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Ely backs Leni: OPM icon lends voice to VP’s bid for presidency

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Miguel Dumaual, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="OPM icon Ely Buendia performs Screenshot" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/life/02/25/20220225-ely-backs-leni.jpg"/><figcaption>OPM icon Ely Buendia performs at the Iloilo City campaign rally of Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan on Friday. <em>Screenshot</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>(UPDATED) With fireworks-lit sky as his backdrop and facing a sea of pink, OPM icon Ely Buendia made good on his pledge to lend his voice to Vice President Leni Robredo’s bid for presidency.</p><p>At the Iloilo Sports Complex, the former Eraserheads frontman helped close the vice president’s campaign rally on Friday on a high note, singing his iconic tunes. (See the 4:08:00 mark of the video below.)</p><p>His performance of “Pare Ko” notably had tweaked lyrics, to call on support for Robredo and her running mate, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan.</p><p>The reworked lyrics went:</p><div><em>O pare ko, meron ka bang maipapayo?<br/>Kung wala, okay lang<br/>Basta’t iboto niyo si Leni at si Kiko<br/>At dito kayo ay ayos na</em></div><p>Buendia, who wore pink, also performed “Alapaap” and “Ligaya” to a crowd of thousands — estimated at 30,000 to 40,000, according to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas —who had gathered as early as noon for what’s been dubbed as the “People’s Rally.”</p><p>Robredo and her three daughters — Aika, Tricia, and Jillian — all fans of Buendia and the Eraserheads, were seen in high spirits as they sang along to the band’s enduring hits.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nyhhydg7RUY?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Buendia, who was one of several celebrities who attended the rally, expressed his support for Robredo as early as September 2021, even before she launched her presidential bid.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/10/08/21/with-leni-running-now-fans-go-your-move-eraserheads">With Leni running now, fans go: &#x27;Your move, Eraserheads&#x27;</a></li></ul><p>At the time, Buendia tweeted in jest that Eraserheads would reunite if Robredo decides to run for president. Just over a week later, on October 7, Robredo declared her candidacy, spurring fans of the band to follow up on Buendia’s pronouncement.</p><p>Buendia would later clarify that his tweet about the reunion was a joke — but emphasized he is “dead serious” about backing Robredo.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/11/11/21/nabulabog-opisina-ely-buendia-visits-vp-leni-robredo">&#x27;Nabulabog opisina!&#x27; Ely Buendia visits VP Leni Robredo</a></li></ul><p>The two eventually met face to face in November, when Buendia personally handed Robredo a limited-edition vinyl record of Eraserheads&#x27; 25th anniversary compilation.</p><p>Aside from Buendia, showbiz personalities who joined the Iloilo City event were screen veterans Cherry Pie Picache and Edu Manzano, Miss International 2005 titlist and actress Lara Quigaman, singer Bituin Escalante, “Buwan” hitmaker JK Labajo, and TV host Ogie Diaz.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/02/25/22/ang-sarap-ng-ilonggo-cherry-pie-says-of-edu-on-stage">&#x27;Ang sarap ng Ilonggo!&#x27; Cherry Pie says of Edu on stage</a></li></ul><p>OPM pillars Jose Mari Chan and Ogie Alcasid, as well as former actress Marjorie Barretto, also endorsed Robredo and Pangilinan through recorded messages shown at the rally.</p>

With fireworks-lit sky as his backdrop and facing a sea of pink, OPM icon Ely Buendia made good on his pledge to lend his voice to Vice President Leni Robredo’s bid for presidency.

Ely backs Leni: OPM icon lends voice to VP’s bid for presidency

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Ely backs Leni: OPM icon lends voice to VP’s bid for presidency

Miguel Dumaual,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 25, 2022 10:40 PM PHT

|

Updated February 26, 2022 10:04 AM PHT

Read More:

Ely Buendia

Eraserheads

Leni Robredo

Kiko Pangilinan

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