Ogie Alcasid had a very successful, jam-packed concert at the Araneta Coliseum held Saturday night, with the crowd going home with smiles on their faces what with the very entertaining night full of ballads and fast tunes.
The ballads made the crowd sentimental as they sang with Ogie, while the fast songs had the audience up on their feet, dancing the night away. After the overture done by Philharmonika (conducted by Gerard Salonga), Ogie opened the concert with “Sumayaw Sumunod,” telling the crowd that they were there to enjoy and celebrate 20 years of memorable music with him.
“Ang daming tao. I didn’t know all of you love me. Kumita ako ngayon,” the singer told the appreciative crowd.
We were entertained by all the numbers, although we particularly liked the O-J number that he and Janno Gibbs did, in which they traced their friendship that started 20 years ago. It was peppered by laughter as Ogie and Janno shared some secrets much to the delight of the crowd.
Of course, in the audience were Ogie’s estranged wife Michelle Van Eimeren and their kids Leila and Sarah. Also watching was Mark Murrow, the boyfriend of Michelle. The singer dedicated the song “I Will Be Here” to her two kids. While he was singing, the camera was focused on Michelle who couldn’t hold back the tears.
Among Ogie’s numerous guests, it was Piolo Pascual who rocked the Big Dome when he came onstage. He got the loudest cheers and shrieks from the crowd. He and Ogie did the song “Ikaw Ang Aking Pangarap,” which the singer wrote as the theme song of “Lobo.” He said he reluctantly parted with the song because he liked it so much. Since he was paid for it, he had to give it to ABS-CBN to be used as the theme of the TV series that Piolo did with Angel Locsin.
Surprisingly, Marian Rivera didn’t elicit any reaction from the Big Dome crowd. Even if she was introduced by Ogie after the dance number that she did, there was hardly a reaction from the audience.
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Gabby Concepcion, who is still in mourning over the demise of his father Rolly Concepcion (who was laid to his final resting place at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina last Sunday), scored one over erstwhile manager Rose Flaminiano with regards to the case filed against him by his former manager.
The court denied the writ for temporary restraining order that Mommy Rose requested the court in view of the case she filed against Gabby. As such, Gabby is now free to accept offers without having to course them through his former manager. But this is only good for 20 days. He still has to face the damage suit to the tune of P22 million
Meanwhile, Mommy Rose received news from the mother of Gabby who prayed that Mommy Rose and his son would be able to thresh out their differences. The controversial talent manager had chosen to keep quiet for now in deference to the tragedy that has befallen the actor and his family.
Rina, the sister of Gabby who was seen on TV crying, said that she hopes that all the bad press that had been directed at his brother would stop.
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Dennis Trillo admitted that he was left starstruck by young superstar Judy Ann Santos. Just the thought of working with her again thrilled him no end, just like when he did his very first movie “Aishite Imasu” with Judy Ann—the film that won for him breakthrough performance awards.
“Juday has always been the picture of excellence in the profession and in her personal life for me,” said Dennis. “In her own way, she has inspired me to do better in my craft especially in the films that we did together. When you are with an award winning actress, of course, you are pressured to be at your best, too. So I really enjoyed being with her for the second time in ‘Mag-ingat Ka Sa…Kulam’ where she played my partner in the movie.”
In an earlier presscon, Judy Ann revealed that even if Dennis is known to be such a silent person, their bonding was centered mainly on their kids. “Yes, Juday would always tell me to spend quality time with Calix because kids now grow up so fast. You very well know that Calix is my center of inspiration now. It was really such a joy to have attended to his birthday party recently,” Dennis divulged.
“Mag-ingat Ka Sa Kulam,” although a real honest-to-goodness horror movie, was done with a lot of love. Love for the craft and love of doing good movies. Dennis has been blessed with very good Regal projects like “Blue Moon,” “Pamahiin,” “Txt,” and “Shake, Rattle and Roll 9.”
And as Regal celebrates its 48th anniversary in movie production and distribution, Dennis looks forward to more and better projects that would hone him both as a person and as an actor.
Aside from Judy Ann Santos and Dennis Trillo, “Mag-ingat Ka Sa…Kulam” stars TJ Trinidad, Mart Escudero, Kris Bernal and Sharlene San Pedro. Written and directed by Jun Lana, the film will usher in the Halloween month and opens today in theaters nationwide. For latest updates and downloads on Kulam, please visit: www.regalmultimedia.net/kulam.