Willie Nep bares his heart and soul

NEPOMUCENO as Aquino.

He has been described in many ways—man of a hundred faces, talented comedian, singer, conscientious observer of trends, loving father, principled person and dedicated Filipino. You don’t often find those attributes in a single person, but it isn’t an exaggeration to say that Willie Nepomuceno has them all!

We recently watched “Stop, In The Name of Laugh” at the Music Museum, where, as Willie impersonated different presidents from Marcos to Aquino, “he” was grilled by journalists, Julius Babao, Karen Davila, Anthony Taberna, Amy Perez, Bernadette Sembrano, Vic de Leon Lima, and Kaye Dacer, who conceptualized the show, which raised funds for the families of journalists who were victims of violence.

Willie was most familiar with Erap (having mimicked him for years) and P-Noy (having impersonated him in various shows since 2009). Asked whether he signed as “Jose Velarde” on disputed contracts, Erap said he was merely following instructions that said, “Sign over printed name Jose Velarde.”

The female impersonations of Cory and Gloria were done by Willie’s daughter, Frida. The show also had a magic act and a segment in which Willie imitated musical instruments and sounds of nature.

Novelty album

The last presidential elections spawned a 12-track novelty album, “Willie Nep for President.” We loved the “Bad Bad Boy” version of Erap, a voice-over by Eddie Garcia for “Aktor Kasi,” “Gloria Macarena” with Gloria as Nora Aunor (who campaigned for her), and Fidel Ramos asking for another term in “Let Me Try Again.” Truly, is there anything Willie can’t do?

As a closing salvo, Willie sang one of his favorite songs, Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile”—baring his heart and soul and reminding the audience that, despite our many troubles in life, we need to continue smiling for the sun to come through!