Raising the bars

If there is one highlight of the presidential inaugural rites on Wednesday that made me proud to be Filipino, it was the heartfelt rendition of our country’s national anthem, “Lupang Hinirang.” Internationally famous Filipina singer Charice Pempengco led it with the Madrigal Singers and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of award-winning composer Ryan Cayabyab. Singing the original tempo of the Philippine anthem, her powerful voice reverberated across the wide field of the Quirino grandstand in Luneta.

The petite 18-year old chanteuse rose to fame and popularity through YouTube. Her world-class talent came to international knowledge ironically, through Hollywood’s Oprah Winfrey. Described by Oprah as the “Most Talented Girl in the World,” she is so far the first Asian in history to land in the Top 10 songs of the US Billboard 200 album chart.

Charice arrived in the Philippines a few hours in time to sing the National Anthem at the inauguration of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, or P-Noy for short. Charice and her mother, Raquel Pempengco, flew home from Los Angeles, California for this special occasion. The National Historical Institute (NHI) no less was greatly impressed by her singing of the National Anthem. She did it this time in accordance with the proper tempo and correct notes, less the “birit” at the end of the hymn she did in the past that got her into trouble with the NHI.

It was Kris Aquino, P-Noy’s youngest sister, who announced that Charice was chosen by her family to sing the “Lupang Hinirang.” Kris earlier stood as one of the godmothers to the Catholic Church confirmation (kumpil) rites of Charice. After the inauguration, Charice will embark on an Asian tour to promote her first album that includes her now popular “Pyramid” signature song. Later this month, she will go back to Los Angeles to be part of the hit TV series “Glee.”

She confessed being nervous about singing the national anthem. Charice was quoted as saying how “very proud” she was to be part of the historic event. It was not her first time to be part of a presidential inaugural event. She first performed at one of the pre-inauguration balls in January 2009 of US President Barack Obama.

The outstanding performance of Charice saved the day for the rest of the forgettable song numbers from other performers at the inaugural program. I was a little bit distracted by her black-topped over yellow skirt Filipina terno. She originally arrived in Luneta dressed in baby pink gown. But this did not diminish my admiration for this giant of a talent. Charice raised the bar of the singing of our national anthem that would hopefully set the right tone and tempo for other singers to follow.

In his own no frills inaugural speech, P-Noy set the tone of his administration and reiterated his presidential campaign promise “Walang mahirap kung walang corrupt.” In his about 20 minutes, or so, inaugural speech, P-Noy raised also the hopes of the Filipino people on the positive changes he vowed to do in his governance for the next six years of his administration.

It would be more prudent not to raise much expectation from the Aquino administration. This would make it more exciting and make us rather be pleasantly surprised with whatever output P-Noy will be able to deliver. There would be greater disappointments and frustrations if we raise the bars too high for P-Noy. 

To his credit, though, P-Noy brought down to basics the initial things he intends to do to start the process of change that will literally move forward all the Filipinos together. “Walang padrino, walang lamangan, walang pagnanakaw, walang wangwang, walang counter-flow, walang tong…Kayo ang boss ko!” P-Noy vowed. These were not high falutin' words but down-to-earth issues among the masses like us.

And by golly! Now people are making a big deal over P-Noy’s reiteration of the ban on the illegal use of sirens and blinkers in vehicles not allowed by law to be installed with such gadgets in the first place. 

The next day, I saw on GMA-7 early morning TV show Unang Hirit popular mimic and impersonator Willy Nepomuceno who came up already with funny punch lines out of P-Noy’s inaugural address. Appearing as a copycat “P-Noi,” he immediately came up with his own message to the Filipinos: “Kayo ang boss ko hanggang buhok ko maubos!…Tong, padrino system, corruption will all disappear long before my own hair disappear!”

A day after the inaugural rites, P-Noy showed to all and sundry that he would not just walk the talk but would lead by example. To the horror and great challenge for his Presidential Security Group (PSG), P-Noy apparently ordered them to stop at red lights. The PSG brings their Commander-in-Chief to his family residence at Times St. in Quezon City at the end of each day.

P-Noy is still using his white Land Cruiser SUV and not the heavily bullet and bomb-proof presidential car No.1 he inherited from former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Naturally, this pose serious security concerns for the PSG and they have to adapt with his working style whether they like it or not, unless someone could talk sense to P-Noy about it. 

With the sirens and motorcycle escorts, travel time to and from Times St. to Malacañang Palace would normally take less than an hour and that includes average traffic time. P-Noy has to do this travel to and from the Palace while his official residence at the Bahay Pangarap — located at the PSG Headquarters across the Palace in Pasig River — is still under renovation. The renovation is being completed in a month’s period to suit the new official residence to the needs of the country’s first bachelor-President.

The creative juices of my good friend Jess Paredes is obviously on high drive with the flurry of his concocted witty text jokes sent me. Jess is the elder brother of Jim Paredes — one of the Apo Hiking Society singing trio who emceed the inaugural program at Luneta. Here are two of them with my own revisions: (1) It might be prudent to remind the President who honors red traffic lights that his presidential car No.1 is number-coded on Mondays. (2) Noynoy’s new home is Bahay Pangarap. Dream on, Mr. President!