Salvador Panelo, the former senior presidential legal counsel, said on Friday that he sings Sharon Cuneta’s “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas” in honor of his late son and to pay homage to Willy Cruz, the megastar and writer of the song.
Panelo apologized to Cuneta for being upset by his usage of the music during the campaign rally of vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio in Quezon City, according to a statement.
“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,” Panelo, a senatorial candidate, said.
Salvador Carlo Panelo III, Panelo’s son, died of heart issues in 2017. He was 27 years old at the time.
“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 claimed he contacted Viva Records, the song’s copyright owner, and the company confirmed he has the authorization to perform the song.
Cuneta criticized Panelo for singing “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas” at a campaign event on Thursday, saying the senatorial candidate should not taint a great song.
Panelo says Sharon Cuneta song for his late son
“WHY?!!!Tell me WHY?!!!I gotta fight for my song’s rights as well as Willy Cruz’s who wrote it! Cannot be,” said Sharon Cuneta.
“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, on the other hand, stated that she would continue to perform Sharon 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),” Panelo, who also pledged to advocate for legislative changes that would benefit children with special needs, said.
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