Greatest Hits Just Once More at Araneta

They are friends. They are legends. And they started the Manila Sound. Rico J. Puno, Rey Valera, Hajji Alejandro, Nonoy Zuñiga and Marco Sison, five of the local music industry pillars, will do a repeat of their highly successful Araneta concert on Sept. 26. Billed the Greatest Hits Just Once More, Rico, Hajji, Rey, Marco and Nonoy will sing songs that made them famous and songs that made us laugh and cry.

Rico, Hajji, Rey, Nonoy and Marco speak fondly of each other. They are like brothers who genuinely admire each other’s artistry.

In this concert they will have their children singing along with them. Rico will sing a duet with daughter Tosca in The Prayer. "It is her favorite song," says Rico, who has maintained his "macho guapito" image all these years. "We protect our image kahit na inuulan na ko sa katarantaduhan." Rico adds that he does not stop to learn. "Also because, I never lost contact with my friends. ‘Yong friends ko since elementary kaibigan ko pa rin ngayon."

Rey will perform with his children who are also part of the back-up musicians in the concert. Rey’s children John Valor, Joan Valerie, Greta Mae and Clarisse will accompany him as he sings Pangako. Described by Nonoy as makatao, Rey believes that the secret of his success could be in how he deals with people. "’Yong mga nagtitimpla ng kape, yong mga inuutusan, later sila yong nagiging decision- makers. At dahil hindi mo sila pinakitaan ng pangit, pag umasenso ang mga yan, makikilala ka pa rin nila. Ang nangyayari pag umasenso sila at ikaw naman nawala ka, sa pagbalik say, after 10 years, they will be there for you because hindi mo sila pinakitaan ng pangi."

Hajji, the most "serious" in the group, will sing with daughter Rachel. Celebrating his 30 years in the business, Hajji considers himself a work in progress. "Never for a second did I think of myself as ‘made.’ I still get positive tension everytime I perform. At pag nawala na yong tension, ibig sabihin bored na ako."

Nonoy, who popularized the song, Never Ever Say Goodbye, is featured in a number with Sarah Geronimo. And why not a duet with his own children? "Yon kasi ang unang plano. While we were brainstorming about the script, Hajji said, "If I am going to sing a duet with a female artist, bakit hindi na lang ang anak ko?’ Sabi naman ni Rico, ‘Si Tosca na rin ka-duet ko.’ Ganun din si Rey. My children sing only in school programs. I don’t encourage them to sing. Kung ano lang ang gusto nila. Ako, nobody encouraged me to sing at napunta ako dito," says Nonoy who is also a medical doctor.

Marco admits that the proliferation of karaoke bars helped him a lot. The song My Love Will See You Through is number one OPM favorite in videoke bars. "It is now a classic," he says of his song. His eldest son Alain, who is also into singing, will have a number with him in the concert. The number Make Believe is also a favorite piece in sing-along and videoke bars. "Hati kami ni Alain sa kanta. As a singer, I want to make people happy and I want to sing forever. Singing is the best job in the world," Marco says.

Greatest Hits Just Once More at the Araneta is produced by Viva Concerts. Tickets priced at Patron A&B P1200, Lower Box P850, Upper A P500, Upper B P250 and General Admission P100. Tickets are available at Araneta Ticketnet (9115555), SM Ticketnet Outlets and Viva Concerts (6875853/6876181 loc. 715 or 620/6871125).