David's 'magic wand'

He has the equivalent of Midas’ touch that turns everything into gold. With his “magic wand,” iconic composer David Foster can turn an unknown into a superstar. There’s Celine Dion and Whitney Houston and Michael Buble and Josh Groban, and many more. And, of course, Charice.

Will David’s “magic wand” radically change the course of an unknown Filipino’s life during his concert titled Hitman David Foster and Friends at the Araneta Coliseum tonight featuring Charice, Natalie Cole, Peter Cetera, Ruben Studdard and The Canadian Tenors (Clifton Murray, Fraser Walters, Remigio Pereira and Victor Micallef)? He just might because, as he promised during the presscon last Thursday at the Passion restaurant (adjacent to Marriott Hotel at Resorts World Manila where he and his entourage are billeted), he’s determined to find another Charice from the audience, giving any potential “Foster child” 30 seconds to impress him.

David has a photographic memory and he will surely remember a talent when he hears one.

Before the presscon, Millie Gurfinkel, David’s friend, brought me to David and his beloved companion Miranda’s room at the eighth floor of Marriott. Millie is the wife of Immigration Lawyer and STAR columnist Michael Gurfinkel who facilitated the processing of Charice and her mom Raquel’s visas back in 2007 when they were asked at the last minute to fly to the US to guest first in Ellen De Generes’ show, before that of Oprah Winfrey who acted as bridge between Charice and David. 

I reminded David that I interviewed him by phone six years ago and he smiled, shaking my hand and, wow, remembering my nickname. That’s why I said he has a photographic memory. Then, I showed him an old long-playing album which my friend Mar d’Guzman Cruz asked me to bring along for David to autograph. Miranda’s face lit up when she saw the very handsome, younger David on the cover.

“He looks more handsome today, doesn’t he?” she said. I agreed. “Like wine, men mellow as they grow older.”

Millie reminded David to greet the guys at the presscon in Tagalog (Magandang hapon po!) and to bid them goodbye also in Tagalog (Salamat po!). David held the piece of paper in his hand and kept memorizing the greetings as we walked to the Passion restaurant. I noticed that he didn’t take the elevator going down (and, I would learn, earlier going up when they arrived from Japan that same afternoon). Yes, he was claustrophobic.

“He’s so humble,” observed Millie, “and he has a great sense of humor,” which was what David showed at the presscon when he almost took over as moderator by cracking little jokes every now and then.

Maybe for the nth time, David was asked what was it about Charice that caught his attention and interest the first time he heard her sing.

“It’s the same with everybody on this panel,” said David, referring to Studdard, Cole, Cetera and The Canadian Tenors who were also on the presidential table. “I’m attracted to great singers and if you look at her…I am attracted to great singers, period. These people that make music, that have hit records but are not great singers…I don’t know how to do that. I only know how to work with great singers; that’s what I love to do. They find me, rather than me finding them, and Charice is in that category. This tour has been great for Charice. She’s growing up fast, she’s becoming a young woman…”

Charice said that she was scared the first time she saw David.

“That was my first impression of him,” admitted Charice. “For three years, I felt that he was really part of my family,” thanking him again for showcasing her talent around the world. To which David responded, “She’s my godchild,” he having been among the sponsors (including Oprah, though both of them in absentia) at the baptism/confirmation of Charice and her brother Carl as Catholic (from Iglesia ni Kristo) last May during Charice’s birthday.

Towards the end of the presscon, those at the presidential table were asked what was David’s distinct trait that they valued most.

Cetera: He brings up the cast and everybody who works for him. It’s obvious when you see the show how much fun we have.

Studdard: His sense of humor. He has a way of making you feel relaxed but always on your toes.

Canadian Tenor Fraser Walters: We’re truly blessed to be on this panel with the four performers and David. He’s something that only happens in dream. He’s constantly looking for new artists and musicians and giving them new opportunities, and we are so grateful to him for giving us this opportunity…

When Cole commented that she never imagined that such good-looking guys as The Canadian Tenors could actually sing, David promptly suggested that the four guys sing for the media “for 30 seconds.” After The Canadian Tenors sang a stanza from one of their songs, David said, “Put them on the spot. See, that’s what I love to do.”

He just might do that at the Big Dome tonight, put somebody from the audience on the spot, and wave his “magic wand” as he did over Charice.

(Reminder: The album The Magic of David Foster & Friends, released by Warner Music Philippines, is now available in record bars nationwide, featuring Celine Dion, Toni Braxton, Madonna, Michael Buble, Barbra Streisand, Brandy, Seal, Earth Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Al Jearreau, Cheryl Lynn, James Ingram, Boz Scaggs, Lionel Richie, Air Supply, Peter Cetera, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole, Renee Olstead, Peter Cincotti, Katherine Jenkins, Jordan Hill, Gloria Estefan, ‘NSync, All-4-One, The Corrs, Marilyn Martin and Olivia Newton John.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected] or at [email protected])