Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The momentum was definitely high as soon as the Partido Galing at Puso began its campaign in the historic Plaza Miranda in Manila on Tuesday afternoon (February 9).
It was just three years ago when presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe launched her political career in Plaza Miranda.
At the end of the senatorial elections in 2013, Poe emerged as the top senatorial candidate.
Now that she’s aiming for the presidency, she chose the same venue to kick off her campaign, together with her running mate Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero and their Galing at Puso slate.
Also read: Poe-Escudero tandem set for a ‘positive’ campaign
An all-star cast and a full production programme drew a huge crowd for the slate’s procalamation rally.
Hosting the event are Eat Bulaga show hosts Wally Bayola, known for his character as Lola Nidora in social phenomenon AlDub kalyeserye, and fellow comedians Jose Manalo and Ruby Rodriguez.
Poe’s mother, Susan Roces; Sen. Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III’s wife, Helen Gamboa, celebrities Jeffrey Santos, and Rex Cortez were also seen in the protest rally, showing their support to the candidates.
Rock band Aegis, Janelle Salvador, Bayang Barios, Jugs & Teddy, performed as senatorial candidates took turns in delivering their speech.
Barricades have been set up around this area for security and crowd control. Still, spectators spilled over from Quiapo church to Quezon Avenue.
Also read: Poe overtakes Binay, regains top spot in latest Pulse Asia poll
Also read: Grace Poe admits using FPJ as leverage in campaign
“Welcomm Progress”
The senatorial candidates were introduced based on their names, forming the phrase “WELCOMM PROGRESS”
Team Galing at Puso senatorial slate includes:
• Rep. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian, Valenzuela City
• Edu Manzano, actor and former chairman of Optical Media Board
• Atty. Lorna Kapunan
• Bayan Muna Party List Rep. Neri Colmenares
• Former senator Miguel “Migz” Zubiri
• Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, Manila City
• ACT-CIS Party List Rep. Samuel Pagdilao
• Rep. Roman Romulo, Pasig City
• Susan “Toots” Ople
• Former senator Richard “Dick” Gordon
• Sen. Ralph Recto
• Sen. Vicente Tito Sotto III
Organizers said the event would run like clockwork — everything will be timed, from the speeches of the candidates to the entertainment.
Poe and Escudero were given ten minutes each to address the crowd, while each senatorial candidate only have five minutes to speak.
According to organizers, Poe specifically instructed that no roads would be closed to help ease traffic flow.
The Galing at Puso slate’s campaign trail will hit Cebu, Ilocos, Sultan Kudarat and Pangasinan for the rest of the week.
