On Friday the 13th, at 4:00 p.m., some of the country's best performers gathered at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang Palace.
But not for a singing engagement. It was an August day for the induction of the new officers and board directors of Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM).
No less than President Noynoy Aquino himself presided over the oath-taking of OPM's incoming president Ogie Alcasid and officers Jose Mari Chan, Gary Valenciano, Celeste Legaspi, Jim Paredes, Mitch Valdez, Dingdong Avanzado, Noel Cabahug, Jim Paredes, and Christian Bautista.
In his speech, Ogie underscored the power of music:
"Beinte kuwatro anyos na ngayon ang OPM, ganap na edad para muling humarap at manindigan para sa interes ng kanyang mga kasapi at mga manonood. We are ready to make commitments to our audiences. While many of us are content with providing momentary relief from life's hardships through our works, a good number of us are motivated to create works that give meanings, insights, relevance, and color to an otherwise dull daily existence of our audiences.
"Whatever our goals are as artists, the fact remains that our creative works both enable and ennoble. Our music has become the soul of the nation, its rhyme and rhythm serve as catalyst and rallying points for collective action.
"We only have to realize how the mere rendition of Bayan Ko never fails to galvanize people's nationalistic fervor. It has also been said that, at the darkest period of national shame, our singers, together with our boxers and other athletes, are the ones who continue to raise the flag proudly and bring great honors to the country and our people..."
Pres. Aquino gave his commitment to support the organization in achieving its goals. In his speech, he mentioned the government agencies that can assist OPM in achieving its goals.
Of course there were some icebreakers, and one of them was courtesy of the outgoing president, Mitch Valdez, who delivered the opening address.
First, she unwittingly went to the podium assigned for the sole use of the President. Realizing her error, she graciously moved to the right place. Next, she found that she had forgotten her reading glasses. To the rescue, singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon. He handed Mitch her purse, then she dug it up in front of everyone.
After the program, the singers had a photo op with P-Noy, then enjoyed dinner and close conversations.