Noy croons love songs at Kris' birthday party

MANILA, Philippines -  President Aquino is also a crooner. This he proved when he sang two of his favorite love songs – “Fallin” and “Somewhere Down the Road” – as his gift to his youngest sister Kris Aquino during her advance birthday celebration Saturday night at her condominium unit in Makati City. She celebrates her 40th birthday today.

Without too much prodding from Kris, who was also emceeing her own party, P-Noy received the microphone from her and sang “Fallin,” a song from the musical “They’re Playing Our Song,” with the accompaniment of a keyboard player. The President, looking fit, stress-free and youthful that night, even closed his eyes sometimes in front of the crowd, seemingly feeling the lyrics of the song, especially when he sang the part “Catch me I’m falling, falling fast again. Why do I always take a fall, when I fall in love?”

P-Noy, before going to the front to sing, invited Regal Films matriarch Lily Monteverde to duet with him. “This is our chance to sing together,” P-Noy told the producer in his jovial mood. Monteverde just joined him but she refused to open her mouth to sing. Later on, she sat down and gave the whole floor to the President.

Aquino, who arrived at the party alone, received thunderous applause after singing his first song from the more than 50 close friends and family of Kris that included sisters Ballsy Cruz, Pinky Abellada and Viel Dee and their respective families. The Aquino sisters were all wearing red. P-Noy was wearing a pale red stretched cotton shirt by designer JC Buendia who was also present at the party.

Then came the Aquino sisters’ turn to sing. Knowing how shy Kris’ sisters could be, it took a while before they got all completed in front to sing “Through the Years.” Before they sang, Kris asked the sound technician: “Pakihinaan naman ang volume baka magising ang mga kapitbahay (Please lower the volume because we might disturb our neighbors)!” Of course, Kris said it in jest. She seemed to have no neighbors on that floor, because, when the elevator from the ground floor opened, it already led to the door of her newly purchased condominium unit on the 12th floor.

The Aquino sisters took part in singing “Through the Years,” with Kris passing on to her sisters her iPad where they read the lyrics of the song. It was a heartfelt rendition. The throttle in their voices registered their nervousness yet that moment also proved how close they were. The crowd remained silent as they sang, touched by the display of love by the sisters to each other.