MANILA — (4th UPDATE) Showbiz personalities lent their star power to political aspirants Tuesday as the campaign season kicked off, with the likes of A-list host Toni Gonzaga, screen veteran Cherry Pie Picache, and comedy icon Vic Sotto joining grand rallies of their candidates.

UNI-TEAM CELEBS

Gonzaga, the long-time face of ABS-CBN’s “Pinoy Big Brother,” hosted the proclamation rally of presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Marcos Jr. was a wedding sponsor or “ninong” of Gonzaga and her husband, film director and producer Paul Soriano, in 2015.

Performers at the “UniTeam” program included former sexy actress Ynez Veneracion and musician Njel de Mesa, as well as former “Magandang Buhay” co-host Karla Estrada, who is running as Tingog Party-List nominee.

Also among the guest artists at the Philippine Arena were Dulce, Robert Seña, Isay Alvarez, Wency Cornejo, and Randy Santiago.

STAR KAKAMPINKS

Picache, meanwhile, was one of several celebrities who attended the grand rally of the tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Francis Pangilinan in Naga City.

She joined fellow actresses Agot Isidro, Nikki Valdez, and Rita Avila, theater stalwarts Pinky Amador and Bituin Escalante, music acts The Company, Rivermaya, and Gab Valenciano, as well as comedian Red Ollero.

Ollero, Amador, Avila, Valenciano, and Valdez co-hosted the program, with the latter reading social media comments and interviewing supporters of Robredo on the ground.

Ending the hours-long rally on a high note, the rock band Rivermaya performed its enduring hits, as a fireworks display surprised supporters.

FREDDIE BACKS MANNY

In General Santos City, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was backed by another icon, “Anak” hitmaker Aguilar, who performed an original song for the aspiring president.

Actress Bianca Manalo, meanwhile, attended the rally on behalf of her partner, Sen. Win Gatchalian, who is part of Pacquiao’s senatorial slate.

‘BULAGA’ FACTOR

Presidential bet Ping Lacson and his running-mate Tito Sotto also had their share of showbiz supporters, notably the latter’s former “Eat Bulaga” companions and celebrity kin.

Sotto’s brother, Vic, vouched for him as well as Lacson, raising both their hands during the proclamation rally in Imus, Cavite.

Sen. Sotto’s daughter, singer Ciara Sotto, also gave a performance to mark the conclusion of the program.

Prior, the comedy duo of Wally Bayola and Jose Manalo entertained those who attended the rally, with their pop number.

Supporters of presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson & VP candidate Senate President Vicente Sotto III were on their feet dancing after popular noontime show hosts Wally & Jose sang pop songs during the proclamation rally #Halalan2022 pic.twitter.com/flvSItgBtE

— Zandro Ochona (@ZandroDZMM) February 8, 2022

Presidential candidate Isko Moreno and his running-mate Willie Ong notably had no high-profile showbiz guests who joined them at their campaign kickoff in Manila.

This story will be updated with more photos of artists at rallies as they come in.