MANILA, Philippines – If outgoing president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III were to come up with a soundtrack summing up his 6-year term, it would be a mix of old and new songs, from the upbeat to the melancholy.
During a lighthearted moment in an interview with Rappler on Tuesday, June 7, Aquino, a known music lover, was asked what songs he would associate with different phases of his administration.
"I have a song for every occasion....Kaya ang hirap (So it's hard) to choose one," he said, but listed down a few songs.
As his term comes to an end, Aquino looks back on the past 6 years, in songs.
1. Love Generation - Bob Sinclar
"The singer is may pagka-reggae, pero the tempo is very upbeat. Tapos ang ganda ng unang linya – 'Why should the children play in the streets?' Parang may universal concerns, at dapat kumikilos tayo."
(The singer is kinda reggae, but the tempo is very upbeat. Plus, the first line is really good – "Why should the children play in the streets?" There are universal concerns, and we should be taking action.)
2. I'm Alright Now - John Pizzarelli
"It's a song about moving on from a broken relationship.... 'Let's just agree that it's nobody's fault,' ganyan. Wala na akong reaksyon 'pag narinig ko pangalan mo, 'I don't have to change the dial when I hear our song'....Tapos sa dulo, 'of course I cry myself to sleep each night now, but other than that I'm alright.'"
(It's a song about moving on from a broken relationship.... 'Let's just agree that it's nobody's fault,' like that. I'm indifferent when I hear your name, 'I don't have to change the dial when I hear our song.' And as the end of the song goes, 'of course I cry myself to sleep each night now, but other than that I'm alright.')
3. Bayan Ko - Freddie Aguilar
4. Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran - Asin
BONUS TRACK: Estudyante Blues – Freddie Aguilar
Earlier on during the interview, Aquino was asked why he didn't sing his trademark song, "Estudyante Blues," at the Liberal Party thanksgiving party.
“Yung [hindi ko pagkanta ng] ‘Estudyante,' baka naman may konting move on rin doon....Parang it encapsulates what a president will do. Or will have to face. ‘Ako ang nasisisi, ako ang laging may kasalanan.’ Yung kabila kasi noon, parang I want to change the lyrics. ‘Hindi na ako masisisi, hindi na ako ang may kasalanan.’ (Laughs) E hindi ko naman mapalitan ang lyrics at the last minute."
(On [not singing] "Estudyante," there's also a little moving on involved there. It encapsulates what a president will do. Or will have to face. "I'm being blamed, I'm always at fault." The flipside of that is, I kind of want to change the lyrics. "I won't be blamed anymore, I won't be at fault anymore." But I couldn't change the lyrics at the last minute.)
Is there anything else you think should be added to the President's soundtrack? Let us know in the comments section below!– Rappler.com