Brian McKnight coming, undaunted by bombings

Curtain-raisers:

• Condolence to Bibeth Orteza (and family) on the death yesterday morning (Oct. 20, 3 a.m.) of her mom, Pascuala Cabuñag Orteza, 73, due to diabetes-related complications. The remains lie in state at the Funeraria Paz, Manila Memorial Park (Sucat, Parañaque City) where the burial will be held on Thursday, Oct. 24.

• My family and I would like to thank everybody who condoled and sympathized with us during the wake for our mom, Remedios Fua Lo, in Funeraria Paz, Quezon City, and in Las Navas, Northern Samar, where she was buried last Wednesday, Oct. 16.

• Also, my condolences to Miguel Vera and Lani Misalucha whose mother and father respectively passed away the same week my mother did. As consolation, maybe we bereaved should always remember that "It is in dying that we are born to eternal life." I’m sure our dear departed are happy where they are, free from pain and serenaded by angels.

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It’s a pity – and a setback for Philippine tourism – that the Oasis cancelled its concert scheduled Oct. 23 at the Araneta Coliseum due to the spate of suspected terrorist attacks in Bali, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Ticket-holders are, however, advised to wait for further announcement since local organizers are negotiating with the band’s agent for a new date for the concert.

Here’s the complete statement of Oasis’ British agent Ben Winchester:

Due to recent terrorist attacks in both Bali and the Philippines, Oasis has regretfully decided not to play its show in Manila on Wednesday, Oct. 23rd. A spokesman for the band said it did not wish to perform a show under the extreme security precautions that would have to be taken in order to guarantee crowd and band safety. Oasis was looking forward to playing for its Filipino fans for the first time, and hopes to be able to have another opportunity to do so around its next album release or sooner.

Sob and sigh. But Tourism Secretary Dick Gordon shouldn’t sulk – yet.

Scheduled to perform at the old ULTRA on Dec. 3 is the Red Hot Chili Peppers and, knock on wood, let’s hope that the group won’t chicken out like the Oasis.

Viva Concerts is giving assurance, though, that Brian McKnight will definitely come for two shows on Dec. 5 and 6 at the Araneta Coliseum, with Lani Misalucha as special guest. (For tickets, call the Araneta Ticketnet at 911-5555, SM outlets or the Viva Office at 413-2572. Prices are P3,000/P2,500 for patron, P2,500 for lower box, P1,250 for upper box A, P600 for upper box B and P200 for general admission. Early buyers will get a 10 percent discount in a special promo good only until Nov. 15. Better hurry up!)

McKnight should know better, having performed here a few times, the last having been last year (also at the Big Dome) where he developed an instant crush on Jackie Forster who was in the audience. No, Jackie didn’t, uh, "bite," so McKnight must have left the Philippines with a little crack in his heart.

Will he "fall in love" again with another Filipina during his forthcoming visit? Who would "it" be this time? Would "it" reciprocate? Would "it" mend that little crack in McKnight’s romantic heart? If you think you "qualify," make sure to sit on a spot within McKnight’s eyeview. You can never tell, you know – unless Jackie takes the same seat she did last year.

McKnight, whose latest album is called superhero, is like an adopted son of the Philippines, just like David Pomeranz who has so fallen in love with these 7,107 islands (low tide) that he has virtually made the Philippines his second home.

You can use many words to describe McKnight – singer, songwriter, arranger, producer and then some. But he simply wants to be known as, yes, a musician who has created beautiful songs for every singer you can think of, from Quincy Jones to Boyz II Men.

He has even written a song for Martin Nievera, entitled Never Say Goodbye, included in Martin’s new album Chasing Time (MCA-Universal’s local label) which reached the gold mark of 15,000 copies sold during the first shipment early this month.Never Say Goodbye has a soulful melody that music aficionados will easily fall in love with.

How did Martin convince McKnight to write that song for him?

Easy does it: During his visit last year, McKnight guested on martinlate@nite where they sang a duet of Thank You for Saving My Life (a cut from McKnight’s superhero album). McKnight was so impressed by Martin’s style that there and then, on the air, he promised to write a song for Martin who decided to include two more McKnight songs in Chasing Time, namely Over and All The Way.

Now, will Martin make a surprise appearance at McKnight’s concert and sing Never Say Goodbye with McKnight? Stay tuned.

Incidentally, Chasing Time being Martin’s 20th anniversary offering, MCA-Universal and SMART Communications (of which Martin is an endorser) are giving free copies of the SMART limited edition of the Chasing Time VCD to those who would swap their old SIMs for the SMART 64K super SIM in selected SM supermalls during the ongoing album launch mall tour. Radio fans may also tune in to WAVE 89.1, RX 93.1, Magic 89.9 and 93.9 iFM for more promos of the SMART 64K Super SIM Swap.

Stylish movie moments

Reader Patricia-Ann Que has e-mailed to Funfare her own 10 Stylish Moments in Hollywood Movies. Here they are:

1. When Brad Pitt and Claire Forlani part ways from the coffee shop in Meet Joe Black.

2. Russell Crowe rages in his horse, shouting "Single cart!" in the coliseum in Gladiator.

3. Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt walking to the bakeshop when Jack finally sets foot on the cracked floor in As Good As It Gets.

4. When Mel Gibson shouting "Freedom!" in Braveheart, simultaneously heard by the other characters but with different and individual reactions (kinilabutan ako!)

5. The "Hasta la vista, baby" line of Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2.

6. Robert de Niro and Robin Williams soaking themselves in a lake in Awakenings.

7. Julia Roberts dancing with Matthew Dermont in a boat without music in My Best Friend’s Wedding.

8. The mysterious breakfast bed scenes in Mary Rielley, unravelling either Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde, portrayed by John Malkovich with Julia Roberts.

9. Dance scene of Uma Thurman and John Travolta in Pulp Fiction.

10. Sexy and funny Jamie Lee Curtis grooves in True Lies with Arnold Schwarzenegger.