‘Excited, humbled’: Toni Gonzaga, Paul Soriano on being part of Marcos inauguration

After actively supporting the campaign of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., celebrity couple Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano will also play huge roles in today’s presidential inauguration.

When Marcos Jr., also known as BBM, will be sworn into office at 12 noon today as the 17th President of the Republic of the Philippines at the National Museum (formerly Old Legislative Building), he will be the fourth President to do so after Manuel Luis Quezon (1935), Jose P. Laurel (1943) and Manuel A. Roxas (1946).

In a message sent to The STAR yesterday, Toni said that she felt humbled to be asked to sing the Philippine National Anthem at the event.

“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity,” said the actress-singer and TV host. “This has been an incredible journey! I’m excited to witness the whole inauguration of our new president.”

The couple with their wedding godfather, President-elect BBM, and Vice President Inday Sara Duterte.

Toni’s Instagram account

Asked about her preparations, Toni said, “I think everything that I’ve been through is a preparation for this moment in my life. And as much as I want (my son) Seve to be there, I am aware that we are still in a pandemic situation so he will just watch me on TV.”

Toni’s husband Paul, on the other hand, served as creative consultant for the event. Besides Marcos Jr. as the couple’s wedding godfather, the filmmaker also happens to be the nephew of BBM’s wife, lawyer Liza Araneta-Marcos.

He shared with The STAR some details about what to expect today, saying the inauguration will be a “classic and traditional ceremony with touches of nostalgia. The very best of each and every Filipino will be on display.”

“Being at the National Museum adds history to the Inaugural with three former presidents taking their oath there. PBBM will now get to be a part of our country’s history by being the fourth President to take his oath at the National Museum. I also know for a fact he has great memories there with his father,” he added.

Direk Paul said he considers it a once-in-a-lifetime moment to be part of something as historic as a presidential inauguration.

“I’m embracing every moment and very excited to witness it. I actually get to see BBM become the next President of the Republic of the Philippines with my own eyes. Lots of challenges definitely but all worth it,” he added.

“No matter what, we are all in this together and starting now, we should prioritize the country and how we all can do our part in making it the best it can be now and tomorrow. We are officially unified. God bless PBBM and God bless the Philippines,” the couple further said in their statement to The STAR.

Direk Paul will don an Avel Bacudio-made barong, while Toni will be dressed up in a Mark Bumgarner Filipiniana during the ceremony.

Earlier, a STAR report said that the program will be “very solemn and simple” and “will not deviate from tradition,” quoting Franz Imperial, one of the heads of the preparation committee.