Catriona Gray, Toni Gonzaga, Mocha Uson, Ruffa Gutierrez and other celebrities at the miting de avance stage
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, iconic '90s love team Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin, "Darna" trio Angel Locsin, Iza Calzado, and Jane de Leon, among several other high-profile personalities, took the stage at the miting de avance of Vice President Leni Robredo in Makati on May 7.
The campaign rally first-timer Gray, who had endorsed Robredo for president in her April 18 YouTube video, said the VP is "not a leader that comes every so often" and is a "once-in-a-generation type of bear of hope and change."
"We need to remember that the government has the power to change our lives," she said, "but we have the power to change the government."
After their respective speeches, Locsin, Calzado, and De Leon—joined by dozens of their fellow guest stars—called on the then-estimated 450,000 "Kakampink" crowd to raise their fists and pledge to fight for fellow Filipinos even after that night and after the May 9 elections.
Reel to real couple Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla or KathNiel, considered as the country's premier contemporary love team, were among those who joined the Darnas-led pledge.
Former SexBomb Girls member Rochelle Pangilinan and former child star Camille Prats were also spotted on stage.
Earlier in the night, Anne Curtis joined Yeng Constantino to perform the latter's hit Hawak Kamay.
At the tail-end of the program, Magdangal and Agustin appeared on stage, sending a wave of kilig to the mammoth crowd in the latter's first-ever appearance in Robredo's campaign.
After thanking the attendees for their "sacrifice" and bantering for a bit, the "labtim" introduced Rivermaya, whose frontman Mark Escueta is Magdangal's husband.
Hours before the main event, Magdangal joined Erik Santos and led an emotional prayer that made herself and some crowd members teary-eyed. She enjoined everybody to not become afraid and tell the person beside them the same.
Other personalities who joined the miting de avance as announced by the Robredo camp included OPM icons Ely Buendia and Ben&Ben, Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid, Vice Ganda, and Kim Chiu.
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Robredo's May 7 event reportedly drew over 800,000 attendees according to organizers' estimates, surpassing her birthday rally's crowd last April 23 which reportedly had 400,000 participants.
Marcos Jr.'s artists
Robredo's closest rival Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. likewise had a star-studded lineup at his miting de avance in front of Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque.
Guests included OPM artists Geneva Cruz, Renz Verano, Richard Reynoso, Aegis, Pops Fernandez, Kris Lawrence, and Budakel (Bugoy Drilon, Daryl Ong, Michael Pangilinan).
Comedians Bayani Agbayani, Ai-Ai Delas Alas, Willie Revillame, as well as UniTeam's staple Toni Gonzaga and Andrew E. also appeared on stage.
The Marcos Jr. camp claimed to have drawn one million attendees. The estimated figure cannot be independently verified.
Isko Moreno Domagoso's stars
For Isko Moreno Domagoso's miting de avance which took place in his hometown Tondo in Manila, OPM acts Tanya Markova, Jimmy Bondoc, and former Imago vocalist Aia de Leon performed on stage.
Controversial pro-Rodrigo Duterte vloggers Byron Cristobal or Banat By and Mocha Uson also appeared to show their support for the Manila mayor's presidential bid.
Budding Kapuso artist Mikee Quintos and Domagoso's actor son Joaquin also entertained the crowd.
The Manila Police District's final crowd estimate on Moriones Street was at 50,000.
Manny Pacquiao's guests
Like Domagoso, Manny Pacquiao held his miting de avance in hometown General Santos in Mindanao. He had as guests the showbiz industry's Gutierrez family—Ruffa, Richard, Eddie, and Annabelle—and Enzo Pineda, the son of 1-PACMAN Rep. Eric Pineda.
OPM artists Freddie Aguilar, J. Brothers, Mitoy Yonting, and Skusta Clee serenaded the crowd. Faith Cuneta, the niece of Sharon Cuneta, also lent her voice to the Pacquiao campaign.
Dr. Manny Calayan of the cosmetic surgery-famous Manny & Pie Calayan Clinic and comedian Wilma Doesnt were also on stage. In a rare appearance, Pacquiao's mother Dionisia or Mommy D spoke to the microphone to show her support for her son.
The Pacquiao camp has yet to release its crowd estimate.