London’s historic Marble Arch turns pink for Leni-Kiko

Some 400 Filipinos from London and beyond took to the iconic courtyard to show support for Leni Robredo, the current vice-president, running for presidency, and teammate Kiko Pangilinan. INQUIRER/ML Alcantara

LONDON, UK — Pink balloons, hopeful slogans and hands shaped into “L” and heart signs waved tirelessly against blue skies at the iconic Marble Arch, one of the capital’s most recognizable landmarks, last Sunday 20th March.

Gathered for London’s Leni-Kiko “Kakampinks” rally, a British extension of the tens of thousands that gathered at Emerald Avenue, Pasig City on the same day, around 400 Filipinos from London and beyond took to the iconic courtyard to show support for Leni Robredo, the current vice-president, running for presidency, and teammate Kiko Pangilinan, in the upcoming election this May 2022.

On the same day, separate rallies took place at Tower Bridge and Trafalgar Square for fellow candidates Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sarah Duterte, respectively.

Corner of Democracy

Fittingly, the location of Marble Arch, which stands at the northeast corner of Hyde Park, is situated right beside the historic “Speakers’ Corner,” an area traditionally designated for open-air debate, discussion and public speaking.

There are a number of similar areas designated as Speakers’ Corners across London, including Clapham Common and Victoria Park. However, Hyde Park remains the most well-known.

Since the mid 1800s, when protests began taking place more frequently in Hyde Park, a number of world famous figures such as Karl Marx, George Orwell, the Suffragettes and Vladimir Lenin often used the area to demonstrate freedom of speech and expound their sociopolitical views.

British parliament officially designated this part of Hyde Park for public speaking in 1872. Today, anybody is welcome to turn up unannounced to speak on any subject of their choosing, as long as the police deem their speeches lawful.

Spirit of Change

Drawing curiosity from passers-by, tourists and locals alike, the six-hour rally was hosted by Genevieve Aquino, Mira Batoy Edgcombe, April Gadayan, Stephen Doliente and more, and involved singing, dancing, speeches, literary readings and prayers, all underscored by national pride.

Hosts provided translations into English for non-Tagalog speakers in the crowd as sweet treats such as pink pandesal were distributed by local supporters.

Fittingly, the location of Marble Arch, which stands at the northeast corner of Hyde Park, is situated right beside the historic “Speakers’ Corner,” an area traditionally designated for open-air debate, discussion and public speaking. INQUIRER/ML Alcantara

The program also featured a moving speech by Grant Gannaban-O’Neill on behalf of the Filipino LGBTQ+ community in the UK, plus a number of original readings by award-winning media show Juan EU Konek’s co-anchor and writer, Gene Alcantara [Disclosure–this reporter’s father], including his recent poem “Kay Leni, Diwata.”

‘Kay Leni, Diwata’ was originally published in global anthology ‘100 Pink Poems Para Kay Leni’ (San Anselmo Press) alongside fellow creatives including Rio Alma, Krip Yuson, Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta, Gemino H. Abad and Mila B. Aguilar.

Following the rally, MC and organizer Genevieve Aquino expressed her joy and giddiness at the prospect of Leni-Kiko taking office. She said: “This is the first time I don’t have to vote for the ‘lesser evil’.”

Referring to the impact that the pink display of support had on the British public during the event, Aquino added: “I really hope that after this rally the UK can see what Filipinos are truly like, what we stand for, and just how much hope we have.” — Melissa Legarda @illumelation