Regine opens Viva concert series at Skydome

It’s definite: Ogie Alcasid will be one of the groomsmen at the wedding of his ex-wife Michelle van Eimeren to her Australian fiancé Mark Morrow sometime in November later this year. The ex-couple’s daughter Leila and Sarah will surely be the flower girls. Yes, Ogie’s beloved Regine Velasquez is also attending the wedding where she will sing a song (not sure yet what) during the ceremony which is expected to be emotional. Michelle, who has two daughters by Ogie, Leila and Sarah, is a cry baby.

But before that wedding in Australia, what Regine (who is mum on when and where she and Ogie will have their own) is preparing for is the opening of the Viva Concerts & Events series with Most Requested as the kick-off show, a two-night event slated at the Skydome in SM North EDSA for Aug. 1 and 8.

The series marks Regine’s return to the Viva fold. Vic del Rosario, chief executive officer of Viva Communications, Inc., is elated over the fact that Regine is headlining a Viva event.

“Regine is a Viva star,” Boss Vic told Funfare. “She started her recording career with us right after she won Hamon sa Kampeon in the ’80s. It was also at Viva where she made her successful movies. We are very happy that she is getting the series off to a big start.”

It must be recalled that Regine starred in such Viva blockbusters as Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw, Wanted Perfect Mother and Hanggang Ngayon. She hosted the talent search Star For A Night for Viva TV; and also had hits like On The Wings Of Love, I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing, Ikaw, You Are My Song and many others for Viva Records. These hits and her recent recordings will make up her repertoire for the Skydome shows, drawn up based on the requests she constantly receives from fans during her live performances.

The show will also feature upcoming artist Eva Cariño who was discovered by Regine a few months ago. The two were constant rivals when they were kids trying to make it via amateur contests.

“At that time,” Regine was quoted as saying, “I won over Eva only once.” Which means that the Skydome audience will witness a “rematch” between the two birit queens.

The Skydome at SM North EDSA is the newest happening place for concerts in Metro Manila. Most Requested will be followed by Back2Back featuring True Faith and South Border on July 31 and Aug. 7 along with Basil Valdez, Joey Albert, the ‘70s Superband, Rachelle Ann Go, Jed Madela and others.

(Note: Tickets to Most Requested are available at all SM Ticketnet outlets, priced at P2,625 for gold seats and P1,260 for silver. Call 911-5555 or VCEI at 687-6181 locals 627 and 620 for inquiries.)

Sharon keeps her promise to Juday

As she promised Judy Ann “Juday” Santos, Sharon Cuneta finally shot her guest appearance in Regal Films’ Oh, My Girl! (OMG), Juday’s romance-comedy starrer with Ogie Alcasid. Sharon motored all the way to Taal, Batangas, last Wednesday for the shoot.

“This movie is a dream come true,” said Regal Matriarch Mother Lily. “Imagine having Juday and Ogie together, plus Sharon.”

OMG is the story of a young superstar (Juday) desperate to find her true identity and her great love. In an effort to win back Juday’s affection, Ogie has to disguise himself as a woman like Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire.

Another “dream come true” for Mother Lily is Mano Po 6: My Mother in which Sharon debuts as a “Regal Baby” in the title role. The movie is intended for the Metro Filmfest in December.

During the press visit to the set, Sharon briefly talked about the rumor that her daughter KC Concepcion also has a “video” taken at the Belo Medical Group clinic, something which BMG has already denied in an official statement; and that she was shelling out P10 million to stop the “video” from being circulated.

Sharon had a good laugh over that.

“‘Yung P10 million kung totoo,” she said, “gagamitin ko munang panggastos para makulong kung sino man ang may kagagawan n’un.”

Gary holds two-hour SRO show in Beijing

I just got a letter from Noel M. Novicio, Second Secretary and Consul of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Beijing, People’s Republic of China, about Gary Valenciano’s two-hour SRO concert in Beijing last June 28 as part of the celebration of the 34th anniversary of the RP-China diplomatic relations established on June 9, 1975.

Love and friendship are two bridges that bond the relations between the Philippines and China.

With that as theme, Philippine pop icon Gary Valenciano regaled the packed crowd in a two-hour long concert aptly called Rhythms of Love and Friendship at the Star Live Music Hall.

The event was organized by the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, in coordination with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the Filipino Home Group of the Beijing International Christian Fellowship, and the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA).

“Gary Valenciano is one of our pop icons, a UNICEF Ambassador of goodwill and a role model for our youth. It is heartening that he showcased his immense talent before our kababayans and Chinese friends at a time when people-to-people relations between our two countries are at all-time high,” Philippine Ambassador to China Sonia Cataumber Brady said.

Gary V. opened his musical numbers with Lean on Me, originally written and performed by Bill Withers on the 1972 album Still Bill, which speaks of the true meaning of friendship. He then delighted the crowd with his smash hits I Will Be Here, Love in Any Language, Warrior is a Child and Shout for Joy. OFWs in the crowd were in tears when he belted out Babalik Ka Rin, widely-acknowledged as the theme song of OFWs all over the world, as they yearn to return to the loving arms of their motherland. He also performed a medley, featuring some of his greatest hits like Hang On, Di Na Natuto, Narito, Paano, Until Then and Reaching Out. Known as the Michael Jackson of the Philippines, Gary V. obliged for an encore, giving a soulful rendition of Michael Jackson’s Rock with You as a tribute to his idol.

The concert was attended by more than 1,000 people, including Chinese government officials and members of the diplomatic corps and the Filipino community. Ms. Zhang Ai, a national performer of the Beijing Dance Drama and Opera, Filipino duo Chris Decena and Dominic Bautista, and Annie Luis, a Bayanihan soprano soloist who is studying Peking opera at the National Academy for Chinese Theater Arts, also performed during the concert.

“Let the rhythms of love pass the good wishes for peace,” said CPAFFC President Chen Haosu in describing the concert. “Let the communication of hearts bridge the friendship between the Philippines and China.”

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