Local campaigns in Albay turn into a battle of the bands

Local election campaigns in Albay are taking an interesting turn, moving beyond traditional political speeches and transforming into something akin to live music festivals. This trend sees candidates bringing in popular bands and singers to attract voters, making celebrity appearances a common feature of rallies across the province.

Recently, this strategy was on full display. On May 3rd, the well-loved pop band Cup of Joe took the stage for Team Arangkada Banwa, a slate associated with the Global Albay team. Simultaneously, popular singer-songwriter Jireh Lim performed at the grand rally for Team One Camalig, also part of Global Albay.

According to Daraga mayoral candidate Lhal Baldo of Team Arangkada Banwa, inviting musical acts like Cup of Joe serves a clear purpose: to entertain the audience. She noted that rallies can become "boring" if they consist solely of speeches, and bringing in performers helps draw a larger crowd.

Indeed, bands like Cup of Joe, known for hits like "Mananatili" and the viral "Multo," boast a significant fanbase in Bicol. Many dedicated fans travel specifically to attend their performances, regardless of the political context.

Observations from these events indicate that a considerable number of attendees are primarily there to see their favorite artists up close, rather than to engage with the political platforms or listen to the candidates speak.

This isn't a new phenomenon in Albay. Inviting famous musical groups to political gatherings has been a tactic in previous elections. For example, the band Mayonnaise performed at a grand rally for a mayoral candidate in Daraga back in 2022.

Ultimately, for the residents of Albay, attending political rallies often seems less about engaging with public service and more about the opportunity to enjoy free concerts featuring well-known personalities. This has led to the characterization of local campaigns in the province as less of a battle of ideas and more of a "battle of the bands."