LOOK: Celebs rally behind their candidates as 2022 elections kick-off campaigns
As presidential and vice presidential aspirants kicked off their campaigns for the 2022 national elections on Feb. 8, celebrities showed their support for their candidates by joining their respective proclamation rallies.
Marcos-Duterte
Some TV personalities even made waves online with the likes of actress Toni Gonzaga trending on Twitter during the day for her presence at the proclamation rally of Bongbong Marcos and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, which was held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
Gonzaga, who was present with her husband Paul Soriano, hosted the kickoff event and performed for the Bulacan crowd.
Marcos was a sponsor at Gonzaga and Soriano's wedding in 2015. He was interviewed in a controversial episode by the TV host in September 2020 on YouTube about the "greatest lessons" he learned from his father, late dictator and former president Ferdinand Marcos.
TV host and actress Karla Estrada performed at the proclamation rally, representing her "Tingog" partylist.
Personalities Isay Alvarez and Ynez Veneracion rallied behind the Marcos-Duterte tandem. Palanca award-winning writer and director Njel De Mesa also performed for Marcos-Duterte supporters at the Philippine Arena.
Lacson-Sotto
Meanwhile, at senators Ping Lacson and Tito Sotto's proclamation rally are TV personalities Iwa Moto and Ciara Sotto, who hosted the event. Moto is the wife of Lacson's son, Pampi, while Ciara is the daughter of the current Senate president.
Sotto's co-hosts on Eat Bulaga Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola made an appearance at the Imus Grandstand in Cavite to show their support for the tandem. The comedic pair likened the candidates' team-up to DC Comics heroes Batman and Robin, with Manalo saying their unity is needed to run the country.
Vic Sotto also made a surprise appearance to endorse his brother. "Ako ay di magtatalumpati ngayong gabi, dahil kung ako magtalumpati eh baka ako ang maging presidente," he joked.
Basketball player Marc Pingris was also at the rally.
Robredo-Pangilinan
At Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Francis Pangilinan's rally in Naga City, a handful of stars were present such as actresses Cherry Pie Picache and Nikki Valdez, thespians Pinky Amador and Bituin Escalante, dancer Gab Valenciano, and music acts Rivermaya and The Company.
While she wasn't able to attend in person, VP bet Pangilinan's wife Sharon Cuneta delivered a video message for the candidates.
Stars Iza Calzado, Gary Valenciano, and Jolina Magdangal also showed support for Robredo and Pangilinan.
Pacquaio-Atienza
In General Santos City, Anak singer Freddie Aguilar performed an original song for aspiring president Sen. Manny Pacquiao, noting the candidate's "sincerity" as a politician.
Pacquiao's wife Jinkee and mother "Mommy" Dionisia also took the stage.
