Story by JAY-AR EMPEÑO / Photos by ZOE EMPEÑO and ANSBERT JOAQUIN

OLONGAPO CITY | April 19, 2022 — Mardi Gras came early to this city this year as residents of Olongapo and Zambales welcomed Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan in a Mardi Gras-themed people’s rally at the Magsaysay Drive here on Tuesday afternoon.

Local contingents from as far north as Sta.Cruz, Zambales down to Subic town and Olongapo City filled a portion of Magsaysay drive as early as 8 a.m. in the hope of meeting Robredo and Pangilinan up close.

Meanwhile, banners, pink flags, balloons and food were distributed among rally-goers during the people’s rally program.  Some locals also brought along gifts for VP Leni, also a tradition in the presidential bet’s sorties.

Aside from Robredo and Pangilinan, several aspiring senators aligned with the Leni-Kiko team attended the rally.  These include Chel Diokno, Neri Colmenares, Risa Hontiveros, Teddy Baguilat, Sonny Matula, Alex Lacson, Richard Gordon and representatives for Leila Delima and Sonny Trillanes.

Celebrities and personalities like Pokwang, Cherrie Pie Picache, Edu Manzano, Bayang Barrios, Cooky Chua, Elmo Magalona, John Muller, Renz Saavedra, Christian Antonil, Jake Ejercito, Adrian Lindayag, Jackie Aquino, Pinky Marquez, and Lolito Go hosted and performed during the rally.

On Monday, volunteers from various local community groups banded together to donate food and their time putting up LeniKiko tarps, creating pink maskaras, and preparing performances reminiscent of the signature Mardi Gras spectacle held in Olongapo every October.

Olongapink: Zambales People’s Rally Program Committee Chairman Shad Rojo said that aside from wanting to hear VP Leni’s plans for the country, the committee behind the event wanted to treat the local community to a festival after almost two years of lockdowns and travel restrictions due to the Covid19 pandemic.

“And because the Pink Movement is a really fun campaign, we chose to base the theme of the event on Olongapo City’s famous Mardi Gras because we also wanted to showcase the energy that is very Olongapo and Zambales,” Rojo added.

Rojo said the only difference with the OlongaPink Mardi Gras is that everything is done in bayanihan fashion, with food and drinks shared among rally-goers.

“Mardi Gras is something we, the people of Olongapo and Zambales look forward to, just like how we look forward to VP Leni and Senator Kiko winning this coming election,” Rojo added.

Held at Olongapo’s popular entertainment strip, the people’s rally also saw the full endorsement of both Robredo and Pangilinan by the Aetas of Zambales.

Earlier, local candidates from various parties, as well as independents in Olongapo endorsed the Leni-Kiko team, pledging their full support to the duo and pointing out the need for a Robredo-Pangilinan victory for the sake of the country’s future. Taktikom News & Features