STAR POWER, PROUDLY wielded, adds to intensify the nation’s struggle against corruption in government.
Yes, the entertainment industry was massively represented during the recent Trillion Peso March in various indignation rallies to lament the abysmal stealing of funds from national treasury and to commemorate the declaration of Martial Law fifty- three years ago on September 21.
At the Luneta Park, the band Ben&Ben was swooned over by the multigenerational crowds not only by its Gen Z musical appeal but its meaningful rendition of commitment to truth and justice through emphatic socio-political songs when its signature title “Kapangyarihan” cut across live performances and piped-in music reverberating in the air.
Actress Jodi Sta. Maria, aside from striking a chord of discontent at one time onstage speaking against corrupt officials depriving the poor people of life and future, called on the audiences to share her prepared provisions in one corner off-stage.
Veteran stage, film and television thespian Angel Aquino recalled her militancy as a UP student who has regained strength, at this point, of dissidence when her money earned from acting on TV and film are being robbed by politicians so her sentiments echoed as like the aspirations of Dr. Jose Rizal who must be heard in the open field near the National Hero monument on this eponymous park.
CONCERNED ARTISTS OF THE PH
Look! The banner of the progressive Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) proudly fluttered as if dancing with and to the wind of change.
I took a snap of the decades-long symbol of artists’ resistance against fascism and dictatorship and it felt good kissing the sea of protesters.
I told the sentinels of the contingent I am a CAP member and one of their comrades.
Then someone called on me.
TARZAN & BABY JANE
It was Darryl de Jesus, grandson of the father in real life in the iconic comic novelty duo, father and daughter Tarzan and Baby Jane (Darryl’s real-life aunt), with a video camera dangling on his shoulders shuttering every interesting scene along that strip of Roxas Boulevard for PR man Ricky Rivera’s media production.
A theater group from UP Los Banos came and performed committed street plays.
The over-all director of the Luneta rally was Joel Lamangan who has been a fixture of mass movements since time immemorial until he was nabbed and jailed during the Marcos, Sr. dictatorship in the 70s but in his freedoms, he continues to fight for democratic principles on issues, national and industry-wide like censorship and better working conditions for movie workers, a plight resonated on the objectives of the rally.
EARLY BIRD MADELEINE NICOLAS
At the EDSA Shrine, protesters mostly clad in white, swelled around the holy place of peace achieved and well-lived since 1986.
Stage, television and movie actress Madeleine Nicolas was an early bird in the space now occupied with multi-sectoral reps from the arts community, inter-faith churches, corporate offices, rural areas, city dwellings, domestic homes, out-of-school segments, all walks of life etc.
Then the noise barrage and chants against erring officials rang louder to echo in the four corners of the highway.
I was carried patiently and willingly by waves of people as we passed by the Corinthian Gardens gate to the People Power Monument on the road leading to White Plains.
Never mind the rains that started with a drizzle and then the downpour, but the rallyists stood firm and grounded under a shared sea of colorful raincoats and umbrellas on a snail-paced walk until we reached the sacred PPM.
The rain had also stopped.
ANGRY VICE GANDA
In the middle of the road towards the eastern stretch of the thoroughfare was a makeshift stage.
There were already speeches on it from convenors and guests.
At this point, I could see Vice Ganda’s images fluttering on the giant screen provided for participants and spectators who might be on the last spot from the farthest end of the former Hi-Way 54.
I could hear her in her usual “It’s Showtime’s” opening spiel: “What’s up, madlang pipol (general public)?”
She then enumerated the ups (floods, corruption, thievery in the high places etc.) and the downs (the suffering Filipino people) of the situation.
After acknowledging and greeting the presence of her colleagues and generally, the Filipino fighting spirit in various sites of protest actions, Ganda turned to the subjects of her aggression–the culprits in the horrendous corruption.
BRING DEATH PENALTY BACK
“At para naman sa lahat naman ng mga pulitiko at bahagi na ng gobyerno na nagnakaw sa amin at nagnanakaw sa atin, mga nakatingin habang may nagnanakaw sa atin pero hindi nagsasalita, mga nagtatago ng mga magnanakaw mga alam na may nagnanakaw sa atin, mga kasama ng mga nagnanakaw sa atin, isa lang ang gusto namin sabihin sa inyong lahat! Patawad kay Father pero putang ina ninyo! Kaputa-putahang putang ina ninyo,” the gay comic shouted with empathy.
Vice repeated angrily the cuss words six times to the cheers of the crowd.
She said that these robbers don’t deserve their kindness but must be treated adversely and be punished by death.
“Ibalik ang death penalty para sa mga korap (Bring back death penalty for the corrupt),” Vice plead the government urgently albeit apologetically to the priest on the proscenium (“Sorry, Father, alam kong ayaw mo ng—I know you aren’t in favor of–death penalty).”
APPEAL TO MARCOS
Before she ended her tirades, Ganda appealed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to jail all corrupt officials.
“…inaasahan ka namin hindi dahil idol ka namin kundi dahil sinusuwelduhan ka namin, inaasahan namin na tutuparin mo ang iniuutos naming mga employer mo! Kami ang nagpapasahod sa’yo! Tapos na ang panahon na natatakot tayo sa gobyerno! Takutin natin ang gobyerno dahil nasasaatin ang kapangyarihan! Nakatingin kami sa inyo! Ipakulong lahat, bawiin ang mga ari-arian! Pati atay, i-donate, pati mga mata dahil hindi tayo pwedeng maawa dahil putang ina nila. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat (…we are counting on you not because we idolize you but because we pay your salary. We hope that you will fulfill our order as your employer. The intimidation of the state is already gone. In turn, we intimidate the government. We are looking at you. Jail all the corrupt as in all. Take back all their properties including their livers and eyes to be donated because we don’t have to pity them… Thank you very much!),” Ganda passionately condemned.
Before she exited the stage, she once more exclaimed the cuss phrase.
Meanwhile, celebrities kept on coming to the event even before the dusk set in.
IPE THE DDS SUPPORTER
Phillip Salvador was around but the rallyists saw and tagged him as a DDS supporter.
Julia Barretto came in with mom Marjorie Barretto and her newly graduated brother Leon Baldìvia.
I saw one of the staff of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Corporate Communication Sophia Eugenio in the crowd cheering for the speakers against mismanagement of the government.
They were there: Anne Curtis, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Kahlil Ramos, David Licauco, Gabbi Garcia, Donny Pangilinan, Azenith Briones, Lovely Rivero, Alma Concepcion, Jessica Soho, Tessie Tomas, Tuesday Vargas, Alma Anonas-Carpio, 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray, Andrea Brillantes, Noel Cabangon, Bayang Barrios, Iza Calzado, Joel Saracho, Janella Salvador, 2025 Miss World Asia Krishna Gravidez, Isay Alvarez, 2023 Miss Suprainternarional First Runner-up Pauline Amelinckx, Darren Espanto, Ion Perez, Elijah Canlas, Bong Cabrera, Kris Lanot Lacaba, Jamie Rivera, Kaila Estrada, Ivana Alawi, Maris Racal, Mae Paner, also known as Juana Change, Luis Alandy, Jerald Napoles, Kim Molina, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Gardo Versoza, among many others.
BIANCA GONZALES, STAR PROTESTER
Let’s hear it from other star protesters:
Bianca Gonzalez: “Yes to artists using their voice for public good! Kapag biniyayaan kahit sino man sa atin ng (Anyone of us who are given a) following/platform It is our responsibility to also use it to advocate for causes and issues we believe in.”
Angel Locsin: “Yung sa amin, galing sa hirap..pero un sa inyo, galing sa mahihirap (Ours came from working hard but..but yours came from the poor).”
Glenda Garcia: Nakiisa para tigilan ang korapsyon! Managot ang may kasalanan… Para sa mahal nating bayan at mamamayan (We unite to stop corruption! Those who sinned must be accountable…For our beloved country and fellow Filipinos).”