Ever since its initial shutdown last May 5 following the first cease-and-desist order filed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), various people and groups have shown their support to the network by posting their sentiments and sharing pertinent posts on social media. At the same time, many of us intently watched the 12 hearings in the past weeks, wherein some of the legislators grilled the company executives and lawyers regarding different charges against ABS-CBN and other issues that suddenly emerged in the previous proceedings.
And in the days heading to the finale of the exhausting and draining franchise hearings, the call to approve the renewal became louder and wilder as assemblages were formed outside the Batasang Pambansa and the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City. Not only ordinary employees and supporters of the network and activist groups flocked in the rallies, as Kapamilya celebrities joined and courageously showed their support as well.
A day prior to the House Committees on Legislative Franchises and Good Governance’s final voting on the ABS-CBN franchise, Kim Chiu and her Love Thy Woman family posted photos on Instagram, wherein they’re seen standing outside the ABS-CBN network tower with their right fists on their chests that signify their loyalty to the network.
Meanwhile, the momshie hosts of Magandang Buhay Karla Estrada, Jolina Magdangal-Escueta, and Melai Cantiveros-Francisco participated in the solidarity caravan going to the House of Representatives along with other employees and supporters of the network.
And on July 10, Piolo Pascual, Kathryn Bernardo, Elisse Joson, RK Bagatsing, and Nikki Valdez and her husband Luis Garcia, bravely joined the protesters who flocked outside the Congress hours before the members of the committees cast their votes on the fate of ABS-CBN. On that same evening, Iba ‘Yan host Angel Locsin and her fiancé Neil Arce took part in the rally held outside the ABS-CBN compound and delivered a powerful speech regarding the painful outcome of the franchise hearing.
After the committees voted to deny the franchise, mobilizations condoning the decision continued last weekend outside the ABS-CBN compound, with more Kapamilya celebrities participating in the back-to-back noise barrages.
Spotted on the first night of the protest were Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, and Bea Alonzo, while Angel and Neil led a gathering of more stars on Sunday, including Bianca Gonzalez-Intal, Enchong Dee, Robi Domingo, Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, Pooh, Chienna Filomeno, Heaven Peralejo, Inigo Pascual, Jason Dy, Jona, and siblings Ria and Arjo Atayde.
WATCH on TV Patrol: Kapamilya stars, sumama sa noise barrage nitong weekend bilang pagkondena sa pagpatay sa ABS-CBN franchise
Take a look at their photos by going through this gallery.