This year’s election expects a massive number of voters. Approximately 63 million, or more than half of the Philippine population, are registered to vote locally, with 1.6 million foreign voters.
Given the estimated number of voters this year, large gatherings are becoming news stories. Grand rallies of several opposing parties draw thousands of people, which was not the case previously, especially considering the ongoing pandemic.
With the election approaching in less than a week, audiences are becoming larger and larger, breaking records from one rally to the next. The continuous growing of crowd size is forcing organizers to look for larger locations.
With that, let’s get to know more about the venues and locations of the top five presidential candidates’ largest rallies.
1. Citta di Mare (Cebu City)
Photo Courtesy: Lakas-CMD Facebook Page
The UniTeam Festival Rally in Cebu was the largest of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s and his running partner, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s appearances.
According to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), around 300,000 supporters went to the City di Mare, Filinvest Grounds at the South Road Properties (SRP) on Monday, April 18, 2022, for the tandem’s maiden major rally in Cebu.
The festival rally’s venue, Citta di Mare, is a master-planned neighborhood encompassing roughly 50 hectares on the Cebu City Government’s freshly reclaimed South Road Properties. With its breathtaking vistas of Mactan’s shore and Cebu’s mountains, Citta di Mare, or “the City by the Sea,” encapsulates the allure of resort living.
The Cebu Coastal Road divides the development into two portions, which will reinvent waterfront and coastal resort lifestyle in the Visayas. The 10.6-acre part directly facing the sea will be transformed into a waterfront lifestyle strip with a variety of seaside recreational opportunities. On the other side of the Coastal Road, a 390,484sqm part will be developed into a residential resort town with themed residential communities highlighted by the Piazza, an Italian-inspired common amenity space.
This highly accessible and strategically located community was envisioned as the next premier residential, commercial, and economic center of Cebu City.
2. Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
Photo Courtesy: Daphne Galvez
Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Team Pacquiao drew a large crowd to their latest grand rally in Dumaguete. According to Rappler, the boxer-turned-politician was in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, to host his biggest rally yet, with Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. promising presidential bet numbers in the forthcoming national elections.
80,000 people attended the rally, according to Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves, who organized it.
The grand rally’s location, Dumaguete City, is the seat of the Negros Oriental province and a third-class city. Because of its long history of being cordial and accommodating, it is renowned across the Philippines as the “City of Gentle People.” It covers 33.62 km2 of land and is rich in ancient and modern culture and history.
Rather than being stolen off the island, people from neighboring islands are now being snatched by the beauty of Dumaguete. Even a brief glance at the city’s rich culture and natural treasures is enough to entice you to return. Dumaguete City, as the gateway to the Negros Oriental, is not confined to the city’s tourism attractions, such as the Dumaguete Cathedral, Belfry, Rizal Boulevard, and Silliman University Hall.
3. Ermita, Manila
Photo Courtesy: Isko Moreno Campaign Team
The “Isigaw Mo, Isko!”, a concert-rally for Presidential candidate and outgoing Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, drew 80,000 people, making it the greatest crowd Moreno has ever drawn in Metro Manila. The event took place on Sunday, April 10, 2022 at the intersection of Maria Orosa and Kalaw Streets in Ermita, Manila.
The rally’s location, Ermita, is a district in Manila, Philippines. Located in the city’s heart, the district is a major hub of finance, education, culture, and trade. Ermita is the city’s civic center, housing the seat of government and a significant amount of the area’s employment, business, and leisure activities.
Ermita is home to private and government buildings, museums, and universities. It also has several well-known tourist sites and landmarks, including Rizal Park, the Philippines’ flagship national park.
Further, Ermita is primarily a shopping center for upper- and middle-class families in Manila, as well as University Belt students.
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4. Macapagal Avenue (Pasay City)
Photo Courtesy: Leni Robredo/Twitter
Last April 23, about 412,000 friends and supporters packed the two-kilometer stretch of Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City from Gil Puyat Avenue to EDSA to honor Vice President Leni Robredo’s 57th birthday.
The birthday rally venue Macapagal Boulevard, also known as President Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard and Macapagal Avenue, is an eight-lane road that runs parallel to Roxas Boulevard in Metro Manila, Philippines, from the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex in Pasay to Asia World City in Parañaque.
Macapagal Boulevard is currently frequently used to connect the SM Mall of Asia in the north with Cavite in the south. It’s also the primary thoroughfare in Bay City, a redevelopment region in Metro Manila.
5. Quezon Memorial Circle (Quezon City)
Photo Courtesy: LacsonSottofor2022Movment
Over 60,000 people flocked to Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) in Quezon City on the Day of Valor to show their support for presidential contender and Senator Panfilo Lacson.
‘Pure Love’ was the campaign slogan of the rally, attended by several famous performers and celebrity guests from afternoon to evening.
The “Pure Love” rally’s venue, the Quezon Memorial Circle, is a national park and mausoleum in Quezon City, the Philippines’ former capital from 1948 until 1976. The Elliptical Road runs through the park. Its most prominent feature is a mausoleum that houses the remains of Manuel L. Quezon, the Philippines’ second President, and his wife, First Lady Aurora Quezon.
There are playgrounds, amusement park rides, restaurants, bazaars, and couples smooching in hidden places. Three angels atop the 36-meter art déco Quezon Memorial Shrine, standing over the mausoleum of former President Manuel Quezon, lay at the heart of it all.
Dancing fountains encircle the structure, illuminated at night with the colors of the Philippine flag. A history exhibit dedicated to the second Philippine president and his pivotal period in office is beneath the shrine.
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May the results of the upcoming election pave the way for a more prosperous Philippines. Make use of your privilege to vote and do it wisely!
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CITATIONS:
Leni Robredo. (2022, April 24). VP Leni Robredo celebrates birthday with 412,000 people in biggest rally yet. [Press release]. https://www.lenirobredo.com/press-release/vp-leni-robredo-celebrates-birthday-with-412-000-people-in-biggest-rally-yet?msclkid=9e6139efc82b11ec84f404ab1658a59d
Sunstar. (2022, April 19). Cebu rally ‘biggest’ for UniTeam so far. Retrieved May 2, 2022, from https://ph.news.yahoo.com/cebu-rally-biggest-uniteam-far-150200302.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAL0sBKenzsKZ1i47WKctIGOywbXH1ppKwuW9addgrw8wNhGv2ixuAbSKtzJgWhdIT6cQJ0QS4sEh0x8fli7vFFOc1Y_y3REqu83AAeyXCmiF9YIWKN-ZsOauN3WokLCJ2ZXBR7psUb4Nagmzw0e-dhUxdy5EDP9f8U1PSlctwhvX
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