Filipinos expressed their support for the MayWard tandem of the Kapamilya network after they were spotted registering as voters in time for the next Philippine elections.
Television host and former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate Robi Domingo shared pictures of the young love team with their inked fingers as proof that they have officially registered in Quezon City.
“Dati sila ang binoboto niyo sa PBB (Pinoy Big Brother). Ngayon sila naman ang boboto para sa kinabukasan. Ikaw, nakapag-register ka na ba?” he captioned in a social media post with a Philippine flag emoji.
Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber met in reality television program “Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7,” where the former emerged as the winner.
Meanwhile, Domingo captioned his post with the hashtags “#MayWardRegistersToVote,” “#40MStrong” and “#MasMaramiTayo,” with the latter ones referencing the campaign of the We The Youth Vote, a non-partisan community of young Filipinos urging their fellow peers to exercise their rights to vote.
Dati sila ang binoboto niyo sa PBB. Ngayon sila naman ang boboto para sa kinabukasan. Ikaw, nakapag-register ka na ba? 🇵🇭#MayWardRegistersToVote #40MStrong #MasMaramiTayo pic.twitter.com/2epfpnRQsn
— Robi Domingo (@robertmarion) September 10, 2020
The initiative earned approval from the love team’s fellow artists to ordinary Filipinos who lauded their move with the hopes to influence and empower the youth in partaking at national affairs.
“Mas marami tayo! Thanks @maymayentrata07@Barber_Edward_
for this. Magandang example ito,” registered nurse and content creator Richard Paglicawan said.
“Good job kids!!! Please register to vote!! #40MStrong,” television host Bianca Gonzalez said in response to MayWard’s pictures.
“Nice one po! #40MStrong #MasMaramiTayo,” Macoy Dubs or Mark Averilla said as he saw the love team’s initiative.
He previously reminded Filipinos to register when he brought back his popular “Aunt Julie” persona after a brief hiatus.
RELATED: On Aunt Julie’s return, Filipinos are reminded to register as voters
“Simula pa lang ‘yan, dapat sa darating na #Halalan2022, matutong pumili ng tamang kandidato. At e-encourage ang mga kabataan na busisiing mabuti ang mga kandidato kung ano ang mga mabuting nagawa at kung ano mga inilatag na plataporma nila,” said another Twitter user.
The hashtags “#MasMaramiTayo” and “#40MStrong” were also used by other personalities in the entertainment industry to urge non-registered Filipinos to officially sign up as voters.
One of the most passionate ones is Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, who encouraged her followers to register and make their voices “heard” through their votes in the upcoming presidential elections in 2022.
Tuwing nagbabasa ako ng balita, palagi nalang palala ng palala yung mga nababasa ko. Ngayon ito naman? Hay… Eto nalang, let's all make sure we register to vote for the next elections. Each one of us.
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) September 7, 2020
Useful information! Please lahat tayo dapat mag register na maging voter. Bawat isa satin. 🙏 Hindi na sapat na sa social media lang tayo naririnig. Our voices need to be heard thru our votes. #MasMaramiTayo #MagparehistroKa https://t.co/0oUGn497yY
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) September 7, 2020
I will continue reminding everyone to register to vote. Dahil sigurado, maraming magpapabukas nito until the last minute. No more excuses (even for me) lahat tayo dapat registered na. Hindi enough na sa social media lang tayo naririnig. #MasMaramiTayo #MagparehistroKa #40MStrong
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) September 7, 2020
Other personalities who likewise used the hashtag and encouraged Filipinos to register as voters include filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone, Donny Pangilinan, Vance Larena, Kean Cipriano, Jason Dhakal and Janina Vela.
The Filipino youth is #40MStrong #MasMaramiTayo 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 Follow @WeTheYouthVote and share this glimmer of hope esp if you have it in you too ❤️ pic.twitter.com/82JPDldiKI
— Tonette, Tonette (@tonetjadaone) September 7, 2020
Dear youth,
Please please register to vote.
Your voice matters ❤️ https://t.co/6haZupL128— Donny (@donnypangilinan) September 10, 2020
Hi guys! Padaan lang po while I’m still trying to find out why #cancelkorea is trending. Register tayo! #MasMaramiTayo #40MStrong pic.twitter.com/2z4XzJeKBL
— Vance (@vance_larena) September 9, 2020
Together we can make a difference.
Let’s take action.
We deserve good leadership.
The future is in our hands.
Let’s exercise our right to VOTE.
Let’s encourage our social circles and communities to register and choose the RIGHT leaders. #40MStrong#MasMaramiTayo pic.twitter.com/SoHfYvTGdL
— Kean Cipriano (@keancipriano) September 7, 2020
pls pls REGISTER so we can vote for a govt that we truly deserve, not a shitty one that makes everything worse.
when u do tell me so i can follow u here ty #40MStrong #MasMaramiTayo
— jason dhakal (@jasondhakal) September 8, 2020
“My one vote doesn’t matter.”
NO. It does. Collectively, millennials and Gen Z are 57% of the eligible voting population. #40MStrong
Your vote DOES matter. Register na. #MasMaramiTayo !!!
— Janina Vela ✨🇵🇭 (@janinavela) September 8, 2020
The Commission on Elections reopened its offices for voter registration in early September.
Filipinos aged 18-year-old and above and those who will turn 18 years old by May 22 can register and take part in the upcoming elections where they are given the opportunity to exercise their rights of suffrage.
Registering as a voter and participating in the process of selecting public officials who will run localities and the country itself is a form of reinforcing democracy in a society.
“It is significant in that simply exercising your right of suffrage connects you to the great democratic tradition of individuals taking part in their own governance,” Spokesperson James Jimenez of Comelec said in an opinion column last June.
“Voting matters because it gives you a voice in government—yes, even if the one you voted for actually lost. Whether we like it or not, the government affects every aspect of our lives—from womb to tomb. By voting, you get the opportunity to put a government in place that will care for you, provide you opportunities for prosperity and happiness, and protect you the way you want,” he added.
Individuals can register as voters until September 30 next year.
Comelec offices will be opened from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to accommodate Filipinos.
Registration forms can be downloaded on Comelec’s website while guidelines are available on the social media pages of We the Youth Vote.
