Florante sings in apl.de.ap's album

Thinking about the upcoming concert Ugat, The Legends of Pinoy Folk Rock and wondering what the Juan de la Cruz Band, Sampaguita, Lolita Carbon and all those other icons will do at the Big Dome on Dec. 3, has also got me thinking about Florante.

And he has a piece of very exciting news for all of us. I heard that Florante has recently recorded with apl.de.ap for a cut in the Black Eyed Peas’ soon-to-be-released solo album, titled You Can Dream. That is big. Florante must have been one of apl.de.ap’s music idols, while he was growing up in Pampanga.

They probably hooked up in Los Angeles where Florante has been living for many years now. I am so happy for Florante. I can’t wait to hear what they did. And I am hopeful that this collaboration will open new doors for our popular and sorely missed folk artist.

Next, the also exciting news from the local front. Florante keeps a busy schedule in the US of A but he has agreed to join Ugat because it would be fun to join old friends in concert. Besides, the show will be about Filipino music and you know how very Filipino Florante can be. In fact he has entertained audiences during the past 30 years with anecdotes, one-liners and his beautiful, meaningful songs about being a Filipino.

Florante’s songs with their nationalistic and political themes and clever lyrics alternately inspire or amuse listeners. I do not know if he will be able to sing all of them at the Araneta show but this early fans are already looking forward to hearing him perform his big hits live.

Most of these hits can be found in the recently released compilation from Vicor, 18 Greatest Hits by Florante. Those included are Ako’y Pinoy, Pinay, Bahay, Musika, Digmaan, Daliri, Ako’y Tao, Awiting Sariling Atin, Nagtanan, Ang Bisaya, Tapayan (Kwentong Baliw), Nais Ko Sanang Malaman (Itanong Mo Sa Patay), ‘Di Ko Kailangan, Ibon, Ako, Si Tatang, Gitara Ko and the should never be missed, Handog. Be they suave balladeers or hard rocking kids, big selling stars or struggling talents, they all seem to develop some affinity for Handog and it has become the theme song of every Filipino artist.

Presented by Viva Concerts and Events Ugat, The Concert is a celebration of original Filipino music and stars The Legends of Pinoy Folk Rock. Performers are Pepe Smith, Mike Hanopol and Wally Gonzalez of the Juan de la Cruz Band, Sampaguita, Lolita Carbon, Florante, Heber Bartolome, Gary Granada and Noel Cabangon.

Tickets to Ugat are now available at all SM Ticketnet outlets and at the Araneta Coliseum. Prices are Patron A P2,500; Patron B P2,000; Lower Box P1,500; Upper Box A P1,000; Upper Box B P600; and General Admission P300.

But you can watch Ugat, The Concert for free when you buy a copy of Ugat 2, The Album from Vicor. Selected music outlets like SM, Odyssey and Astro in Metro Manila are now selling copies of Ugat 2, which boasts of one free GA ticket each. This entitles the bearer to entrance to what is touted as the musical event of the year.

Of course, you get to keep your Ugat 2, The Best Of Pinoy Folk Rock CD, which includes landmark songs by folk rock icons. Take note that some of the recordings included are made available for the first time after many years in this album. And all of them have been digitally remastered for great listening enjoyment.

These are: Titser’s Enemi Number 1,and No Touch, Juan de la Cruz Band; Tao, and Easy Pare, by Sampaguita; Pulubi, and Alaala, Freddie Aguilar; Laki Sa Layaw, and Mr. Kenkoy, Mike Hanopol; Pinay, Florante; Sierra Madre, and Lolo Jose by Coritha; Himig Ng Pag-ibig, and Itanong Mo Sa Mga Bata by Asin; 22 Anos, Len Carino & Cesar Verdeflor; Pagbabalik Ng Kwago, and Sirang Plaka,Anak Bayan; Nena, Banyuhay ni Heber; and Sigarilyo, by Kayumanggi.

Now also in the stores as part of the 18 Greatest Hits series are collections by Mike Hanopol with Umiikot-ikot, Kayabangan, Tulungan Natin, Awiting Pilipino, Sa Bayan Ni Juan and others; 18 Greatest Hits by Asin. Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran, Ang Bayan Kong Sinilangan (Cotabato), Hangin; and 18 Greatest Hits by Sampaguita. Bonggahan, Tao, Easy Pare, Laguna, Nosi Balasi, Sa Diyos Lamang and others.