Celebs join, support 'Million People March'

MANILA, Philippines - Showbiz personalities joined the "Million People March" supporting the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) at Rizal Park in Manila City on Monday.

Celebrity couple Robin Padilla and Mariel Rodriguez, TV host Bianca Gonzales, singer and active social media figure Jim Paredes, and actor Rommel Padilla were among those who joined thousands of Filipinos in protest against the pork barrel.

“Napapanahon na para tayong lahat na mga Filipino—bata, matanda, may asawa o wala, lahat—ay tumayo at iparamdam natin yung ating karapatan para sa isang tunay na pagbabago,” Rommel said.

Paredes performed an original composition during the protest.

TV5 noontime show host Willie Revillame also joined the protest. He was seen with beauty queen Gloria Diaz after the protest at the Manila Hotel.

Director-actor Jun Urbano and veteran actors Noel Trinidad and Leo Martinez also showed their support for the cause. Leo said he attended the march to show his anger towards what is happening.

Actress and satirist Juana Change (real name Mae Paner) was seen wearing a pig mask and a gold-colored barrel with the signage “Scrap Pork Barrel.”

Mae Paner a.k.a. Juana Change

Brian Llamanzares, son of senator Grace Poe, was in Luneta as a representative of her mother, who is in favor of scrapping the pork barrel.

Bryan Llamanzares, son of Sen. Grace Poe

Isabelle Daza, Georgina Wilson, and Raymond Gutierrez posted photos on the mobile photo sharing service Instagram from Luneta.

Celebrities who didn’t attend the protest also expressed their support via social media.

Derek Ramsay posted a photo on Instagram with the words: “#MillionPeopleMarch Fight Corruption in the Philippines.”

Anne Curtis posted on her official Instagram account: “Please stop corruption in the Philippines. Government officials, maawa naman kayo. That hard earned money should be going towards GOOD USE and the BETTER of OUR COUNTRY and the PEOPLE who need OUR HELP.”

Dingdong Dantes posted on Instagram on Sunday, along with a photo of tickets for the play “Pamana,” a musical-tribute to the late Ninoy and Cory Aquino: “As we exercise this freedom for tomorrow’s cause, let us all remember what they fought for. Let our voice be heard in the most peaceful, yet penetrating manner.”

Dantes ended the message with the hashtag #NOtoPork.