Coming very soon:Revolution in song

There is a quiet revolution brewing within the small community of singer-composers that could only augur good things to come for the country and our international reputation as the Italians of Asia. The results from our first Voice of the Philippines can only spread as the four finalists display their talents in performances all over the world.

This is not to say that we didn’t have this proficiency earlier, but developments in communication and in the new media have made it easier for our gifts to be recognized faster.

We watched Sharon Cuneta and Ogie Alcasid’s new show The Mega and The Songwriter, found Rey Valera as special guest and were completely enthralled by the genius of everyone. This new show of Sharon is just what the Megastar needed after her first show Sharon: Kasama mo, Kapatid when she first moved to TV5 didn’t exactly click with the public.

Sharon is completely in her element in the new show aired Sundays at 9 p.m. The particular episode we watched was historic since Rey composed the song Mr. DJ for Sharon at 12 which broke the box-office and started her on a singing career that has reached heights unimaginable. Songs composed by Rey are familiar to everyone young and old, like Kung Kailangan Mo Ako, Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko, Sinasamba Kita, Maging Sino Ka Man, Kung Kailangan Mo Ako, several having been used as theme songs for teleseryes.

Ogie on his end is known for Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang, Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan, Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo, Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo and Nandito Ako. It felt so good to be hearing OPM again. Other known singers are apparently feeling the same way. Jed Madela, acknowledged for his powerful voice, has also said to have been waiting for the chance to sing OPM.

It is not only in the local scene that Pinoy singers are going back to the good old days but in such concerts like the Viva produced The Circus Band and The New Minstrels Greatest Hits Reunion Concert held last September at the Plenary Hall of the PICC in Pasay, then Baguio and Cebu. The 12-strong group composed of Hajji Alejandro, Tillie Moreno, Pat Castillo, Jacqui Magno and Basil Valdez of the Circus Band, and Louie Reyes Reyes, Ding Mercado, Joey Albert, Chad Borja, Ray-An Fuentes and Eugene Villaluz of the New Minstrels brought back the era of romantic ballads, disco, rock, funk, R&B, Motown, Santana, Earth Wind & Fire from the ’70s. The show was so successful that Viva is said to be gathering the group once again to tour the country, a difficult task since many of them live abroad.

We got to see some of them again plus other warblers at Merk’s Place on Richard Merk’s birthday. All in the spirit of fun, Richard called each of his guests to sing a song for him and his mom, the great jazz singer Annie Brazil who was present. A week earlier, Richard and wife Roni had given Annie a tribute concert at the Solaire Casino Hotel ballroom on the occasion of her 80th birthday.

This time, at Merk’s, Tillie sang Misty, Danny Javier Di Na Natuto, Noel Cabangon Kung Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko, Hajji The Way You Look Tonight and Jaime Fabregas who hadn’t sung in years rendered Summer Time complete with whistling. Of course, Richard serenaded his mom, and Annie naturally had to sing. It was an enormously happy occasion with music as its elixir. Yes, indeed, the Filipino was born to sing and now more than ever before, he is exercising that right.

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