Good times with the legends

MANILA, Philippines - The Original Pilipino Music (OPM) Legends — Rico J. Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Rey Valera and Marco Sison — have “trail-blazed” the trend called reunion concert that the young ones and the young once are enjoying. The Legends are at it again as they topbill a pre-Valentine show on Feb. 12 at the Palacio de Maynila along Roxas Boulevard. Dinner starts at 7, while the show comes right after at 8. 

Rico, Hajji, Rey and Marco will give fans a retrospective of their music as everyone goes down memory lane with them. The OPM Legends show will be replete with good music, good memories and good times.

“The production numbers and the things we talk about (on stage) at ang pinag-go-good-time-man (and the subjects of our good time),” says Rey of what the public can look forward to the musical gathering. The good-time segment consists of jokes which are current-events-inspired, plus Rico J’s brand of humor.      

“Iba yung joke na parang sarcastic. Iba yung joke na gusto mong i-touch lang nang alanganin yung (isang) subject matter na yun. Pero hindi ka doon pupunta (A sarcastic joke is different from the one that touches on a subject matter. But you don’t go there),” the singer-composer clarifies. Although a repartee is common in almost all of the Legends’ shows, it always gives a different feel to the usual sing-and-serenade approach that balladeers do.

“It has a bit of sense of humor. That’s why it becomes funny instead of nakakapikon (provocative jokes),” Marco adds. “Palipad hangin.” The audience is left figuring out what the Legends are talking about. The banter is a sneak peek into the camaraderie the Legends have off stage and a glimpse of their personality and an insight into their opinions, as Rey puts it.

After a good laugh, the fans are off to the main event, where the Legends perform their signature songs (with their unique vocal styling and stage performance) that have become classics and have defined what OPM stands for. The fans will be treated to such ditties May Minamahal (Hajji), May Bukas Pa (Rico J.), Maging Sino Ka Man (Rey) and My Love Will See You Through (Marco) — songs fans listen to, over and over again, with delight and anticipation.  

“I would say we’re lucky,” shares Hajji of the musical journey he and his friends have taken successfully. The Legends were at the right place and at the right time when the Filipino music tried to find its niche in a market dominated by Western songs. “There was some kind of a ‘revolution’ as far as the Philippine music was concerned (at that time),” he recalls. “That was the time when sobra ang Western influence. Kapag kumanta ka nang Tagalog, ang lingo nga nung araw ay bakya. Napalitan natin yung notion na yon. Itinaas natin yung standard, nagkaroon ng originality, nagkaroon ng sariling character. Naging toe-to-toe (ang Pilipino music) with the Western influence.” Their efforts had paid off in popularizing OPM, and making it more accessible to many. And their careers are like an open book to up-and-coming singers. Their success story boils down to one thing: Passion for work. That’s why they don’t see themselves retiring from singing anytime soon.  

“This is the one thing that I love to do since I was small,” says Hajji. “Hindi ko nga alam na pwede palang maging career ito (I never thought that I could make a career out of it then).”

“As long as the fans want me to (sing), I’ll be here,” says Marco. “Minsan naiisip ko kailan kaya ako hihindi. I was in public service for nine years (as councilor in Biñan)… So there was a time I missed performing… Minsan gusto ko lang tumanggi, mahirap lang talagang tanggihan. (I like) the urge (to perform), the adrenaline rush, the excitement, the (part) where you see the audience’s reaction.” This spells happiness to the Legends and the experience is priceless.

Thus, the Legends have never failed to surprise us every time they take the center stage.

(For details, call 524-7606 or 527-3239.)