The stars came out to shine in these tumultuous times.

They showed up at Rizal Park and Edsa last Sunday, which marked 53 years since the dictator’s declaration of martial law, and made their presence felt at the protest actions against corruption in high and low places.

The presence of the stars from TV, movie, music, theater and the multimedia was a gesture of solidarity with those fighting for accountability, fairness and transparency in governance. They held their ground along with everyone else, rain or shine, being themselves victims of injustice by those who have stolen taxpayer money.

At the Trillion Peso March at the People Power Monument on Edsa, the gay comic and TV host Vice Ganda delivered a passionate speech that he began by extending greetings and congratulations in his and his colleagues’ behalf to other Filipinos that have been robbed of their taxes by public officials: “Sa ngalan ng mga artistang nasa entablado ngayon, pati na rin ang ibang mga artista na nasa ibaba at sa ibang lugar na nakikisama sa amin, binabati ko kayong lahat bilang mga Pilipino na nanakawan ng gobyerno! Mabuhay kayo!”

In the heat and humidity, the celebs still wore their glitz and glam on the historic highway.

The Filipino Australian Anne Curtis carried a placard displaying an urgent message, an activist minus the demeanor of the stereotypical tibak. And as if a single Curtis wasn’t enough in militancy, her younger sister, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, walked alongside her.

“Pilipinas, pipiliin ka araw-araw. (Philippines, I will choose you every day),” Anne said. “With fire in our hearts and love for the Philippines in our souls, we marched. May this be the generation that breaks the chains of corruption. It must end. What was stolen was never theirs to keep, but ours to build the Philippines we love and the future we deserve… I pray our children inherit a nation honest, thriving, and worthy of their dreams.”

Later, Anne shared space with Iza Calzado, an ardent supporter of free, compassionate and honest governance. During the Duterte administration, she took part in a mass action against authoritarian rule and the lockdown during the dark days of the pandemic by singing the protest song “Di Nyo Ba Naririnig?” (Can You Hear the People Sing?).

Now Iza has grown even more committed to truth and justice, and delivered a strong speech on Edsa.

Awake

Matinee idol Donny Pangilinan also carried a self-made placard of protest. He wrote on FB: “The shift has begun. The Filipinos are awake. The fight isn’t over, but one day it will be worth it. Tama na (Enough is enough). Ikulong na ang mga magnanakaw (Jail the thieves). Ibalik ang pera ng taumbayan (Return the people’s money).”

Comedian Jerald Napoles was in the company of his showbiz friends and comrades who marched and jogged for change.

Bong Cabrera, who plays Rajah Kulambo in Lav Diaz’s “Magellan,” the Philippines entry to the Oscars (for Best International Feature Film), didn’t mince words in talking about his participation. 

Speaking in a mix of Filipino and English, he said he had joined the peaceful rally and shouted along with the other demonstrators. “But my question is: What is the next step? Jail the corrupt officials!”

Veteran actress Madeleine Nicolas was in the thick of the action at the corner of Edsa and Ortigas Avenue, where the crowd also swelled.

“The demonstrators at the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace stayed put despite the rain,” Madeleine said. “The buses of [ex-Ilocos Sur governor] Chavit Singson were booed; we shouted ‘epal (attention-grabber)!’ with our thumbs down.”

Award-winning film artist Jaime Fabregas, 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray, 1975 Mutya ng Pilipinas and actress Azenith Briones, former TV personality Tessie Tomas, among many others, were present, too. 

Aware

And even before the scheduled protest actions, some stars were already aware of what has been happening around them.

Dingdong Dantes posted on social media a reflection on the sad condition of our country and the solution he thinks is necessary.

In a statement in Filipino, Sarah Geronimo declared along with her husband Matteo Guidicelli: “We are one with the voice and prayers of the Filipino people. We call for justice against the brazen thievery of the public coffers, and for the accountability of corrupt officials. This is our stand and our unity with all Filipinos.” 

At the presser for her Sinag Maynila Film Festival movie, “Selda Tres,” Carla Abellana said it all when she underscored that “injustice happens all over our country every single day…”

Piolo Pascual called on other government officials to be conscious of the plight of the Filipino people who are being robbed by unscrupulous lawmakers.

Chis Millado, theater artist, educator, and Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival director, was way ahead of his colleagues when he posted on his FB wall that a massive protest rally, “Baha sa Luneta: Aksyon na Laban sa Korapsyon,” was to be held on Sept. 21.

He was scheduled to attend the 2025 Busan International Film Festival in South Korea, but he took time to remind everyone to join the mass action and be vigilant of  state oppression.

Chris’ colleague in theater, Audie Gemora, was active in organizing protest rallies in other parts of the country.

The multimedia actress Mae Paner, a stalwart of the Philippine Educational Theater Association, readily responded to Chris’ call by saying “Ako ang Solusyon” (I Am the Solution). Chris’ digital art card stated “Tayo ang Solusyon” (We Are the Solution)—the people’s actions will solve the nation’s ills, particularly corruption.

Early on Sunday, Mae aka Juana Change was helping pack lunch for the protesters at Luneta. She would go on to perform in the program.

According to the entertainment journalist Art Tapalla, the strip of Roxas Boulevard fronting Rizal Park was starting to fill up with protesters as early as 4 a.m. The Concerned Artists of the Philippines was prominent among the groups at Luneta.

Various singers regaled the crowd with nationalist and protest music, including the popular Ben&Ben who performed their hit song “Kapangyarihan” (Power). 

According to Ben&Ben, the song was written to awaken Filipinos and is also a shared vision with the P-pop male group SB19, whose member, Pablo, wrote a rap version of it.

In all, Aktor.ph (or the League of Filipino Actors) did much to mobilize their ranks to fill the spaces of Luneta and Edsa and to join hands with other Filipinos in seeking reforms in society.