The audience roared when Martin hit the first notes of Be My Lady, his first colossal hit (the song was composed by Vehnee Saturno). But before he could reach the chorus of the song, his precious mic was cut from eternity. In his sleeveless red shirt and resplendent black leather pants, drops of sweat caressed his vulnerable face as he stood like a wounded gladiator in his tiny, wooden chariot. For seconds, a lesser mortal would have been devoured by the earth and thrown into the fires of eternal humiliation. But not Martin, the Champion Gladiator. The boy-warrior, who in his most precarious moment stood tall and strong as the spectators at the coliseum started to sing Be My Lady. By so doing, the concert king became the victor with his pathetic mic helplessly soundless. By the time another mic was handed to Martin, the crowd had decided to sing it for their beloved King. Bravo!
Earlier during the show, in a spiel about goodbyes, dashing Edu Manzano, who looks younger than his son, appeared onstage, just to say goodbye four times to the delight of the crowd. "Edu Manzano, the king of goodbyes!" Martin announced. Bar none, no one says, "goodbye" more curtly than Edu Manzano. Because of this, "goodbye" has became synonymous with The Weakest Link! I heard from my good friend, Peter Tan, the "boyfriend" of loveable Saripaz Villar of Crossover that he came back from Singapore to be able to do the four goodbyes in Martin’s show. Edu is known to be a fiercely loyal and generous friend – he proved it that night at that Araneta Coliseum.
The Broadway medley that Louie Ocampo arranged for Martin this year is stronger than the one he did last year. Starlight Express which opened the medley, for me, is one of the best Broadway songs ever composed.
…Starlight express, you can’t confess
Are you real, yes or no
Starlight express, please answer me yes
I don’t want you to go!
Somewhere in the show, Martin declared, "I am a dreamer. Every step I make takes me farther away from my children and from you." But he took this back when he said at the end of the concert, "Wherever I go, I will take you all with me."
Martin is the only one who can do gibberish and gobbledygook and still get a rapturous standing ovation. It is because he has spectacular talent and he’s blessed with charm that can turn serpents into meek lambs.
And why wouldn’t you fall for someone who sings and cries out "Its hard to be me." It is, and he makes everyone feel that he bleeds just as much as we all do. And he grapples with his own contradictions and complexities. And then he sings… and forever begins.
(Tomorrow at 8 p.m., XV4ever–The Crossover Adventure Continues as Martin performs at the Freedom Ring Amphitheater, Expo Filipino in Clarkfield, Pampanga.)
Stars at Greenhills mall event
It definitely was a star-studded event when the Greenhills Theater Mall held its grand opening recently, with some of the most prominent personalities in the political entertainment and sports scenes gathered in one of the biggest events of the year.
The affair started with a Fun Run early at dawn led by the members and officers of the Katipunan ng mga Artistang Pilipino sa Pelikula at Telebisyon (KAPPT). After the Fun Run, a Holy Mass was held with the executives and tenants of Greenhills Theater in attendance.
But the fun officially started late in the afternoon. A magnificent 70-feet Dragon Dance went around the Greenhills Theater Mall. Magicians, jugglers, bead makers, henna tattoo artists, fortune tellers provided fun and entertainment, hosts of the affair were Nanette Medved, G. Toengi, Calvin Millado, Alfred Vargas and Maui David.
There was a turn-over of a donation by the Greenhills Theater Mall to the KAPPT and signing of an Anti-Piracy Manifesto. Then, Vince Hizon led the lighting of the Torches of Peace, which signified the start of the blessing ceremony with five officiating priests in the three entrances of the mall. After this, came the ribbon-cutting ceremony in all three entrances led by the "ninongs and ninangs" which included Sen. Loren Legarda Leviste, San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito, Kuh Ledesma, Ara Mina, Ronnie Ricketts, Alice Dixon, Caridad Sanchez, Chairman and President of Ortigas & Co. lawyer Rafael Ortigas, Jr., Viva Entertainment head Vic del Rosario and KAPPT President German Moreno.
As soon as the ribbons were cut, confetti bombs exploded one after the other, heightening the excitement. Another Dragon Dance ensued while the guests were having cocktails.
Everyone had a grand time touring the fully-air-conditioned complex, browsing through the specialty shops and boutiques that offer quality items at rock-bottom prices. Also impressive are the two cinemas, each equipped with the latest in theater technology like digital sound, well-appointed seats, wall-to-wall carpeting and many more, comparable to the best theaters in the world. The complex also houses several food establishments offering a wide array of delicious food and delightful drinks like Dulcinea, Delifrance, Starbucks Coffee, and Pasto, with many more soon to open.
Then, an exciting concert was held featuring Kuh Ledesma, Regine Velasquez, Lani Misalucha, Pilita Corrales, the APO, Ogie Alcasid, Ara Mina, Leah Navarro, and many more. After the concert, a magnificent fireworks display lit the sky with glorious colors. Then, some of the hippest bands like Parliament Syndicate, Retrospect, and Mulatto mounted the concert stage and provided party music all night long.
Visit the Greenhills Theater Mall and experience a whole new concept in shopping, dining and movie-watching! Greenhills Theater Mall is being operated by the Music Musem Group headed by our good friends, Precy M. Florentino.