‘It should work like an insect bite’

Willie Nep as “Sherap”

It might not curb violence against media in the country, but veteran impersonator and political satirist Willie Nepomuceno hoped his show, “Stop in the Name of Laugh: Media Aid for Life,” delivered a profound message to the hundreds that trooped to the Music Museum last week.

Produced by dzMM broadcaster Kaye Dacer (niece of slain publicist Bubby Dacer), the show’s proceeds will be donated to about 10 families of fallen journalists.

The main skit was a mock presidential grilling session titled “The Press Meets the Pres,” where Nepomuceno and daughter Frida lampooned Ferdinand Marcos, Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Noynoy Aquino.

One by one, the “Gaya-Gayang Pangulos” were “interviewed” by TV and radio personalities Karen Davila, Julius Babao, Bernadette Sembrano, Anthony Taberna, Amy Perez and Vic Lima.

Silly yet amusing

The “presidents” took humorous digs at one another as they fielded questions, ranging from serious political and social issues, to the silly yet amusing: “Bakit sa US kapag nawalan ng kuryente blackout ang tawag; dito sa Pilipinas brownout?”

The master impersonator in a musical number

With daughter Frida

Nepomuceno’s impersonation of Estrada (“Sherap”) brought the house down with the trademark penguin walk, rock-hard pompadour and drawling “Carabao English.”

Another crowd favorite was Nepomuceno’s eerily funny “P-Noy.” From the thinning hair to the random coughs and head jerks—the master mimic had everything covered. Everyone was in stitches as “P-Noy” discussed his alleged tardiness, vices and love life.

All the mock presidents had witty retorts to the questions thrown their way. But when Dacer asked whether they had done anything to ensure the safety of journalists, they started beating around the bush and could offer no real answers.

Nepomuceno said that was a jab at the past and current administrations’ lack of action. “The show was not a forum or a lecture, so I didn’t have to say anything straight. Puro padaplis at pahapyaw lang, but hopefully they’ll get the message,” he told the Inquirer.

“It should work like a pesky insect bite,” he explained. “Kunwari nakagat ka ng langgam sa isang party. Pag-uwi mo, kakamot-kamot ka. Ang maaalala mo ’yung kagat ng langgam at hindi ’yung party.”

Despite the problems that continue to plague the country, Nepomuceno urged everyone to maintain a positive outlook: “Let’s not lose hope. There’s a new breed of heroes among us—courageous, conscientious, and willing to serve and defend the country. No matter how bad, irritating, gloomy, or ugly all the things happening around us are, I hope we can all stop for a while and smile.”

Photos by Arnold Almacen