POP CONCERT: Thank God, President Noynoy Aquino finally stood up to deliver his upbeat inaugural speech yesterday and saved the formal Luneta program from deteriorating into a pop concert at high noon.

A number of friends who had tuned in late to catch the program on TV said they thought they strayed into a noontime entertainment show, what with all that guitar-strumming and celebrity singers exhorting the crowd to swing along.

It was smart of one of the emcees to adlib and explain (more to the foreign guests enduring it all in their seats?) that they were witnessing a “people’s” inaugural.

Then came Noynoy washing away the bad taste left by the showbizzy frills with his speech that was simple, straight from/to the heart and throbbing with promise of change.

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SIGNAL FOR CHANGE: The opening lines connected the newly minted president to the multitude at the park, as well as Filipinos at home and in their work places abroad waiting for a clear signal that change is at hand.

“My presence here today is proof that you are my true strength,” he began in Tagalog. “I never expected that I will be here taking my oath of office before you, as your president.”

He anchored his presentation on the memory of his illustrious parents: “I had a simple goal in life: to be true to my parents and our country as an honorable son, a caring brother, and a good citizen.

“My father offered his life so our democracy could live. My mother devoted her life to nurturing that democracy.”

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THE BOSS: Noynoy wrapped up his speech by going back to the people:

“The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become a reality. To those among you who are still undecided about sharing the common burden I have only one question: Are you going to quit now that we have won?

“You are the boss, so I cannot ignore your orders. We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to your needs and aspirations.

“I will not be able to face my parents and you who have brought me here if do not fulfill the promises I made. My parents sought nothing less, died for nothing less, than democracy and peace. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward.”

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PARENTS’ SAGA: To this observer, Noynoy’s harking back to the inspiring saga of his parents Ninoy and Cory is a high indicator of his resolve not to stain the family name and to realize his parents’ dreams for the Filipino.

I assign true value to his ringing words: “I will dedicate my life to making our democracy reach its fullest potential — that of ensuring equality for all. My family has sacrificed much and I am willing to do this again if necessary.

“Although I was born to famous parents, I know and feel the problems of ordinary citizens. We all know what it is like to have a government that plays deaf and dumb. We know what it is like to be denied justice, to be ignored by those in whom we placed our trust and tasked to become our advocates.”

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MARCHING ORDERS: Admittedly, most of what Noynoy delivered in his speech — better appreciated in the original Tagalog than in the bland English translation – were plans and promises.

Naturally. He is just on Day One looking forward to six years down the road. He may have sounded like a candidate still soliciting votes, but he is actually an elected leader appealing for the people to rally around his program of change.

We have to trust him when he said: “Today marks the end of a regime indifferent to the appeals of the people… This is the beginning of my burden, but if many of us will bear the cross we will lift it, no matter how heavy it is.

“We are here to serve and not to lord it over you. The mandate given to me was one of change. I accept your marching orders to transform our government from one that is self-serving to one that works for the welfare of the nation.”

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COVENANT: Regarding the basis on his governance, he said: “This mandate is the social contract that we agreed upon. It is the promise I made during the campaign, which you accepted on Election Day.

“During the campaign we said, ‘If no one is corrupt, no one will be poor.’ That is no mere slogan for posters — it is the defining principle that will serve as the foundation of our administration.

“Our foremost duty is to lift the nation from poverty through honest and effective governance.”

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SET EXAMPLE: He emphasized: “The first step is to have leaders who are ethical, honest, and true public servants. I will set the example. I will strive to be a good model… I will ensure that this, too, will be the advocacy of my Cabinet and those who will join our government.

“Not all of those who serve in government are corrupt. Majority of them are honest… Starting today, they will have the opportunity to show that they have what it takes. I am counting on them to help fight corruption within the bureaucracy.”

But he warned those who had been placed illegally: “We will begin earning back the trust of our people by reviewing midnight appointments. Let this serve as a warning to those who intend to continue the crooked ways that have become the norm for too long.”