Kapuso singer Jessica Villarubin drew mixed reactions after belting the high note while singing Gary Valenciano’s Lead Me Lord to honor late veteran broadcaster Mike Enriquez at his wake.
The death of the GMA News pillar was announced last Tuesday, Aug. 29. He was 71 years old.
GMA Public Affairs posted a video of the performance on Saturday, Sept. 2 on X (formerly Twitter) showing Julie Anne San Jose, Rita Daniela, Thea Astley, Mariane Osabel, Hannah Precillas, and Jessica Villarubin performing as a group to the evangelical song as a special tribute to Mike.
In the clip, the singers stood side-by-side while Jessica on the far right can be heard belting most of the high notes while the others harmonized with her in singing the final chorus of the song.
Some netizens took notice of Jessica’s manner of singing, saying it was “over the top” compared to others.
“Tone down lang dapat kasi sa wake, bakit bumibirit? ?,” an X user questioned.
“Mali po ata yung pinuntahan nung isa, di po ata siya nainform na burol ? baka akala niya grand finals,” said another.
“She should have toned it down. Lamay to ateh,” Content creator Rod Magaru wrote in a quote-retweet.
Some pointed out that actress-singers Julie Anne and Rita “exchanged looks” as Jessica was belting her notes.
Meanwhile, some defended Jessica, reminding netizens that despite their criticisms of the performance, it was still a tribute dedicated to the well-loved news anchor.
“Relax guys, pinag usapan nila yan, ni rehearsed. Malamang very happy si Sir Mike sa ginawa nila. It doesn’t matter how ugly or how good, importante what is Sir Mike’s deserve. It is for Sir Mike not for us let him listen & enjoy,” a user said.
Jessica Villarubin rose to fame after winning the third season of GMA Network’s singing competition The Clash where she was dubbed the “Power Cebuana Diva”. She is part of the Queendom, an all-female group of singers performing on the Kapuso variety program All-Out Sundays.
