Repeat concerts prove Kuh’s still a diva to beat

Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma is set to travel down memory lane again when she headlines the repeat of her very successful Valentine concert, billed “The Music of the Heart, The Magic of Love” on March 7, 8 p.m. at the Solaire Ballroom.

The concert will feature Kuh with her Music & Magic bandmates, including originals Jet Montelibano, Fe Delos Reyes, Eva Caparas, Toto Gentica, Hector Pedero, Butch Elizalde and Nonoy Mendoza and second-generation members Bobby Taylo, Vicky Sevilla-Pangilinan and Jeannette Casuga-Trevias.

The group performed their first concert in October last year, and then reunited at the Music Museum for a Valentine’s Day show recently. Despite stiff competition from other Valentine shows around the metro, the concert did impressively well, with Kuh and her former bandmates bringing the house down with their show-stopping performances, simple but classy choreography and fabulous outfits.

Kuh also proved why she’s still a diva after more than 30 years in the music business. She sang even contemporary pop hits flawlessly, leaving her audience open-mouthed with amazement. She sang current radio favorites like John Legend’s “All of Me” which prompted the following comment from a fan: “It was such an amazing feeling hearing her sing it her way. Her very soulful and honest rendition gave us goosebumps all over. Kuh outdid herself in this number!”

During the Solaire show, Kuh and the Music & Magic were joined by classical singer Jack Salud, who brought a different touch to the evening’s musical offerings. A singer and visual artist, Jack is an Aliw Award nominee for Best Male Classical Performer 2014. He studied classical singing under UP Professor Emmanuel. He also underwent vocal training under New York-based international opera soprano Evelyn Mandac. Jack then turned to the stage, where he built up an impressive résumé of performances in productions of “Little Women,” “Taming of the Shrew,” “Man of La Mancha,” “I Love My Wife,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “Zorba” with Repertory Philippines.

But even in a pop setting, Jack’s classically-trained voice stood out as he shared the stage with Kuh. Together, they performed duets of “The Prayer,” “Ikaw” and “Endless Love.” He also had his own singular moment in the show, when he performed the operatic song, “Nessum Dorma” from the opera “Turandot” and originally performed by the late operatic great Luciano Pavarotti.

And because it was so successful, the concert will have a third repeat this March, to be held on March 7 at the Grand Ballroom of the Solaire Resort and Casino, again with Kuh, her Music & Magic bandmates and Jack Salud.

For ticket inquires and other details, call 531-0688 or 0917-813-9065 or 62.

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The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) marks its 30th year and to kick off its anniversary, MTRCB formally launched its new infomercial last February 23 at the MTRCB Building in Timog Avenue, Quezon City.

Directed by renowned film and TV director Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes, Jr. and conceptualized by Mr. Erlito “Lilit” Reyes, the infomercial features actors-spouses Ryan and Judy Ann Agoncillo in a typical morning situation at home. In said scene, their depicted child picks up a word from a TV feature and asks the elders in the house what it means.

The infomercial aims to challenge parents and responsible adults to be aware of the media content our children are exposed to, and to be mindful of MTRCB’s classification ratings. Parents are also reminded that the primary duty in guiding their children regarding media content still rests on them.

Details of the infomercial were discussed by Direk Joey, Ryan and Juday, Lilit Reyes, MTRCB Board Members Bibeth Orteza and Manet Dayrit, the latter being the Co-Chairpersons of the Infomercial Committee.

The launch was culminated by the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the TV networks and theater operators to ensure showing of the infomercial and to continuously empower the general public towards discerning viewership and thus, among other objectives, inform parents of the media and entertainment their children may see.

For her part, Juday said it is an honor for her and Ryan to be chosen to be part of the infomercial. “We want to do our share as parents in being role models to help educate our children. It is not easy to be parents kasi kung hindi lalaking mabuti ang aming mga anak, ang mga magulang ang mabi-blame. Sa dami ng mga celebrity couples na pwede nilang kunin to be part of this project, we are honored na kami ang napili ng MTRCB,” said the award-winning actress.

Ryan said that he is no stranger to the problem faced by parents like him who hear his child pick up a word or two from the telenovelas they might be watching at home. “At times, you will really be surprised as to the kind of words picked up by our kids just by watching TV. As parents, we have a responsibility that media is properly introduced to children. Nasa atin kung paano sila matuturuan nang wasto sa mga salitang naririnig nila on TV,” said the “Eat Bulaga” host.

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The tandem of Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo tests the waters anew as their brand new movie “Crazy Beautiful You” opens today in theaters nationwide. The KathNiel tandem scored a hit in the movie “She’s Dating The Gangster” which was based on a popular Wattpad series. This time they are doing a film not based on a Wattpad story so they believe it’s a challenge although it’s something new to offer to their fans.

Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, “Crazy Beautiful You” also features award-winning actors Lorna Tolentino and Gabby Concepcion, with Iñigo Pascual in a supporting role.