ILOILO CITY — Tens of thousands of Ilonggos filled the grounds of Gaisano City Center in Mandurriao on April 26 for the Kalipayan kag Kauswagan: Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Grand Rally, in a show of support for the party-list group led by incumbent Rep. Jojo Ang.
The rally of Uswag Ilonggo Party-list, listed as 156 on the official ballot, drew supporters from Iloilo City and province, Guimaras, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique, turning the event into a regional show of force ahead of the 2025 elections.
Among those who expressed full support for the party-list were Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., 2nd District Rep. Michael Gorriceta, 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor, and former Sen. Franklin Drilon. Iloilo 4th District Rep. Ferjenel Biron also expressed his backing despite being unable to attend the event in person.
Drilon praised Rep. Ang’s consistent focus on Ilonggo welfare, calling him a unique and genuine advocate in Congress.
Nalipay gid ako nga may ara nga partido nga ang only agenda nila ang pauswagon ang Iloilo, amo ina si Jojo Ang, Drilon said.
Kinahanglan ta gid subong sang champion sa Kongreso nga magdala sang mehura sa aton nga mga syudad kag banwa.
Mayor Treñas echoed these sentiments, highlighting Uswag Ilonggo’s programs on education and health assistance.
Kada tuig, kadamo nga scholarship ang nabuligan. Kada tuig, kadamo nga mga utod naton sa ospital ang nabuligan, the mayor said.
Amo ina nga ako, kag ang bug-os nga Team Uswag, nagasuporta gid sa Uswag Ilonggo Party-list.
Gov. Defensor likewise threw his full backing behind the party-list.
Ang Uswag Ilonggo Party-list ang nagaisahon kag matuod-tuod nga party-list sang mga Ilonggo sa bilog nga kalibutan, he said.
Rep. Lorenz Defensor described Uswag Ilonggo as the most active and effective party-list he has seen in Iloilo.
Wala na ako sang iban nga party-list nga nakita nga grabe ang performance diri sa Iloilo, he added.
Meanwhile, Rep. Gorriceta credited part of the development in the 2nd District to the support of Uswag Ilonggo.
Kadako sang nabulig kag pag-uswag sang Segundo Distrito tungod sa Uswag Ilonggo, he said.
In response, Rep. Jojo Ang thanked supporters for the overwhelming turnout and promised to continue championing programs that benefit Ilonggo communities nationwide.
Gapasalamat gid ako sa inyo tanan nga suporta, Ang said, visibly moved by the massive crowd.
Tingwaan ta gid nga ibalik inyo pagpalangga paagi sa paghatag sang sinsero kag intero nga serbisyo.
The grand rally was capped off by musical performances from top local and national acts, including Bamboo, Hale, The Juans, Kyle Echarri, Nextone, Jed Madela, and celebrity endorser Alex Gonzaga.
