Ogie: Nothing more to hide

Ogie Alcasid has roughly done 19 Valentine shows given the number of years he has spent in the entertainment business. Two were with Royale Era Entertainment.

My Funny Valentine, another collaboration with Royale Era, is perhaps the singer-songwriter’s happiest Valentine show in recent years. Why? Because Ogie can now sing the songs of love and say those words of endearment to lady love, Regine Velasquez, sans any front or disguise.

Music-loving Pinoys will witness this on Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m. at Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom. Find out if Ogie does sing a sweet, sincere tune this time around.

“She’s happy,” replies Ogie when asked about his estranged wife, Michelle van Eimeren. “She looks happy and it shows in the way she carries herself. We’re proud of what we went through recently. Dumaan kami sa butas ng karayom.”

Proud that he and Michelle have remained friends after that inevitable turn in their marriage, Ogie is a picture of a happy man. “I was hiding (something) in myself then,” recalls Ogie. “I had my reasons why I was delaying to tell everyone about my relationship with Regine. I wanted to ensure the welfare of my kids. I had to build a house for them before I could do what I wanted. It was something I couldn’t jump into easily. I thank Regine’s patience.”

How’s everything going with his family in Australia?

“My daughters have Aussie accent,” reports Ogie. “I bought them Filipino books the last time I went there. I tried to teach them how to read in Filipino. Michelle never forgets her Tagalog maybe because she stayed for a long time here. When I spoke to her in English, Michelle answered me in Tagalog.”

What makes Ogie smile, too, is the fact that the kids have accepted their family set-up. Besides, Ogie the father never hides anything from them. His daughters were not the last to know about his relationship with Regine. 

This is Ogie’s source of happiness and the reason why he is having a funny and happy Valentine’s not just only on the Day of Hearts, but every day of his life.

My Funny Valentine, directed by Al Quinn and with musical direction of Gerry Matias, is a dinner-show that features Ogie’s musical genius. Vernie  Varga’s vocal prowess and Ai Ai de las Alas’ comedic skills. Diana Zubiri will also sizzle her way onstage.

The live audience will be treated to Ogie’s hits and Vernie’s signature jazz songs. Ai Ai will be seen pitting vocal skills against Vernie and Ogie. It’s going to be a riot onstage, where music and fun will blend.

Ogie and the audience will go down memory lane as he reminisces the song he first dedicated to Regine (Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka) and the ditty (Ikaw Ang Pangarap) he first sang to Regine when they officially became boyfriend and girlfriend.

Aside from appearing regularly on Bubble Gang and S.O.P., Ogie is busy writing songs. In fact, he did the music of the animated movie Urduja showcasing the voices of Regine and Cesar Montano. Ogie says Urduja may have similarities with Mulan but the music is incomparable, one-of-a-kind. He is impressed with Cesar’s vocals. It reminds him of Ewan McGregor’s voice, which is full of character. 

Soon, he will be seen sitting as a judge for GMA 7’s Pinoy Idol. He says he will be a combination of American Idol’s Paula Abdul and Philippine Idol’s Pilita Corrales. It’s up to the televiewers to find out what Ogie exactly means by that. He assures Pinoy Idol wannabes will receive honest comments from him. 

It is the same honesty he has shown to Regine.

“I told her, hindi ako mambababae,” says Ogie. “But I’m just friendly to women. It’s my nature.”