tough 2022 campaign. He was supposed to seek Senate reelection, but he dropped what would have been an easy fight to become Robredo’s running mate.

Pangilinan: Naniniwala ako na bukod tanging si VP Leni ang nagpatunay na siyang karapat-dapat na pangulo sa mga panahong ito. Dahil dito, sinakripisyo ko po ang aking sarili para unahin ang interes ng bayan

Pangilinan: Ang ating pagmamahal at ang ating sakripisyo ang siyang dahilan kung bakit sagrado ang labang ito

Pangilinan: Parating na tayo sa exciting part. Sa nakalipas na 3 buwan, saksi tayo kung paano nabuo ang isang kilusan na pinangunahan ng taumbayan

Pangalinan says it is time the country puts an end to the generations-long suffering of our farmers #PHVote

Pangilinan: Pinakita ng ating kabataan sa buong mundo na kayo ay matalas, sakalam, hindi takot na tumaya sa tama

Pangilinan: Mula sa dehado, tayo ngayon ay llamado. Parang ganito rin nung pinaltasik ng kabataan nung henerasyon namin yung diktador

Pangilinan: Tayo, ang taumbayan, ang makapangyarihan. Grabe ang inyong energy. Sa inyo po ako humihiram at humugot ng lakas

Pangilinan: Kaya ayaw natin sa mga kandidatong na nagdudulot sa atin ng pinsala at ng kapahamakan. We will not forget the painful lessons of history, the abuses of Martial Law… We will vigorously oppose anyone who rewrites our history!

Pangilinan: Ibabalik natin ang tiwala sa gobyerno dahil ang gobyernong pamumunuan ni pangulong Robredo ay tapat

Pangilinan goes hard vs Marcos Jr: Sa Mayo 9, piliin natin ang nanay na masipag, masinop, at tahimik na tinataguyod ang ating lahi… Wag nating piliin ang absent, laki sa layaw

Crowd cheers as Pangilinan says voters shouldn’t chose those responsible or who tolerated the Pharmally scandal, who enriched themselves while people suffered during the pandemic. #PHVote

Pangilinan: Proud na proud ako na kasama kayo. It has been a privilege and honor to fought alongside you… Anumang results ng eleksyon, sa inyo pa lang, panalo na tayo

Crowd chants back: Kiko! Kiko! Kiko!

Pangilinan’s final words: Sa presidential race, the last man standing is a woman! Sa vice-presidential race, the last man standing is a farmer!

JUST IN: “Kakampink” crowd for Robredo-Pangilinan’s miting de avance just breached 750,000 as of 8:15 pm. That’s their biggest crowd yet in this high-stakes presidential polls

Jillian Robredo – the joke goes she’s her mother’s fave daugher – now onstage. She says when she performed the song she performed today in the past 2 elections her mom joined, Robredo won. #PHVote

Jillian now joined by her older sisters Aika and Jillian. She says she was the most reluctant among her sisters regarding Robredo’s presidential bid

Aika Robredo: Ang usapan po namin, nung 2016 last na eleksyon na yun sa pamilya namin. Kahit paulit ulit namin pinapaaala na last na yung 2016… kilala po namin si Mama. Kung may pagkakataon na ituwid ang mali kailangan manindigan.

Tricia Robredo: Talaga namang ginulat nyo kami. Lumabas kayo para makilahok sa mga rallies. Kinatok ang mga kapitbahay… Kayo po ang naging tunay na frontliners ng labang ito. Kayo ang puso at diwa ng kampanya

Leni Robredo, the lone female presidential contender, the woman aiming to stop the old, rotten politics represented by her rival the late dictator’s son Ferdinand Marcos Jr, finally takes the stage. She is introduced by her daughters, who give her a hug before her last speech

Robredo gives 3 reminders at the start of her speech:
- Vote Pangilinan for VP, Tropang Angat senatorial bets
- Report election anomalies
- Wear whatever color on election day: “Wag matakot dahil napakarami natin”

Robredo: Ngayong gabi, buong pagmamalaki nating masasabi: nandito ako, kasama ako, tumataya ako

Robredo on the journey of Filipinos in this campaign: Dahan-dahan ang pagdating ng pagkamulat… May magagawa ako

Robredo now recalling her tough stint as VP, when she was booted out of the Duterte Cabinet for criticizing the drug war, her brief stint as ICAD co-chair, the election case Marcos filed vs her but which the Supreme Court junked

Robredo: Kahit kailan, hindi ako nagduda, hindi ako kailanman nawalan ng pag-asa, dahil alam kong mahal ng Pilipino ang kapwa nya Pilipino. Kahit magkakalayo, gumawa kayo ng paraan para ibandila ang pakikilahok

Robredo thanks all her “Kakampinks” who took a chance on her: Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat dahil sinabayan ninyo akong ipaglaban ang ating bansa

Robredo: Ito ang katotohanang tinatayaan natin. Hanggang sa huli nating hininga, walang Pilipinong hindi marunong magmahal. Magkakarugtong ang pag-asa ng bawat Pilipinong kumakayod, nagsasakripisyo, nagmamahal ng kanyang kapwa.

Robredo: Hindi ko ipapangako na makakamtan natin ang lahat ng ito o na mawawala lahat ng problema natin sa isang iglap lamang. Pero ang panata ko… palalayain kayo ng gobyerno mula sa mga dumadagan sa inyo. Tatabihan kayo sa pinagdaraanan ninyo

Robredo: Magkakaroon tayo ng gobyerno na makikinig sa atin, na pupuntahan tayo kung nasaan tayo, na mamahalin tayo nang tunay

Robredo: Palaging mas radikal ang magmahal. Ang pagbaklas sa luma at bulok na sistema, nagsisimula sa pagtigil ng bangayan

Robredo: Pilit man tayo pinag-aaway ng iba, kung tao sa tao, kung kuwento sa kuwento ang labanan… laging magwawagi ang katotohanan. Walang mas hahalagang budget kaysa tiwala. Walang mas mabisang makinarya kaysa sa taong nagkakawanggawa.

Robredo: Karapatan nating magkaroon ng kinabukasan na may dignidad at tungkulin natin na ipaglaban ito. Natutunan natin: walang imposible

Robredo: May pag-asa sa loob nating lahat. Apoy itong hinding matutupok, liwanag na matatanglaw sa landas ng iba.

Robredo:Bukas di na puwedeng maghouse to house.Kaya ang pakiusap ko sa inyo: Manalangin,magpasalamat sa lahat ng nakasama. Palayain ang sarili sa duda at pangamba. Gawing payapa at tahimik ang ating puso.Pakinggan natin:May milyong milyong pusong lumalaban para sa kapwa Pilipino

Robredo’s final words in the 2022 presidential campaign: Ipagdiwang nating ngayong gabi ang isang makasaysayang kampanya. Kaya tara na, ipanalo na natin ang sambayang Pilipino!

Signal is much better now so will be tweeting more videos from the MDA

Pink confetti rained down over Ayala Avenue. 36 years ago, it was yellow, the color of the resistance against the Marcos dictatorship. Now it’s pink, the color of the woman aiming to thwart a Marcos comeback

WATCH: The “Kakampinks” sway their arms from left to right as Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano sings “Leni-Kiko” #PHVote

And for the last time on the 2022 campaign trail, Leni-Kiko supporters chant “Ang president, Leni Robredo; bise presidente, Kiko Pangilinan!” They would repeat this chant several times during the miting de avance. #PHVote

WATCH: “Kakampink” celebrity Anne Curtis sings “Hawak Kamay” together with Yeng Constantino. #PHVote

WATCH: Jillian, Robredo’s youngest daughter, sings “Tuloy ang Laban.” Robredo’s fave daughter recalls that she sang the same song in the past 2 elections that her mother won. #PHVote

WATCH: The moment Robredo goes up onstage during her MDA. Her daughters Aika, Tricia, and Jillian hug her tightly. Minutes before this, the sisters talked about their initial reluctance over their mom’s candidacy, and how they know Robredo will always stand up for the country.

WATCH: Robredo is flanked by Vice Ganda and Nica del Rosario as the two sing “Rosas,” the anthem of the Robredo campaign. #PHVote

WATCH: Drone shots of that record-breaking 780,00 “Kakampinks” who attended the miting de avance of the Robredo-Pangilinan, a massive show of for on the last day of the 2022 campaign period. 🎥 VP Leni Media Bureau #PHVote