Alden Richards to grace Cebuana singer’s concert

CEBU, Philippines - Who is that girl grinning beneath a black hoodie in concert promo posters are all over the city who has managed to snag sought-after heartthrobs Alden Richards and Daniel Matsunaga as her guest performers?

Cebuana singer Stephanie Mananquil might not be a household name yet, but here she is about to stage her first major concert at a huge venue with no less than the hottest male star of the moment and then some.

This Sunday, August 28, 7 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, 20-year-old Stephanie will topbill her biggest show yet dubbed “Stephanie Center Stage” after launching her self-titled debut album November of last year also held at Waterfront but in a smaller ballroom.

Aside from Kapuso heartthrob Alden and Kapamilya hunk Daniel, other guest performers include Manolo Pedrosa, Cebuana divas Dulce and Anna Fegi, with The Power Trio, Medyo Maldito, Von Saw, ML Madrigas Dancers and Kwin and Kim Artists.

In a press conference to promote the event, the concert’s musical director Adam Brown said he told Stephanie to choose songs for her repertoire that will best describe her journey.

“This is a vocally demanding concert for her,” says Adam, the husband of Anna Fegi and founder of Brown Academy of Music where Stephanie has been undergoing vocal lessons. “She’s gonna tell her life story through the songs she chose. She put together a fun program that I think you’ll enjoy.”

Another one of Stephanie’s mentors, former Jukebox Diva and the now Cebu-based Selina Sevilla, was present at the press conference in support of her ward, who she describes as brimming with musical talent.

As an aesthetician of Calayan Medical Group’s branch at Oakridge Business Park in Mandaue City, Selina did a beauty program on Stephanie to help her prepare for her grand night.

But apart from taking care of her physical upkeep, Stephanie says Selina also makes sure dish out advice when it comes to choosing priorities.

“If you’re really aiming for a successful career, listen to your mom first. Look at Sarah Geronimo,” Selina reminds Stephanie.

“Be smart about your love life because as young and blooming as you are, you will have many admirers. But what you have to realize is that not everyone who tells you ‘I love you’ really loves you. You can’t serve two masters at the same time. So career first; love life will always come later.”

Stephanie’s debut album is made up of five original compositions (“Kung Di Mo Na Mahal,” “Sa Tulad Mo,” “Sa Isang Yakap Mo,” “Teka Muna” and “Kulang Man Sa Lambing” which is a duet with “Your Face Sounds Familiar” runner-up Michael Pangilinan) written by multi-awarded composer Vehnee Saturno, plus an English piece (“These Empty Words”) composed by Stephanie and arranged by Homer Cang.

Stephanie, who considers Beyonce and Sarah Geronimo among her music heroes, is also a part of The Power Trio, a sing-and-dance girl group made up of her sister May Ann and Sam Booc.

Ticket prices for “Stephanie Center Stage” are at P1,300 (VIP), P800 (Gold), P500 (Silver) and P300 (Bronze).

Presented by M Talent Events & Promotions and MLhuillier, the concert is for the benefit of the Philippine Councilors League and Bulacao Senior Citizens Association. –VAB