CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, PHILIPPINES — UniTeam tandem BBM (Bongbong Marcos) and Sara Duterte held a grand rally with their senatorial candidates at the Pelaez Sports Center today, April 26, 2022. Thousands attended, with the event filled with performances from different local talents and famous Filipino performers such as Aegis and Andrew E.

In the morning, hours before the gates of the sports center were set to open, many supporters were already waiting by the entrance.

The gates were opened around lunchtime. Supporters filled the bleachers at the very end of the venue, while others flocked at the front near the stage.

While waiting for the guests to arrive, a pre-rally event took place to entertain supporters with local performers from around the city. A few hours before the start of the rally, however, supporters were greeted by a rain shower.

By 5 PM, guest host Bayani Agbayani has arrived. Following Agbayani was the famous rock band Aegis, who performed their greatest song hits to the crowd (including, of course, Basang-Basa sa Ulan).

After the performance, Senatorial candidate and actor Robin Padilla took the stage and sang for the crowd with the songs “Buwan” and “Adik Sa ‘Yo.”

Meanwhile, Gingoog Vice Mayor Peter “Sr. Pedro” Unabia, a gubernatorial aspirant, was also called to the stage for a quick speech before each of the senatorial candidates was introduced.

Following Unabia were senatorial aspirant Gibo Teodoro, Win Gatchalian, Herbert Baustista, Harry Roque, Larry Gadon, Mark Villar, Jinggoy Estrada and Migz Zubiri who informed the crowd that he’s currently a resident of Uptown, Cagayan de Oro.

Congressman candidate for the 2nd District, Bambi Emano, also went on stage to give his speech, thanking supporters and other key members of his team, including mayors around Misamis Oriental.

By 7 PM, the senatorial slate of the UniTeam finished its campaign messages. Andrew E then made an appearance and entertained the crowd with his viral “Bagong Pilipinas, Bagong Mukha” chant after the entrance of the UniTeam presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

UniTeam Vice Presidential Candidate, Sara Duterte, was the first to give her campaign speech to the crowd, commending the people of Cagayan de Oro for their support. She also mentioned how in 2016, during the Biyaheng Du30 campaign of her father, Cagayan de Oro showed a huge welcome along the highway.

“Dili mahurot ug wala mi sakto nga words sa pagpasalamat namo sa kanunay ug hugot ninyo nga suporta sa pamilyang Duterte. Thank you very much,” she said. 

(We cannot find the right amount of words to give thanks for your support to the Duterte family.)

Sara Duterte also bonded with a crowd member by dancing to the viral “Paro-Paro G” TikTok challenge when her supporters called for her to dance.

Finally, Presidential Candidate BBM addressed the crowd. He was introduced to supporters by Emano.

During his speech, Marcos campaigned the unity message of his team, “Sa panahong ito, kailangan natin ng pagkakaisa.”

(During this time, we need unity.)

Like his senatorial candidate, he also commended the resilience of his supporters, who had arrived long before their arrival and who stayed despite the bad weather.

At around 8 PM, the UniTeam BBM-SARA grand rally in CDO ended with a high note through a fireworks display.

Gerardo Sabal III, one of the rally organizers and a provincial board member of Misamis Oriental, said they estimate the crowd from 180,000 to 200,000.

However, Police Lieutenant Colonel Surki Serenas said that the Tactical Operations Center of the Cagayan de Oro City police only estimated the crowd at 70,000 as of 7 PM. – WhatALife!

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Also read: UniTeam’s grand rally set April 26 at Pelaez Sports Complex