Former senator and senatorial candidate Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan returned to Pampanga on 23 April to rally support from Kapampangans, bringing with him a message of food security and pride in his roots during a campaign sortie and concert at Tiangge Park, Northville 15, Brgy. Cutud.

Hundreds of residents attended the event, which featured performances from local artists and a heartfelt speech from Pangilinan, who has been campaigning without the backing of a large political machinery. He recalled how Pampanga had consistently supported his previous Senate runs, even naming him the province’s top senator in 2007.

“Dito sa Pampanga, tatlong beses na po akong nananalo bilang senador. Dacal a salamat pu sa inyong naging tiwala. Tatlong beses ko ring sinuklian ang inyong tiwala ng tapat at totoong serbisyo,” he said.

(Here in Pampanga, I’ve been elected senator three times. Thank you very much for your trust. I repaid that trust three times over with honest and genuine service.)

“Lahat ng 19 na bayan dito sa Pampanga at ang tatlong syudad, tiniyak ko sa aking panunungkulan nabigyan natin lahat ng proyekto. Dapat sa pamamagitan ng tapat at totoong panunungkulan. Hindi ako naging pabaya sa ating calugurang cabalen. Bagamat mahigit 20 years na ako sa national politics, ni minsan, wala kayong narinig na ako ay nasangkot sa anumang kasong anomalya,” he added.

(All 19 towns and three cities here in Pampanga — I made sure during my term that each received a project. It must be done through honest and sincere public service. I was never neglectful of our beloved cabalens. Even after more than 20 years in national politics, not once have you heard of me being involved in any corruption case.)

His father, Donato “Donny” Pangilinan Jr., hailed from Sto. Tomas, Pampanga, about an hour ride from where the former senator held a concert for his supporters and volunteers at the Tiangge Park in Angeles City.

A civil engineer by profession, the former senator remembered his “tatang” as someone who embodied the Kapampangan values — family-oriented, sociable, understanding, compassionate, dominant, strict, and affectionate. Pangilinan also noted that his father was a problem solver and would likely have turned hostile internet trolls into supporters.

Pangilinan has also become a target of online trolling, particularly after a viral video featured him enjoying buro (fermented rice with seafood) and mustasa (mustard greens).

The food vlog, meant to celebrate his heritage, became the subject of ridicule, prompting harsh comments questioning his identity as a Kapampangan.

Despite the online attacks, Pangilinan countered the criticism by reaffirming his pride in his father’s hometown and the values he inherited from his Kapampangan lineage.

“Kaya siguro medyo nasaktan ako nung nagkaroon nung mga basher tungkol sa aking pagiging capampangan. Nasaktan kahit di pa nga ako nakakapagsalita ng diretsong capampangan, proud pa rin ako sa aking tatay. Proud pa rin ako," he said.

(Maybe that’s why I was hurt when the bashing about my being a Kapampangan began. I was hurt even if I still can’t speak fluent Kapampangan — because I’m proud of my father. I’m still proud of where I come from.)

Kiko also a problem-solver

Earlier in the day, Pangilinan engaged with students at Angeles University Foundation (AUF) during a youth forum organized by the University Student Council. He discussed the importance of tackling hunger and poverty through agricultural development, one of his key platforms. He thanked AUF officials, led by Atty. Joseph Angeles, and student leaders for the warm reception.

“Zero Hunger and No Poverty — these Sustainable Development Goals will remain out of reach if we do not strengthen our agriculture,” Pangilinan said in Filipino, calling for increased support for farmers and fisherfolk and the integration of agricultural education in schools.

He also reiterated his proposal to allocate a P800-billion budget to the Department of Agriculture over the next six years, by increasing its annual budget by P100 billion. The funds would be used for crop insurance, cold storage facilities, drying infrastructure, and additional support services such as agricultural extension workers.

"Ang karagdagang pondo, tutulong sa mga pasilidad sa pagpapatuyo, pataba, pestisidyo, at cold storage para sa ating magsasaka," he said. "Kayang pababain ang presyo ng bigas, ngunit tulad ng kasabihan, kung saan ang salita, doon din ang gawa. Bilang lingkod-bayan, huwag nating ilagay ang pera sa ating bulsa."

(The additional funding will help build facilities for drying, fertilizer, pesticides, and cold storage for our farmers. We can lower the price of rice, but as the saying goes, actions must match words. As public servants, we must not put the money into our own pockets.)

Pangilinan emphasized that the Sagip Saka Act, which he authored, can address rising food prices and provide stable income for farmers. The law allows the national and local governments to purchase directly from farmers and fisherfolk, bypassing middlemen and ensuring fair prices.