THOUSANDS of Negrenses are expected to flock to the Paglaum Stadium in Bacolod City Friday, March 10, 2022, as presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo and her team arrive for the star-studded "Pink People's Rally."
The Laban Leni Negros Occidental (LLNO), in a statement, said "it's all systems go" for the event, with supporters from various towns and cities in Negros Occidental also expected to attend the rally.
For the Paglaum Stadium alone, the venue can accommodate at least 35,000 individuals.
The figure is on top of the supporters joining the event in the north and south portions of the province, and those who will be occupying the Hernaez and Lacson Streets in Bacolod City.
Based on the state weather bureau’s forecast, Western Visayas including Negros Occidental and Bacolod City wll have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms due to the low pressure area and shear line.
But for LLNO, it is going to be “rain or shine” for Robredo.
LLNO said “pink supporters” will stay even if it rains as a manifestation of their support and love to the presidential aspirant whom they considered the “star of hope.”
They urged supporters to bring umbrellas and other things to protect themselves from bad weather.
Megastar Sharon Cuneta top bills the long list of celebrities and entertainers who confirmed their presence in the Leni-Kiko Grand Rally at the Paglaum Stadium.
Robredo and her slate will kick off their province-wide sortie in San Carlos City where they will be welcomed by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who had previously announced that he supports the candidacy of Robredo.
Lacson said he will also have a caravan around Kabankalan City before joining Robredo and their party at the Paglaum Stadium.
The Leni-Kiko team will pass through Sagay City, Kabankalan City, Binalbagan, La Carlota for their mini-rallies and will end the day in Bacolod for their grand rally.
Cuneta is expected to introduce her husband, vice-presidential candidate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
Joining the megastar are homegrown talents like Kuh Ledesma, Joel Torre, Ronnie Lazaro and The Company.
Alternative rock band Rivermaya earlier announced that they will be performing in the Bacolod grand rally. Pop-rock band Gracenote and alternative rock band Mayonnaise will also be in attendance.
Other confirmed celebrities are Edu Manzano, actress Agot Isidro, singer Kyla, rapper Curtismith, DJ Joey, Janina Vela, and multi-talented Gab Valenciano.
Also confirming their presence are actress-singer Nikki Valdez, comedians Mama Loi, Dyosa Pockoh and Ogie Diaz, Philippine Idol Jeli Mateo, Justine Peña, Tippy Dos Santos, and Nica del Rosario.
LLNO, who was tasked to organize the grand rally, earlier issued several reminders for their supporters that only streamers of Robredo, Pangilinan, and their official senatorial slate will be allowed in the venue.
Local candidates’ posters and other paraphernalias will not be allowed inside the complex.
The roads along Lacson and Hernaez Streets at the Negros First Cyber Center will also be closed to the public for the whole day.
Security has also been tightened for the event, it said, adding that augmentation forces from the Police Provincial Command and the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office will ensure peace and order in areas surrounding the Paglaum Stadium.