Hear Anne Curtis and Allan K wow taxpayers

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) pulled out all the stops for large taxpayers, even a singing Anne Curtis. The star belted what has become her signature song, “Alone” at the 2012 Tax Campaign Kick-Off for large taxpayers at the Elements in Eton Centris on February 28, 2012. 

Her audience were the largest taxpayers in the country who contribute 64% of all taxes paid in 2011. There were representatives from San Miguel Corp, SM malls, and GMA Network.

Curtis concentrated on singing. But in solidarity she told the corporate taxpayers, “I pay taxes.” 

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima joked, “I think it’s only in the Philippines where we have events like this for the large tax payers so I can probably say, ‘It’s more fun to pay taxes in the Philippines’.”

The finance chief was taking off from the social media-based tourism campaign slogan of the country, “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”

Allan K, the co-host of the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga, took the stage after Curtis. The commedian had the audience in fits of laughter and treated them to two songs.  

Though businessmen typically dominate the list of the country’s largest individual tax payers, big stars also take their place on the roster. For example, Sharon Cuneta Pangilinan, Piolo Pascual and Marian Rivera Garcia were among the top 100 individual tax payers in 2009.

At the event, Secretary Purisima stressed that everyone should see paying taxes as a part of nation building.

The BIR slightly missed its collection targets in 2011 by 1.69%. – Rappler.com