LOOK: Celebrities who joined the Sept. 21 protests against corruption
Alongside student, activist, and religious groups, celebrities joined the protests to condemn the corruption in anomalous flood control projects.
Several rallies are taking place in different parts of the Philippines on Sept. 21, the anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in 1972 under Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The two major demonstrations have gathered Pinoys at Luneta Park and the EDSA People Power Monument.
Rage over the so-called ghost infrastructure projects has been mounting in the country since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. put them center stage in a July state of the nation address that followed weeks of deadly flooding.
Here are some celebrities who took part in the protests.
Catriona Gray
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray stood out wearing a pink jacket at the Trillion Peso March in Quezon City. She waved a Philippine flag as she marched with fellow protestors.
"I think it's great that so many turned out today. Para sa Pilipinas 'to," she told News5.
Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos
Celebrity couple Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos also took to EDSA streets to join the demonstrations.
"Mahal kita, Pilipinas. Ipaglalaban kita," Garcia captioned her Instagram post with photos from the rally.
On the other hand, Ramos kept his carousel of pictures simple, writing "TAMA NA. SOBRA NA."
Nadine Lustre
Actress Nadine Lustre shared a photo from the Trillion Peso March on her Instagram Stories. She's seen wearing a black mask and shirt that read, "Stop flooding us with corruption."
Dingdong Dantes, Kim Atienza, Benjamin Alves, Jerald Napoles, Kim Molina
Several celebrities laced up their running shoes to join an anti-corruption run in Makati. Dingdong Dantes, Kim Atienza, Benjamin Alves, Jerald Napoles, and Kim Molina were spotted in black statement shirts as they ran.
Dantes and Molina's shirts read "I dream of a corrupt-free Philippines."
Earlier in September, the actor reflected on the state of the world, including the Philippines, as he said the country is caught in the "vilest controversy" of our time.
"We face challenges rooted in systemic issues—corruption and inequality—that have crippled development and clouded our hope," he said, adding his worries about the future his children will inherit.
Atienza, Alves, Napoles, meanwhile, wore shirts with the print, "End corruption now."
Jodi Sta. Maria
Actress Jodi Sta. Maria participated in the protest in Luneta Park.
"Ang gusto lang natin ay may managot sa mga nangyayari. Hindi pwede na parang araw-araw pasko," she told DZMM Teleradyo.
Before the rally, she shared PETA Asia's statement criticizing the reported plan to slaughter 100 cows as part of an offering for a Sept. 21 prayer rally in Davao. The gathering was shared by Vice President Sara Duterte.
"Animals, including these cows, have no political stance—they simply want to live... Turning their suffering into a public spectacle is cruelty, plain and simple. Taking their lives for a political stunt is shameful, and we beg those involved to reconsider," the statement read.
Elijah Canlas
Meanwhile, actor Elijah Canlas got on stage with the representatives of Akbayan Partylist at the People Power Monument in Quezon City.
"Lahat tayo kumakayod [at] nagtatrabaho nang disente, halos mag buwis-buhay para makapagbayad lang ng buwis. Tapos lahat ng pinaghihirapan natin, anong nangyayari? Binubulsa lang!" he said.
"Mga senador na kasangkot sa kickback, mga [Department of Public Works and Highways] officials na sinusugal sa casino ang pera ng bayan, mga pulitiko, kontratista, at nepo babies na nagyayabang ng mga mamahaling bag, relo, kani-kanilang mansyon, laging nagbabakasyon. Samantalang ang karaniwang Pinoy, ano ang nangyayari? Naiiwang nagdurusa sa baha at kawalan ng hanapbuhay. Papagay ba tayo roon?"
Andrea Brillantes
Andrea Brillantes took to Instagram to share photos of her attending the rally at Luneta.
"Hindi madali, pero importante. Nandito tayo. Walang makakalimot! At sana, 'wag lang po hanggang social media," she wrote in the caption.
Maris Racal
Maris Racal was spotted with Brillantes and the Philippine-Palestine Friendship Association, at the Luneta demonstration.
"Sana iparamdam niyo sa amin ang mga promises ninyo noong tumakbo kayo," she's heard saying in a clip shared by Brillantes. "Sa tuwing bumibili kayo ng mga bagong mansyon, sana naiisip ninyo kami."
Bar Boys: The Musical cast
The cast of Bar Boys: The Musical performed at the gathering at the People Power Monument in Quezon City. The group sang My Singil Ang Pangarap and Cross the Line from the show.
Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Ion Perez, Jackie Gonzaga, Jasmine Curtis, Donny Pangilinan, Darren Espanto
It's Showtime hosts Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Ion Perez, Jackie Gonzaga, and Darren Espanto, along with TV personalities Jasmine Curtis and Donny Pangilinan joined the Angat Bayanihan Volunteer Network at the Quezon City rally.
The celebrities were all wearing white at the Trillion Peso March.
Joy Barcoma
Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma shared photos of herself in all-black at the protest in Luneta Park.
"Isang mapagpalayang umaga sa lahat," she captioned.
The beauty queen made the rounds early in September for her critical posts about the hearings on alleged corruption in flood control projects.
Angel Locsin
Angel Locsin ended her break from social media to speak out against corruption.
"Watching the hearings, I couldn't help but remember the messages and news of people begging for help. Families with homes washed away, parents who lost their work, lives lost to floods/typhoons. Naiiyak ako sa galit [kasi] pwede pa lang hindi sila naghirap. Pwede pa lang walang nasaktan. Pwede pa lang walang namatay," she said.
"Nakakapanghina 'yung ganitong kasamaan. Pero mas nakakapanghina kung mananahimik lang tayo. Kaya we keep speaking, we keep fighting. For truth. For justice. For change. No politics. Para sa tao."
Marjorie, Julia, and Leon Barretto
In her Instagram stories, Marjorie Barreto shared a video with fellow protestors walking along EDSA.
The actress was joined by her children, Julia and Leon Barretto.
Janine Gutierrez
Janine Gutierrez expressed her support for Filipinos participating in the protests in an Instagram story.
"Currently out of the country but standing in solidarity with everyone in Luneta, EDSA, and all the other rallies against corruption that are happening today," she wrote, sharing a video by Akbayan Party-list.
Paulo Avelino
Actor Paulo Avelino also shared his support virtually on Instagram.
"Hindi man ako makakadalo sa rally laban sa korupsyon, buo ang suporta ko sa panawagan para sa pananagutan at malinis na pamamahala. Mahalaga sa akin ang laban na ito, at bagama't wala ako sa mismong pagtitipon, kaisa pa rin ako sa adhikain para sa integridad at pagbabago," he said.
"Managot na dapat ang dapat managot. Makulong na ang lahat ng dapat makulong."
Kim Chiu
It's Showtime host Kim Chiu also took to Instagram to share an open letter to the country's public servants.
"Sa bawat bagyo, baha, at trahedya—kami ang umaangat at naghihirap. Hindi ito dapat maging normal... Sobra na. Tama na. Panahon na para managot ang dapat managot at para putulin ang siklo ng pagsasamantala," she wrote.
"Ang perang galing sa buwis ng Pilipino ay dugo't pawis—hindi ito laruan niyo na pwedeng paghati-hatian."
Flood control mess
The flood control scandal has already sparked leadership changes in both houses of Congress, with House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos, tendering his resignation earlier this week as an investigation got underway.
Earlier this month, the owners of a construction firm accused nearly 30 House members and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials of taking cash payments.
The Department of Finance has estimated that the Philippine economy lost up to P118.5 billion from 2023 to 2025 due to corruption in flood control projects. Greenpeace has suggested the number is actually closer to P1.025 trillion. (with additional reports from AFP)
