PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Friday showed off her singing prowess during the “Tagumpay ng Pinoy” program at the Rahaj Sulayman Park in Manila late Friday afternoon, where a tribute was accorded boxer Manny Paqcuiao.
Arroyo, who initially played co-host to Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and Pacquiao during the program which also paid tribute to other Filipino achievers, joined the boxing champ in singing his single “Para Sa Iyo (Laban Na ‘to) and singer Sarah Geronimo in her rendition of the song “Pinoy Ako”, which was originally sang by the band Orange and Lemon.
The President, who appears to check her copy of the songs’ lyrics every now and then, would join in whenever the chorus of the songs is played. Pacquiao, after the program, gave Arroyo a copy of his album.
Aside from Pacquiao, the program also played tribute to honest cop Senior Inspector Dominador Arevalo and honest youth Cristina Bedayo who both returned big amounts of money to their owners.
They also acknowledged Southeast Asian Games gold medallists Adelaine Gumabong and Sheila May Perez, who won in the weight lifting paralympics and diving competition respectively, and boxer Jimrex Jaca who knocked out his opponent on the first round of the game.
The program also paid tribute to Ms. International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman who bussed Pacquiao to the cheers and teasing of the audience.
Quigaman teased that Pacquiao’s wife might disapprove while the boxer answered teasingly that he was willing to kiss others including those in the audience. (JMR/Sunnex)
