President Benigno Aquino III INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday night bared his eclectic taste in music, telling his audience that he listens to anything from rock to jazz to even so-called “senti” songs depending on whether he wants to get up and about or sulk.
Only one genre hasn’t caught his fancy and that would be rap.
“Noon pa man, musika na ang katuwang natin sa hirap at ginhawa,” President Aquino said on Wednesday night during the launch of an online music store where one can buy original Pilipino music or OPM.
“Nariyan ang Jazz music, kapag gusto nating mag-relax. May Rock N’ Roll naman kapag kailangan nating ganahan ng kaunti. Kapag nalulungkot, senti ang pinipili nating background music,” he added.
President Aquino said he listens to ballads when he’s “inspired or in love.”
“Aaminin ko naman po: hindi ko gaanong nakahiligan ang Rap music. Kaya naman, nagulat po ako noong kampanya nang ipag-rap ako ng nakakabata kong kapatid,” President Aquino said.
Mr. Aquino said he loves music so much that he said he had his “second-hand” audio equipment transferred to his Bahay Pangarap official residence when he had to move from his Times Street home.
“Puwera biro, pagdating sa musika, nakatatak na po sa aking puso ang OPM o ang Original Pilipino Music. Mula pa po kay Ka Freddie Aguilar at sa Juan dela Cruz Band, hanggang kay Jose Mari Chan at sa Apo Hiking Society; mula kay Regine Velasquez at Ogie Alcasid hanggang sa mga umuusbong na banda at mang-aawit ng henerasyon ngayon,” President Aquino said.
“Ang masasabi ko lang po: iba pa rin talaga kapag OPM. May iba itong timpla na swak sa panlasa nating mga Pilipino. May natatangi itong kakayahan na kurutin ang ating mga puso,” he added
The online music source OPM2GO is a project of Filipino music industry leader Ogie Alcasid, a friend of the President’s.