Imelda Papin determined to do her best as PCSO director
At A Glance
- Imelda debuted in the OPM scene in the late 1970s, but her hit song "Bakit?" catapulted her to fame. Then, another hit song led to another. The rest is history.
Asia's sentimental songstress Imelda Papin has firmly committed to President Bongbong Marcos Jr. to devote herself wholeheartedly to her new role as the director of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Imelda Papin's unwavering commitment to her new role was underscored as she took her oath of office as the new PCSO director in a ceremony at Malacanang on June 4.
Expressing her gratitude, Imelda shared, "It's truly humbling. Among the many applicants, I was selected by President Marcos Jr. I am deeply thankful for this opportunity to continue serving from the heart."
She reassured, "To all PCSO patrons, I promise that we will enhance our assistance and give back to you. We, the five directors at PCSO, are committed to channeling all our efforts to help the needy."
During an interview at the Thanksgiving event in Quezon City, Imelda mentioned that her music career will take a backseat as she fulfills her duty with the PCSO.
"Yung mga fans ko sa music hindi ko naman sila kakalimutan. Patuloy pa rin ako na magbibigay ng mga concert at papalaganapin ko ang block screening ng Imelda Papin: The Untold Story. First love ko ang pagkanta. Profession ko yun kaya hindi ko siya kakalimutan. Doon nila ako nakilala at nagkaroon ng pangalan so hinding-hindi ko sila kakalimutan.
(I will never forget my music fans. I will continue to give concerts and promote the block screening of 'Imelda Papin: The Untold Story.' Singing is my first love and my profession, so I will never forget it. I became popular because of them, so I will never forget them.)
"Pero ang priority ko sa ngayon ay pagsilbi sa kanila. Even before I entered politics, lalo na noong nagkaroon ako ng position as vice governor, kahit presiding officer lang ang aking role, talagang marami akong tinutulungan Marami akong napagtapos, nagbigay ako ng scholarships, pabahay sa sarili kong kayod, nagbibigay po talaga ako," she said.
(But my priority right now is to serve them. Even before I entered politics, especially when I had a position as vice governor, even though my role was only presiding officer, I really helped a lot. I gave scholarships and implemented a housing program with my own money. I truly helped them.)
Imelda mentioned that President Marcos reminded her to ensure that full assistance is provided to the needy.
"Sabi ni Presidente, ngayon na narito ka na, tulong-tulong na lang kayo sa PCSO. Sabi ko naman, 'opo.' And we will see to it napapalaganapin namin ang kagustuhan ni Presidente na maibaba ang tulong para sa nangangailangan.
(The President said, now that you are here, help the PCSO. I said, 'Yes.' And we will see to it that we spread the President's desire to aid the needy.)
"I told Mr. President that we will be working hard. May proposal ako na sana isang linggo na ang serbisyo. Even Saturdays and Sundays, tutulong kami. Hindi kami hihinto sa pagtulong sa mga tao. After all, sila naman ang nagluklok sa amin dito. So ibabalik natin yan sa kanila at iikot kami sa buong Pilipinas para ipaalam sa kanila na tutulong din ang government through PCSO.
(I told Mr. President that we will be working hard. I have a proposal that the service should be for one week. Even on Saturdays and Sundays, we will help. We will not stop helping the people. After all, they are the ones who installed us, so we will return that to them, and we will go around the Philippines to let them know that the government will also help through PCSO.)
When asked if she would work for a short period of time, similar to her hit song "Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig," Imelda said: "Hindi po. Hindi lang po isang linggo ito. Maraming pag-ibig po ito. Serbisyo lang po. Sa serbisyo, may pag-ibig po talaga." (No. It's not just a week. It's a lot of love. It's full service. In service, there's really love.)
Maffi Papin Carrion, Imelda's daughter, said she would fully support her mom as PCSO director.
"I am happy for my mother because she will continue to help the needy through the PCSO. She has a soft spot for the poor," she said.
Maffi also said it was an honor to collaborate with her mom on the song "Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig" on Wish 107.5 Bus recently.
"I enjoyed it. You know, when I was a kid, I watched her concerts. Sometimes umiiyak ako kapag hindi niya ako sinasama sa stage. I enjoy listening to her songs," she added.
Imelda debuted in the OPM scene in the late 1970s, but her hit song "Bakit?" catapulted her to fame. Then, another hit song led to another. The rest is history.