Verni doesn’t have to sing for her supper

First, a reminder: Verni is spelled without an "e" at the end as most people often do. Thus, Verni Varga.

"It’s short for Viernes, given to me by my mom," Verni, whose real name is Ignacia Mabugat (from Bantayan Island, Cebu) told Funfare in a one-on-one. "My mother said I was born on a Friday, so she decided to call me Verni for short."

When she was just starting as a singer, she did spell it with an "e" (as in Vernie) but she decided to drop the "e" because it made the name sound like that of a man’s.

But with or without an "e," Verni sings with "e"lectricity, whether doing her own, original version of Kahit Isang Saglit (which she recorded years before Martin Nievera revived it as theme song of the 2001 Star Cinema romance-drama of the same title, starring Judy Ann Santos, Piolo Pascual and Leandro Muñoz) and The Power of Love which she described as "the song of my life."

Those two songs will surely be included in Verni’s repertoire in her pre-Valentine show, Love Affair, with Rico J. Puno and Gladys Guevarra (with Rufa Mae Quinto, Erik Santos and the Sexbomb in "special participation"; directed by Al Quinn, with Gerry Matias as musical director) slated for Feb. 10 (Saturday) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (dinner at 7:30 and show at 9).

At the presscon, held at Don Henrico’s, Tomas Morato branch, for the show (produced by Royale ERA Entertainment, owned and managed by Annabelle Rama and family), Verni sang a few lines from the two songs and, as she always does, her rendition of Kahit Isang Saglit sent shivers down my spine (yes, Verni is that "e"-lectrifying!) and brought tears to my eyes. The song has that kind of effect on me, especially the line "...sana yakapin mo akong muli, kahit na sandali, mayakap ka..." That scene in the movie showing a comatose Leandro Muñoz attached to a ventilator, while a tearful Judy Ann is delivering a monologue and Martin singing in the background, reminds me of my mom when she was at the ICU vainly fighting for her life. That’s why.

When Verni performed for Thailand’s Royal Family, she sang The Power of Love upon the request of Queen Sirikit. It turned out that the song was the queen’s favorite.

Asked what the difference is between performing for royals and performing for ordinary mortals, Verni (who has sang for other royalties, including that of Brunei when Ayen Munji, now Laurel, was still that kingdom’s queen) said, "You don’t turn your back on the royal family." Meaning, you walk away from the stage backward, sort of.

And, take note, in Love Affair, Verni will again do a medley of her three other favorite songs, I Will Survive, This Is My Life and The Greatest Performance of My Life.

So, what does Verni consider the greatest performance of her life?

"My being a wife and a mother," she said without any second thought.

Verni is, in her own words, "very much happily married" to businessman Ricardo Oledan by whom she has two, again in Verni’s own words, "very beautiful children," John Franco, 10, and Gianna Maria, seven years old, who are both musically gifted. You know, like mother...

"Ric himself is a music lover," said Verni. "He loves jazz. Yes, we sing together but only in the bathroom and sometimes in the bedroom. It’s John Franco who seems to be following in my footsteps. When he comes home from school, bigla na lang ‘yan nagpa-Pavarotti. Magaling din mag-rap ang anak kong ‘yan."

As a mom, Verni said she’s "hands-on," seeing to her kids’ every need. "I’m the disciplinarian, and Ric is the spoiler."

Luckily, just like Jose Mari Chan and very few other singers, Verni doesn’t have to sing for her supper; she’s doing so purely for the love of it.

"Ay, di puede pigilin ang aking pag-awit. Ric knows how much I love singing, and he’s supportive and encouraging."

Doesn’t her husband, who always watches her concerts, get jealous and/or "affected" when men in the audience kind of flirt with her?

"No," said Verni, "he doesn’t," adding in jest, "okay lang sa kanya; anyway, alam naman niyang sa kanya din ako uuwi. Ric and I have a very healthy relationship. We don’t keep things from each other."

Until she got pregnant with John Franco, Verni said she used to smoke (but not heavily). Some doctors say that cold drinks have no adverse effects on the vocal cords, but Verni avoids them just the same. That’s how she protects her voice which is so versatile that it allows her to do any kind of music – "Kahit anong klaseng trend ang sumulpot, puede kong sabayan," as she aptly put it.

Playing golf also helps exercise her lung power.

"I’m basically hyper-active. I do a lot of walking. I’m always moving around."

Now, who among the new breed of singers has the makings of "the next Verni Varga"?

"What matters is not being the next this or the next that," Verni said. "What’s important is making a name of your own. We have a lot of good, young singers and they belong to different categories."

She named two, Rachelle Ann Go and Nina.

(Note: For ticket inquiries and reservations to Love Affair, call 727-2534, 727-2536 or 0919-8191389. Royale ERA is presenting the show with GMA, Calayan Surgicenter and Bench; sponsored by Don Henrico’s, Salt & Pepper Restaurant and One Card International, for the benefit of Asilo Medalla Milagrosa.)

What’s up?

• Birthday greetings to avid Funfare reader Randy Montecillo, who’s marking 50 today with a party at the Casino Filipino Hotel in Bacolod City. Randy said, "I’ve been reading Funfare since I was in high school back in Candelaria, Quezon."

• So Pauleen Luna and Marvin Agustin have broken up...so soon? Heard that those close to Pauleen, her family included, were against the match because it was "pulling down" Pauleen’s career. What happened to Marvin’s relationship with the non-showbiz girl with whom he has twin children?

• From reader Sem Cordial, reacting to last Sunday’s Conversation with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour: Great interview, except for one detail. It’s not "snap" video but "snuff" video of Saddam’s execution...From reader Jun de Dios of Quezon City, also reacting to the same story: I’m glad that Karen Davila asked Amanpour if she wore a bullet-proof vest during a coverage. Amanpour said she did. Being fearless and daring doesn’t mean risking your life. Her answer kind of "humanizes" Amanpour and I admire her all the more for that.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected])