Celebrity endorsements are often dismissed as fleeting or superficial, but not Piolo Pascual’s active support for the Ang Probinsyano Party List (APPL).
Joining APPL Rep. Alfred “Cong Apid” Delos Santos and nominee Edward Delos Santos in recent rallies across Zamboanga and Pagadian, Pascual chose to voice his support for what he sees as long-overdue attention to basic public needs—livelihood, education, and healthcare—in areas often overlooked.
In Ipil and Titay, where Pascual was welcomed alongside Edward, the tone was consistent: APPL is focused on groundwork, not grandstanding. Edward, a longtime advocate of grassroots programs, spoke to communities about the Party List’s initiatives since 2019—efforts that aim to support families with practical tools for self-reliance.
The warm reception was not surprising. Across Zamboanga Sibugay, the Party List has garnered support from local officials, including Governor Ann Hofer and Mayor Leonardo Talania.
Pascual, who has been selective in his public affiliations, made it clear that his presence was symbolic. At each stop, he emphasized that probinsyanos are not second-class citizens, and programs aimed at them must go beyond lip service. He pointed to infrastructure and educational efforts already underway—multi-purpose buildings, roadworks, TESDA training assistance—as proof of progress in areas often excluded from national conversations.
In Zamboanga City and Pagadian, the message remained consistent. Alongside Cong. Apid, Pascual helped lead discussions on persistent local issues—flooding, water shortages, lack of hospitals—and the need for continuity in service delivery, especially in underserved communities.
While rallies like these may easily be dismissed as campaign performances, it’s important to note that APPL’s current representative has a proven legislative record, and its work continues in barangays often ignored by Manila-based narratives.
Ultimately, what matters is whether programs reach those who need them most. For Pascual, this seems to be a personal cause and an ongoing responsibility. For many in the provinces, that may be reason enough to take notice.
