MANILA, Philippines - Through the years, Willie Nepomuceno has done a good “jab” at our country’s leaders via his satirical impressions. When President Ferdinand Marcos left for Hawaii, he gave the chills to the mammoth crowd gathered in Makati celebrating the victory of People Power. Imagine the shock of seeing Marcos wearing the very same wardrobe when he appeared on stage with full security offering immediate reconciliation with the people. The crowd simply went wild after a few seconds of disbelief.
When then military renegade Col. Gringo Honasan was in hiding after staging several coup attempts, who would appear in a press conference but the “Mutiny Idol” himself. Other guest panelists were trembling at the thought of a potential firefight with the surprise invasion. It was Willie Nep, of course. Foreign correspondents went gaga over the “scoop” and the story landed in the international press.
The Gringo reincarnation happened again when he became a “fugitive” senator and turned up at a morning forum of the Kapihan sa Manila. The vicinity of the Manila Hotel was swarming with police and military personnel anticipating to capture the rebel lawmaker. The major dailies carried his photos in their front pages. Willie was just promoting his shows at the Music Museum, it turned out.
During the 2004 presidential campaigns, experienced reporters had a difficult time cornering presidential aspirant Fernando Poe Jr. for a direct interview. It was only ANC’s Pia Hontiveros who got the rare one-on-one exchange with Da King in his sole television appearance. Not a few newsmen and opinion makers were fooled into believing they were seeing the real thing. With pen in hand they were ready to jot down the wannabe’s action plans. The whole town had more laughs than action instead.
There were many other surprise “apparitions” courtesy of Willie Nep’s illusions like “Ex-President Joseph Estrada” gamely raising the hands of Chavit Singson at a victory celebration, a day after President Gloria Arroyo took over his place. He was even photographed giving President Arroyo the beso-beso in the same occasion. It was another front-page material that lightened the tensed situation of the moment.
He likewise had a one-on-one repartee with President Fidel Ramos in more than one occasion. The not-so-keen observers had a difficult time telling who the real mackoy was when they saw two FVR’s in one photograph. Once more it caught the fancy of news editors and earned a front page treatment in the major local dailies including The Strait Times of Singapore.
Every election season, Willie Nep’s act is a much anticipated event in the live entertainment scene. This time he goes back to the Music Museum to mount yet another hilarious glimpse at Philippine politics. The “presidential aspirants” will take turns in exhibiting their performance talents as they vie for the title of Talentadong Pangulo. Imagine Manny Villar rap singing his way to the youth, Dick Gordon as a ventriloquist with his doll (who else but Bayani), Noynoy cutting a woman in half (not necessarily Kris), Gibo, the pilot levitates to Cloud Nine and many more unexpected twists and turns of issues and events.
All these will happen in the April 16 and 23 presentation of Presidentiables’ Gut Talent in partnership with Ardere Skin and Body Clinic, Fairways and Bluewaters, San Miguel, PAGCOR, PCSO, RJ100 and DZMM Teleradyo. Tickets are available at Ticketworld (891-9999). Fun starts at 8:30 p.m. at the Music Museum (721-6796 and 721-0635).