Senatorial candidate Salvador Panelo said he would release his cover of the 80s love song "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas" that was popularized by Sharon Cuneta to raise awareness for children with special needs.
Cuneta, whose husband Kiko Pangilinan is running for vice president under a ticket that rivals that of Panelo, has expressed displeasure over the former Palace mouthpiece singing one of her hit songs while campaigning for the May 9 elections.
"Last night, we recorded “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas” with Viva Records. The recording will be out soon. As many have now realized, the song perfectly captures the unconditional love of parents for their children, especially those with special needs/ disabilities (CWDs)," Panelo said on Facebook.
A song about undying love, "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas", like many of Cuneta's hits, was adapted into a movie, with the music and film both produced by Viva.
Panelo asked families of children with disabilities to share their photos for his music video.
Panelo's son, Salvador Carlo Panelo III, had Down syndrome and died in 2017 due to heart complications. He was 27. He sang "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas" in vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte's campaign rally in Quezon City in the younger Panelo's honor.
Cuneta said she feels honored every time the song gets covered, however, "iba ang dating sa akin nung inawit ng politiko na hindi namin kapartido," she said.
She later apologized, saying she did not know Panelo's late son had Down's syndrome and promised to check herself when she's feeling "highly emotional."
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