For Kuh and Joe Mari, love does matter

When it comes to relationships, there’s one big difference between Kuh Ledesma and Jose Mari Chan, even if they agree that, yes, love matters which happens to be the title of their Valentine show on Feb. 14 (starting at 7:30 p.m.) at the grand ballroom of Crimson Hotel Manila in Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, which opened on Dec. 15 last year. While Kuh’s marriage to Louie Gonzales has been annulled, that of Joe Mari (and Maryann Ansaldo) has been going strong(er) for more than three decades.

Nevertheless, they continue to make beautiful music together onstage, with Love Matters unbelievably only their second Valentine show together (even if they are both in-demand Valentine performers all these years; the first was also titled Love Matters), with Kuh herself as writer-director (and Rey Cristobal as musical director), and Joe Mari as special guest along with the so-called R&B Prince Kris Lawrence.

Kuh and Joe Mari sat for merienda at Annabel’s late last week with a few movie writers and the free-wheeling interview understandably revolved around LOVE — it matters, doesn’t it?

Asked what’s his favorite among his hundreds (by conservative estimate) of composed/recorded songs, Joe Mari said, “You know, each song is like a child of mine. I’ve said that before and I’m saying it again,” adding in answer to the follow-up question how he felt about his songs being covered by other (mostly new-generation) singers, “It’s like seeing a child of yours becoming successful, becoming a bank president or even a senator. So if another child grows up to be successful, I’m just as happy.”

Joe Mari’s most-covered song is Beautiful Girl not only by Filipino singers but other Asian singers (like Aaron Kwok, Sally Yee and Sandy Lam, all from Hong Kong). In the case of Kuh, it’s Till I Met You (used as title of a romance-drama starring Robin Padilla and Regine Velasquez). I’m sure that the Crimson crowd will expect Kuh and Joe Mari to sing those two songs — and more. “We’ll be singing old favorites as well as new ones,” assured Kuh. “Even if he’s only a ‘guest,’ I will ask Joe Mari to sing more songs. Hindi papayag ang audience na konti lang ang kantahin niya. You know naman that a Valentine show is meant to set people in love.”

Kris will surely win the hearts of the younger set with his own hits including Kung Malaya Lang Ako (no, he’s not since he’s committed to Katrina Halili, mother of their love child Katrence), When I See You Smile and his version of the “historic” Careless Whisper.

What are their three favorite love songs?

Kuh: 1). On My Way To You by Barbra Streisand. The lyrics are beautiful. One line says, If I didn’t go there, if I missed the smile, I would missed my way to you…Something like that. It’s an amazing song. 2). Memory from Cats, which is a powerful song, and 3). Ikaw by George Canseco (music by Louie Ocampo). It’s a beautiful song. (Proceeded to sing) “…upang sa lahat ng panahon, bawat pagkakataon ang ibigin ko’y ikaw…” Ang ganda, di ba?

Joe Mari: 1). When I Fall in Love, which was written by Victor Young and first recorded in 1960 in a film called One Minute by several other singers. 2). Windmills of Your Mind by Michel Legrand (for the film The Thomas Crown Affair, starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway). It’s figurative and it takes you into the inner depths of your mind; the melody is very catchy, and 3). Ang Tangi Kong Pag-Ibig which has a simple melody and yet it’s very endearing. (Proceeded to hum) It’s a very romantic song!

I told Kuh and Joe Mari that when I interviewed Hugh Jackman last December for Les Miserables (in which he plays Jean Valjean), the Australian actor admitted that, just like what even mere mortals do, he sings in the bathroom because, he explained, “the steam invigorates your vocal cords.” Do Kuh and Joe Mari also do the same?

“Yes,” said Kuh, “I do vocalize in the bathroom…with warm water. When I take a shower before a concert, that’s when I vocalize. But no, I don’t smoke…bad for the voice. Wala akong bisyo. Enough sleep is good for your voice.”

Said Joe Mari,  “I don’t do that in the bathroom. You know what I do? I use the sound check as an opportunity to vocalize since I just croon. It’s like working out your muscles before a fun run.”

Like most everybody, Pearl Peralta-Maclang is a fan of Kuh and Joe Mari’s. Pearl is the vice president for Sales and Marketing of FilArchipelago Hospitality, Inc. (FHI), the hotel manager and operator of Crimson Hotels & Resorts which is co-producing Love Matters with ALV Events International.

“Kuh and Joe Mari are the good representation of the brand,” said Pearl. “All their songs are my favorites; era ko sila.”

Pearl recalled that every time her brother’s wife was mad at him, he would sing the Jose Mari Chan song Can We Start All Over Again (a reconciliation song) and start laughing.

“His wife’s anger would disappear and then they’d continue laughing together,” said Pearl whose No. 1 favorite Kuh Ledesma song is I Think I’m In Love.

“It’s nice to be in love, isn’t it?” smiled Pearl.

The concert’s title says it well. Yes, love matters all the time even if it’s not Valentine’s Day.

(Note: Love Matters is a co-production of ALV Events International and Crimson Hotel, with Filinvest City as co-presenter. For ticket inquiries, call Crimson Hotel at 863-2222 local 1507 or 1511; ALV at 637-7016; or Ticketworld at 891-9999.)