Musicians, artists join #ScrapPork rally at Ayala

MANILA, Philippines – Makati’s Central Business District, the scene of massive, confetti-rained protest rallies during the twilight of the Marcos dictatorship, relived its historic role in today’s #ScrapPork rally at Ayala Avenue.

Not a few of the protest rallies during Marcos’s time were led by President Aquino’s mother, Corazon Aquino. This time, the demonstration was directed at the pork-barrel scandal which involves the President’s key allies. 

The protest rally continues from the Million People March at the Luneta on August 26. But as of nightfall, the latest protest action has yet to match the scale of the Luneta assembly.

Some of the country’s leading musicians and artists performed at the Ayala rally. 

Among the speakers and performers were National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, iconic rock band The Jerks, singer-guitarist and “The Voice of the Philippines” participant Darryl Shy, progressive folk-rock singer-songwriters Lolita Carbon, Bayang Barrios, and Cooky Chua, and singer-actress Monique Wilson.

Shy said he took part in the rally “as a Filipino,” and to “express my disappointment in the pork-barrel system and do my share in these trying times for the future of the country.” He sang Tracy Chapman’s “Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution” and his audition piece for “The Voice,” “Tatsulok” (the Buklod classic remade by Bamboo). 

Take a look at the other people who attended the Friday protest:

Lumbera to Aquino: Hanggang kailan ang iyong pagkukunwari na wala kang alam sa korupsyon sa iyong administrasyon? #millionpeoplemarch

— Bulatlat (@bulatlat) October 4, 2013

Bien Lumbera: Ginoong Pangulo, hanggang kelan ka magbibingi-bingihin sa iyong mga boss? #MillionPeopleMarch

— Tonyo Cruz (@tonyocruz) October 4, 2013

Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios, Lolita Carbon. Damn it, man, Damn. #MillionPeopleMarch

— Lynda Benedicto (@gryffinstark) October 4, 2013

– Rappler.com