From being single to sexy

Concert review: OK Lang Maging Single sa Valentine’s and Make Me Sweat

Yeng Constantino and Markki Stroem kicked off the Valentine season by topbilling two concerts that capture the essence of the season in an unconventional way.

Yeng, whose transformation from being the Grand Star Dreamer of Pinoy Dream Academy Season 1 to one of the most influential young music icons of her generation has been lauded by many, celebrated the joys of being single in Ok Lang Maging Single sa Valentine’s last Feb. 3 at the Music Museum.

“I am excited because I can really say na ako ang inspiration ko sa concert na ito,” says Yeng. “Being single is a very happy state. It is a time to bond with your family, friends and God.”

In the sold-out concert, Yeng proved that she is more than just the singer-composer of the anthemic Hawak Kamay. She belted out songs with so much ease, honesty and confidence.

Yeng opened the show strongly with her rendition of Bon Jovi’s You Give Love A Bad Name, which proved that the young performer has a good command of her audience.

Yeng also performed her versions of Adele’s Someone Like You and Alicia Keys’ If I Ain’t Got You.

Three special medleys were also included in the repertoire that tackled different love themes — being single (Mahirap Magmahal ng Syota ng Iba, Mr. Kupido, Kung Ako Na Lang Sana, Pers Lab), being alone (Goodbye To Love, Hiding Inside Myself, Bluer Than Blue), and hope (Wag Kang Matakot, Umaaraw, Umuulan, 214, With A Smile).

Yeng was joined by Jovit Baldivino in a special duet of the latter’s hit cover Too Much Love Will Kill You. Paolo Valenciano, meanwhile, had a Kamusta Ka Na-Tag-Ulan duet with the Pop Rock Princess.

Pag-Ibig, a song about unconditional love written by Yeng especially for the concert, was also performed to her fans’ delight. The song was launched online and reached one million views on YouTube a day before her concert.

Markki is sexier, more confident of his music, which he calls alternative jazz

Yeng was so overwhelmed upon knowing that the song made it big even though it’s not part of any album. It even hit the No. 3 spot on MYX charts a week after its video premiere. Her friends from the business Erik Santos, Richard Poon, Christian Bautista, Jimmy Marquez, Rachelle Ann Go, K-La Rivera and Sponge Cola’s Yael Yuzon also supported Yeng.

The crowd was also tickled by the video snippets that were showcased in between Yeng’s sets with the rockoustic heartthrob Sam Milby playing as Yeng’s ex-boyfriend. 

She closed her concert the same way she started it — on a high note with another Bon Jovi song It’s My Life.

In an interview, Cornerstone’s Erickson Raymundo, manager of Yeng, said, “Yeng is really a stand-out — her music, looks, talent. It is really pure joy to see her work her magic with the audience.”

Erickson, on the other hand, describes his other talent Markki Stroem as a very sensual and gifted soloist, making him agree to produce the sexy-dance concert Make Me Sweat, held last Feb. 4 at the Music Museum.

Undeniably, one of the edgiest and boldest concerts ever mounted during the love month in the country, the concert reintroduces a new Markki — sexier, more confident of his music, which he calls alternative jazz.

In Make Me Sweat, the young singer impressed the audience with his distinct rendition of songs by female artists like Lady Gaga’s Marry The Night, Adele’s Rolling In The Deep, Britney Spears’ Toxic and Rihanna’s Man Down, arranged by Markki himself and his band.

Everyone was also in awe when Markki picked up his saxophone and played the ultimately sexy tune Careless Whisper with two G-Force girls on stage doing a slow and breathtaking acrobatic routine. 

“This concert is really something new, so I am really proud of it, most especially because I get to share the stage with The G-Force,” admits Markki. “I am so happy that people trooped to our concert. I’m so happy that all seats were taken. I’m so glad to share this sold-out concert with G-Force.”

He also performed the song which displayed his promise as a songwriter called Steal Your Soul featuring Zia Quizon, with a music video that was launched virally and now on MYX’s regular playlist. The video, conceptualized by Markki himself, has his good friend Coleen Garcia as leading lady. He hopes more of his compositions be included in his upcoming solo album under a major record label soon.

Celebrity friends graced the event and cheered for Markki and G-Force like KC Concepcion, Erik, Karylle, Jimmy, K-La and Markki’s co-members in ASAP 2012’s all-male singing group Boys R Boys Bryan Termulo and Alex Castro. Star Magic bosses Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan and Mariole Alberto were also present.

Markki’s suave performance was perfectly complemented by the hot performance of G-Force.

Directed by Georcelle Dapat of G-Force, the concert was a perfect mix of soothing music and scorching hot dance. 

Because of the success of the two shows, Cornerstone Concerts, RRJ and Qualibet are thinking of having the concerts restaged.