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The President Communications Office says the English pop group performed at the President’s private birthday party organized by his friends
According to statements released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Friday, September 13, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. spent his 67th birthday gifting the public with government fund releases, including payment of over P300 million in bills of patients in Level 3 public hospitals across the country.
On the surface, the PCO press statement sent to media past 1 pm on Saturday, September 14, seemed like just a wrap of the President’s birthday activities the day before.
“The President spent his birthday as just another busy day in the office, with the same dedication to his job that has marked his presidency,” the PCO said at the beginning of the release that oddly had no title or header.
The PCO, however, saved — quite literally — the best for last.
After reporting that Marcos “opened the gates of Malacañang, where food booths awaited people from all walks of life who came from near and far to greet him a happy birthday” and that he “celebrated his birthday with his signature compassion for the needy and the sick, and his deep appreciation for the farmers who feed the nation,” the PCO revealed that Marcos received himself got a surprise from his friends at the end of his natal day.
“After a tiring day filled with official engagements, he attended a party thrown by his old friends at a hotel in Pasay, and to his surprise and appreciation, music was provided by Duran Duran,” PCO said.
No other details were provided about the performance of the English pop rock band who rose to fame in the 1980s and is, apparently, one of the President’s favorites bands.
What could have prompted the revelation? Hours before the PCO released the information, blogger Sass Sasot posted a photo of what looked like the Duran Duran performance, along with the following caption:
“Duran Duran I know that it is included in your contract to keep this private concert VERY PRIVATE. But we have GMA News and Rappler to confirm that you were flown to have a private concert for the birthday of Philippine President Bongbong Marcos. Please fact check Vera Files. So difficult to get pics and videos…very demure, very cutesy, very exclusive.”
When asked about the press release, PCO confirmed on Saturday that it was indeed in “reaction to vlogger Sass Sassot’ Facebook post that President Marcos reportedly had a private party to celebrate his birthday at the Manila Marriot Hotel and flew in Duran Duran to perform for him.”
The President is a music lover, after all. In January, he even took a chopper ride to the Philippine Arena for the “unmissable” Coldplay concert. – Mia M. Gonzalez, with reports from Bea Cupin/ Rappler.com
