Michael Bublé dedicates heartfelt song to mourning Philippines
The Canadian crooner learns about the ‘Fallen 44’ through Kris Aquino
"And in the end when life has got you down / You've got someone here that you can wrap your arms around.”
With these lines, multiple Grammy-winning singer Michael Bublé expressed through music his solidarity with Filipinos, to whom he attributes his success over the years.
Lifting spirits
Michael concluded a soldout concert at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday, January 31, as the country mourned for the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos killed during a clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Confessing he’s not into politics nor religion, the 39-year-old crooner toned his playful self down and finished “Hold On,” a song he personally composed a few years back.
Michael granted host Kris Aquino his first guesting upon arriving in the Philippines on Friday, January 30, via ABS-CBN’s “Aquino & Abunda Tonight.” There the presidential sister told him the sad news and said Michael’s music could “lift a lot of spirits” during a “very sad time for our country.”
Tribute to ‘discoverer’
Michael recalled how, at age 25, he got an important call from South African agent Dion Singer, who was curious over the Canadian crooner’s popularity in the Philippines.
“You guys were the ones who made me,” he told a cheering crowd whom he likened to “tastemakers."
He continued, “I practice being thankful for you. Because without you, my life would have been completely different. What you did changed my family’s life.”
He then said the Philippines could claim his famous song “Home” its own as his sign of gratitude for the country that opened big doors for him.
Making fun of Sarah Geronimo
Michael continued to charm fans when he made another Pinoy reference—introducing his audience to a 1946 song titled “You Make Me Feel So Young” by a certain Sarah Geronimo. But of course, the song was written by Josef Myrow and not the Philippines’ Popstar Princess.
Incidentally, Sarah was in the crowd with boyfriend Matteo Guidicelli.
Thousands from the audience fell more in love with the singer as he blurted occasional Tagalog words during the concert.
25 songs after 10-year absence
Michael made sure his 2-hour concert gave the audience more than their money’s worth as he completed 25 songs with some help from the Team Bublé band and front act Naturally 7. He fulfilled his promise that his concert in the Philippines, 10 years after his last, would be the best his fans would ever see.
Among the most-applauded ones were Fever, Haven’t Met You Yet, Everything, To Love Somebody and All You Need Is Love.
The Canadian crooner tours South Korea next for his ongoing world tour.
