Kapampangans are expected to come in full force as former Senator and senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and his wife, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, return to their roots in Pampanga on Wednesday (April 23) to rally support for his Senate bid.
A campaign rally is scheduled at Tiangge Park, Northville 15, Brgy. Cutud in Angeles City, featuring a powerhouse cast of performers including Cuneta, Donny Pangilinan, Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Rivermaya, Over October, and more.
The pre-show begins at 4:30 p.m. and the main program will start at 6 p.m.
Pangilinan and Cuneta take pride in their Kapampangan roots. The former Senator’s late father, Donato, was born and raised in Santo Tomas, while Sharon’s mother, Elaine, was a native of Sta. Ana.
Beyond expressing their support for his candidacy, many Kapampangans are also expected to speak out against the disinformation targeting Pangilinan on social media, which they consider an affront to their culture and traditions.
The former Senator has been a subject of disinformation and trolling on social media due to his viral food blog, where he was shown eating rice and carabao milk on a pot cover, a process called “pagbabahog” in Pampanga.
He was also falsely accused of eating banana leaves, when in fact, it was mustard leaves paired with fermented rice, locally known as “buro.”
Before the rally, Pangilinan will hold a motorcade at Bulaon Resettlement Area in San Fernando and participate in a youth forum on zero hunger at Angeles University Foundation.
During his recent visit to Pampanga, Pangilinan joined supporters and volunteers in a market run at the San Fernando City Plaza Market, and had a meet and greet with Pampanga local officials.