Make way for the new rockaraoke-in-chief.
For one night, President Aquino unleashed his inner rock star and performed a virtual concert before a crowd of friends and supporters.
Less than a month before he steps down from office, the President joined the Liberal Party thanksgiving party in Cubao, Quezon City last Wednesday night and gamely sang several songs with a live band.
The President was visibly cheerful and relaxed as he performed his favorite tunes such as “Pumapatak Na Naman Ang Ulan,” “September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” and “Manila,” and cracked a number jokes to the delight of the audience. He was accompanied by Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel A. Roxas II and some Cabinet members during the sing-along on stage.
“Sabay-sabay tayo,” Aquino told the audience composed mostly of LP officials and supporters.
While looking through the book of songs, Aquino said in jest: “Baka bumangon ang nagsulat nito, at sabihin ano ang ginawa ninyo sa kanta ko.”
In the hourlong musical event, Aquino also paid tribute to his dad, the late Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. by singing his favorite song “The Impossible Dream.”
The outgoing leader acknowledged there was no curfew yet so he accepted song requests from the crowd.
“Ano gusto ninyo? Slow, fast, medium?” he asked the audience. When he heard people shouting “Buttercup,” Aquino and his band tried to belt out the tune.
“Habang kumukonti kayo, tumatapang kami,” he added.
Apart from poking fun at his thinning hair, Aquino also asked the crowd to help him with his love life once his term is over. “After June 30, pwede na akong mangligaw. Pag nagharana ako, hihintayin ko kayo lahat. Maghaharana tayo,” he added.
The final song of the President and his band was the patriotic song “Bayan Ko.” (GENALYN D. KABILING)