AFP taps Sarah Geronimo as ambassadress

MANILA, Philippines - The military has tapped singer Sarah Geronimo as ambassadress of its security plan Bayanihan to lure the public especially the youth to help in the government’s peace and development efforts.

Geronimo sang the security plan’s theme song, the music video of which was launched on Wednesday at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

“Sarah Geronimo is tapped as the Bayanihan ambassadress because she is a perfect role model for the youth. She has remained humble despite her lofty status,” Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc said.

“She is well-respected in the industry and has the great potential to lure people to be involved in solving community problems,” she added.

Lesley Cordero, undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, said Geronimo waived her P10 million talent fee for the music video. 

“She waived her talent fee and there were no questions asked. She said this will serve as the contribution of the entertainment industry in promoting peace,” Cordero said.

Geronimo, however, was absent during the music video launch reportedly due to a prior commitment.

The launch was attended by Cordero, Cabunoc, Movie Television and Radio Classification Board member Leah Navarro, Optical Media Bureau chairman Ronald “Ronnie” Rickets and Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr.

Navarro said they are coordinating with theater owners and private media companies so that the video could be given free airtime.

“The (tapping) of Ms. Geronimo is important since she has many followers and she has a good reputation,” she said.

Cordero said the video would be uploaded to Youtube soon so that Internet users can be aware of its message. She hopes the video would become viral in social networking sites.

The Bayanihan theme song was composed by Ltjg. Lady Chatterly Alvaro-Sumbeling and stresses the need for unity and peace to achieve development.

The video showed images of soldiers teaching school children, conducting relief operations and joining local festivities. It also showed people from different sectors carrying a nipa hut, the most popular image of Bayanihan.

The video was created by the collaboration of different state agencies and Viva Entertainment, Inc.

Sources said the Army is eyeing to commission Geronimo as a reserve officer but is waiting for her to get a college degree.

Security plan Bayanihan, which took effect in January 2011, aims to end rebellion by addressing its roots like poverty and access to basic services. The defense plan also stresses the need for various sectors to participate in peace and development programs.

The military claims Bayanihan is succeeding in curbing insurgency even if armed groups have managed to launch deadly attacks during its implementation.