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Is Rockwell Pink or Red? Here’s What Went Down at the So-Called ‘Battle of Rockwell’

Rockwell Powerplant Mall is a relatively tranquil place where you can expect to stroll in peace and quiet on a Thursday afternoon. However, this Thursday was different. Dozens of supporters of both Vice President Leni Robredo and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. flocked to the mall chanting the names of their chosen candidates. They went there after socialite Cat Arambulo-Antonio invited BBM supporters to shop at the mall wearing red. But it looks like she got more than she bargained for when she posted the invite on Facebook. Here’s what happened at the “battle of Rockwell.”

 

It started with a socialite

Last April 27, Antonio uploaded on Facebook a poster for a BBM-Sara supporters meet-up. According to the poster, it would be held at Rockwell Powerplant in Makati on April 28 at 2:30 PM. It also had a reminder that those planning to go should wear red, BBM’s campaign color. “Time to go shopping in red. I hope to see you there,” the influencer captioned.

Hours later, she clarified that it was just a simple meet-up and that there will be no speakers, program, or celebrities.

 


Where have you heard Cat Arambulo-Antonio’s name before?

When the country was still figuring out how to respond to COVID in 2020, Antonio trended online for making insensitive comments. She uploaded a video of her shouting at the television showing news about marginalized Filipinos gathering at city borders. “God why don’t you motherf*ckers just stay at home,” she said.

The video earned her flak online. Netizens defended countrymen who lived on day-to-day wages and needed to work, despite the pandemic, to put food on the table.

Antonio, who is the wife of Carlo Antonio, CFO of the Centuries Property Group, issued an apology afterward.

 

She suddenly backs out of the meet

Two hours before the Rockwell meet-up, Antonio posted a statement on Facebook. She said she decided to skip shopping after all. In the notes app screenshot she posted, Antonio clarified that she didn’t have a hand in organizing the meetup. It was “initiated by a BBM supporter who asked if [she] could share the poster to promote.”

“Since the feedback online seems like it has the potential to turn into something divisive, I have decided I will not be going to Powerplant today anymore,” Antonio wrote. “I really don’t want this to turn into something I don’t believe in or what the BBM campaign stans for which is unity.”

However, even though she wasn’t there, the meet-up still took place.

 

What happened in Rockwell?

BBM-Sara supporters in red still arrived at Rockwell. However, the mall was soon flooded with VP Leni’s supporters and the Kakampinks in pink shirts eventually outnumbered the Marcos supporters in red. At one point, the upscale mall was filled with chants from supporters of both candidates, even though management put advisories that doing so is not allowed inside the premises.

After seeing videos of what happened, netizens quickly dubbed the event “the Battle of Rockwell.” This launched the debate of whether Rockwell was “pink” or “red.”

 

The invite drew Kakampinks instead

Even though it wasn’t a sortie, VP Leni supporters in pink quickly covered the place. They dined at restaurants and took group photos. Some who worked around the area also dropped by to show their support. In the middle of the mall, a kid played the song “Rosas” on the piano.

 

Kakampinks protect “Leni Bear”

Aside from strolling the mall, Kakampinks also took photos with the “famous Leni Bear” a.k.a Sir Mike. He is known for holding solo campaigns around the metro carrying a huge stuffed teddy bear. Lately, he settled in the Rockwell area, engaging everyone in the conversation and campaigning for VP Leni. His favorite spot inside the mall is the exact location for the BBM-Sara supporters’ meet-up, leading some Kakampinks to believe that the gathering was intended to “intimidate” Leni Bear.

 

But wait, did Cat Arambulo go to Rockwell after all?

Eagle-eyed Filipinos apparently spotted the social media personality inside a salon at Rockwell. A Twitter user posted a photo of a woman inside an establishment with her back to the camera. While Antonio didn’t explicitly say she went to the mall after all that hullabaloo, she did post on her Instagram stories that she visited a salon with her son.

 

Anyway, Cat Arambulo-Antonio has a few reminders for everyone

The socialite ended her statement on Facebook by urging Filipinos to “represent your candidate in the best way possible.”

“Whatever political color you are, there is no need to battle or fight, let’s just continue to be good citizens and neighbors to each other,” she said.

While the “battle of Rockwell” seemed a peaceful one, we all know the tension was there. Let’s just hope our country keeps the peace no matter who gets elected come May 9.

 

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Kyzia spends most of her time capturing the world around her through photos, paragraphs, and playlists. She is constantly on the hunt for the perfect chocolate chip cookie, and a great paperback thriller to pair with it.

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