“I want to talk to Boss Vic (del Rosario, Sarah’s manager) and your composers to write a song about climate change. If you can translate into a hit the hardships that Filipino farmers endure now because of the El Niño [phenomenon], then we will try to push for that song to reach an international audience,” Legarda told Geronimo last May 7.

Legarda, who was picked as United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction’s Asia Pacific Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in 2008, believes Geronimo’s talent can be harnessed to touch lives all over the world.

“Kung may Charice Pempengco na lumabas sa ‘Oprah,’ posible naman na merong Sarah Geronimo na mapapakinggan ng buong mundo dahil sa kanta niya tungkol sa kalikasan,” said Legarda, who promised to use the song while doing the rounds of other countries as UN envoy.

Since making it big in showbiz in 2002, Geronimo has recorded mostly love songs. Among her hits are “Forever’s Not Enough,” “How Could You Say You Love Me,” “Ikaw,” “Lumingon Ka Lang,” and “I’ll Be Alright.”

In OPM history, few environment-themed songs have become hits. Three of these were Asin’s “Masdan Mo (Ang Kapaligiran)” in the ‘70s, Geneva Cruz’s “Anak ng Pasig” in the ‘90s, and Smokey Mountain’s “Paraiso” also in the ‘90s.

“With her talent, and my experience [as environmentalist], it could work,” Legarda said.

Studies show that the Philippines is one of the 10 most vulnerable countries to the damages brought on by climate change.