Reliving The Penthouse Live days

MANILA, Philippines - In 1982, a late-night variety show called The Penthouse Live became every Filipino fan’s Sunday viewing habit.

Aired over GMA Network and directed by Fritz Ynfante, it was highly successful in that it dramatically changed local TV landscape and made record-breaking history by introducing the refreshing tandem of Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez.

Week in and week out, the country’s Concert King and Queen took televiewers not only through a journey of sentimental duets but through moving real-life drama, romance and fairy tale as well.

The Penthouse Live did pay witness to the blossoming of a beautiful and magical pairing, reel and real, between its hosts, in full view of its adoring and die-hard followers. The Martin-Pops chemistry was so strong that it ended up in marriage four years later. The union, which unfortunately ended on its 13th year, bore two boys, Robin and Ram, who both grew up before the public’s eyes.

But before bowing out from the scene in 1987 (to give way to Martin and Pops Twogether), The Penthouse Live was also credited for propelling to greater heights the careers of then stand-up comedienne Nanette Inventor (Donya Buding) and Jojo Alejar and The Tigers, an all-boy dance group best remembered for their funky groovin’ to one of Michael Jackson’s big hits, PYT (Pretty Young Thing).

This year, fans can relive The Penthouse Live magic as Pops and DSL Productions bring The Penthouse… Live Reunion concert at the PICC Plenary Hall on Dec. 12, 8 p.m.

The show, which coincides with Pops’ birthday, will feature the enduring “loveteam” of Martin and Pops together with guests Nanette, Jojo and The Tigers plus a host of other surprise guests. Directed by Rowell Santiago, it will have Homer Flores as musical director.

The Penthouse… Live Reunion is presented by Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corp., PLDT Home DSL, Yakult, PLDT Home Telpad, OAAP-Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines, PAMICA Graphics, Prouna Hankook Chinaware-The Gift of Luxury, The Food Club-Your Lifestyle Buffet, Jet 7 Bistro, Don Henrico’s, North Park, ABS-CBN, Star Events and Businessworld. Radio partners are Crossover 105.1 Manila and 106.7 Energy FM.

(For details, call the DSL office at 659-3474, 0918-5633781, 0943-2667101 or 0916-7150672.)