Beniño, Niño or Nonoy? Barack struggles to get it right

MANILA, Philippines - Benigno, Beniño, Niño, Benino, Nonoy.

After several mispronunciations, US President Barack Obama finally got his Philippine counterpart’s nickname right, at the state dinner in his honor the other night at the Palace.

Obama must have been exhausted, as the Philippines was the last leg of his four-nation Asian tour, but the world’s most powerful leader did have his light moments.

At the state dinner hosted by Aquino at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang on Monday evening, Obama rose from his seat, clapping spiritedly after three Cabinet secretaries performed his favorite song, “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye. Secretaries Rogelio Singson of Public Works and Highways, Florencio Abad of Budget and Management and Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras were seen on video uploaded by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima belting out the song with the help of a band led by Mel Villena.

US National Security Adviser Susan Rice sang along, Almendras said, adding that it was his and Aquino’s idea to lighten the evening.

Obama and his delegation were treated with good food, and the US president was conferred the Order of Sikatuna as more song and dance from the Madrigal Singers, Leo Valdez, Bituin Escalante, Power Dance, Kuh Ledesma, apl.de.ap and the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company highlighted the evening.

Almendras said they rehearsed five times on Monday before the state dinner. He added they invited Cabinet members to join but only the three of them were game enough to take to the stage.

Obama was seen smiling while the three performed the Motown classic.

“What’s Going On” was a hit in the early 1970s and an anthem of the civil rights movement.

Forestalling any clamor orf an encore, Aquino told the three secretaries: “Let’s stop while we’reahead.”