http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100226-255392/Aquino-Villar-rock-to-People-Power-politics
MANILA, Philippines—The top two rivals in the May presidential race hosted star-powered gatherings that ostensibly marked the anniversary of EDSA I but were suspiciously political.
One showered a packed coliseum with yellow confetti, the other drew orange-shirted followers to a mall for a rock concert.
Cheered by a crowd singing EDSA theme songs, Liberal Party presidential candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III marked the 24th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, promising to right the wrongs of the Arroyo presidency.
He said the Arroyo administration owed its mandate to a people power uprising yet it ended up in many ways worse than the Marcos dictatorship which the 1986 revolt had toppled.
“Be prepared for the day of reckoning. Wake up to the truth. The people have awakened,” said Aquino, son of the late democracy icon and former President Cory Aquino, one of the prime movers of EDSA I.
Sen. Aquino noted that compared to then strongman Ferdinand Marcos whose pronouncements became the law of the land, the current occupants of Malacañang had shown no respect for the law and the Constitution.
If fraudulent elections held during the Marcos years were denounced as “Lutong Macoy,” now they were called “Lutong Gloria at Garci,” he said, referring to the “Hello Garci” scandal.
But as the LP program was winding down, a “rock concert” organized by the camp of Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar was just warming up at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
The Villar machinery mounted a show dubbed “Wowowillie Meets Rockatropa—Konsyerto Para sa Bayan (Concert for the People).”
Hosted by known Villar supporter and game show host Willie Revillame, the show drew some 10,000 spectators as of 9 Thursday night, many sporting orange shirts, Villar’s campaign color.
Among the VIPs in attendance were NP candidates Pia Cayetano, Ramon Mitra and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Marine Col. Ariel Querubin was represented by stepson Martin Loon.
Villar arrived later and was to make an appearance to award scholarships, the Inquirer learned at press time.
Aquino also shared a piece of advice which he said he got from his father, the martyred Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
“‘Live with honor and follow your conscience. There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your strength. ‘Son, the ball is now in your hands’,” Aquino said his father told him.
Also gracing the affair were Aquino’s running mate Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, girlfriend Shalani Soledad, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, former Manila Mayor Mel Lopez, and former Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz.
The LP program had its own share of show biz performers like Dingdong Dantes, Jim Paredes, Christian Bautista and Ogie Alcasid. Just outside Araneta, bands played on a makeshift stage for the hundreds who could not get in.
A fireworks display over the Cubao commercial complex capped the evening’s celebrations. With a report from Maila Ager, INQUIRER.net
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