The need for national solidarity is greater than ever as the Philippines marks less than a year before the 2022 National Elections on May 9, 2022. As Filipinos are becoming more politically engaged, especially on social media, celebrities, and online personalities have become increasingly vocal in speaking on essential issues in the national consciousness.
Various influential figures have banded together in the hopes of attracting 7 million qualified citizens to register and vote through Love Kita Pinas, a nationwide virtual launch event of Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon. The virtual event will be streamed live on May 22 at 8:00 PM through the coalition’s Facebook page, digital networks of media and news networks, and partner TV stations across the country.
Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon is a non-partisan, multi-sectoral coalition of 29 civic and religious organizations and individuals to encourage eligible citizens to register and vote. This event is part of the coalition’s #RegiToVote campaign that hopes to mobilize citizens through encouraging local voters’ registration initiatives on the ground and through social media to register an additional 7 million voters by September 30, 2021.
The program will be hosted by Robi Domingo, Ria Atayde, Macoy Dubs, and Miss Trans Global 2020 and youth action leader, Mela Habijan.
The hosts believe that the event is a gathering of Filipinos from different walks of life united in their love for the country and their belief that our future lies in one vote.
“All the artists and production people lent their talent and time; more importantly, poured their hearts out for this advocacy,” Habijan said.
Domingo added that “love entails a lot of facets and elements including respect, dignity, and integrity… things that we need now more than ever in and for our country.”
Aside from this, KZ Tandingan will be performing the event’s theme song Love Kita Pinas arranged by Jonathan Manalo. The song premiered through Koalisyon’s social media accounts on May 9 in anticipation of the event.
Rising P-Pop (Pinoy Pop) group BGYO will also be performing an event-exclusive remix version of their debut single, The Light. The group recently ranked second at the Billboard’s Next Big Sound Chart for the week of May 15, just over three months after their official debut. According to Billboard, the chart tracks “the fastest accelerating artists during the past week, across all major social music sites, statistically predicted to achieve future success.”
Meanwhile, Kean Cipriano will be performing an exclusive rendition of Botante Importante, a song that talks about how every Filipino has the power to decide for their future. Maris Racal will also be singing her hit song, Ikaw Lang Sapat Na, to highlight how Filipinos can collectively love one another and their motherland.
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach will also be making a special appearance during the program. Wurtzbach believes that now is the perfect time for Filipinos to use their voices in pushing eligible citizens, especially the youth, to register and vote.
“Tingin ko kasi nitong pinagdadaanan nating pandemic, i-acknowledge na natin na hindi tayo naging handa. Pero, nabuksan ng mga mata natin at nagkaroon tayo ng awareness kung ano yung gusto nating mangyari pa sa ating bansa,” she said.
(I believe that we should acknowledge that we were not prepared in our experience dealing with the pandemic. However, this has opened our eyes and gained awareness towards what we want to attain for our country.)
Other personalities and thought leaders appearing in the program include Sylvia Sanchez, John Arcilla, Ricci Rivero, Alyssa Valdez, Sassa Gurl, JC Alcantara, Charlie Dizon, and Vivoree through different segments that will encourage active participation amongst Filipinos to register and vote.
Among the convenors of Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon is AKTOR – League of Filipino Actors, an association of artists in the television and film industry. AKTOR President Agot Isidro emphasizes that “strength of an organisation is dependent on its members” and asserts that it is “imperative that each member should have freedom to express, to be heard and to make his opinions known, without fear of being ostracized, penalized and dismissed.”
“We are hoping the same circumstance would apply to the state of the nation. If you want to be heard and be counted, the upcoming election is one of the many platforms for us to raise our voices and choose our leaders,” Isidro added.
Watch Love Kita Pinas through Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/koalisyon22ph. The Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon is also on Instagram and Twitter. More information on how to help the cause to #RegiToVote can be found through http://koalisyon.carrd.co.
