Ruling the concert scene despite recession

Recession or no recession, Sarah Geronimo packs the people in. Be it concert venues and cinema multiplexes in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world, she rules the scene.

“All concert tickets were sold out two weeks ago,” declared concert producer Alfonso Chu, or Tito Al, as he is fondly called, over dinner last Friday in Anaheim, California. This writer even overheard Tito Al tell one caller, who was angling for tickets, to just wait for September when Sarah returns for a planned repeat before she does her Canada Tour.

Most concert producers in the US agree that Sarah is the surest thing to a concert hit. This month she returns to Southern California for her sixth concert in five years and she is herself surprised to find that her followers continue to grow. There are some who even travel with her. “We are not poor for you, Sarah,” shouted one group of fans during the concert at the packed Heritage Forum last Saturday.

“Thank you,” was all Sarah could muster. She was visibly touched and surprised by the huge crowd that gave her two standing ovations in a show that is clearly her best ever. “This is going to be a different show,” promised Tito Al. And he was right. The show was amazing! Sarah has now become a seasoned performer. She danced, sang, bantered with the audience and was completely, visibly in control.

The repertoire and Sarah’s wonderfully selected guests (Charlie Green, Billy Crawford and Mark Bautista) provided the right mix of music, entertainment and surprises. Even the two attractive dancers from the G Force were a pleasant surprise.

Charlie did an inspired rendition of the OPM classic Dahil Sa ‘Yo and some people were brought to tears. Billy pumped up the show’s energy and he sure has an electrifying presence on stage. His sexy dance moves on stage made the women, and some men, too, swoon. No kidding.

Sarah’s erstwhile loveteam-mate but consistent concert guest Mark provided the night’s other most applauded number. His set of old standards was a crowd-pleaser and earned him an ovation as well. What a voice!

But the night was Sarah’s crowning party. When Billy re-introduced Sarah after his set, he renamed the show from Sarah, the Next One to Sarah, the Only One. Everyone agreed. Sarah is indeed the biggest star in the Philippines right now.

In February, she swept the MYX awards, winning six trophies. Last week, the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Awards handed her an unprecedented recognition. She is 2008’s Box-Office Queen, Female Concert Performer of the Year, and Female Recording Artist of the year.

She could be the youngest Box-Office Queen ever but that is not her most remarkable feat — she did it with just her first movie.

And it doesn’t stop there. This week, her second movie, You Changed My Life, the sequel to A Very Special Love, has shot to the top of the list of all-time box-office hits in the Philippines with ticket sales surpassing the P200-M mark.

When this writer asked Sarah how she feels about this recent string of successes, she said she is “very, very happy.” She added that she is grateful to everyone who has supported and is supporting her. “I owe it to Boss Vic, Star Cinema and Viva.”

She said the risk that Star Cinema and Viva took in casting her and John Lloyd Cruz together is something that she could not have predicted to result in such a huge success. “It surprised me how people positively embraced our tandem.” She couldn’t believe that what started as an experimental team-up on ABS-CBN’s top-rating Maalaala Mo Kaya would make her a movie star. “I feel so blessed. The Lord has given me such overflowing blessings.” A third sequel is said to be in the works.

Her success, of course, came with a few sacrifices.

“There are sleepless nights. There are days we work until the wee hours of the morning.” She looked back to the time she won first place in the Star for a Night contest and realized that she has not stopped working since then. She calls it “strike while the iron is hot.” She has given up some precious time with her family who has to adjust to her schedule.

While other young stars party, she works. Her rare free time is spent at home, watching Titanic on DVD. “I want to fall in love,” she jokingly mused — perhaps suggesting something?

Sarah has been lately linked to Rayver Cruz, but she denied any romantic involvement with him. “Love can wait,” was all she said, to the clear delight of Tito Al who is her biggest fan.

In six years, Sarah has achieved more success than most other stars have in double or triple the time. She seems en route to becoming the next Superstar and Megastar combined.

But hard work alone doesn’t make one a success. There should be a reason why Sarah stands brightest among her contemporaries. There should be one thing that sets her apart from the rest of the pack. What could it be?

She is not strikingly beautiful. People see an ordinary-ness in her but they know that she is above being ordinary. There are singers better than her, but her distinctly melodious voice stands out. She is not the best actress, but she has a natural screen presence akin to that of a young Maricel Soriano. Sarah is a star. She can’t help it and she can’t avoid it.