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By Iza Iglesias
(UPDATE) ACTRESS-HOST Toni Gonzaga will sing the Philippine national anthem in the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. or BBM on June 30, 2022 at the National Museum in Manila.
The news was confirmed on Tuesday by Franz Imperial, a member of the preparation committee.
Gonzaga was among the prominent personalities who campaigned for the UniTeam led by Marcos and running mate and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio.
She has joined and performed in the tandem's nationwide campaign rallies while her husband, award-winning director Paul Soriano, directed the political advertisements of Marcos.
The president-elect, who happens to be their wedding godfather, earlier applauded Gonzaga and Soriano despite being criticized by netizens on social media platforms.
"We should congratulate them for the fine work that they did. In front of me is Miss Toni Gonzaga. Sabi ko nga kanina na siya ang nag-start ng kampanya na ito. Noong pumutok 'yung interview sa akin at kriniticize siya, ang tapang-tapang nito. I didn't expect that this elegant lady would be able to withstand these criticisms (As I had said, she started the campaign, When her interview with me came out, and she was criticized for it, she stood her ground, she was brave)," Marcos said, referring to Gonzaga's one-on-one YouTube interview with him, in a Facebook video shared by director Darryl Yap on May 15.
"Sinundan pa ni Paul (Paul followed suit), who did our ads. Sa aking palagay (In my opinion), nobody can contest at malayung-malayo (the ads and they were exceptional). Ginagaya nga, eh (They were being imitated). 'Di ba 'yung isa o dalawang ads natin ginagaya (Isn't it that one or two of our ads were being copied)? They were that good, and we kept the momentum going and the message alive," he added.
Movie and TV actress Cris Villonco will sing the inauguration song titled "Pilipinas Kong Mahal" with the Young Voices of the Philippines choir.
Meanwhile, National Commission for Culture and the Arts head Nick Lizaso confirmed that the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, pianist Cecille Licad, and singers Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez have been tapped to perform at the reception dinner in Malacañang.
