Vice Ganda’s songs for Napoles

Comedian-host finds his groove back in the backdrop of corruption scandal

MANILA, Philippines – Comedian Vice Ganda dedicated a segment of his late Sunday evening show “Gandang Gabi, Vice,” to the country’s most notorious detainee today – Janet Lim Napoles, who is accused of masterminding a multibillion pork barrel scam that involves a list of willing lawmakers.

The comedian turned serious for a few minutes to say his piece on the issue.

“Sa lahat ng involved dito, ang kakapal ng mukha ninyo,” he said on national TV.

A political-science graduate, Vice Ganda (real name, Jose Marie Viceral) isn’t one to shy away from political asides.

His “senador agad” quip, during the election campaign early this year, directly cast doubts on the credentials of then senatorial candidate Nancy Binay, who nevertheless showed strongly in the polls.

But Vice Ganda’s gregariousness had also put himself on the spot, or in the harsh limelight where he used to thrive.

The comedian-host had been somewhat keeping a low profile since the rape joke episode, until now.

His spiel on TV Sunday night, September 1, was followed by a short skit with a parodic impersonation of President Aquino.

Vice Ganda first sang “Price Tag” by Jessie J. The PNoy lookalike sang Rivermaya’s “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita” by way of twitting the President’s efforts to locate Napoles.

Vice Ganda ended the skit with the song “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz – referencing Napoles’ surrender – while being handcuffed by PNoy’s lookalike.

The lyrics of “Price Tag” goes:

Seems like everybody’s got a price,
I wonder how they sleep at night
When the sale comes first,
And the truth comes second,
Just stop, for a minute and
Smile!
Why is everybody so serious?!
Acting so damn mysterious,
You got your shades on your eyes.
And your heels so high
That you can’t even have a good time.

Everybody look to their left! (yeah!)
Everybody look to their right! (ha!)
Can you feel that? (yeah!)
We’ll pay them with love tonight…

It’s not about the money, money, money,
We don’t need your money, money, money.
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the price tag.
Ain’t about the (ha!) cha-ching cha-ching.
Ain’t about the (yeah!) ba-bling ba-bling,
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the price tag.– Rappler.com

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