Former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo
MANILA, Philippines — Former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said Friday that he sings Sharon Cuneta’s “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas” to honor his late son and to pay homage to the megastar and the composer of the song, Willy Cruz.
In a statement, Panelo said he is sorry that Cuneta was offended by his use of the song during the campaign activity of vice presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in Quezon City.
“I’m sorry she feels that way. It’s one of my favorite songs because it reminds me of the great lengths I took to care for my late son, Carlo, who had Down Syndrome. I honor him each time I sing the song,” the senatorial candidate said.
Panelo’s son, Salvador Carlo Panelo III, died of heart complications in 2017. He was 27.
“I also thought I was paying homage to the late Willy Cruz and of course, Ms. Sharon Cuneta, by singing it. I wasn’t profiting from it, and certainly not trying to get elected by singing it. I was just trying to entertain the people who took time out of their busy lives to see and listen to us. I don’t understand what’s so offensive about that,” Panelo added.
Panelo said he reached out to the copyright owner, Viva Records, and that the company confirmed he has permission to sing the song.
On Thursday, Cuneta slammed Panelo for singing “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas” in a campaign event, saying Panelo should not tarnish a classic song.
“WHY?!!!Tell me WHY?!!!I gotta fight for my song’s rights as well as Willy Cruz’s who wrote it! Cannot be,” said Cuneta.
Sharon Cuneta (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
“Di dapat sinisira ang isang classic. Basta TAYO ANG AT MAY ORIG! Oh please WE HAVE NOT ALLOWED YOU TO USE OUR SONG! Please stop. Nakakaawa naman ang kanta namin at nakakahiya,” she added.
(A classic should not be ruined. Just know that we are and we have the original! Oh please, WE HAVE NOT ALLOWED YOU TO USE OUR SONG! Please stop. I feel bad for our song, and it’s embarrassing.)
Panelo, however, said he will continue to sing Cuneta’s song.
“I will continue to sing it, and will now use it to raise awareness for the plight of children with special needs. As the song goes: ‘Kahit ilang awit ay aking aawatin, hanggang ang himig ko’y maging himig mo na rin (I will sing no matter how many songs it will be, until my melody becomes your own melody),” said Panelo, who also vowed to push for legislative actions to benefit children with special needs.